The World’s Water Crises
Yes, oil is over $70 a barrel. But what’s the resource that will become increasingly precious – and expensive – in this century? Water. There are a few factors exacerbating the global water crisis: urbanization, population growth, climate change reducing the availability of fresh water, and agriculture that increasingly depends on irrigation. But don’t make the mistake of ...
Yes, oil is over $70 a barrel. But what's the resource that will become increasingly precious - and expensive - in this century? Water.
There are a few factors exacerbating the global water crisis: urbanization, population growth, climate change reducing the availability of fresh water, and agriculture that increasingly depends on irrigation. But don't make the mistake of believing that regional water issues in, say, South Asia, don't affect someone in North America. Fred Pearce, author of When the Rivers Run Dry, writes that "whenever you buy a T-shirt made of Pakistani cotton, eat Thai rice, or drink coffee from Central America, you are influencing the hydrology of those regions," trading in what he calls "virtual water." The global virtual-water trade is estimated at around 800 million acre-feet a year - the equivalent of 20 Nile Rivers. Survival obviously depends upon water, but so does trade, economic growth, and environmental health.
So, in the FP List this week, we look at four major water crises around the world: China, India, the United States, and Pakistan.
There are a few factors exacerbating the global water crisis: urbanization, population growth, climate change reducing the availability of fresh water, and agriculture that increasingly depends on irrigation. But don’t make the mistake of believing that regional water issues in, say, South Asia, don’t affect someone in North America. Fred Pearce, author of When the Rivers Run Dry, writes that “whenever you buy a T-shirt made of Pakistani cotton, eat Thai rice, or drink coffee from Central America, you are influencing the hydrology of those regions,” trading in what he calls “virtual water.” The global virtual-water trade is estimated at around 800 million acre-feet a year – the equivalent of 20 Nile Rivers. Survival obviously depends upon water, but so does trade, economic growth, and environmental health.
So, in the FP List this week, we look at four major water crises around the world: China, India, the United States, and Pakistan.
More from Foreign Policy
Is Cold War Inevitable?
A new biography of George Kennan, the father of containment, raises questions about whether the old Cold War—and the emerging one with China—could have been avoided.
So You Want to Buy an Ambassadorship
The United States is the only Western government that routinely rewards mega-donors with top diplomatic posts.
Can China Pull Off Its Charm Offensive?
Why Beijing’s foreign-policy reset will—or won’t—work out.
Turkey’s Problem Isn’t Sweden. It’s the United States.
Erdogan has focused on Stockholm’s stance toward Kurdish exile groups, but Ankara’s real demand is the end of U.S. support for Kurds in Syria.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
