By Angus Howarth for The Scotsman
A POTENTIAL global water crisis in coming decades could cause UK food prices to “skyrocket” and damage the economy, experts warned today.
A report from three engineering groups predicts that a rising world population, growing demand for water and the impact of climate change will make water more scarce in future.
This could push up food prices, affect economic growth and even spark conflicts, posing a “serious threat to the UK”, the study warns.
Water is one of the most undervalued natural resources in the world but it affects national security through its impact on economic growth, food supply and healthcare, the researchers said.
Direct water consumption in the UK is about 145 litres per person per day, but the report raises concerns that we rely on too much “virtual water” embodied in the food, clothes and goods we import.
It claims this hidden water accounts for more than two-thirds of the UK’s water footprint and is worsening water shortages in other countries.
According to the research, one kilogram of beef requires 15,500 litres of water to produce, more than ten times that required to grow the same amount of wheat.
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