Water and Urbanisation

The world is rapidly becoming urbanized and wealthier...this may not be starkly visible during a recession but it is invariably true. We need more to "survive", our lives are getting easier and what we consider to be the norm (or what we consider to be poor is radically different to just 10 years ago). Let's look at food as a stark example of this. There is an increase in demand for what would have once been considered luxury products – milk, meat, fruits and vegetables – that are heavily reliant on irrigation in many parts of the world. But we consider these (At least in the global north) as being basic necessities. They are no longer considered luxuries. We no longer consume as many staple carbohydrates. Instead our patterns of consumption and production have radically changed.

You may have never thought about it but the production efficiency of land for animal products is lower than for crops. Its logical when you think about it. Our planets population is growing, we are eating more animal products that take up more land and produce less food. Therefore, we need to use more land to produce the food, we need to use more water and we need to work harder to create the food we need. But it is a signal of the society that I live in that I also have not become a vegetarian. I logically know that the planet cannot support my lifestyle yet the changes that I am willing to make are too small to make an impact. Like my peers, I need a dramatic kick to make changes. But when will it be too late?

Climate change --we are all told and if we have any sense can see--will significantly impact agriculture by increasing water demand, limiting crop productivity and by reducing water availability in areas where irrigation is most needed or has comparative advantage. While part of me thinks that we could just do what Israel does and use the oceans...I know (on a deeper level) that its not a long term solution. Since secondary school, I have known that the hydrological cycle is expected to accelerate as rising temperatures increase the rate of evaporation from land and sea. This coupled with decreasing natural resources, energy scarcity and eventually a water scarcity should be enough to scare me into changing radically. But why isn't it?