As reported by Reuters, by 2025 about one third of the world's population will be scraping for water, according to The United Nations Human Development Report for 2006 [pdf].
I read the report myself (which I highly recommend), and it's not as scary as Reuters makes it sound. According to the HD report, "Globally, there is more than enough water to go round: the problem is that some countries get a lot more than others."
Investors are taking a major interest though, water is apparently grossly under priced – not to mention in constant demand.
Some of the options they're discussing are very green, like desalination, a solar powered process which converts otherwise undrinkable salt water into fresh sanitary drinking water.
Human Development Reports also has quite a few bites of information on the global warming issue, freely offered, with zero partisanship. Their mission is wholly founded on human rights, pure and simple, and I really like their vision. Here's a snippet:
Fundamental to enlarging these choices is building human capabilities -the range of things that people can do or be in life. The most basic capabilities for Human development are to lead long and healthy lives, to be knowledgeable, to have access to the resources needed for a decent standard of living and to be able to participate in the life of the community. Without these, many choices are simply not available, and many opportunities in life remain inaccessible.
I think I have finally found a resource for real, hard, unbiased facts. Although, I'm disappointed in Reuters for their presentation on the matter, but I'm picky like that.
Great article..thanks for sharing.
I believe the world needs more groups like the UNDP that truly gives unbiased reports, they can be trusted [If I remember right, it was in 1998 they’d made their first HD report.. not sure what has become of Casterle, at that time he was one of the representatives.