Overview

• Integrated research published in PNAS finds 22–26 percent of land suffers water scarcity across surface water, soil moisture and quality, impacting up to 64 percent of people globally.
• Seasonal shortages peak for up to 80 percent of residents in Asia between February and May and in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern areas from July to September.
• A BUND report shows that over half of Germany’s districts now face critical groundwater stress due to declining rainfall, intensive agriculture and industrial withdrawals.
• German lawmakers from CDU/CSU, SPD, Greens and Left propose measures including stricter extraction caps, user fees and protection of natural recharge zones such as wetlands and floodplains.
• Health experts urge drinking two to three liters daily during heat waves, recommending milk, oral rehydration solutions and water-rich foods over sugary sodas and juices to maintain hydration.