Global Commission Warns of Worsening Water Crisis

The Global Commission on the Economics of Water warns that the world is facing a severe water crisis that could lead to an 8% reduction in global GDP and threaten half of the world's food production by 2050. Factors such as climate change, poor land management, and chronic mismanagement are putting unprecedented stress on the global water cycle, particularly affecting densely populated regions like northwestern India and northeastern China. The commission calls for a global water pact and collaborative governmental action to redefine water consumption and ensure adequate infrastructure investment. It highlights the urgent need to value both 'blue water' from rivers and lakes and 'green water' in soils, as both are crucial for sustainable rainfall and carbon storage. The report emphasizes that ongoing deterioration of freshwater resources and ecosystems makes reliable water availability increasingly uncertain. If not addressed, this crisis threatens human well-being and economic stability on a global scale.