How does global water scarcity affect food security and development

Miina Porkka Aalto University

Water at Risk symposium 21.3.2017

Water for Development

Ending hunger with water?

•  Freshwater is a key resource for food production

No water = no food

•  70–90% of all water used by humanity is used in agriculture

No food = no water use?

Global picture on water scarcity

Kummu & Varis 2011

Global picture on water scarcity

•  Over a half of global population affected by water scarcity •  MENA region, India, Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of China…

Kummu et al. 2014

Global picture on water scarcity

•  Population growth biggest driver of water scarcity

•  World’s population quadrupled since 1900

•  Population affected by water scarcity increased 16-fold

Kummu et al. 2016

Global picture on food availability

Population with insufficient food

stagnated

Porkka et al. 2013

Global picture on food availability

Porkka et al. 2013 Porkka et al. 2015

•  Water use in food production more efficient •  Green revolution

•  Trade distributes global food supply more evenly

•  But food insufficiency still occurs, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

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Zero hunger – how?

•  More of what has worked before:

•  Sustainable intensification through better nutrient and irrigation management •  Requires investment in knowledge and capital, supporting regulation and

strong institutions

•  Sharing resources through global trade •  Requires international legislation and policies, institutional arrangements

•  Valuable resources could be saved through: •  Avoiding overconsumption •  Cutting food waste •  Limiting consumption of animal products

These measures combined could double or even triple global food supply!

Zero hunger – how?

•  In theory enough food for all even now – what about in practice?

•  Zero hunger requires improved access to food supplies •  Ultimately comes down to social justice and equity •  Requires progress on many other SDGs

Desired change •  Secure food for growing population while ensuring environmental sustainability

Actual impact •  Government, private sector, academia, NGOs each have their role, as

mentioned before: •  Provide innovation, scientific knowledge & outreach •  Advocate for policies that promote good management, social justice &

equity

•  Impact can be created on an individual level, too: •  Avoid overconsumption •  Waste less