'Global Water Bankruptcy' Threatens Billions

A new United Nations report signals the start of 'global water bankruptcy,' indicating that freshwater systems are depleted beyond recovery. Currently, 6.1 billion people reside in countries with insecure water resources, and 4 billion experience severe scarcity for a minimum of one month each year. This crisis stems from chronic overuse of groundwater, deforestation, land degradation, and pollution, exacerbated by climate change.

Cities worldwide are facing 'Day Zero' events, where water systems near collapse, as seen recently in Tehran. Turkey is experiencing widespread sinkholes due to drained aquifers. The report, based on peer-reviewed research, predicts that drought and scarcity will drive migrations in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.

Kaveh Madani, lead author and director of UN University's Institute for Water, Environment and Health, stresses that 'water bankruptcy' is a management issue. Climate change intensifies droughts and unpredictability, while local actions worsen these effects. He notes that many damaged water systems cannot recover, making droughts now 'anthropogenic'.

The UN's use of 'bankruptcy' signifies a permanent loss, unlike previous terms like 'water stress' or 'crisis.' Half the global population relies on groundwater, which is being heavily depleted. Those dependent on surface water are also vulnerable, with large lakes losing significant volume since the early 1990s. Poor water quality due to contaminants further strains available resources, with inadequate wastewater treatment being a major concern.