Editorial: Current water challenges require holistic and global solutions

Abstract

The world population is exploding and is estimated to reach 9.8 billion within the next 10 years (Gerland et al. 2014). Desire for more convenient lifestyles is not likely to be satisfied (United Nations 2009). Such lifestyles entail the unsustainable exploitation of water resources and the environment (Vitousek et al. 1997). Advanced technology and transportation systems have enabled the transfer of goods across the world and, eventually, also the water that is used to produce them. This means that luxurious lifestyles on one side of the planet can cause water and food scarcity on the other side (Hoekstra & Mekonnen 2012). We are also witnessing drastic global climate change: sea levels are rising, and droughts and floods have become more intense. These have exacerbated the global water and food crises (Vorosmarty et al. 2000; Hanjra & Qureshi 2010). Our generation's water challenge is no longer a local or isolated issue. It must be recognized, understood, and analyzed from a holistic and global perspective (Wagener et al. 2010). As such, the growing complexity of global water challenges requires better collection and analysis of ever increasing data with equipping …