Ismahane Elouafi; ICBA

Freshwater deficits are affecting more and more people throughout the world. In order to counter this, our global food system will have to change, our author maintains. A case for more research on alternative crops and smart water solutions.

Our world today is in the grip of a climate crisis. So grave it is that it is listed as one of the several existential risks to humanity. Climate change is slowly taking a toll on communities, ecosystems and economies. And its costs are rising. The nations least prepared for climate-induced effects are, unfortunately, the most vulnerable.

Against this backdrop, population growth and resource depletion are worrying. As the global population is forecast to hit 9.7 billion by 2050, demand for food and water will soar. The problem here is that climate change will considerably impact agriculture, among many other sectors, putting the global food systems at serious risk. Several studies warn of future and in some cases current declines in yields of staple crops such as wheat, rice and maize due to climate change and other factors.

But climate change is not the only problem. Global food production is also threatened by water scarcity, as well as water and soil salinisation. Farming inconveniently accounts for around 70 per cent of the world’s water withdrawals. Yet about four billion people face water shortages at least one month a year. And around half a billion do not have enough water all year round.

See https://www.weltohnehunger.org/full-article/we-must-mobilise-all-available-resources.html

Figure: Quinoa is a particularly promising crop for drought and salinization affected regions of Central Asia. Photo: ICBA