Scarcity of fresh water intensifies globally due to climate change and poor management

As climate change impacts grow, securing fresh water for essential daily activities becomes increasingly challenging.

The Associated Press reports.

In short:

• People worldwide, including in Peru and Indonesia, struggle for access to clean water amid climate change-induced droughts and mismanagement.
• In regions like Morocco and California, changing environmental conditions and human activities compound water scarcity issues.
• Innovative solutions, like rainwater harvesting in Kenya, emerge as communities adapt to these challenges.

Key quote:

“Everything was green. We drank from the river and washed with the river. We made a life with it.”

— Mimoun Nadori

Why this matters:

Climate change's significant effects on weather patterns has intensified droughts in some areas while causing floods in others, both scenarios leading to a scarcity of potable water. Overuse and pollution of water sources further exacerbate this scarcity.

Related: Climate change and unbalanced regional political power are driving an ongoing water crisis in Bangladesh.