More than 2.7 billion people will experience severe water shortages by 2025 if the world continues to consume water at the current rate, according to a U.N. report released today, which happens to be World Water Day. The report goes on to say that another 2.5 billion may be living in areas where it will be difficult or near impossible to meet their water needs. (Yep, two out of three people in the world could be up the creek with only a paddle, no water.) Semi-arid regions of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are most at risk. Already, 1.1 billion people in the world have no access to safe drinking water. The causes of the problem? Population growth, changing weather patterns, and mismanagement of existing water resources, the report says.
