Rain and snow have failed to end California’s worst drought in 1,200 years. The Po, Italy's longest river , has reached historically low levels. …
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UN Water Conference: Can we ensure water security in the face of climate change?
Water security is eroding around the world as climate change and nature loss disrupt rainfall and melt glaciers. As the U.N. Water Conference kicks off this week, what does water security look like around the world, and what can be done to prevent future problems?
WHAT IS WATER scarcity?
As the world warms up and the population rises, water shortages are a growing problem. Here are some facts about water scarcity.
Almost a third of people live in water-stressed countries
A rethink of global water security is needed as knowledge grows about the role of nature and climate, analysts say. Severe water scarcity has the potential to trigger political instability, conflict, displacement and migration, security analysts warn. Here's a snapshot of water insecurity around the world.
Dams are boosting water security, but causing new problems too
In Indonesia, a push to build new dams is causing new problems, from upending the lives of local people to new losses of forests and agricultural land, residents say. Meanwhile, in China, dam-building on the Mekong River is altering water flows and holding back sediment, affecting millions living downstream. And in Bagdhad, fishermen say their livelihoods are at risk as drought, dams and pollution deplete the river, shrinking their catches.
political hurdles
Water scarcity is becoming an increasingly pressing issue for India and Pakistan. Could a decades-old water-sharing treaty help break the deadlock over water resources? In Nepal, climate change is adding to the threat of glacial lake floods. Officials are seeking better sharing of lake data and early warnings among Nepal, China and India - but had so far not had a positive response.
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