Comprehensive assessment of the freshwater resources of the World
Kirshen, P.H.; Strzepek, K.M.
Water for a changing global community Proceedings of theme A managing water coping with scarcity and abundance 27th Congress of the International Association for Hydraulic Research, San Francisco, California, USA, 10-15 August 1997: 393-398
1997
Document Number: 522389
The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development is developing a comprehensive assessment of the world's current and future freshwater resources, needs and problems. This paper outlines some of the draft findings of the assessment. It details: (i) the need for such an assessment: (ii) the availability, quality and variability of freshwater resources and their present uses: (iii) current and future water needs problems at global, regional and national levels; (iv) strategies and options for sustainable development. With an extra 2.7 billion people projected in the world population by 2025, increased food production will need to come from irrigated agriculture-which already accounts for 70% of present usage. Variability in the availability of water is outlined by means of examples. The Conventional Development Scenario describes the consequences of the current situation, it does not indicate either what should happen or what will happen. Policy options are currently under preparation and review.