More than one-third of the world’s population lives in water-scarce regions, and by mid-century, half of the projected 9.8 billion people on Earth “could be at risk due to water stress,” said a report out today from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. “With the potential for severe economic, political, and humanitarian consequences, bold action and a commitment from all stakeholders is needed to address this critical issue.”
Agriculture is the largest consumer of freshwater, accounting for 70 percent of global use, so sustainable water management in agriculture is imperative to assure a food supply for a growing world, said the report. Global demand for water is forecast to increase by 30 to 50 percent by 2050. “Farmers will need to improve their food production capacity to meet the needs of the growing populace” that increasingly will live in less-developed countries and in cities. “Competition for water among its many users is only going to intensify.”
The report, “From Scarcity to Security: Managing Water for a Nutritious Food Future,” urges the more efficient allocation of water for agricultural uses, research to improve crop and livestock productivity, shifting diets to foods that require less water to produce, and expanding the use of irrigation. Today, although just 20 percent of cultivated land is irrigated, it’s responsible for 40 percent of agricultural output. Irrigation could also mitigate the effects of climate change, which is forecast to increase temperatures and alter rainfall patterns.
According to the report, the United States should be a global leader in assuring water access and food security. It proposes action in four areas, from better coordination of water development and food production to more private-sector investment in the water supply and more research to combat water and food scarcity. The report was released at the Chicago Council’s annual food security conference, whose focus this year is water.