AFP news agency on October 17 quoted a report by the Global Commission on the Water Economy (GCEW) published on October 16 stating that nearly 3 billion people and more than half of the world's food production are in areas suffering from drought and unstable water supplies.
The GCEW report said that the demand for fresh water will exceed supply by 40% by 2030. Meanwhile, half of the global population is facing water shortages and this problem could be worsened by climate change, according to The Guardian on October 16 .
Experts warn that the water crisis could threaten half of global food production by 2050 if action is not taken.
People carry jugs to receive free water in Bangalore, India in March.
Water shortages also threaten to disrupt economic growth. According to the GCEW, water crises could reduce gross domestic product (GDP) by 8% in high-income countries by 2050, while low-income countries could see a 15% reduction. The report cites economic impacts from climate-related increases in temperature and rainfall, reduced water reserves, and lack of access to clean water and sanitation.
Women's work: Risking their lives by hanging down a rope to the bottom of a well to get water.
GCEW calls for action on water governance, including the removal of harmful subsidies to water-intensive sectors or a shift to water-efficient solutions. It also calls for support for the poor and vulnerable.
Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who is also Co-Chair of GCEW, stressed the need to consider water resources as a global issue, along with coming up with initiatives and investment plans to address the crisis and stabilize the world's water cycle.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khung-hoang-nuoc-de-doa-hon-50-san-xuat-luong-thuc-toan-cau-185241017224057501.htm
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