Current and Future Water Availability

Abstract

Water has been widely recognised as a resource of vital importance due to the pivotal role it plays in human health, development and overall well-being. It is a fundamental human right and international goals have consequently been developed to achieve improved access and sustainability of water resources across the globe. The newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals aims to encourage countries around the world to achieve these set global goals by 2030. Even though water is one of the most widely distributed substances, it is not always suitable for human consumption. Accessible and useable freshwater sources for human consumption is limited and unevenly distributed. The human populations do not always coincide with water-rich regions. It may be widely distributed and available, however, it is not always available when and where human populations need it. Different water uses affect water availability in regions. Main water use sectors use available for specific activities and may consequently negatively affect water sources through over-withdrawal or pollution through depositing wastes. The combination of a constant increase in the world’s human population as well as continued desire for economic growth will lead to intensified competition between the different water-usage sectors and place more pressure on the world’s water resources as these sectors attempt to satisfy demands. A “Business as Usual” mentality is therefore becoming unsustainable and new “business unusual” strategies need to be developed.