Water, food and energy form a nexus at the heart of sustainable development. Agriculture is the largest consumer of the world’s freshwater resources, and water is used to produce most forms of energy.
The main problem is demand for all three is increasing rapidly, according to the UN. To withstand current and future pressures, governments must ensure integrated and sustainable management of water, food and energy to balance the needs of people, nature and the economy; even today, the ‘big three’ are often seen independently.
Nearly two-thirds of the world’s population experiences severe water scarcity for at least one month each year, and climate change will make water flows more erratic. McKinsey analysis forecasts demand for water will outstrip demand as soon as 2030 and about half the world’s population will live in water-scarce areas.
... to continue reading you must be subscribed
