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UN: Earth is Living Beyond Its Hydrological Means
21 Jan
Summary
- The world is entering an era of 'water bankruptcy'.
- Groundwater depletion, pollution, and warming worsen water scarcity.
- Global water systems are already in states of failure.
A United Nations report warns that the world has entered an era of "water bankruptcy," living beyond its hydrological means. This crisis is characterized by the chronic depletion of groundwater, over-allocation of water resources, and significant land and soil degradation.
Compounded by deforestation, pollution, and the escalating impacts of global warming, many global water systems are now in a state of failure. Societies have consistently extracted more water than renewable flows and stored reserves can sustain, reducing the amount of safely usable water available.
Consequences are visible globally, with rivers failing to reach the sea, shrinking lakes and glaciers, and expanding deserts. Regions like the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and the American Southwest are highlighted as particularly vulnerable to severe water stress and its cascading effects.
