AVK International Highlights The Risks Of The Near Future, As Per The World Economic Forum’s ‘Global Risks Report 22’

The World Economic Forum’s ‘Global Risks Report 22’, which was just released in February 2022, no longer includes water or water-related issues among the top five threats lurking within the next ten years.

Unfortunately, it's not because the world has come to grips with water infrastructure. Other threats have just come along and seem more plausible.

Climate action failure - the greatest threat to human safety

Climate action failure is now considered the greatest threat to human safety and well-being

Climate action failure is now considered the greatest threat to human safety and well-being. By action failure is meant that even though we know what needs to be done, and we have the tools and technologies to do so, we will fail to follow through.

The rising fear of climate action failure reveals an underlying lack of faith in the world’s own ability to act - possibly powered by societal gaps and economic issues, which have been further emphasized during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Fighting climate change globally

Failure to act will eventually lead to more extreme weather, which will have a direct impact on public infrastructure. 21% of world governments reply that they have introduced measures, while 68% of the governments say that they basically have ‘just got started’. Only 2% of the global governments state that they have established effective procedures to cope with climate changes.

The most optimistic scenario is that global warming will stagnate at +1.8 degrees Celsius. Currently, the temperature has already risen by +1,2, and if we continue on the current path, it will rise by 2,7. According to the report, 84% of the world’s experts are worried or even concerned for the future of our planet.

Food, minerals and safe water supply at risk of over-exploitation

The world is well on its way to push the nature out of balance, where chemicals, food supply, minerals and safe water supply will be in great risk of over-exploitation and poor maintenance. Just as positive an effect that water has on life, development, liveability and infrastructure, just as severe are the consequences of poor maintenance.

Water loss leaves societies without the critical need for supply, water-borne diseases can easily be spread without proper hygiene, and inefficient wastewater processes have a devastating impact on our nature.

Need for a broader political understanding

Many leaders around the world do not recognize water’s essential role in the climate and energy debate

Many leaders around the world do not recognize water’s essential role in the climate and energy debate. While many are considering and re-thinking the energy mix, only few seem to include water management in the blend.

The International Energy Agency has calculated that if the collected wastewater was utilized for energy production, as well as just half of the 80% not being collected at all, it would generate just as much energy, as all the coal-fired plants in Europe.

Commitment to phase-out coal by 2040

After COP26, 46 countries have committed to phase-out coal by 2040. Hopefully, some of them have considered wastewater as the alternative.

The same leaders are talking about energy optimization. And the best energy is, after all, the energy that is never used.

Efficient water management and lowering water losses

Through efficient water management, water losses can be lowered to a minimum, and by utilizing wastewater as a resource the complete water infrastructure can become energy neutral, something that can save up to as much as 40% on the average municipality’s energy bill!

There is a need to create awareness. Water is not just the source to all life - it is also an important accelerator for economic and social growth.