Issue Food and water security under consumption and climate pressure

Summary

The Megatrends 2040 report observes that a growing population and rising consumerism are increasing demand for food and placing more strain on critical resources. It adds that climate change and environmental degradation, which are exceeding expected levels, are worsening food and water security. These pressures also affect the prices of raw materials. The report places food and water security among the key points of its climate megatrend and links it to water shortages driven by over-irrigation and wasteful practices. It calls for better water management, new consumption patterns and more effective environmental regulation to reduce the risk.