Climate Change’s Unfriendly Relationship With Water Is A Threat To Humanity. Here are Ways We Can Solve It

Heavy rainfall culminating in disastrous floods in Maiduguri, Nigeria, have caused widespread devastation, culminating in the breakdown of the Alau Dam and displacing entire communities. At the same time, in Southern Africa, nearly 68 million people are reeling from the harsh impacts of severe drought, threatening not just their livelihoods but the region's long-term food security. These events are not isolated; they reflect a growing global crisis—water, once abundant and predictable, has now become erratic and dangerous due to the cascading effects of climate change. The frequency of floods and droughts is escalating, exposing millions of people to the instability of water supplies. As climate change continues to alter weather patterns, the world faces a paradox: regions either suffer from too little water or too much, both scenarios contributing to social, economic, and environmental turmoil. Given the grave consequences of this imbalance, finding sustainable solutions is no longer an option but a necessity. This article explores practical strategies that can help humanity navigate this complex relationship between water and climate change, and what must be done to secure a stable future.

Water is the essence of life, and its management has been a central concern for civilizations throughout history. Today, climate change complicates that relationship by altering the natural water cycle in profound ways. Warmer global temperatures mean that glaciers and ice caps are melting at an alarming rate, leading to rising sea levels and increased flooding. On the other hand, these higher temperatures also cause increased evaporation rates, leading to droughts and water shortages in regions that were once water-abundant.

Both extremes — droughts and floods — create a dangerous imbalance, disrupting ecosystems, displacing communities, and threatening food and water security. For instance, the Horn of Africa is experiencing prolonged droughts, while countries like Bangladesh and the Philippines are continually battered by floods. These two extremes emphasize how climate change impacts are unevenly distributed, and the regions most affected are often the least prepared to deal with such consequences.

By 2025, nearly half of the global population could find themselves living in regions facing critical water scarcity. Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of the Middle East, and South Asia are already enduring severe water shortages—pressures that are intensifying due to the accelerating impacts of climate change.

One key driver behind water scarcity is the over-extraction of freshwater resources such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Climate change adds to this burden by reducing rainfall in some areas, causing rivers to dry up and groundwater levels to plummet. As agricultural systems rely heavily on water, particularly in developing countries, decreased water availability compromises food production and jeopardizes livelihoods.

In North Africa, for example, the Nile River — a lifeline for millions — is under threat from both decreased rainfall and the construction of dams upstream. The potential water crisis could lead to inter-state conflicts, as seen in recent tensions between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. Such water conflicts highlight the role of water as a politically charged resource, especially in water-scarce regions.

While some regions suffer from severe drought, others are facing record-breaking floods, a stark reminder of climate change’s intensifying impact on weather patterns. Extreme rainfall events, such as the 2024 Maiduguri floods in Nigeria, highlight this reality. The collapse of the Alau Dam, driven by heavy downpours, displaced thousands and wreaked havoc on homes and infrastructure. This incident exemplifies the increasingly severe consequences of climate-induced flooding.

Flooding is particularly concerning in urban areas, where rising sea levels and heavier rains compound the risk. In coastal cities, frequent floods can destroy infrastructure, contaminate drinking water, and spread diseases like cholera and typhoid. In rural regions, floods devastate crops, leading to food insecurity and economic hardship.

This paradox of too much water in some places and too little in others underscores the need for a coordinated global effort. Managing this delicate balance requires addressing the root causes of climate change and building resilience in vulnerable communities. Urban flood defences, better agricultural practices, and localized solutions are essential to mitigating the impact of extreme weather events and ensuring that both urban and rural areas can adapt to an increasingly unpredictable climate.

Solving the water crisis linked to climate change requires an integrated approach that tackles both mitigation (reducing the causes of climate change) and adaptation (building resilience to its impacts). Here are several solutions that governments, organizations, and communities can adopt to manage water resources more sustainably:

1. Water-Efficient Agricultural Practices
   Agriculture accounts for around 70% of global freshwater use, making it essential to adopt more water-efficient practices in this sector. Drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and crop rotation can significantly reduce water consumption while maintaining or improving yields. Additionally, planting drought-resistant crops ensures food production in areas prone to water shortages.
   Countries like Israel have successfully adopted water-efficient agriculture, using technologies such as desalination and wastewater recycling to meet their water needs. Israel’s agricultural sector is a global leader in producing high yields with minimal water usage, serving as a model for other water-scarce regions.
2. Innovative Water Management Techniques
   Managing water sustainably also requires innovations in how we collect, store, and distribute water. Desalination, which converts seawater into drinkable freshwater, is one promising solution for coastal areas suffering from water shortages. Similarly, rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling can help communities in arid regions meet their water needs without further depleting natural resources. These methods reduce the strain on existing freshwater supplies, particularly in regions facing prolonged droughts. Expanding these practices will require targeted investments and coordinated efforts between governments and local stakeholders to ensure that communities can adapt to increasingly unpredictable water availability.
3. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
   Developing countries need to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure to withstand water-related disasters such as floods and droughts. Building flood defences, strengthening drainage systems, and constructing water storage facilities can mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities. A typical example is Bangladesh, a country prone to flooding, which implemented early warning systems have also been implemented to give communities advance notice of incoming floods, saving lives and reducing damage.
4. Investing in Green Infrastructure
   Green infrastructure includes natural systems and processes that mimic the environment to manage water sustainably. Wetlands, forests, and natural floodplains act as sponges, absorbing excess rainfall and reducing the risk of flooding. Restoring these ecosystems can prevent floods and help mitigate the impacts of climate change. In urban areas, green roofs, rain gardens, and permeable pavements reduce runoff and improve water absorption, lessening the pressure on sewage systems during heavy rains.
   Cities like Copenhagen, Denmark, have adopted green infrastructure solutions to combat flooding. Through its Cloudburst Management Plan, the city has integrated a system of parks, canals, and underground water storage to absorb rainwater, protecting the city from flooding while also creating recreational spaces for citizens.
5. Policy and Governance Reforms
   Effective water management requires strong policies and governance frameworks that prioritize sustainability. Governments must work together to create transboundary water-sharing agreements that prevent conflicts over shared water resources, such as rivers that flow across national borders. Implementing strict water usage regulations and pricing mechanisms can also help ensure that water is used efficiently and fairly.
   The African Union’s efforts to mediate negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River exemplify the importance of multilateral cooperation in water management. The dam has been a source of tension between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan, but diplomatic efforts have helped de-escalate conflicts and promote dialogue.

The relationship between climate change and water is complex, dangerous, and inescapable. Water scarcity and flooding, driven by rising global temperatures, threaten human lives, economic development, and political stability. However, through a combination of green infrastructure, water-efficient practices, innovation, and strong governance, we can mitigate the worst effects of these water-related crises.

Addressing climate change’s impacts on water must be a global priority, as the consequences of inaction are far too severe to ignore. Every individual, community, and government has a role to play in securing a future where water is abundant, sustainable, and accessible for all. Only by working together can we solve one of humanity’s most pressing challenges — our complex and changing relationship with water.