The Stream, March 20: Water Security Threats in Asia and the Pacific

Asia and the Pacific
Lack of access to safe water in Pacific countries and stressed rivers in Asia are threats to the regions’ water security, according to a new study from the Asian Development Bank and the Asia-Pacific Water Forum. The study found that 75 percent of countries in Asia and the Pacific currently lack water security, and could be facing water crises in the near future.

Climate change in southern Australia will likely decrease rainfall and crop production, and could strain the economy, The Australian reported, citing a government report. However, climatic changes will not be uniform across the region, with Victoria expected to increase its crop yields up to 20 percent until 2070.

New Zealand is experiencing its most widespread drought in at least 30 years, and the economy will likely be affected in 2013, Dow Jones Business News reported. Water use restrictions are in place.

Food
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has warned that global water use for agriculture could increase 70 to 90 percent by 2050 to meet growing demand for food, Bloomberg News reported.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek