A Global Response is Needed to Address Water Scarcity and its Implications

There are many implications for a warming climate, melting icebergs, increasing temperatures, coral bleaching, and water scarcity. Each of these impacts is devastating in their own right, and while water scarcity may not receive the same attention as the above ground implications of climate change, it is still just as troublesome. 

There are two types of water scarcity, physical scarcity, where local ecological conditions cause water shortage and economic scarcity when the water infrastructure is inadequate. When both physical and economic scarcity converge it leads to water stress. The two most water stressed regions of the globe are the Middle East and North Africa where 83% of the population experiences extremely high water stress. By 2050,it is estimated that 100% of the population in these countries are expected to live in extremely high water stress. 

Climate change is one of the drivers to water scarcity. United Nations experts estimate that for every 1.8°F increase in the global average temperature, renewable water resources drop 20%. Agriculture is poised to become a looming challenge for farmers, “as rainfall becomes unpredictable and rising temperatures accelerate the evaporation of water from soil.” Aside from agricultural challenges, increased flooding can wipe out crops and the sediment from flooding can clog treatment facilities and contaminate other water sources. 

Water scarcity in the Middle East and North Africa extends beyond the immediate challenges of access to clean water and is a crisis in waiting. From economic disruption, to exacerbating political tensions, to igniting conflicts, the convergence of physical and economic scarcity of water resources has global implications. 

The competition for limited water resources can strain relations between neighboring nations caused by transboundary water disputes, which can lead to fuel interstate conflict. As water becomes a commodity, the disruption of global flow of goods and people will be affected. Without intervention on climate change and solving for water scarcity, arid and semi-arid regions will displace an estimated 700 million people by 2030. The potential for mass migrations due to water shortages is a concern that extends far beyond the Middle East and North Africa, with ripple effects that can destabilize regions worldwide.

Addressing water scarcity requires a global response which should be addressed next month at the upcoming 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference. At previous COP meetings the focus has been on mitigating rising temperatures, but the need to address water scarcity becomes increasingly apparent, there is a growing momentum to prioritize water in climate action. For context, roughly 90% of climate impacts are related to water, however only 3% of climate finance is dedicated to the world’s water systems. In order to properly address water scarcity, it must be addressed as part of the ongoing climate crisis, not as a separate problem. 

As world leaders convene, the emphasis should shift from merely acknowledging the importance of water to implementing concrete strategies. Initiatives should encompass sustainable water management practices, investment in resilient water infrastructure, and international cooperation to navigate transboundary water challenges. Moreover, addressing water scarcity requires reevaluating climate finance allocations, ensuring that a more significant proportion is dedicated to safeguarding the world’s water resources.

The impact of water scarcity is not confined to a local or regional scale. It is a global crisis with far-reaching consequences, from economic disruptions to geopolitical tensions and mass migrations. As we confront the urgent challenges of a changing climate, the nexus between climate change and water scarcity must be at the forefront of international discourse and action. The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference presents an opportunity for the world to unite in prioritizing water as a vital component of climate resilience. After all, the climate crisis is a water crisis and the stakes are nothing less than the future well-being of our planet.

Originally written for and published on The Hill