Earth’s continents are drying up rapidly, and a recent report highlights where and why our fresh water is vanishing. This drying effect is a long-term drop in fresh water availability, driven by things like melting snow and ice, thawing permafrost, and extensive groundwater extraction.
People often think of water issues as local, but according to Fan Zhang from the World Bank, these problems can quickly spread across borders. “What we see locally can become a global concern,” Zhang said during a discussion with hydrologist Jay Famiglietti from Arizona State University.
Interestingly, continents now contribute more to rising sea levels than ice sheets. The report reveals we’re losing about 11.4 trillion cubic feet of fresh water each year. This amount could meet the needs of around 280 million people annually. Zhang emphasized how alarming this is: “Every second, we lose enough water to fill four Olympic-sized swimming pools.”
The report, published by the World Bank, analyzed 22 years of data from NASA’s GRACE mission, which measures changes in Earth’s gravity linked to shifting water sources. They found that the average annual fresh water lost is about 3% of global precipitation. In arid areas, this figure spikes to 10%. This is particularly concerning for regions like South Asia, which already struggle with water scarcity.
There are growing fears about mega-drying regions merging into even larger areas of water loss. For instance, in sub-Saharan Africa, agricultural shocks can lead to job losses between 600,000 and 900,000 each year, affecting vulnerable populations the most, such as landless farmers.
The impact is not just economic; ecosystems are feeling the strain too. Some regions, especially biodiversity hotspots like Madagascar and parts of Brazil, are seeing more intense wildfires linked to reduced fresh water availability.
Groundwater extraction tops the list of causes for continental drying. It’s often poorly managed, leading to excessive pumping. As climate change makes conditions hotter and drier, extraction levels are likely to increase. However, better regulations could help mitigate this issue. For instance, if countries improve water-use efficiency in agriculture—responsible for 98% of the global water footprint—they could save a significant amount of water. Researchers estimate that improving efficiency for just 35 key crops could meet the water needs of an additional 118 million people.
One promising strategy is “virtual water trade,” where countries exchange agricultural products that require large amounts of water. This method has saved significant water globally, but it also poses risks. While it helps water-scarce countries preserve resources, it often comes at a cost to the producer nations, draining their aquifers.
Finding effective solutions will involve managing water demand, recycling, desalination, and ensuring fair water allocation. If countries enact these changes, sustainable fresh water use is achievable. Both Zhang and Famiglietti argue that there’s a reason to be hopeful, especially if we start implementing thoughtful policies and innovations now.
For further insights, you can read the complete report from the World Bank here.
