Although it is not given the attention it should, the subject of water scarcity It is one of the most worrying and serious disasters that will hit the planet in the coming years. Currently, Chile is suffering the worst drought of its history and there are many others countries around the world struggling with drought who are fighting this major problem, which is largely caused by climate change.
Water is a precious commodity that is not in abundance and is beginning to become scarce, so everyone should be aware when consuming it. According to several reports presented by the UN, to continue with this rate of water consumption, In 15 years nothing more and nothing less than 40% of the water that the planet would need to live will be missing. This serious problem would cause continuous conflicts between different countries and serious financial problems worldwide.
As I mentioned earlier, the country most seriously affected by water shortages is Chile. However, it is not the only one, as Brazil is suffering the worst drought in recent 80 years. Likewise, there are countries that, despite having major problems with water scarcity, have managed to overcome this problem and find creative solutions. This is the case of Israel, which in the year 2000 suffered major drought problems and opted for desalination, obtaining great results today.
China is another country suffering the effects of drought. To solve the problem, the world's great power has opted to build a gigantic canal of 1000 kilometers that carries water from the south of the country to the north. In Europe, Spain has also struggled with drought by implementing micro channelers that capture rainwater and transform it into drinking water for the population. Taking these initiatives into account, it is crucial to analyze what countries are doing to combat drought and water scarcity globally.
Measures Implemented by Different Countries
In Spain, the Cantabrian coast has received average rainfall over the past year. However, in the rest of the country, the drought continues. taking its toll on agriculture, industry and leisureAccording to the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), the country as a whole is experiencing a meteorological drought that has lasted three years, despite a relatively wet winter. To combat this, Spain is implementing a series of measures included in the Drought Management Plans prepared for each of the country's watersheds.
Some of the basins have already begun to apply water restriction measures for irrigation, and in urban areas, non-priority uses (such as fountains or park irrigation) have been limited. Furthermore, in some specific towns with limited access to drinking water, tanker truck-based supply systems have been deployed. "These are only emergency measures, not adaptation measures," explains the director of the Chair of Climate Change-Aguas de Alicante at the University of Alicante.
"Solutions to droughts must be proposed and implemented during years of abundant rainfall, when there is no pressure on water resources because they are sufficient to meet the various uses," continues Jorge Olcina. "When a drought is declared, if no prior adaptation measures have been designed, the only thing that can be applied are emergency measures to try to guarantee supply, especially in urban areas, where the law establishes priority use of water.”
In Africa, cases like that of Somalia are alarming. In 2023, Somalia faced a devastating drought that severely impacted the country's food security. Millions of people are estimated to have been affected by a lack of water and resources, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. International aid initiatives are crucial to mitigate the effects of the drought in these vulnerable regions.
International Conferences and Global Engagements
During the recent COP16 At the 200 Conference of the Parties (COPXNUMX) held in Riyadh, nearly XNUMX countries gathered to discuss drought measures in an effort to address the dire situation globally. Despite attempts to reach a binding agreement on drought, a specific global regime was not finalized, highlighting the complexity of the problem. However, significant commitments were made, including the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, which aims to mobilize more than $12.150 billion to help 80 of the most vulnerable countries.
The report of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) revealed that 1.000 billion are needed daily to combat desertification and drought until the end of this decade. Desertification, which results from human activity, affects the health of the land and, consequently, the food security of millions of people. Currently, it is estimated that droughts impact the lives of 1.800 million people worldwide.
Initiatives such as the Great Green Wall, which aims to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land in Africa, are an example of large-scale efforts. This project has mobilized significant investments for landscape restoration in the Sahel and has proven to be a model for other countries facing similar challenges.
The need for proactive measures is evident in the Integrated Drought Management Program, which seeks to assist countries in developing resilient policies. For example, in northeastern Brazil, early warning systems and sustainable water management practices have been implemented, reducing the impacts of severe droughts.
Likewise, in the United States, the state of Washington activated a water scarcity plan in 2024, unlocking funds to mitigate the effects and prepare the community for irrigation reduction. These actions demonstrate the importance of planning and early action in water crisis situations.
The Future in the Face of Water Scarcity
The approach to drought resilience involves not only the implementation of effective policies but also raising awareness and educating communities about the importance of water and its conservation. Younger generations play a crucial role in this regard, as they are the ones who will live with the consequences of current decisions.
Projections indicate that if urgent action is not taken, by 2050 Three out of four people could be affected by drought. This poses a significant challenge to food security and the well-being of the world's population. International collaboration will be essential to address this complex and multidimensional problem.
As we move forward, it is important for each country to analyze its water resources and adopt sustainable measures that can mitigate the effects of drought. Implementing water desalination technology, rainwater harvesting, and creating efficient irrigation infrastructure are steps that can help combat this crisis.
La desertificationLand degradation and drought are interconnected problems that require a comprehensive and coordinated approach. Global initiatives, such as those under the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, are crucial to creating a framework for effective responses to these challenges.
It is essential that communities, governments, and the private sector collaborate and commit to finding long-term solutions and strategies that ensure a more sustainable and resilient future in the face of drought. Therefore, it is not only a matter of survival, but also of prosperity for future generations.
