“Unchecked climate change will mean that some parts of the world will simply not have enough water to sustain settlements, both small and large, because agriculture becomes untenable and industries relying on water can no longer compete or function effectively. This will trigger structural changes in economies right through to the displacement of people as environmental refugees.”
— Achim Steiner, executive director of the UN Environment Programme, warning that water mismanagement will leave entire regions “economic deserts,” unfit for agriculture or human settlement
