Several parts of the U.S. face greater risk of water security as drought intensifies across the West and south-central Plains and industrial demand from water-intensive data centers continues to climb. Experts warn these mounting pressures may further challenge already stressed water infrastructure, leave many people without access to clean drinking water, and worsen food insecurity.
A study published in Nature Food by Northwestern University, the University of Southern California and the International Water Management Institute found individuals in 121 nations who lack access to clean drinking water also tend to experience food insecurity and food safety threats. The researchers say the study underscores the urgent need for coordinated global action to address these issues together.
The study's senior author is Sera Young, a professor of anthropology and global health studies, co-director of the Center for Water and a Morton O. Schapiro Faculty Fellow at the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern.
"What these data show is that water and food insecurities go hand-in-hand, from the lowest income countries to the highest income countries," Young said. "We aren't doing ourselves any favors by our siloed approach to trying to solve food issues separately from solving water issues."
Download the research brief here.
