The world is in water bankruptcy, UN scientists report – here’s what that means

Like living beyond your financial means, using more water than nature can replenish can have catastrophic results.

By: Kaveh Madani, United Nations University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 20, 2026

Words: 1,304

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

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By Kaveh Madani, United Nations University

The world is now using so much fresh water amid the consequences of climate change that it has entered an era of water bankruptcy, with many regions no longer able to bounce back from frequent water shortages.

About 4 billion people – nearly half the global population – live with severe water scarcity for at least one month a year, without access to sufficient water to meet all …

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