Urgent: 'Day-Zero' Droughts Threaten Millions by 2030
Cities worldwide face an alarming threat: 'Day-Zero-Droughts', where urban water supplies nearly run out. This crisis, exacerbated by climate change, is expected to hit millions by 2030, with Cape Town, the western US, Mediterranean Europe, and parts of Australia among the first regions at risk.
Even with the 1.5-degree target met, hundreds of millions will still face unprecedented water scarcity. By 2100, under high emissions, 74% of today's drought-prone regions will be at severe risk, with 22-35% affected as early as this decade. Climate change is making heatwaves, dry periods, and droughts more frequent and longer-lasting, intensifying the 'Day-Zero' threat. Proactive water management strategies are crucial, including regional consumption limits and strict water-saving measures. Cities must urgently adopt water-saving plans to mitigate this looming crisis.
By the century's end, up to 753 million people worldwide could be affected, including 467 million in urban areas. The need for immediate action is clear: implement robust water management strategies, reduce emissions, and prepare for a future where water scarcity is a harsh reality.
