EcoWatch: Every inhabited continent, to varying degrees, faces extremely high water stress. That means that in certain areas more than 80 percent of the local water supply is withdrawn by businesses, farmers, residents and other consumers every year. Not all of that water is consumed--it may flow back into a river after its used and be available again downstream--but the demand still creates competition where it is needed.
These stressed areas are also the ones most vulnerable to episodic droughts. With...