Counting on … day 205

16th December 

Fresh water is essential for life, but are we using it wisely?

“A new analysis of freshwater resources across the globe shows that human activity has pushed variation in the planet’s freshwater cycle well outside of its pre-industrial range. The study shows that the updated planetary boundary for freshwater change was surpassed by the mid-twentieth century. In other words, for the past century, humans have been pushing the Earth’s freshwater system far beyond the stable conditions that prevailed before industrialisation.” (1) 

We are seeing more extreme wet and more extreme dry conditions across the globe. Ingo Fetzer at the Stockholm Resilience Centre notes: “Water extremes, such as droughts and flooding, can have significant impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity that function are essential for human societies. However, human activities, including agriculture, urbanisation, and climate change, influence the water cycle and exacerbate extreme events. By understanding and mitigating these factors, we can work to protect and preserve our planet’s vital water resources and maintain biodiversity.” (1)

1. https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/research-stories/2024-03-06-freshwater-planetary-boundary-has-been-crossed-since-the-mid-twentieth-century.html