Global Scans · Water · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Global demand for fresh water is expected to outpace sustainable supply by 40% in 2030. Global water demand will climb in tandem with population and economic growth. At least two-thirds of the world's population will face 'water stress' by 2025 and the number of people affected by floods could increase by a factor of three by 2100 bring significant risk of unrest and conflict. The UN Security Council will have to declare water a strategic resource of humanity and adopt a resolution to protect water resources and installations. Organizations will be expected to play their part in conserving water.

• [New] The possible onset of El Nino conditions from mid-2026 could disrupt agricultural cycles, water availability and crop yields, adding uncertainty to food inflation projections, especially for weather-sensitive staples. Pakistan Today
• [New] AI's electricity demand, emissions, water use and raw material needs are all rising fast, and that AI data center electricity demand could be 11 times higher in 2030 than in 2023 unless governments intervene. Greenpeace International
• [New] Weather-related risks are emerging, with potential El Nino conditions from mid-2026 posing threats to crop yields and water availability. The Tribune
• [New] Wisconsin's $116.3 billion agriculture industry could face $385 million in annual climate-related losses based on the effect of projected heat on crop growth, but diversifying crops and other water management strategies could help. Urban Milwaukee
• [New] India can experience disruptions to the monsoon, which has significant implications for agriculture and water resources. Met Office
• [New] Kazakhstan faces a possible water shortfall of up to 50% by 2040, a risk that could cut GDP by as much as 6% by 2050 and complicate President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's modernization plans. The Asia Cable
• [New] In Brunei, MOLIT, with support from local authorities in the oil-rich country, will leverage AI in developing a smart city integrated platform to help with water management and disaster response. Coingeek
• [New] The warm ocean waters could increase the chances of hurricanes and tropical storms forming off the coast of Mexico. Los Angeles Times
• [New] An extreme marine heat wave is simmering the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, and experts are warning that it could affect coastal weather and ecosystems for months. Los Angeles Times
• [New] The request for proposals for projects located in seven areas in the English Channel, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea will include requirements to use domestic and European manufacturing, as it seeks to reduce reliance on parts from China. Los Angeles Times
• [New] The European Commission's water-resilience agenda and CAP 2023-27 support for efficient irrigation systems create a favorable environment for micro-irrigation where growers need better control, lower water loss, and more defensible resource use. openpr
• [New] In the United States, NRCS says its EQIP WaterSMART Initiative supports on-farm irrigation efficiency and related water-management investments, while the European Commission's new Water Resilience Strategy calls for improving water efficiency in the EU by 10% by 2030. openpr
• [New] Future company disclosures will show whether offtake arrangements, power and water agreements, and South African or Saudi processing options progress enough to support a formal construction decision. SEC EDGAR
• [New] Similar attacks in Ireland led to temporary water supply disruptions. PurpleOps
• [New] Tucson, Arizona's city council proposes new large data center zoning that would establish a rigorous review process and require developers to disclose projected water and energy use. Canary Media
• [New] Forecasts from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration leave open the possibility of a stronger event, with a 25% chance of a very strong El Nino and a 50% chance of a strong one, based on projected ocean warming of at least 1.5 ° Celsius (2.7 ° Fahrenheit) above average. Reccessary
• [New] Indonesian agencies have at times referred to the potential event as a Godzilla El Nino, a nonscientific term used to describe an unusually strong episode that could significantly intensify drought and fire risk. Reccessary
• [New] Experts warn there's a 61% chance of the El Nino climate phenomenon striking by mid-2026; historically for the Caribbean region, El Nino has brought heatwaves, drought and crop failure. UN News
• [New] A strong El Nino would put 2027 in the running to break global heat records, and could produce a series of devastating effects, ranging from supercharged rainstorms to drought depending on the region of the world. The Guardian
• [New] US hydropower generation is expected to recover in 2026, even as snow drought conditions in parts of the western US constrain water availability. International Water Power

Last updated: 25 April 2026