What is Water Scarcity?

Welcome to my first post! I am going to start by defining the main concepts in water scarcity and why it interests me.

The majority of you reading this take access to water for drinking, washing, and irrigating land to produce your food for granted, but this is far from the case in many places around the world. Water stress is not yet felt on a global scale, but as populations rise and usage increases, more and more regions do not have enough water. Around 1.2 billion people, or almost one-fifth of the world’s population, live in areas of physical scarcity, with a further 500 million approaching this situation (UN Water). With climate change, it is predicted that by 2025, almost two-thirds of the world will live under conditions of high water stress (FAO). 

Hydrologists assess water scarcity by looking at the population-water equation. Areas are regarded as water stressed when annual water supplies drop below 1,700m³ per person. Water scarcity occurs when this number falls to 1,000m³ per person, and ‘absolute scarcity’ to 500m³ per person. At this point the supply or quality of water cannot meet the demands upon the resource. 

It is important to distinguish between two different types of water scarcity: Physical and Economic. Areas can be water deficient if there is limited physical water to access and use, or because due to economic, political or social constructs, access to water is limited despite it’s availability. 

I travelled to Malawi this Summer, and as well as falling in love with the country, have developed a huge interest in Africa as a whole. Two-thirds of the growing population is affected by water scarcity, hindering their quality of life and economic progress (UN Water). The African continent is the poorest in the world and due to be the most affected by climate change, so the situation is set to get worse. Africa is predominantly economically water scarce; Investments in water resources and relevant human capacity in the region are not sufficient to meet water demands (IFPRI). Adequate water supplies are crucial for development in the region, so it is hugely important leaders and policy makers are aware and understand the issue (Falkenmark). 

Over the next few months I will be focussing on how the increasing problem of water scarcity can be approached and adapted to in Africa, hopefully educating myself and readers in the process! I leave you with a video from the FAO briefly summarising water scarcity, with a few tips for what you can do to help.