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This water scarcity relates to water available for food production, rather than for drinking water which is a much smaller amount. [3] [21] Some academics favour adding a third type which would be called ecological water scarcity. [19] It would focus on the water demand of ecosystems.
Water stress is one parameter to measure water scarcity. It is useful in the context of Sustainable Development Goal 6. [17] Half a billion people live in areas with severe water scarcity throughout the year, [11] [13] and around four billion people face severe water scarcity at least one month per year.
Water scarcity worsens water disputes because of competition for potable water, irrigation, electricity generation and other needs. [8] As freshwater is a vital, yet unevenly distributed natural resource, its availability often influences the living and economic conditions of a country or region.
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Water scarcity: Water demand exceeds supply in many regions of the world. This can be due to population growth, higher living standards, general economic expansion and/or greater quantities of water used in agriculture for irrigation. Increasing water pollution and low levels of wastewater treatment, which is making local water unusable.
As water scarcity increases with climate change, the need for robust water resource policies will become more prevalent. An estimated 57% of the world's population will experience water scarcity at least one month out of the year by 2050. [8]
The United Nations' FAO states that by 2025 1.9 billion people will live in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity. It says two thirds of the world's population could be under stress conditions. [55] The World Bank says that climate change could profoundly alter future patterns of water availability and use. This will make water ...
Water scarcity is also caused by production of water intensive products. For example, cotton: 1 kg of cotton—equivalent of a pair of jeans—requires 10.9 cubic metres (380 cu ft) water to produce. While cotton accounts for 2.4% of world water use, the water is consumed in regions that are already at a risk of water shortage.