Water Insecurity Is the Greatest Threat to Sustaining Global Food Production

Food production is the largest global consumer of freshwater worldwide, accounting for about 70 percent of all water use. As the global population peaks around 10 billion people in 2050, the need for freshwater for food is expected to increase by as much as 60 percent. In some regions, like sub-Saharan Africa, where the population is expected to double within the same time frame, the demand for increased crops and nutrient-dense foods, including milk, chicken, and beef, will more than double the need for water in regions already struggling with water scarcity. Read more