The global water situation is changing more rapidly than most people know. That from University of Saskatchewan hydrologist, Jay Famiglietti, who says his team has been collecting data from satellites which show that overall, the continents are drying out and the sea level is rising due to climate change and overuse of our groundwater.

The director of the Global Institute for Water Security says the world’s major aquifers are being depleted, which means water security and therefore food security is at risk. He suggests the time for decision makers and water managers to start planning is now.

Famiglietti says sometimes it takes something like a pandemic to get people to mobilize, but the challenge in the world of water management is that things happen over decades so it doesn’t feel as urgent. In the prairies, Famiglietti says, we experience climate change like a see-saw effect, where it’s either a longer, more severe drought or a wetter year with more prolific flooding.

Famiglietti began his scientific career in the United States and moved to Canada in 2018. He says from his experience research support from the Canadian government is exceptional compared to what he found in the U.S.