Strain on Fresh Water Supplies

The population continues to grow a breakneck pace and freshwater supplies diminish. This leads to conflict and turmoil as governments use force to secure water sources.

Enablers:

1. Over 260 river basins are shared by two or more countries. In the absence of strong institutions and agreements, changes within a basin can lead to transboundary tensions. When major projects proceed without regional collaboration, they can become a point of conflicts, heightening regional instability (http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/index.php?id=25)

2. Some of the world's largest cities, including Beijing, Buenos Aires, Dhaka, Lima and Mexico City, depend heavily on groundwater for their water supply, but it is unlikely that dependence on aquifers, which take many years to recharge, will be sustainable (http://www.gdrc.org/uem/water/urban-water.html)

Inhibitors:

1. Global push for sustainable living

2. Technological innovations that reduce water usage

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