Grim Outlook for Global Water Resources by 2025, Warns Scientists

The accelerating melting of glaciers, attributed to global warming, is raising concerns regarding its devastating implications for biodiversity, water resources, agriculture, and coastal cities. A report released by the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization highlights that the global sea level has increased by 10 centimeters since 1993 due to factors including glacial retreat. Melting glaciers can lead to perilous natural disasters such as floods and landslides, jeopardizing towns downstream. According to Michael Zemp, director of the World Glacier Monitoring Service, many regions are set to face water shortages as glaciers disappear, particularly in the central Andes and Central Asia, where over two billion people rely on this water for survival. Furthermore, the retreat of glaciers disrupts biodiversity, as changing climate conditions affect plant and animal habitats. Experts warn that about 66% of the world's irrigated agriculture will be affected, threatening food security and hydroelectric generation. The far-reaching impact of glacial melt underscores the interconnectedness of global economies and ecosystems.

A recent report from the Global Water Monitor (GWM) predicts worsening extremes in water resources by 2025, with potential droughts intensifying across regions including northern South America and southern Africa. According to lead author Professor Albert van Dijk, the hotter climate of 2024 greatly impacted the Earth’s water cycle, leading to record rainfall and subsequent flooding, particularly in Afghanistan and Pakistan, resulting in over 1,000 deaths. In 2024 alone, water-related disasters caused more than 8,700 fatalities globally, displacing 40 million people and inflicting economic losses above USD 550 billion. The report highlights a troubling trend, with extremely dry months increasing by 38% compared to the 1995-2005 average, alongside a 52% rise in extreme precipitation events. It emphasizes the urgent need for stronger flood defenses and drought-resilient food production. Van Dijk underlines the reality that "water is our most critical resource," urging preparations for more severe weather events in the future. The findings starkly illustrate alarming challenges ahead as the world grapples with the impacts of climate change on essential water supplies.

The vast majority of governments are expected to miss the February 10 deadline for submitting critical climate action plans, putting global efforts to combat climate change further at risk, according to officials. Simon Stiell, the UN’s climate chief, emphasized the importance of submitting high-quality plans, stating that the urgency of the climate crisis necessitates thorough and ambitious commitments. Current targets are deemed insufficient, with the world needing to halve carbon emissions by 2030 to maintain the crucial 1.5°C temperature threshold above pre-industrial levels. Developing countries are pressing the G20, which accounts for approximately 80% of global emissions, to enhance their climate commitments. Palau's UN ambassador, Ilana Seid, stated that leadership from major emitters is essential for real progress. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions, particularly arising from the potential re-election of Donald Trump, are causing alarm among climate diplomats who worry about delayed national plans. Stiell has called for submissions by September, before an official “synthesis report” assesses the overall sufficiency of these plans.