Our water is food and production means, energy source and world of experience at the same time. Water is a unique medium, with its limited availability mankind is increasingly becoming aware of its growing value.
In the next few decades there will be a significant change in the global water supply in many regions. According to the 'Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change' drought areas will further expand, heavy rainfalls increase and glaciers and snow areas decrease. The 'freshwater stress' has locally dramatic consequences.
'We enter into an era of aggravated water shortage. The easy access to 'blue water' comes to an end in many regions of the world. Increasing water pollution, more and more exhausted rivers, overused groundwater, threatening of water consumption through salinisation and water ecosystems falling under the critical minimum indicate a turning point of the 'blue water resources', says Prof. Malin Falkenmark from the Stockholm International Water Institute.
The so far still missing or insufficient supply of a great part of the world's population with hygienic and toxicologically harmless drinking water, as well as a sufficient quantity of industrial water, represents one of the most serious challenges to mankind during the next few decades.
Soon water will surpass mineral oil in its valence.