Water, Water, Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink?

The World Resources Institute note that 25 countries, home to 25% of the world's human population, currently face 'water stress'. 'Water stress' is defined as having to regularly use 80% of the country's water supplies each year (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/16/extreme-water-stress-faced-by-countries-home-to-quarter-of-world-population). The highest water stresses, are evident in Bahrain, Cyprus, Kuwait, Lebanon and Oman. Water demand is described as 'soaring' in Africa. Currently, 50% of the world's human population are exposed to extremely high water stess for at least 1 month of the year. The World Resources Institute expect, by 2050, this figure to rise to 60%. By that date, the Institute also predict that water demand will increase by 20-25%. Drinking (potable) water is already in short supply. Climate change is going to make getting reliable supplies increasingly difficult. Let's just hope that the often-predicted 'water wars' can be avoided.