Invisible No More: Exposing the Truth About Disappearing Groundwater
Water may appear abundant, flowing freely from our taps and falling from the sky. Yet around the world, extreme weather events are making access to clean, safe water increasingly precarious. Catastrophic droughts, floods, and pollution are threatening water security for millions. As climate change accelerates, water scarcity and contamination will only grow more severe.
The global water crisis underscores the need to completely rethink how we value, manage, and protect water. "Water is life. Without it, nothing else is possible," says former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. However, our economic systems often treat water as an endless commodity without inherent worth. Establishing the true value of water is essential to making it a priority.
Seeing the Unseen
Groundwater and soil moisture are hidden sources supplying nearly 80% of global freshwater needs, yet they lack oversight compared to visible lakes and rivers. According to the UN, groundwater provides half the world's drinking water, 40% of water for irrigation, and one-third of industrial water. With levels declining rapidly in many places, the unseen is quickly disappearing.
Green water like atmospheric vapor that nourishes vegetation is another crucial part of the hydrologic cycle we fail to account for. A recent study found the green water planetary boundary has already been surpassed, meaning use is unsustainable. We extract green water faster than rainfall can replenish it, reducing moisture recycling that supplies downwind areas.
"We depend on groundwater and soil moisture yet act as if they will never run out," says hydrologist Laura Condon. "Making the unseen seen is imperative for sustainable management." Tools like satellite data and sensors are enhancing our view and understanding of these hidden water sources.
Pricing Versus Value
Today's leaders increasingly recognize that undervaluing water drives misuse and inadequate investment. Water prices often intend to recover service costs, not communicate inherent value. "We must balance the needs of water users with long-term sustainability," says World Bank water expert Junaid Ahmad. "Charging reasonable prices is a win-win for people and the environment."
However, putting a price tag on water does not necessarily reflect its worth. "Water is invaluable and sacred to us," says Lakota water protector Autumn Chacon. "No dollar amount could encapsulate what it provides our people and the planet." Price also fails to capture intangible benefits like cultural identity.
Experts emphasize that reforming water economics requires looking beyond pricing mechanisms. "We need to start seeing water as blue natural capital that underpins our entire economy," says IMF assistant director Ralph Chami. "It's time to legally protect water resources for future generations."
Valuing water involves understanding its multidimensional qualities. The Netherlands-led Valuing Water Initiative confirms economic, social, cultural, and spiritual associations. "Price is not the same as value," says program manager Paul O'Callaghan. “We must incorporate the interests of all water users to determine its true worth."
Some nations are pioneering natural capital accounting to better quantify water's diverse values. "Tracking the many services water provides allows smarter policy," explains World Bank economist Glenn-Marie Lange. "We can now measure contributions to GDP, food security, tourism, and more."
Bridging Intention and Action
Another quandary is transforming good intentions into meaningful actions, both individually and collectively. "We say water conservation is important, yet use more than we need," says researcher Juan Velasquez. "Pricing alone doesn't guarantee sustainable behavior."
Social scientist Christina Prell points to social norms as a driver. "People base choices on what they think others do," she explains. "Collective change happens when norms shift quickly, which is hard for institutions to control." Leveraging factors like social pressure and framing effects could encourage conservation.
Citizen engagement initiatives can also catalyze change. "It comes down to community empowerment," says water activist Mitiku Woldesenbet. "When people connect with water issues, they act collectively to solve them." Platforms providing information help citizens understand impacts and risks.
Policymakers balance varied interests when reforming water systems. "We must have equity, security, and sustainability," emphasizes South African minister Lindiwe Sisulu. "This transformation requires good faith dialog by all parties." Employing subsidies, tiered pricing, and needs-based allocation are important for just transitions.
The Road Ahead
March 2023 saw the first UN Water Conference in almost 50 years. "This is a pivotal moment to expand our economic imagination about water," says OECD water policy expert Aziza Akhmouch. The OECD is spearheading initiatives like the Global Commission on the Economics of Water to re-envision water valuation.
Ricardo Burg Mlynarz emphasizes that reform must balance economic efficiency, social equity, and environmental sustainability. “We need an inclusive process that empowers all stakeholders, especially marginalized communities.”
Indigenous groups offer alternative models, viewing water as a living ancestor instead of a commodity. "Water teaches us reciprocity and respect," says New Zealand Māori elder Dame Anne Salmond. “We must care for water so it can care for us.” The Māori believe water has mauri, an essential life force, which must be protected.
"Solutions arise when we see water as sacred," says environmental philosopher Janice Emily Bowers. "There are ethical ways to live that regenerate our relationship with water and nature."
Water connects and sustains us all. The time has come to truly see its worth, value its many gifts, and chart a new course to protect this precious shared resource. Our future depends on discovering water's real pricelessness. With commitment and creativity, we can develop an economics of water that serves both people and planet.
