Freshwater Trends and Projections: Focus on Africa

What is happening to water resources and freshwater ecosystems worldwide? Despite the recognition and increased formal commitments by many countries to the ideas and principles of sustainable development, implementation of policies and strategies that manage water resources for people, while still maintaining functioning ecosystems, are still far from being the mainstream approach to water management. Throughout history, human activities have severely affected the condition of freshwater ecosystems. Surface water and groundwater are being degraded in almost all regions of the world by intensive agriculture and rapid urbanization. And while people have shown resourcefulness in their utilization of water resources as evidenced by the dramatic global increases in irrigated agriculture and widespread dam and reservoir developments, more than 40 percent of the world’s population still lives in conditions of water stress. With the current population growth projection, this percentage is estimated to grow to almost 50 per cent by 2025 (WRI 2000). In addition, increased pollution and the continued degradation of riparian and wetland habitats that help filter water are exacerbating the scarcity problems in many regions of the world. Lac