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Water challenges — made worse by rising temperatures — are threatening the world’s crops

Summary

A World Resources Institute (WRI) report reveals that 25% of global crops are grown in areas facing significant water stress or unreliability, threatening food security. The report highlights the pressure on both irrigated and rain-fed crops, with 60% of irrigated crops grown in water-stressed regions. As global temperatures rise, water shortages will exacerbate food production challenges. WRI suggests smarter water management, improving soil health, and shifting diets away from water-intensive foods. These solutions are crucial as the global population is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, further straining water and food resources.

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