The Water Crisis is the Cry of the Poor: Challenges to Restoring the Hydrosocial Cycle

Abstract:

The water crisis is global in scale and the data is shocking. Water ecosystems, as well as the livelihoods and dignity of the poorest people are increasingly at risk. International organizations, governments, scientists, social movements, business people, water users and civil society in general seem to agree on this. It is estimated that 80% of the world's population faces a high threat level in terms of water security and biodiversity due to changes in hydrographic basins, pollution, biotic factors, infrastructure development and water policies (land cultivation, impermeable surfaces, dense development of dams, river fragmentation, pressure from fishing and aquaculture, increased nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides and sediment loads). Areas which lack the capacity and have little or no investment to deal with these issues are the most vulnerable (Vörösmarty et al., 2010)