Water and energy are inseparable. To draw attention to the links between water and energy, GWP has released a new video about the theme of World Water Day 2014.
Demand for water and energy is increasing because of population growth, economic growth (rising incomes), and urbanisation. Even though poverty is still widespread, many people in the developing world are experiencing greater prosperity as countries make the transition from a subsistence economy to an industrial or service one. This adds pressure on the available resources.
“One of the big challenges in dealing with water is that it is in high demand by so many users. And even though the demand for energy is growing, the supply of fresh water remains the same,” explains GWP Chair Dr. Ursula Schaefer-Preuss in the video.
An additional challenge involves the planning process on how to use and allocate resources. It is not unusual for energy planners to make decisions independent of how they affect water use. One example is the shift to low-carbon energy sources (biofuels) which brings greater water consumption and food insecurity. From the other side, water managers may decide to pump greater amounts of water for irrigation without considering the resulting demand on energy and the infrastructure required to deliver it.
This is why GWP recommends an integrated approach.
