'Water, Water, Everywhere- Nor Yet a Drop to Drink'

The total volume of the Earth's water is estimated to be nearly 1.4 billion cubic kilometres. Only 2.5% of this, however, isn't salt water. And, only 0.3% of this water, in liquid form, on the planet's surface. Although it's been apparent the Earth is getting hotter and drier, George Monbiot concludes that politicians have been taking water availability for granted in their 'planning' (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/mar/04/water-world-run-out-planet-hotter-looming-crisis). Agriculture uses 90% of all freshwater. Monbiot notes that it's estimated that crops will have to increase by 50%, by 2050, simply to keep pace with human food demand. He also points out that an ignored 2017 study, clearly predicted that, by this time, water use for irrigation would have to increase by 146%. It's long been evident, that we've already 'maxed out' on freshwater use. The numbers simply will not add up! As Monbiot says, 'western' politicians never seem react, until water shortages start to impact on their own country's agriculture.