Cattle, Nepal
The Himalayas are the origin of major river systems that support some 3 billion people in 18 countries. In the future, many regions will undoubtedly experience water scarcity (UNEP 2010) due to a reduction in glacial ice in this region. Firstly, population growth is increasing the demand for water, and while 20 to 30% of current global water consumption is by households and industry, rising populations will also increase the agricultural production demand for water. Secondly, the higher demand 41 will have doubled worldwide and over half of the world’s cereals will be used to feed livestock, compared to one-third today.
Year: 2012
From album: Glacial melt in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas
Photographer: Lawrence Hislop