Water shortage could damage business 'more than oil scarcity'

by Amy Judd | February 26, 2009 at 04:44 pm

801 views | 25 Recommendations | 12 comments

A water shortage could hurt businesses more than the threat of oil running out, according to a new report released today.

Companies that use a high volume of water to manufacture products, such as silicon chips, and electricity suppliers that use water for cooling purposes could see their ability to perform their businesses go down. Other sectors that could be in trouble include beverage companies, clothing, pharmaceuticals and forest companies.

"Water is one of our most critical resources – even more important than oil," says the report, published today . "The impact of water scarcity and declining water on businesses will be far-reaching. We've already seen decreases in companies' water allotments, more stringent regulations [and] higher costs for water."

Droughts around the world are already contributing to the decline of some industries and as pressure for supplies increase, they will not be able to keep up.

"It is increasingly clear that the era of cheap and easy access to water is ending, posing a potentially greater threat to businesses than the loss of any other natural resource, including fossil fuel resources," it adds. "This is because there are various alternatives for oil, but for many industrial processes, and for human survival itself, there is no substitute for water."

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Geneva B

at 16:48 on February 26th, 2009

There is an interesting documentary I really want to see about future "water wars" called Blue Gold: World Water Wars

mtammas

at 16:49 on February 26th, 2009

Water has been the 'hot' commodity for some time. While most are still obsessed with oil, others realize that it's water that is in short supply and the most desirable resource in the world. After all, people can live without that 'black gold'...

mrswildmann

at 17:37 on February 26th, 2009

This is taken from the New Jersey Turnpike overlooking the New Jersey Meadowlands which is a nature preserve. Many days passing here there are swan swimming around.. My name for this body of water is Swan Lake.. I've seen many others birds, fish and turtle here.. Water is an important commodity not just for nature but for many of our everyday tasks..

mrswildmann has contributed a photo to this story.

Paschen

at 17:48 on February 26th, 2009

The former foreign minister of Germany,

Joschka Fischer said that the wars of the future will be for water and air.

Ágúst Eir

at 02:03 on February 27th, 2009

Ágúst Eir has contributed a photo to this story.

AlohaMark

at 03:04 on February 27th, 2009

The land surrounding Three Sisters Springs in North-West Florida is currently privately owned and therefore open to potential development and associated habitat destruction. One way to protect such valuable natural resources is through the purchase of the land by a non-profit group that will prevent development and continue to provide access to the springs as a low-impact recreation area. Once the destruction of a mature habitat has begun, potentially irrevocable damage has been done. Currently, www.savethreesisters.org has been raising funds to purchase the land around three sisters in an effort to preserve the pristine wilderness area and manatee refuge.

AlohaMark has contributed a photo to this story.

clerxy

at 03:04 on February 27th, 2009

These photos were taken in Australia. While I was there I was constantly reminded that they were having the worst drought in 100 years. We were told to take 3 minute showers and not water the gardens during the day. But you still saw people taking 20 minute showers and rivers running down the street from people watering the roses! But you forget that business would lose out on this water, and I'm sure if you told people that they would loose their Coke or their VB beer, they would think differently!

clerxy has contributed a photo to this story.

Spiral Architect

at 03:10 on February 27th, 2009

This photo was taken at Oman's Eastern Coast (Rass Al Hadd), the beaches there are unspoiled and are among a few major Green Turtle Nesting sites in the world.

Spiral Architect has contributed a photo to this story.

Spiral Architect

at 03:13 on February 27th, 2009

The ignorance of general public in not using water sparingly has contributed to this shortage. Most of the people prefer not to use recycled water for commercial and personal use. In most parts of Asia/Middle East (where they are already using desalinated water from the Arabian and Red seas) fresh water is used to water the plants, wash cars, clean driveways, etc.

All7_PRG

at 12:24 on February 27th, 2009

All7_PRG has contributed a photo to this story.

Margot Wolfs

at 14:05 on February 28th, 2009

This picture is taken in Antalya - Turkey. It is the Upper Düden waterfall.

ChristianofDenmark

at 11:47 on March 5th, 2009

I took a walk down to River Corrib running through Galway, Ireland and this girl and the slow river caught my eye - the clouds and light was great, so click and into my camera. The more a looked at it the more I liked it - gives a sense of tranquillity with the girl sitting on the bank and the lazy river. I added "The Galway Girl" to the photo, 'cause I didn't wanted it to be too moody.

ChristianofDenmark has contributed a photo to this story.