A Closer Look at the Global Water Crisis: Where Did It All Start?
As the climate continues to rapidly warm, farmers around the world are being forced to adapt to unprecedented ecological change. Intensified droughts and water shortages, in particular, have started to pose an existential threat to the world’s agricultural system. These are problems that are not only being experienced in the “third world”. Today, more and more farmers in the United States are having to contend with the stark new realities of a drier planet.
If you own a small farm or ranch, you’ve undoubtedly begun to worry about the financial impact of the looming water crisis. This article will outline where the crisis began, and how a small ranch loan can help keep your business protected.
Geographical Origins of the Water Crisis
Today, it’s estimated that 785 million – that’s about one in nine – people do not have access to safe drinking water. There are a wide variety of political, economic, and ecological factors that are at play, here. But are there any regions in the world that are experiencing a disproportionately high degree of water shortages? If so, this could provide us with some helpful hints into where the modern water crisis began.
According to a 2019 report from the World Resources Institute (WRI), 17 countries are now experiencing “high baseline water stress.” In plain English, this means that the people in these countries are approaching a critical threshold in their water supply.
Those 17 countries are:
- Israel
- Qatar
- Iran
- Lebanon
- Jordan
- Libya
- Kuwait
- Saudi Arabia
- Eritrea
- United Arab Emirates
- San Marino
- Bahrain
- India
- Pakistan
- Turkmenistan
- Oman
- Botswana
The world’s modern water crisis, in other words, is currently being felt most acutely in and around the Middle East. This is unsurprising, considering the fact that this is one of the most naturally arid regions in the world.
Future Impacts of the Water Crisis
The modern water crisis will not be limited to any single geographical area or population. It will be an international, multicultural, macroeconomic issue, and it will require global solutions. But there are some things that individual farmers can do right now to protect the future security of their businesses.
Small ranch loans, for example, can financially enable you to invest in new and innovative technologies for a drier climate. As the water crisis continues, it’ll be more important than ever for farmers to be able to quickly adapt. Small ranch loans can provide you with the economic flexibility that you’ll need to start integrating new, water-friendly technologies!
Start Shopping for a Small Ranch Loan
MSF Agriculture’s expert lenders can pair you with a loan that will be perfectly matched to your business needs and ambitions. Contact us today to learn more about how small ranch loans can keep a business protected in a changing climate!