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The urgent global water crisis
Water is something none of us can live without, but billions of people take for granted. On GZERO World, UN-Water Chair Gilbert Houngbo and Ian Bremmer discuss the global water crisis, the impact of climate change, and solutions for providing future genereations with better access to clean, drinkable water.
Four billion people around the world experience at least a month of water scarcity each year, which is a problem Houngbo attributes to lack of resources, a rapidly changing climate, and bad government policy. To ensure that those most vulnerable to water stress don't get left behind, Houngbo emphasizes the need for investment in water-related infrastructure and technology, particularly in agriculture, which uses up to 75% of the world's fresh water supply.
"We as a global society have taken water for granted," Houngbo says, and water management must become "everyone's business." Houngbo also highlights the need to develop reliable metrics to measure progress in addressing water scarcity, especially in rural areas, which have some of the biggest problems.
Despite the severity of the problem, Houngbo remains optimistic that society can meet the global water challenge with policies that ensure access to basic water services, encourage water reuse, and minimize pollution risks.
Note: This interview appeared in a GZERO World episode, "The uncomfortable truth about water scarcity," on March 27, 2023.
Water isn’t “free” - but it shouldn’t be private
UN-Water Chair Gilbert Houngbo remembers being a college student in the late 70s, when people first started saying water should be treated as a public good. Today, we're still having that same conversation, but now, groups like UN-Water are working to make it a reality.
On GZERO World with Ian Bremmer, Houngbo emphasizes the importance of policies that ensure access to basic water services, encourage water reuse, and minimize the risk of pollution. It's easy to think water is free and we don't need to take care of it, says Houngbo, "but this has to stop."
The former Prime Minister of Togo also touches on "the sensitive issue of privatization of water services" and the potential impact it can have on "inequality and efficiency." Well-managed water services are a good thing, Houngbo notes, but privatization shouldn't mean the price of water automatically goes up.
Despite the double-edged sword of privatization, he suggests that it "can be effective if accompanied by government regulations" to ensure that vulnerable populations have access to water and that private companies adhere to quality and safety standards.
Watch the GZERO World episode: The uncomfortable truth about water scarcity
The challenge of measuring the global water crisis
How do you measure the global water crisis? When it comes to climate change, many people are familiar with the 1.5°C metric from the Paris Climate Accords, but is there an equivalent for water? In a discussion with Ian Bremmer on GZERO World, UN-Water Chair Gilbert Houngbo delves into the complexity of measuring the global water challenge and evaluating solutions for the future.
UN-Water is a consortium of dozens of UN agencies working together to address the water crisis and figure out the best way to meaure progress. Houngbo notes that metrics like access to drinkable water, sanitation, and water reuse are a good start. But the worst water scarcity problems are in rural areas, where the data quality is challenging.
Developing strong metrics, Houngbo says, will help us better understand the “nexus between water and climate change," because water is so closely linked to the health of our planet. For example, some of the world's rivers are losing 10-20% of their reserves each year, and precisely tracking that loss with tools like artificial intelligence will help us better address the problem.
But it's not all bad news. Houngbo is positive our society can meet the global water challenge. In the medium to long term, he says, our habits and way of life will adjust, and “the Internet of Things” will help change our consumption patterns.
Watch the GZERO World episode: The uncomfortable truth about water scarcity
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The uncomfortable truth about water scarcity
Water is critical to life, yet billions of people worldwide lack access to it. Gilbert Houngbo, Chair of UN-Water, sheds light on this critical issue on GZERO World. Houngbo attributes the water crisis to both "lack of resources and bad governance," and stresses the need for investment in water-related infrastructure to help solve the problem.
"We as a global society have taken water for granted," Houngbo says, "Water must become everyone's business." Agriculture alone accounts for up to 75% of global fresh water use, so investing in technology to reduce waste and also plan for climate change is key. Houngbo also highlights the importance of developing metrics to measure progress in addressing water scarcity, particularly in rural areas, and cautions against private companies leaving the most vulnerable populations behind.
Despite the challenges, Houngbo remains optimistic that society can meet the global water challenge through policies that ensure access to basic water services, encourage water reuse, and minimize pollution risks.
Up to four billion people—half the world’s population—experience at least a month of severe water scarcity each year. The international community must come together to protect the earth's most precious resource for future generations, Houngbo tells Ian Bremmer.
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Podcast: What happens when we take water for granted
Listen: The lack of access to clean, drinkable water is a critical issue affecting billions of people across the globe. On the GZERO World podcast, Gilbert Houngbo, Chair of UN-Water and former Prime Minister of Togo, talks with host Ian Bremmer about global efforts to protect the world's most precious resource.
Water is something many take for granted, but four billion people—half the world’s population—experience at least a month of severe water scarcity each year, Houngbo explains, and two billion others lack reliable water access all year round. To address the global water challenge, Houngbo calls for a multi-pronged approach of investment water-related infrastructure and technology, as well as good governance and policy. "As a global society, we have taken water for granted," Houngbo says, "Water has to become everyone's business."
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Untangling the global water crisis
Access to clean and drinkable water is a significant challenge all over the world. UN-Water Chair Gilbert Houngbo joins Ian Bremmer on GZERO World to shed light on the complexity of the issue, which he says is “a combination of bad governance and lack of resources.”
He stresses that water needs to become "everyone's business," and investment in water-related infrastructure is key. Houngbo points out that agriculture is responsible for “75% of water use,” so making it “climate-friendly” is a necessary step.
The situation in Yemen, where there is virtually no water access, highlights the challenges faced in addressing the problem. Houngbo notes that a multi-pronged approach that involves investment in infrastructure and technology is key – especially in areas like desalination. He acknowledges that desalination is expensive, and official development cooperation can play a role in addressing the issue.
Watch the GZERO World episode: The uncomfortable truth about water scarcity