According to the State of Global Water Resources report, the year 2023 was marked as the driest year for global rivers in over three decades. Coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), this report highlights significant changes in water availability amid growing demand.
Water Access Challenges
- Inadequate Access: Currently, 3.6 billion people experience inadequate access to water for at least one month each year.
- Future Projections: This number is expected to exceed 5 billion by 2050, indicating a substantial challenge in meeting the Sustainable Development Goal 6 on water and sanitation.
River Flow and Reservoir Patterns
- The last five years have consistently shown below-normal river flow conditions, with reservoir inflows following a similar trend.
- This decline in water availability is detrimental to communities, agriculture, and ecosystems, further stressing global water supplies.
Glacier Mass Loss
- Glacier Loss: Glaciers suffered the largest mass loss ever recorded in the past fifty years.
- Global Impact: 2023 marked the second consecutive year in which every region with glaciers reported ice loss.
Extreme Weather Conditions
- Temperature and Drought: As the hottest year on record, 2023 saw elevated temperatures and widespread dry conditions that contributed to prolonged droughts.
- Flooding Events: Despite the droughts, a significant number of floods occurred globally, influenced by natural climate conditions, including the transition from La Niña to El Niño in mid-2023, as well as human-induced climate change.
Statements from WMO
Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General, stated, “Water is the canary in the coalmine of climate change.” She emphasized the urgent need for action, citing:
- Increasingly extreme rainfall, floods, and droughts that heavily impact lives, ecosystems, and economies.
- The melting of ice and glaciers posing a long-term threat to water security for millions of people.
Change Effects
- Human-induced climate change has led to rising temperatures, accelerating the hydrological cycle, making it more erratic and unpredictable.
- A warmer atmosphere retains more moisture, leading to heavy rainfall, while rapid evaporation exacerbates drought conditions.
Future Initiatives
The report aligns with the Global Early Warnings for All initiative, focusing on:
- Improving data quality and access for monitoring and forecasting water-related hazards.
- Providing early warning systems for all by 2027.
Table: Key Highlights from 2023
| Highlight | Description |
|---|---|
| Driest Year | 2023 was the driest year for global rivers in 33 years. |
| Glacier Mass Loss | Glaciers suffered the largest mass loss in 50 years. |
| Erratic Hydrological Cycle | Climate change caused the hydrological cycle to become more erratic. |
| Early Warnings for All | The initiative must address water-related hazards. |
| Call for Better Monitoring | WMO calls for improved monitoring and data sharing. |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What year was reported as the driest for global rivers in over three decades?
- A) 2022
- B) 2023
- C) 2024
- D) 2021
Answer: B) 2023
- How many people currently face inadequate access to water for at least one month each year?
- A) 1.5 billion
- B) 2 billion
- C) 3.6 billion
- D) 4 billion
Answer: C) 3.6 billion
- What significant environmental event occurred in glaciers during 2023?
- A) Increase in mass
- B) Largest mass loss in 50 years
- C) Stabilization of ice
- D) No change
Answer: B) Largest mass loss in 50 years
- What phenomenon contributed to the extreme weather conditions observed in 2023?
- A) Solar flares
- B) Transition from La Niña to El Niño
- C) Volcanic activity
- D) None of the above
Answer: B) Transition from La Niña to El Niño
- What initiative aims to improve monitoring and forecasting of water-related hazards by 2027?
- A) Global Water Resources Initiative
- B) Early Warnings for All
- C) Water Security Alliance
- D) Climate Action Now
Answer: B) Early Warnings for All