The annual ‘Thirst for Change’ report, prepared by the British organization Waterwise and the BSI corporation, shows that the world’s water insecurity is increasing. Spain is the sad leader in global pollution in 2024, since it is the country where the signs of water scarcity have increased the most.
According to this study, Spain is one of the 41 countries that have been assessed, the country that is the worst in terms of water security.in line with last year.
Few countries are in worse shape than Spain when it comes to water / Organizations
With 26 out of 35 (high, high risk), South Africa (30 points), Turkey (28), China, Cyprus, India, North Macedonia and the United States (27) register worse data than Spain.
Water problems in Spain
Of the 7 indicators that make up the index, Spain is getting worse in four of them compared to the previous year. Therefore, the main reasons for this damage are the reduction of the maximum theoretical volume of water per year available per person; lack of water, since more water is consumed than all available water that can be replenished; water price relative to GDP per capita; and less efficient use of water. The remaining three indicators, which measure sector aridity, per capita consumption and water loss in distribution sectors, remain the same as of 2023.
The authors recall “the problem of water shortages that some regions of Spain have faced in recent years, with water reserves in internal basins and low watersheds.” The most alarming was the declaration of emergency due to the drought in Catalonia in February 2024, which has the worst drought ever. “The restrictions on the use of water that the Catalan authorities are in charge of to deal with the problem have also contributed to the loss of other indicators, which is causing the number of Spanish people to lose.”
This survey is based on last year’s disease / Newspaper
Federica Pagnuzzato, Director of Sustainability for Continental Europe at BSI, said: “Spain is facing a serious water crisis, which does not reflect the extent of water scarcity, and slow progress in terms of infrastructure and public works. Although it is work difficult in Spain, it is an international problem.
Water insecurity is on the rise
The ‘Water Security and Solutions Indicator 2024’ shows that, in the last 12 months, no improvement in water security in 31 of the 41 countries. Among the countries that registered an increased risk related to water management are Türkiye, North Macedonia, the Netherlands and Belgium. In Asia, China, India and Japan.
All around the world, shows how water is a major threat in India and China. Both are under severe water stress, due to limited renewable water availability per capita and high consumption. The study also shows that both countries could be worse off for failing to mitigate climate change.
The decline from 2023, which reflects changes in water security, was small and was observed in eight countries, including Sweden, Switzerland, Slovenia and Norway.
The world can add 1,268 m3 of water every second, which is equivalent to an Olympic swimming pool every two seconds.
According to forecasts, the world’s water demand will grow by about 1%, that is, 400 billion m3, per year. For these reasons, the new statistics show that the world can add 1,268 m3 of water per second, which is equivalent to an Olympic swimming pool every 2 seconds.
Nicci Russell, CEO of Waterwise, says: “Progress is disappointingly slow in many countries and elsewhere, water security issues are increasing. “What this research shows is that a big part of the answer is making sure we use the water we have wisely in our homes and at work.”
reference report, in this link.
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Contact the Environment department: crisisclimatica@prensaiberica.es
