world population
UNESCO: Water scarcity can threaten peace worldwide
Access to clean drinking water is not a given in many areas of the world. The climate crisis further exacerbates the problem. photo
© Mahesh Kumar A./AP/dpa
UNESCO publishes its annual water report. The goal was actually to eliminate global grievances by 2030 – the report now shows doubts and warns.
According to the UN cultural organization, the increasing water shortage can Unesco fueling conflicts around the world. “If we want to maintain peace, we must act quickly not only to protect water resources, but also to strengthen regional and global cooperation in this area,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay on the occasion of the publication annual water report of the organization.
According to this, around half of the world’s population currently suffers from severe water shortages, at least seasonally. More than two billion people live without access to safe drinking water and 3.5 billion people cannot use clean sanitary facilities. According to a UN goal, these grievances should be eliminated by 2030 – but this is unlikely to be achieved.
Most of the water required for agriculture
According to the information, global freshwater consumption is increasing by one percent annually. The reason for this is, for example, changes in diet, it was said. Even though almost 70 percent of the fresh water taken from the natural cycle goes to agriculture, industry (20 percent) and households (10 percent) are primarily responsible for the increase in water demand.
According to UNESCO, this water shortage has the potential to fuel conflict. For example, the drainage of wetlands in the Sahel region of Africa – for example through ill-conceived water development projects – has led to disputes over access to water and fertile land. UNESCO therefore recommends more cooperation on transboundary water use.
The United Nations World Water Report is prepared annually by UNESCO and its World Water Assessment Program for UN-Water.