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Impact of global warming? Asia's 61% population 'deprived of clean water'

By Vikas Meshram* 

A recent study from Utrecht University in the Netherlands warns that climate change and socio-economic transformations will exacerbate water scarcity, disproportionately affecting populations in South Asian countries. Human beings require clean water for drinking, sanitation, food production, energy, and manufacturing. Across the globe, people and policymakers are grappling with the challenges of water scarcity. 
The study sheds light on the growing crisis of clean water access worldwide. Researchers have highlighted that climate change and socio-economic development will have multifaceted impacts on the availability, quality, and demand for water resources in the future. Understanding these three interrelated factors is crucial for comprehending the future of water scarcity.
The study estimates that currently, 55% of the world's population lives in areas where clean water is scarce for at least one month every year, and this figure is expected to rise to 66% by the end of the century. 
While water scarcity is expected to increase globally, the impacts will not be uniform across regions. For instance, water scarcity in Western Europe and North America tends to intensify only during certain months of the year. Conversely, developing countries often face severe water shortages that persist throughout the year. In the future, South Asia is likely to experience the most significant water scarcity issues, primarily due to rapid population growth, economic development, climate change, and deteriorating water quality.
The findings of the study, published in "Nature Climate Change", emphasize that the lack of clean water poses a threat to both humanity and ecosystems, making it increasingly difficult to ignore. The study suggests that, in addition to significantly reducing water demand, we must focus on eliminating water pollution to tackle the global water crisis. 
The issue of drinking water is becoming more critical by the day, as approximately 4.4 billion people currently lack access to clean drinking water, highlighting the alarming scale of the problem. This fact was revealed in a study conducted by scientists at Oxford University, which covered 135 countries. The study also found that the actual number of people affected by water scarcity is double what was previously recorded. Scientists have warned that the situation could worsen if timely measures are not taken.
According to Esther Greenbud, a researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, the fact that such a large portion of the global population does not have access to clean drinking water is both alarming and unacceptable. She expressed her astonishment that, despite this situation, governments around the world are not taking the issue of drinking water security and water conservation seriously. The United Nations has also warned that the water crisis is becoming a global issue and that failure to control water wastage and implement conservation measures could lead to even more severe consequences.
One of the biggest challenges related to water is the lack of accurate data, which exposes the global failure of governments. The fact that only a small portion of the population has access to clean drinking water highlights the inadequacy of existing data. According to Esther Greenbud, quality data on water is available for only half of the world's population. Even wealthy countries lack adequate data on clean water. In this situation, there is uncertainty about whether people in underprivileged countries will ever receive clean water. This reality shows that the world is far behind in achieving its fundamental goals, which is not a positive sign.
In this context, it is important to remember that the United Nations set a goal under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 to ensure access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030, a target that now seems like a distant dream. According to the International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre, approximately 2.7 billion people worldwide still face water scarcity for about 30 days a year. 
The United Nations has warned that if global water use increases by even 1% over the next three decades, the world could face a severe water crisis. South Asia, where 1.2 billion people are already struggling with water scarcity, is at the forefront of countries lacking access to clean water. In addition, people in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin American countries are also deprived of clean water. The biggest issue in these regions is the presence of contaminants in water.
Climate change and socio-economic transformations will exacerbate water scarcity, disproportionately affecting population in South Asia
It is important to note that in 2020, around 33% of the population in low- and middle-income countries lacked access to clean water. Currently, about 61% of the population in Asia, 25% in Africa, 11% in America, and 3% in Europe are deprived of clean water. The situation in India is also concerning, where more than 35 million people face a shortage of clean water. According to NITI Aayog, this number could exceed 600 million. UNICEF has reported that water in 19.6 million households in India contains high levels of fluoride and arsenic.
It is well known that water directly and indirectly affects our lives. On one hand, the water crisis is impacting agricultural productivity, and on the other, it is increasing threats to biodiversity, food security, and human health. The World Bank estimates that the water crisis caused by climate change could lead to a 6% reduction in global GDP by 2050. Globally, around 2 billion people, or 26% of the population, still do not have access to clean drinking water. There are 436 million children worldwide, and 133.8 million in India, who do not have enough water to meet their daily needs.
According to a UNICEF report, the situation is likely to worsen due to the impacts of climate change. One in three children worldwide, or 739 million children, live in areas with water scarcity. India is among the 37 countries most vulnerable to the water crisis. According to UNICEF, 40% of India's water resources could be depleted by 2050. This is a matter of concern, and global warming is expected to make the drinking water crisis one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century. 
It is essential to take immediate action, considering the seriousness of the problem. On an individual level, it is important to use water sparingly, while on a governmental level, policy changes are necessary. By adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle, we can tackle this crisis. Water is life, and its preservation is our collective responsibility.

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