J Water SRT - Aqua 47 (1998) 161-166

Preparing for the future: water for a growing population

M. Falkenmark

Natural Science Research Council, B7142, 10387 Stockholm, Sweden

This paper discusses the future implications of the global mismanagement of water and the explosive growth in the world's population. The globe is split into five types of population, each demonstrating different patterns in water consumption, climate and population growth. It is estimated that by the year 2025, 55% of the world's population will be living in countries that cannot be self sufficient in food production due to water constraints. Furthermore, the provision of safe water supply and sanitation to all urban inhabitants of developing countries will prove to be a Herculean task. The paper discusses the need to 'think' regionally and act 'locally' and concludes by presenting the required shifts in economic/social policies and the conceptual approaches to water in order to limit the calamities that have been forseen.

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