Over 70% of the Earth's surface is covered in water, but less than 0.02% is fresh water in lakes and rivers. An even smaller fraction of that fresh surface water is safe for humans to consume and farm. Still, according to Brian Richter, President of Sustainable Waters, humans are drawing too heavily on those resources without allowing replenishment.
What's worse, climate change is threatening to exacerbate the problem by drying out some already overstressed water sources, like the Colorado river.
"By the year 2050, we could have between 20 and 30% less water in that river system because of climate warming," he said during a GZERO Live event organized by the Sustainability Leaders Council, a partnership between Eurasia Group, GZERO Media, and Suntory. Watch what he says to find out why he's still hopeful humans will adapt.
Watch the full livestream conversation: The global water crisis and the path to a sustainable future
- COP28’s challenge: growing problems, shrinking credibility ›
- The global water crisis and the path to a sustainable future - GZERO ... ›
- Water will become very political in 2023, says Eurasia Group analyst ›
- The uncomfortable truth about water scarcity ›
- Will the world come to grips with its water crisis in 2023? ›
- Water scarcity can sink a city, says expert Tanvi Nagpal - GZERO Media ›
More For You
People in support of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol rally near Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on Feb. 19, 2026. The court sentenced him to life imprisonment the same day for leading an insurrection with his short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024.
65: The age of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday after being found guilty of plotting an insurrection when he declared martial law in 2024.
Most Popular
In an era when geopolitics can feel overwhelming and remote, sometimes the best messengers are made of felt and foam.
The Hungarian election is off to the races, and nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is facing his most serious challenger in 16 years.
Does skepticism rule the day in politics? Public opinion data collected as part of the Munich Security Conference’s annual report found that large shares of respondents in G7 and several BRICS countries believed their governments’ policies would leave future generations worse off.