Water is many things at the same time. First and foremost, it is drinking water for people. The UN has therefore established access to water as a human right. Furthermore, the right to better access to sanitation was also guaranteed. At the same time, water is a fundamental resource in agriculture; people's entire food production depends crucially on water. The power of flowing water can also provide an essential energy source, especially if fossil fuels are to be replaced.
But while the demand for clean water is increasing worldwide due to a growing world population and rising consumption, the amount of water on this planet is not increasing. On the contrary, the availability of clean drinking water is further endangered and scarce due to pollution from agricultural and industrial use. Already, 750 million people worldwide do not have regular access to drinking water. Climate change is further exacerbating global issues, with droughts and rising sea levels negatively impacting water availability in many regions of the world.
In 30 years, according to a UN forecast, half the world's population could be affected by water shortages — the drastic consequences: Epidemics, hunger, conflicts, and migration. Therefore, the World Economic Forum has classified the water crisis as one of the five most significant global risks to humanity. Alongside climate change, it thus represents a threat of global proportions that many people are still unaware of.