Global Water Bankruptcy: UN Scientists Warn of Widespread Crisis

Dozens of the world’s major rivers frequently enough run dry before reaching the sea. More than half of all large lakes are shrinking, and most major underground water sources are declining irreversibly due to agricultural pumping that drains water accumulated over centuries.

A U.N. report warns the world has entered a new era of “global water bankruptcy,” highlighting the urgent need to protect remaining resources.

“For too long, we have been living beyond our hydrological means,” says lead author Kaveh Madani, director of the U.N. University’s Institute for Water, Surroundings and Health.

the report reveals more regions are overspending their water reserves, which are rapidly dropping. While “water crisis” suggests a temporary emergency, many areas are depleting water beyond safe limits, facing bankruptcy or nearing it.

Many rivers, lakes, aquifers, and wetlands have passed “tipping points” and can’t recover.

“Millions of farmers are trying to grow more food from shrinking, polluted, or disappearing water sources,” Madani said.

Globally, roughly 70% of water goes to agriculture. Fatigued water resources can lead to economic collapse, displacement, and conflict. The report indicates about 3 billion people and over half of global food production are in areas with declining water resources.

As the 1990s, over half the world’s large lakes have shrunk. Approximately 35% of the planet’s natural wetlands—an area nearly the size of the European Union—have disappeared since the 1970s.

Excessive groundwater pumping…