Reacción a "The world has entered the era of water bankruptcy, according to a new UN report"

What are the implications of the report and how does it fit in with existing evidence?

"This report is yet another effort to convey the urgency of addressing the environmental problems that population growth and natural resource use have experienced over the last fifty years. In this case, it focuses on the availability of water, the most essential resource. As with other aspects of human-induced global change, the evidence is overwhelming and grows year by year. The problem is not the evidence, but how to convey it to decision-makers and social actors so that it is taken into account effectively. In this task, the report increases the emphasis by using the term 'water bankruptcy'".

How is water scarcity being addressed now, and how should this report change that approach?

"The report points out that the language and actions used so far have suggested a temporary emergency that could be reversed with a few measures. This has not been enough, and the situation in many places has worsened dramatically. As in other areas, the world has exceeded safe limits in water use. Exceeding these limits means entering a situation where the unpredictable dominates over what can be reasonably managed. Recognising this does not necessarily imply resignation, but should be an incentive for more decisive action in the face of the climate crisis and uncontrolled development in the use of resources".

Are we already at a point of no return?

"Locally, there are many points of no return, because there are hydrological structures that, if destroyed, are difficult to rebuild. Other structures, however, can be restored within a reasonable time frame. Nevertheless, the issue is not local or regional irreversibilities. The high level of global interconnection generated by the needs of our current societies means that these problems do not remain confined to themselves, but spread by themselves or in resonance with them to other parts of the planet, in the form of water demand or in the form of conflicts or migrations.

Therefore, the solution lies in the governance of these global scales, recognising that it is no longer just a question of quality and efficiency, but of controlling demand in absolute terms. Naturally, this affects all economic and demographic activity across the planet. At this scale, there are clearly possibilities for a more honest world, based on knowledge and an agenda oriented towards social justice, as the report points out".

The discussion often centres on hotspots, such as certain areas of Africa, but this study raises a global alarm. What problems are characteristic of Europe?

"Europe is not a homogeneous space. The problems faced by some countries are not the same as those faced by others, and sometimes the importance attached to water-related issues depends more on who raises them than on an objective assessment of the issues themselves. Traditionally, southern countries have placed more emphasis on water availability and northern countries on quality. The Water Framework Directive was a remarkable effort to improve quality, which encouraged coordinated action in many countries. The climate crisis is shaking up many of the established objectives and methods. Recurring droughts in unusual areas are creating new challenges. In general, the instability of quality and resources demands much more knowledge, foresight and willingness to implement measures.

Beyond this, and linking to the above, globalisation means that water problems in other parts of the world also have an impact on Europe, in the form of trade, food resources and migration. Water is one of the most important natural resources, if not the most important, and perhaps it is an opportunity to spark effective and coordinated action in the face of the tremendous challenges of globalisation".