What is Going on?
Sanitation Access
The situation with sanitation is even more dire. An estimated 3.4 billion people lack safely managed sanitation services. This lack of access to basic sanitation contributes to waterborne diseases, posing a significant threat to public health. Globally, 2.3 billion people still do not have basic sanitation facilities like toilets or latrines. In many developing countries, wastewater is often discharged directly into local water bodies without any treatment. This contamination of water sources leads to the spread of illnesses like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
Water Scarcity
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, 2.2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water services. This means they lack access to a readily available, affordable, and safe water source. Water scarcity is a growing concern, affecting regions like the Middle East and North Africa, where droughts are becoming more frequent and severe. Water scarcity impacts over 40% globally. SDG 6 aims for universal access by 2030. It also focuses on adequate sanitation and hygiene for everyone.
Global climate change is exacerbating water scarcity around the world, leading to more frequent and severe droughts. This directly affects agriculture, which heavily relies on water for irrigation.
In California, the ongoing drought has had a devastating impact on almond production, a major agricultural industry. Almond trees require a significant amount of water, and the drought has led to significant yield losses and economic hardship for farmers.