Severe water scarcity affects at least two-thirds of the world's population, or about 4 billion people, according to a new study
These people experience severe water scarcity at least one month a year, and the number is far higher than the 1.7 billion to 3.1 billion people suggested by previous research. Nearly half of the people affected are in China and India.
Other countries where
large numbers of people are affected by severe water scarcity for at least part of the year include Bangladesh, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan and the United States (mostly in western states such as California and southern states such as Texas and Florida), the study found.
The rising
worldwide demand for fresh water is being driven by a growing population, increased agricultural irrigation, higher living standards and changing
consumption patterns, according to the researchers led by Mesfin Mekonnen and Arjen Hoekstra of the University of Twente in the Netherlands.
They said the threat can be reduced by placing limits on
water consumption, boosting water use efficiency, and improving sharing of fresh water resources.
The study was published Feb. 12 in the journal
Science Advances.
More information: M. M. Mekonnen et al. Four billion people facing severe water scarcity, Science Advances (2016).
DOIJournal reference: Science Advances
Comment: The genetically modified crops that were forced on African nations and which were supposed to withstand drought and increase yields, have obviously done nothing of the sort.