European Economic and Social Committee warns of global water crisis

European Economic and Social Committee water scarcity hydrological cycle food security climate change

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has issued a warning to the European Union regarding the urgent need to protect and restore water resources. The advisory body, representing employers, trade unions, and civil society, stated that climate change, unsustainable water use, and land-use changes are disrupting the hydrological cycle.

Disruptions to this cycle threaten food security, economic stability, and international security, while water scarcity increasingly contributes to migration and conflict. The Committee noted that approximately four billion people face serious water shortages for at least one month every year, with communities in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America being particularly vulnerable.

The EESC also highlighted the threat to ‘green water’—moisture stored in soil that returns to the atmosphere through evaporation and plant transpiration. This source accounts for about 60 percent of freshwater on land and is essential for roughly 80 percent of the world’s agricultural land. The Committee is calling for intensified cross-border cooperation and joint management of water resources.

Entities

European Commission · European Economic and Social Committee · European Union · Marija Hanževački · United Nations · World Bank

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] About 500 million people face serious water shortages throughout the entire year. dunav.at
[● 9 SOURCES] Approximately four billion people face serious water shortages for at least one month every year. bosnainfo.ba · jajce-online.com · denesen.mk · dunav.at · www.nhs.hr · +4 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The EESC called on the European Commission and member states for cross-border cooperation in water resource management. bosnainfo.ba · jajce-online.com · denesen.mk · www.nhs.hr · zoom.mk · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Water scarcity contributes to migration and conflicts. bosnainfo.ba · jajce-online.com · denesen.mk · www.nhs.hr · zoom.mk · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Green water accounts for approximately 60 percent of freshwater on land. bosnainfo.ba · jajce-online.com · denesen.mk · www.nhs.hr · zoom.mk · +3 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The EESC warned that climate change and unsustainable water use are disrupting the hydrological cycle. bosnainfo.ba · jajce-online.com · denesen.mk · dunav.at · www.nhs.hr · +4 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Approximately 80 percent of the world's agricultural land depends on green water. bosnainfo.ba · jajce-online.com · denesen.mk · www.nhs.hr · zoom.mk · +3 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 2.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water. dunav.at