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Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020

Do scientists predict global water shortages in the near future?

Jacqueline Agustin, Gigafact
yes

The World Health Organization predicts that "half of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas" by 2025 due to climate change, urbanization and population growth. Climate change shifts rain patterns and increases evaporation, making droughts more extreme in some areas and rainstorms or blizzards more extreme in others. When people can't access clean water, illness spreads more easily. Drought also reduces food production.

A Stanford University case study has projected that the nation of Jordan would receive 30% less rainfall and see droughts triple by 2100 under current conditions. Rainfall would increase as greenhouse-gas emissions declined (though still would be less than in previous years). Another study has forecast that by 2071, nearly half of U.S. fresh water basins won't be able to meet their drinking water demand.

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