đ§We need to talk about water, and Biden
Demand for fresh water will outstrip supply by 2030 + Biden approves new oil drilling project in Alaska
This week Iâve been reading a lot about climate politics (and economics) and Iâm becoming increasingly more convinced that the current economic system and our obsession with economic growth just arenât compatible with fixing the climate crisis. While some are taking steps to galvanize action to protect one of our most precious resources â water â others (looking at you, Biden) have decided that drilling more oil in Alaska is a good idea.
đ° What (water) on earth
The world is facing an imminent water crisis as demand is projected to outstrip the supply of fresh water by 40% already by the end of this decade, according to a new report from the Global Commission on the Economics of Water. In short: we have pushed the global water cycle out of balance for the very first time in human history. As my fellow Swede and a lead author of the report Johan Rockström puts it:
âWe now, unfortunately, must recognize that weâre changing the very source of fresh water â precipitation. We are changing the whole functioning of fresh water on planet earth. Which means that water must be recognized as a global, common good.â
The scientists are making it clear: we wonât solve climate change if we donât address the urgent water crisis by reducing water waste and improving water efficiency and equity. Thatâs why theyâre calling for a ânew economics of waterâ (hence the catchy name of the commission) where the global water cycle is seen as a global common good and protected accordingly.
Most countries depend on their neighbors for water supplies, and overuse, pollution, and the effects of climate change now threaten global water supplies. The report lists seven strong calls to action to help reverse the water crisis, including putting an end to underpricing water and phasing out some of the $700 billion in agricultural subsidies that are leading to excessive water consumption and other bad practices.
Droughts are already making historic headlines. The Horn of Africa is experiencing the longest and most severe drought on record after four failed rainy seasons and here in Europe, several countries are grappling with a winter drought following the driest summer in 500 years. Here in Catalonia â which has been short of water for three years â Barcelona has stopped watering its parks and introduced a 40% reduction in water use for agriculture.
Deeper dive: You can read the full water report here. Thereâs also a 3-minute-long video summary for all ya busy folks. And kudos to the commission for creating a pretty cool report site?
What a (water) week: Next week, the UN will be hosting the first meeting dedicated to water in over four decades. Global leaders and civil society will come together in New York for the 2023 Water Conference with hopes that it will produce a âboldâ Water Action Agenda, according to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Weâll keep our eyes open for more news coming out of the meetings đ
Why Biden, why?
This week the Biden administration approved the massive Willow oil drilling project in Alaska, angering climate advocates who have written more than one million letters to the White House and gathered more than 3 million signatures on a Change.org petition.
The area where the drilling project is planned holds up to 600 million barrels of oil. By the administrationâs own estimates, it would generate enough oil to release 9.2 million metric tons of planet-warming carbon each year â which is about the same thing as adding 2 million gas-powered cars to the roads.
While some Alaska Native groups say the project will bring much-needed revenue and jobs to the region, others living closer to the planned project are concerned about the health and environmental impacts that come with major oil development.
The project has spurred an uprising of online activism against it, including on TikTok through the hashtag #StopWillow. The environmental law group Earthjustice is also expected to file a complaint against the project and will likely seek an injunction to try to block the project from going forward.
Climate jargon of the week
Tipping points đ
When it comes to climate talk, tipping points normally refer to critical thresholds in a system that, when exceeded, can lead to significant â and often irreversible â changes in that very system. For example, the collapse of Greenlandâs ice cap which will eventually produce a huge sea level rise or the abrupt melting of carbon-rich permafrost which will release even more carbon into the atmosphere once melted.