A new UN report states that humanity has caused permanent damage to the planet's water systems. Groundwater reservoirs are emptying and lakes are drying up, endangering food supplies for billions of people. Sweden will also be affected by the crisis.
According to a recent UN report, humanity has caused irreversible damage to the Earth's water systems. The report emphasizes that it is no longer a temporary water crisis, as groundwater reservoirs are depleting and lakes are drying up at an accelerating rate. This endangers the food supply for billions of people worldwide, with direct consequences for import-dependent countries like Sweden.
DN's Peter Alestig describes in an analysis how we have now entered an era of global water crisis. Cities are sinking into the sea due to overexploitation of groundwater, and military experts warn of a wave of conflicts over water resources. Tensions are rising in the shadow of events in Venezuela and Greenland, and in the worst case, it could lead to wars over water. The hunt for water is having increasingly severe consequences, and Sweden will also feel the effects through disrupted global trade and higher food prices.
The report and analysis were published on January 20, 2026, and highlight the need for immediate actions to protect water systems.