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Are you interested in urban water management?
Our summary today works with the article titled Future global urban water scarcity and potential solutions from 2021 by Chunyang He, Zhifeng Liu, Jianguo Wu, Xinhao Pan, Zihang Fang, Jingwei Li, and Brett A. Bryan, published in the Nature Communications journal.
This is a great preparation to our next interview with Anthony Acciavatti in episode 292 talking about water as an ecological indicator for urban quality of life.
Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see what urban water challenges we will see in the future. This article presents water scarcity issues by 2050 under four socioeconomic and climate change scenarios and explores potential solutions.
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Welcome to today’s What is The Future For Cities podcast and its Research episode; my name is Fanni, and today I will introduce a research paper by summarising it. The episode really is just a short summary of the original paper, and, in case it is interesting enough, I would encourage everyone to check out the whole paper. This is also an experiment as I produced and generated the summary part with Notebook LM as two hosts dissecting the whole report.
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Speaker 1: Today we’re going to be looking at water in our cities in the future, and you’vesent over some really interesting research to help us with that.
Speaker 2: Yeah, specifically, we’re diving into a 2021 article from Nature Communications titled Future Global Urban Water Scarcity and Potential Solutions. With climate change and more and more people moving into cities, it feels like everyone’s talking about water these days. But have you ever wondered how many people are already living in cities that just don’t have enough water? I’ll give you a hint. It’s probably a lot more than you think, and it’s only going to get more challenging from here.
Speaker 1: What really jumped out at me from this study was that back in 2016, over 933 million people in cities were already dealing with some level of water scarcity. That’s a third of the entire global urban population, almost a billion people.
Speaker 2: That’s right. And what’s important to remember is that water scarcity isn’t always a constant problem. It can be perennial, meaning it’s a year round issue, or it can be seasonal, meaning water is scarce only during certain times of the year. Each type of scarcity presents its own unique challenges.
Speaker 1: So it’s not just about if a city has enough water, but also when they have enough water. That makes things even more complex. The study also mentioned that even back in 2016, 9 out of the 30 megacities, those are the massive cities, with over 10 million people were already water stressed. I was surprised to see cities like Los Angeles, Moscow and even Beijing on that list.
Speaker 2: It is surprising to see such geographically diverse cities facing similar challenges. And if we look ahead to 2050, the projections are even more stark. The number of people in cities dealing with water scarcity is expected to basically double. That means almost half the world’s urban population could be affected.
Speaker 1: Wow, that’s a huge jump. Yeah. It makes you wonder, what’s driving that increase? Is it just that more people are moving to cities? Or are there other things going on?
Speaker 2: It’s a combination of things, really. Population growth is definitely a major driver. But there’s also the rising demand for water that comes with urbanization and people’s standards of living improving. As cities grow and economies develop, people tend to use more water per capita, which puts additional strain on already limited resources.
Speaker 1: So it’s not just about the number of people, but also how much water each person is using. That makes a lot of sense. This study also mentioned a possible increase in the number of large cities dealing with water scarcity, going from 193 to a potential 292. Those are some pretty alarming numbers.
Speaker 2: Absolutely. And while climate change is often the first thing people think of when they’re talking about water scarcity, this study suggests that the impact of climate change is complex and maybe not as straightforward as we might assume.
Speaker 1: Okay, so climate change might not be the only thing to blame here.
Speaker 2: While climate change definitely plays a role, the study actually projects that population growth and increased water demand will have an even bigger impact on the future of urban water scarcity.
Speaker 1: So it sounds like we’re dealing with a multifaceted problem here, but I’m curious, if those are the problems, what are some of the solutions? Because the study did talk about some potential ways to address urban water scarcity, right?
Speaker 2: Yes, absolutely. The research outlines seven major solutions that cities can consider.
Speaker 1: Seven solutions. Okay, I’m all ears. Where do we start?
Speaker 2: First and foremost, we have water conservation. This is all about using water more efficiently and reducing waste.
Speaker 1: So things like fixing leaky faucets and taking shorter showers, I can get behind that.
Speaker 2: Exactly. It’s about those everyday actions that can add up to make a real difference. The most sustainable scenario outlined in the study, which focuses on slowing population growth, improving water use efficiency, and mitigating climate change, found that conservation efforts could actually solve water scarcity problems for 68 large cities.
Speaker 1: Wow, that’s a lot of cities. So simple changes can have a big impact. What else is on the list?
Speaker 2: Another solution is desalination, which essentially means removing salt from seawater to make it suitable for drinking and other uses.
Speaker 1: Turning salt water into fresh water. That sounds pretty high tech.
Speaker 2: It is a sophisticated technology and it’s particularly attractive for coastal cities. Think of places like Los Angeles or Bubai. But it does come with some challenges. Desalination can be very energy intensive, meaning it requires a lot of power to run those plants, which can be expensive and also have environmental impacts. There’s also the issue of what to do with the concentrated saltwater byproduct, as disposing of it improperly can harm marine ecosystems.
Speaker 1: Okay, so it’s a promising solution, but it’s not without its drawbacks. Makes sense. What else is there?
Speaker 2: Then we have groundwater exploitation, which involves tapping into underground water sources, also known as aquifers.
Speaker 1: So like, digging wells and pumping water up from below the surface.
Speaker 2: Exactly. This can be a viable solution in some areas, but it’s important to be cautious. Overextraction of groundwater can lead to depletion of these aquifers, and that can have some pretty serious consequences.
Speaker 1: Like what kind of consequences?
Speaker 2: For one thing, it can cause land subsidence, which is basically when the ground sinks because the water that was supporting it is gone. This can damage infrastructure and even make areas more vulnerable to flooding. There’s also the risk of contaminating groundwater with saltwater or pollutants if it’s not managed carefully.
Speaker 1: So it’s a solution that requires a delicate balance. We can’t just pump as much water as we want without thinking about the long term impact.
Speaker 2: That’s right. It’s about finding a sustainable approach to using groundwater resources.
Speaker 1: What’s next on the list?
Speaker 2: Next up is a more traditional approach, reservoir construction. This involves building dams and creating large reservoirs to store water, especially during periods of high rainfall or snowmelt.
Speaker 1: So catching excess water and saving it for later. Exactly.
Speaker 2: Reservoirs help ensure a more consistent water supply throughout the year, even during dry periods.
Speaker 1: That seems like a pretty straightforward solution. What are the potential downsides there?
Speaker 2: While reservoirs can be effective, they’re not without their impacts. Building dams can disrupt ecosystems, alter river flows, and potentially displace communities.
Speaker 1: Those are important factors to consider. So reservoirs can be part of the solution, but they need to be planned and managed carefully. What about the remaining solutions? You said there were seven, right?
Speaker 2: Yes, there are three more, and these get a little more complex. We have interbasin water transfer, which involves moving water from a region with a surplus to a region facing a deficit.
Speaker 1: So basically piping water from where there’s plenty to where it’s needed.
Speaker 2: In essence, yes. It can be a very effective way to address regional water imbalances, but it’s not always as simple as it sounds. Interbasin water transfer projects can be very costly, require extensive infrastructure, and potentially have ecological consequences if not done carefully. It can also lead to political disputes between regions over water rights and allocations.
Speaker 1: That makes sense. Water is a precious resource, and sharing it can get complicated.
Speaker 2: Absolutely. Then we have something called domestic virtual water trade, which is a bit of a conceptual solution.
Speaker 1: Virtual water trade. Okay, you’re gonna have to explain that one to me.
Speaker 2: Imagine a country with lots of water, using that water to grow wheat, and then trading that wheat to a drier country that doesn’t have enough water to grow its own. The drier country is essentially importing water embedded in the wheat.
Speaker 1: Oh, I get it. So it’s not about physically moving water, but rather trading products that require a lot of water to produce. That’s pretty clever.
Speaker 2: It is. And it can be a way to balance out water use at a national level without actually having to physically transport water.
Speaker 1: That’s fascinating. So what’s the last solution on the list?
Speaker 2: The final one is international water transfer or virtual water trade, which is similar to the domestic version but on a global scale. It involves countries trading water or water intensive goods across borders.
Speaker 1: So like a global water market.
Speaker 2: You can think of it that way. It’s a potential solution for middle and high income countries that can afford to participate in these types of markets. However, it often requires international cooperation and agreements, which can be very complex to negotiate and enforce.
Speaker 1: Wow, we’ve covered a lot of ground already, but I have a feeling there’s still more to unpack here, right?
Speaker 2: There is. We’ve outlined the seven potential solutions. But it’s not as simple as just picking one and calling it a day. Each city, each region, has its unique set of circumstances, challenges, and resources.
Speaker 1: So there’s no one size fits all solution.
Speaker 2: Exactly. And that’s what makes this such a fascinating, and frankly, crucial topic to explore further.
Speaker 1: I couldn’t agree more.
Speaker 2: Before we dig deeper into these solutions, it’s worth remembering that the study didn’t just list them out. It actually analyzed how well each solution could work for different cities, taking into account their specific locations, their resources, and what makes their water situation unique. It’s almost like they created a custom water scarcity toolkit.
Speaker 1: So you’re saying is there isn’t a one size fits all approach, and the best solution for, say, Los Angeles might be completely different from what works best for a city like Delhi.
Speaker 2: Exactly.
Speaker 1: It seems like the key takeaway here is that there’s no silver bullet, no single solution that will magically solve the problem of urban water scarcity.
Speaker 2: That’s a great observation. It’s really about finding the right combination of solutions that are tailored to the specific needs and constraints of each city. And that’s where careful planning, innovation, and a deep understanding of the local context become so important.
Speaker 1: And likely a healthy dose of collaboration as well, right? These challenges can’t be solved in isolation. It’s going to require cities, governments, researchers, and communities working together to find sustainable solutions.
Speaker 2: Absolutely, and I think it’s important to acknowledge that even with all these potential solutions, some cities will face more significant challenges than others. The study highlighted 16 large cities, including megacities like Delhi and Lahore that are likely to encounter substantial difficulties in achieving water security.
Speaker 1: What makes these cities particularly vulnerable? Is it a lack of resources, geographic limitations, or something else?
Speaker 2: It’s often a combination of factors. Some cities are located in regions that are naturally water scarce, while others may face constraints due to limited financial resources or infrastructure. Some cities are grappling with rapid population growth, which puts immense pressure on existing water supplies, and climate change is exacerbating these challenges in many parts of the world, leading to more frequent and severe droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather patterns.
Speaker 1: Sounds like a complex web of interconnected issues. While we have these potential solutions, It’s important to be realistic about the challenges and understand that there’s no easy fix.
Speaker 2: Exactly. And that brings us to another crucial aspect of this issue that I think is worth exploring. The idea of equity and accessibility.
Speaker 1: What do you mean by equity and accessibility in the context of water scarcity?
Speaker 2: As water becomes increasingly scarce, the question of who has access to clean, safe, and affordable water becomes even more critical. We need to ensure that solutions are implemented in a way that benefits all. All segments of society, not just those with the most resources or political influence.
Speaker 1: That’s a really important point. We can’t let water become a luxury that only the privileged can afford.
Speaker 2: Absolutely. Access to water is fundamental to human health, being and dignity. We need to approach these solutions with a lens of equity, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location.
Speaker 1: We’ve been unpacking this research on urban water scarcity. And what’s clear, this isn’t just some far off problem. This is affecting millions of people right now. And the projections for the future are even more concerning. But what strikes me is that we’re not powerless. There are solutions out there. And it seems like a big part of the puzzle is figuring out which ones work best in each unique situation.
Speaker 2: Precisely what’s so fascinating about this study is that it goes beyond just identifying those potential solutions. It dives into which solutions are most likely to be effective. For specific cities considering their location available resources, even the political landscape, it’s like a tailored approach to tackling water scarcity.
Speaker 1: It makes sense that a coastal city might have different options than a city located in a desert, but how does this research actually translate into action? What can we, the listeners, even if we don’t live in a mega cassity do to make a difference?
Speaker 2: That’s a question a lot of people have, and it’s important to remember that this is a global challenge with ripple effects that reach.
far beyond just those cities directly facing water stress. Think about the food we eat, the products we use, even the stability of entire nations. It’s all connected to water security.
Speaker 1: It’s like that saying, when the wells dry, we know the worth of water. We often take it for granted until it becomes scarce. But what are some practical steps we can take even in our daily lives? to be more mindful about water.
Speaker 2: One thing we can all do is become more conscious consumers. Think about the water footprint of the products you buy, from the food you eat to the clothes you wear. Supporting companies that prioritize sustainable water practices is a powerful way to vote with your wallet.
Speaker 1: So it’s not just about our direct water usage, but also the hidden water use embedded in the things we buy.
Speaker 2: Exactly. There’s a lot of virtual water that goes into the production of everyday goods, and making informed choices can really make a difference.
Speaker 1: What about things we can do at home? Are there small changes that can add up to a bigger impact?
Speaker 2: Absolutely. Something as simple as fixing leaky faucets, choosing water efficient appliances, or even being mindful of how much water you use while watering your garden can make a surprising difference.
Speaker 1: It’s encouraging to know that even small changes can contribute to a solution, but beyond individual actions. What about things on a larger scale? How can we get involved in advocating for better water management practices in our communities and beyond?
Speaker 2: One important step is to stay informed about local water issues and engage in community dialogues about water management strategies. Supporting policies that promote water conservation and sustainable water use is crucial. Voting for leaders who prioritize these issues is another way to make your voice heard.
Speaker 1: It sounds like it’s a combination of personal responsibility and collective action. We need both to really tackle this challenge.
Speaker 2: I completely agree. We can all play a role in ensuring a water secure future. It starts with awareness, translates into action, and ultimately creates a ripple effect that can lead to real change.
Speaker 1: Well said. As we wrap up this deep dive, is there a final thought provoking question you’d like to leave our listeners with? Something to ponder as they continue their own exploration of this topic.
Speaker 2: Here’s one that I find particularly thought provoking, as cities continue to grow and water scarcity becomes an even more pressing issue. How do we ensure that access to clean, safe water is equitable and accessible to all?
Speaker 1: That’s a powerful question. Water isn’t just a commodity, it’s a fundamental human right, and ensuring equitable access for all is essential. Remember, even small actions can make a difference. Keep learning, stay engaged, and let’s work together to ensure a water secure future for all.
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