Unprecedented Continental Drying and Freshwater Losses Threaten Nearly 6 Billion People in 101 Countries
Recent Developments
01July 2025: Science Advances study reveals unprecedented TWS loss and formation of four Northern Hemisphere mega-drying regions
02October 2025: World Bank report highlights accelerating drying in Asia, Eurasia, North Africa, North America with policy roadmap
032024-2025: Global Water Monitor reports water disasters caused 8,700 deaths, 40 million displacements, $550B damages; 'Flash Flood Summer' in U.S.
Interventions
- World Bank strategy for demand management, supply augmentation, and improved water allocation to combat continental drying
- Calls for better groundwater management practices to reduce overpumping and enhance water security
What Works
- Sustainable groundwater management to counteract overpumping, which amplifies drying impacts
- Demand management and improved water allocation strategies as outlined in World Bank roadmap
How to Help
- Support World Bank water crisis initiatives through donations or partnerships
- Advocate for policy changes promoting sustainable groundwater use and demand management
- Volunteer with organizations addressing local drought and water conservation efforts
Make an Impact
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Raise Awareness
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Verified Organizations
Organizations Helping(12)
GWI addresses unprecedented freshwater losses by conducting research on water stress indicators and developing policy frameworks for sustainable groundwater management. They analyze satellite data trends similar to GRACE/GRACE-FO observations to identify vulnerable regions and work with governments in the 101 countries facing net water supply decline to implement water security strategies. Their approach integrates climate science with water governance to address both the physical water loss and the institutional responses needed.
IWMI addresses Iran’s water crisis through integrated water resources management research, with an emphasis on improving agricultural water productivity, reducing groundwater overuse, and supporting climate-resilient planning. In Iran-focused work, IWMI highlights the need to manage water demand in agriculture, improve basin-scale planning, and use data-driven policy tools to reduce pressure on aquifers and river systems.
DRI collaborates with The Nature Conservancy and international researchers to map groundwater-dependent ecosystems globally using NASA Landsat satellite data, machine learning, and over 30,000 confirmed data points to identify locations threatened by declining groundwater levels. They analyze changes in leaf water content, evapotranspiration, vegetation greenness, and climate data from 2015-2020, achieving 87% accuracy, to highlight 53% of ecosystems in depletion areas and inform global conservation strategies.
WMO addresses drought and flood risk through hydrometeorological monitoring, seasonal forecasting, and early warning systems. For the Amazon and Colombia, this means improving the flow of climate and river information that governments and humanitarian actors use for anticipatory action, water management, and disaster preparedness.
