Water scarcity affects every continent and is one of the largest global risks in terms of potential impact over the next decade, according to World Economic Forum. Central to economic and social development, water is vital to maintain our health, grow our food, manage theenvironmentand create jobs, yet due to climate change, overpopulation and improper management and use, our global water supply is overburdened and increasingly insufficient for the mounting demand.
Water and the climate are inextricably linked, and a continuously growing population puts serious pressure on food security andenvironmental sustainability, as well as infrastructure and the wider economy. For example, approximately 70 per cent of global freshwater consumption is used in the agricultural sector, and the FAO forecasts that by 2050 global water requirements for agriculture will increase by 50 per cent to meet growing food demands, while the Organization for Economic and Cooperative Development (OECD) predicts that worldwide water demand will increase 55 per cent within the same time frame.
The significance water plays in employment cannot be overlooked. UNESCO estimates three out of four jobs that make up the global workforce are either heavily or moderately dependent on water. Director-general, Irina Bokova, argues that “water and jobs are inextricably linked on various levels, whether we look at them from an economic, environmental or social perspective”.
Our approach to water must urgently adapt in line with the current pace of change. Adopting more modern and efficient solutions will require a boost in employment in the sector, driving the need for professionals with skills in water resource management, recycling, conservation and beyond.
