40% More People May Suffer From Absolute Water Scarcity due to Climate Change

Climate change has frequently brought up as a factor for negatively affected various groups of animals, but now a new scientific study shows that climate change could put millions of people at risk for absolute water scarcity.

The study was published by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research using data from the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISI-MIP). The ISI-MIP used data collected from different communities which show that climate change could cause 40 percent more people around the world to deal with absolute water scarcity than if there was no climate change.

Jacob Schewe of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research had this to say about the study, which he was the lead author of:

"The steepest increase of global water scarcity might happen between 2 and 3 degrees global warming above pre-industrial levels, and this is something to be experienced within the next few decades unless emissions get cut soon...It is well-known that water scarcity increases, but our study is the first to quantify the relative share that climate change has in that, compared to -- and adding to -- the increase that is simply due to population growth."

The study claims that currently between one and two people out of 100 on planet Earth suffers from absolute water scarcity. Absolute water scarcity is defined as less than 500 cubic meters available per year and person. In comparison global water consumption per year and person is 1200 cubic meters. For every 3 degrees of global warming combined with expected population growth, the study claims that an extra ten people in 100 will suffer absolute water scarcity.

This shift in water availability will not be universal and certain areas such as the Mediterranean, Middle East, the southern USA, and southern China. Interestingly enough, it is predicted that southern India, western China and parts of Eastern Africa will see increased water availability due to climate change.

Co-author Qiuhong Tang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences explains that both decreased and increased water availability could be disastrous, so climate change much be curbed to prevent both:

"Water scarcity is a major threat for human development, as for instance food security in many regions depends on irrigation -- agriculture is the main water user worldwide...Still, an increase of precipitation is also challenging -- the additional water may cause water logging, flooding, and malfunctioning or failure of water-related infrastructure. So the overall risks are growing."