Peak Water: Entering an Era of Sharpening Water Shortages

Abstract

"A new concept, 'peak water' has emerged. It indicates that the era of easy access to blue water is coming to an end in many regions of the world. Expanding water pollution, depleted river streamflow, overdrawn groundwater, water usability threatened by salinisation, and water for ecosystems sinking below the acceptable minimum all point to a peaking of blue water resources, a theme highlighted in 'The World’s Water 2008-2009' from the Pacific Institute. Green water scarcity through soil and land degradation has been discussed as drought and desertification. Human ingenuity, coping strategies and fundamental rethinking on water management are urgently needed to mitigate the drivers of peak water and adapt to their effects on freshwater and natural resources."