The competition for water is getting worse
We need to find urgent solutions to the lack of water on a global level. Recent UN reports shows that the global demand for clean water will surpass what is available by 40% in 2030, the issue will only get worse.
This is blog is part of a special series by Global Citizen. Written by Sydni Brecher, Global Citizen
Every person needs 20-50 liters of clean water each day.
So, what happens when major cities start to run out of water?
Too often we only recognize the lack of clean, drinkable water in developing countries, but large cities such as Cape Town, South Africa, are getting closer to running out of it. Cape Town is not alone. Cities such as São Paulo, Beijing, and London have faced water scarcity issues and are still at risk of running out.
Minor resolutions have been made such as dragging an iceberg from Antarctica to the Western Cape and mini water purifiers. However, they only provide a short-term solution to a long-term problem.
It’s time we look back at history to find a way forward. Examining how other countries have overcome water scarcity issues and learning from them might help the world figure out what to do.
For example, Israel found themselves in a similar water crisis just a decade ago. They recognized that small-scale change was not going to cut it. They came up with a large-scale desalination plant, resulting in more water at an affordable price. Ten years later, 35% of the country’s drinking water comes from the sea.
Innovations in wastewater treatment might be a way to combat this newfound struggle for water. By finding ways to recycle water, we might be able to increase access.
With recent UN reports that the global demand for clean water will surpass what is available by 40% in 2030, the issue will only get worse. We need to find a new solution.
World Water Week will bring together experts, practitioners, decision-makers, business innovators, and young professionals from around the world to tackle the most pressing water issues our world faces today, such as the competition for water. Given the current situation in Cape Town, this year could be monumental in helping them recover.
As a part of the week, Stockholm Junior Water Prize winners will be announced. With over 10,000 entries from 30 countries being presented, could the answer be in this year’s entries?
Think you have an idea on how to improve global water and sanitation? Enter the Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition here.
Let’s prioritize this issue and figure out how to stop “Day Zero” from happening.
