The “Asian water tower” is losing 24 billion tonnes of groundwater every year
AI Summary
The Asian Water Tower is experiencing a loss of approximately 24.2 billion tonnes of groundwater annually, significantly affecting densely populated farming regions. Although glacier melt might temporarily alleviate the problem around the 2060s, groundwater depletion is expected to accelerate without changes in water usage practices.
The “Asian Water Tower” is losing roughly 24.2 billion tonnes of groundwater every year, with some of the worst declines hitting densely populated farming regions. Glacier melt may temporarily soften the crisis around the 2060s, but without changes in water use, researchers expect depletion to accelerate afterward.
World Health Commodities groundwater depletion Asian Water Tower glacier melt farming regions water crisis environment