Water
On the verge of a new water scarcity
How can the water scarcity challenge be contained?
Authors:
M. Falkenmark; A. Berntell; A. Jägerskog; Stockholm International Water Institute
Publisher:
Southern African Regional Poverty Network , 2007
This paper takes a close look at the growing challenge of water scarcity. It looks at the symptoms and scale of the challenge before putting forward policy recommendations involving good governance and management practices.
The authors argue that, while water scarcity is a dire reality for millions of people, it is still not properly understood nor recognised in many frontline discussions. Confusion over growing physical water scarcity distorts policy formulation and effective action programmes. The scale and magnitude of the problem imply that water scarcity is everybody’s business.
Key recommendations put forward for policy makers include:
- change water use patterns
- increase water productivity, land care and food imports to help overcome green water scarcity
- incorporate water into socio-economic national planning
- reallocate water to sectors with higher economic returns
