The geography of future water challenges - PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment

The geography of
future water challenges

Water is a precious resource, but it can also be a threat. We can have too much of it, or too little, or it may be too dirty to use. These issues affect the lives of many millions of people today. Water-related risks are increasing in many regions across the globe. Main drivers are rapid population growth and climate change. This storyboard aims to increase the awareness of the urgent need to tackle the challenges ahead.

Part 1

Setting the scene

The worldwide degradation of natural resources is one of the major societal challenges. Water is one of the most important resources for humankind. It is a prerequisite for life on our planet and cuts across many social, economic and environmental activities.

Multiple challenges

Each impact of part 2 is a challenge in itself. But the biggest challenge is dealing with all of the impacts at the same time. Some regions are better off than others. The largest accumulation of challenges is projected for Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Bending the trend

Water- and climate-related risks and developments show large differences between regions. The largest challenges are projected for Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. However, the developed world also needs to adapt. Cities, infrastructure and operations of many sectors are still based on the old climate. Global coherent adaptation pathways are still lacking. Creating them is an essential, first step towards sustainable and climate-resilient development.