According to a new report, the percentage of water used to transport food and goods in developed countries is contributing to water shortages across the developing world. The report focuses primarily on the UK, stating that two-thirds of the amount of water used to import products to the UK is garnered from outside the UK’s borders.
The Engineering the Future, an alliance of industry bodies, said that current water usage is unsustainable considering climate change and population growth. The report concludes that the UK and other such developed nations must begin to provide aid to poorer nations to help reduce the damage being done by importing goods.
Professor Roger Falconer, the director of the Hydro-Environmental Research Centre for Cardiff University, helped to author the report and says that the UK must begin to take responsibility for their impact on the world’s water resources. He added that urgent action would be necessary to prevent significant damage to the world’s natural resources.
Current predictions suggest that in 20 years from now the world’s population will soar to 8 billion. In addition global demands for energy and food will increase by 50 per cent. Fresh water demands will increase by 30 per cent.
The report also suggests that developing countries are using large portions of their water to produce food and goods for developed countries. Professor Peter Guthrie, head at the Centre for Sustainable Development for Cambridge University said that should the water crisis become a critical issue it could pose serious threats to future developments in the UK.
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