Today we live in a water scarce world, which not only affects humans but also our freshwater ecosystems and species.

Our current global water challenges:

• Of all species, freshwater species are declining the fastest, especially in the tropical regions (70% decline of Living Planet Index since 1970)
• 41% of the world's human population lives in areas of severe water stress
• 800 million people lack access to safe drinking water
• 2.6 billion lack adequate sanitation services
• ~70% of rivers longer than 1000 km do not reach the sea
• Water pollution is high, especially in developing countries where up to 70% of industrial wastewater is disposed without treatment
• It is estimated the effects of climate change, which are expected to be most severe in developing countries, will exacerbate water problems and lead to changing and erratic rainfall patterns, droughts and floods

These challenges will grow further as a result of three megatrends:

• First, the worldв's population is expected to peak at 9 billion by 2050. Already in 2025, 65% of the world's population and 1/3 of the land area will be in severe water stress due to additional food and water requirements. Most of the 3 billion additional people will live in cities in the developing world with poor water and sanitation infrastructure. Increasing water scarcity leads to increased potential for conflicts.
• Temperature increase of 1-2 degrees by 2050. Climate change results in higher weather variability, less freshwater stored in ice, more droughts and floods, and changes in the ecosystem due to higher water temperatures.
• Urbanization and rising incomes, especially in BRIC countries, leading to higher consumption patterns. To feed the larger and richer population a near doubling of water for irrigation is needed and will result in higher per capita water requirements, especially through shifts in demand for different types of food.