The amount of water in the world is limited. the number of us is growing fast and our water use is growing even faster. the poor are the ones who suffer most . water shortages can mean long walks to get water, high prices to buy it .food insecurity and disease from drinking dirty water. much more water will be needed if we are to feed the world`s growing population . but the very thing needed to raise funds to solve water problems in poor countries requires yet more water to supply the agriculture and industries which drive.
new technology can help by cleaning up pollution and so making more water useable in agriculture, where water use can be made far more efficient .drought-resistant plants can also help. drip irrigation can also cut the amount of water needed.
the optimists say "virtual water" may save the day ——the water contained in crops which can be exported from water-rich countries to dry ones. but the amounts involved would be huge, and the energy needed to transport them large.