Water is at the ‘epicentre’ of global crises, WaterAid has commented, following its analysis of the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2025.
The Forum’s top four global risks for the next decade are all linked to climate and the environment, with extreme weather events’ topping the list, and the issue of ‘inequality’ also ranking highly, with many regions most exposed to the effects of climate change also those with the sharpest wealth disparities.
According to WaterAid, this dual burden disproportionately impacts communities that lack resilience, further compounding their risk.
‘Terrifying’ predictions
“With 90% of all natural disasters being water-related, causing devastation to water and sanitation services, these predictions are terrifying,” commented Tim Wainwright, WaterAid UK’s chief executive
“In the next 10 years, extreme weather, natural resource shortages and ecosystem collapse are predicted to wreak further havoc on our planet and communities. Yet, global leaders can still alter this future.”
Pointing to the World Economic Forum gathering in Davos as an opportunity for “decisive action” to take place, Wainwright urged global leaders to invest in upgrading outdated water and sanitation systems to better withstand the growing intensity of climate risk and extreme weather.
‘Smart investment’
“Fragile or outdated facilities must be urgently upgraded to withstand the extreme weather events – cyclones, wildfires, floods, and drought – that we are experiencing in greater severity and frequency than ever before,” he said. “It is not just a matter of justice for the communities most at risk, but a smart investment for the world.
“World leaders must act now to unite the public and private sector and collectively close the finance gap for water – only then can we truly safeguard our planet and our future.”
According to WaterAid, some 2.2 billion people around the world live without safe water, with unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene causing nearly 400,000 child deaths annually, equivalent to more than 1,000 deaths per day. Read more here.
