“Day Zero: The Looming Water Crisis We Didn’t See Coming”
Imagine turning on the tap and no water comes out: that’s the frightening scenario known as “Day Zero.” A new international study led by Pusan National University suggests that this crisis could hit drought-prone regions much sooner than expected, possibly in the 2020s or 2030s.
What is “Day Zero”?
The lead author of the study, climate scientist Christian Franzke, describes these droughts as unprecedented events where cities are left without water due to lack of rainfall and depleted reservoirs. The increasing demand for water from agriculture, industry, and growing urban populations only worsens the situation.
Cities on the Brink
The report highlights recent cases of cities facing water crises, such as Cape Town, Chennai, Mexico City, Kabul, Tehran, and Los Angeles. These cities are already taking measures to prevent reaching “Day Zero” and are at risk due to population growth and climate change impacts.
Critical Regions and Future Projections
The study warns that without reducing fossil fuel emissions, 75% of drought-prone areas could face persistent crises by the end of the century. Alarmingly, a third of these regions could experience “Day Zero” within the next decade. Vulnerable areas include the Mediterranean, southern Africa, Australia, and parts of Asia, where longer and more severe droughts are expected.
The report stresses the need to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and improve water management to address the crisis. Structural issues like leaky pipes and high water-consuming industries in arid regions exacerbate the problem. Climate change combined with social pressures on freshwater access pose a serious threat, particularly to low-income communities.
While the study doesn’t provide exact predictions, it serves as a guide to the growing water crisis. As climatologist Richard Allan notes, urgent action is needed to combat the ongoing threats to water resources.
