Latest international research: Global water shortage is expected to intensify. Many sub-basins in southern East Asia, central Europe, North America and Africa are expected to become hotspots of water shortages due to high levels of nitrogen pollution.
Climate change will affect water supply, while urbanization and agriculture will increase water demand and increase water pollution, limiting water security. "The many pollution control measures surrounding agriculture may have synergistic effects on water pollution and the protection of these water sources," the paper says.