Water scarcity threatens global food supply as temperatures rise

A new report from the World Resources Institute warns that one-quarter of the world’s crops are grown in regions facing high water stress, which could worsen global food insecurity as climate change intensifies.

Frida Garza reports for Grist.

In short:

• Water stress affects 60% of irrigated crops, especially in key agricultural regions like India and the U.S.
• Rainfed crops, which make up two-thirds of global food production, face increasing unreliability due to drought and extreme weather.
• Experts suggest better soil management and diet shifts as ways to reduce agriculture’s water demands.

Key quote:

“We have to be smarter about what we grow, and we can be smarter about how we grow what we’re growing.”

— Nicole Silk, global director of freshwater outcomes at The Nature Conservancy.

Why this matters:

As climate change exacerbates water scarcity, food production will become more difficult, threatening global food security. Sustainable agricultural practices and policies are urgently needed to preserve water resources.