Global water supplies are becoming less reliable, leading to dangerous floods, droughts and threats to agriculture, the UN's weather agency says https://t.co/Oo1O9IT8nD ...

Water Scarcity and Consumption Awareness - The presentation highlights the reality of water scarcity, citing examples like Cape Town's near "Day Zero" event where 4 million people faced severe water shortages [2] - It emphasizes that water scarcity is not just a distant problem, but also affects European countries like Spain, Greece, and Italy, which experience droughts and fires every summer [3] - The presentation points out that even in Germany, water resources are under pressure, referencing the debate around water usage by the Tesla factory in Brandenburg and instances where water had to be delivered by firemen in Eastern Germany [4][5] Water Consumption as a "Black Box" - The presentation argues that water consumption is a "black box" because people are largely unaware of how much water they use [6][7] - It mentions that since 2000, Germany has lost over 48 billion metric tons of water, equivalent to the volume of Lake Constance, due to factors like glacial melt, heavy rainfall runoff, and groundwater depletion [7][8] - A survey revealed that 80% of people underestimate their daily water consumption, with 40% underestimating it so drastically that their estimates are impossibly low [14] - The actual average water consumption is 129 liters per person per day, significantly higher than the 25 liters that would have been rationed during Cape Town's "Day Zero" [15] The Need for Transparency and Technology - The presentation criticizes the lack of accessible information on water consumption, contrasting it with the availability of smart energy meters and gas monitoring [17] - It notes that while water meters exist, they often provide limited information, even digital ones, which primarily offer digital readings without detailed consumption insights [18][19][20] - The presentation advocates for technologies that allow users to monitor their water consumption on their smartphones, similar to energy consumption tracking [21] - It suggests that increased awareness of water consumption can lead to a reduction of up to 23% [27] Water Leaks and Infrastructure Issues - The presentation highlights the issue of undetected water leaks, sharing a personal anecdote about a hidden water leak in the speaker's apartment that caused significant damage [22][23][24][25] - It implies that monitoring water consumption could help detect leaks earlier, preventing extensive damage and waste [26] Call to Action - The presentation urges the audience to take action by examining their water meters, discussing water consumption with others, and adopting water-saving strategies [31][32] - It emphasizes the importance of valuing water as a precious resource and using available data to preserve natural resources for future generations [33]