Global water crisis
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🌍 An underestimated threat to the economy, food supply, and stability
The global water shortage is becoming dramatically worse. Only 0.5% of the water on Earth is usable as fresh water. This is becoming increasingly scarce due to climate change, overuse, and a lack of infrastructure. Already today, around two billion people do not have regular access to drinking water, a global water crisis.
📉 The economic consequences are serious. According to the WWF, the value of functioning freshwater ecosystems amounts to around 49 trillion euros – about 60% of global GDP. Africa and the Middle East are facing a decline in economic output of up to 25% in the coming decades. Emerging economies such as India also face enormous challenges. With only 4% of the world’s freshwater resources for 18% of the world’s population, sustainable growth is hardly feasible.
🌾 Agriculture is suffering massively. In East Africa, droughts between 2020 and 2023 led to the death of 13 million livestock and crop failures that plunged over 20 million people into acute hunger crises. In Europe, heat and drought are exacerbating the situation. 2024 was the hottest year since records began, with dramatic effects on agriculture, industry, and infrastructure.
🚨 The social consequences are equally alarming: water shortages promote migration, political instability, and social unrest. In the US, households without secure access to water pay up to $15,800 more annually in healthcare costs and lost educational opportunities.
💡 Solutions are possible—but expensive. Rebuilding destroyed wetlands, investing in climate-resilient water systems, and distributing resources fairly are crucial. The EU is planning a water resilience strategy starting in 2026 that will also require the IT industry to do its part.
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