Global examples show South Africa that desalination could increase water output.
With water storages running low, residents of Cape Town get drinking water in the early morning from a mountain spring collection point.
Nic Bothma/EPA
The situation in Perth in particular has some parallels to that of Cape Town, but Australian cities responded to the last big drought by investing in much bigger water supply and storage capacity.
Despite billions spent on trying to save water in the Murray Darling Basin, results have been disappointing.
John Williams
A dozen leading researchers have issued an urgent call to action for the Murray-Darling Basin, arguing that the billions spent on water-efficient irrigation have done little for the rivers’ health.
A drought levy is being proposed for water scarce Cape Town. The levy is facing wide opposition and there are claims it’s punitive and punishes those trying to save water.
Pakistani commuters travel on a flooded street following a heavy rainfall in Karachi, Aug. 31, 2017.
AP Photo/Shakil Adil
By 2050, climate change impacts such as storms and drought could displace up to 300 million people worldwide. Nations should recognize ‘climate migrants’ and make plans for aiding and resettling them.
Six major dams make up 99.6% of the volume of water in Cape Town’s water supply.
Shutterstock
The water crisis in South Africa’s Cape Town teaches us there’s more at play than just rainfall. Disasters like droughts means the issue must be seen from many different perspectives, like politics.
The mouth of the Murray River delivers vital nutrients to marine life in the ocean beyond.
SA Water
Low flows in the Murray River in recent years have harmed tiny marine plants called phytoplankton, with consequences for local marine species and management.
Some homes in Cape Town are now harvesting rainwater from their roofs.
Flickr/Inhabitat
Cape Town promised alternative water sources with the ongoing drought being declared a disaster. Its main strategy is water rationing but climate models are also being used.
In Cape Town, slowing down residential water use is hugely important, residents consume 65%.
EPA/Kim Ludbrook
It’s important for the city of Cape Town to inspire residential trust in water restrictions. Without this, the harsh effects of the drought will be exacerbated.
Residents collect water in one of the many wells dug in the bed of a dried-up river in the Dierma region of Burkina Faso.
Marc Bournof/IRD
Nabil Ben Khatra, Institut national agronomique de Tunisie (INAT) et Maud Loireau, Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD)
Dry areas make up more than 41% of land around the globe and are home to more than two billion people. Despite climate change and other challenges, there are ways to combat land degradation.
Lessons learnt from a flooding in the Indian state of Odisha has helped reduce casualties.
Reuters/Stringer
Dian Spear, University of Cape Town et Chandni Singh, Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS)
There is increasing evidence from across many African and South Asian countries that contextual, timely climate information, helps farmers manage the risks they face.
A man lays out flattened fish for drying in the sun, near Lowarengak on the western shores of Lake Turkana, in Kenya.
TONY KARUMBA / AFP
Historically low rainfalls have led to severe droughts in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. But various solutions exist to mitigate the social and economic impact.
Low levels at Cape Town’s Theewaterskloof Dam. Smart meters could slow water loss.
Reuters/Mike Hutchings
Smart meters may help water saving initiatives as the drought persists in South Africa’s Western Cape. It can help those who need achieve saving targets.
Modern desalination plant on the shores of the Arabian Gulf where the most desalinated water is produced.
Shutterstock
Desalination has been proposed as one of many strategies to deal with the water shortages. But the process is known to be expensive and harmful to the environment.