Freshwater makes up just 2.5% of all water on Earth. Of that, roughly two-thirds is locked in glaciers and ice caps. What remains — the rivers, lakes, and aquifers we depend on — is under enormous and growing pressure from population growth, agricultural demand, and climate change.
According to the United Nations, water scarcity already affects more than 40% of the global population, and that number is projected to rise. By 2050, demand for fresh water is expected to outpace supply by 40% if current trends continue.
Agriculture is the largest driver
Agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of all freshwater withdrawals globally. Much of this water is used inefficiently — applied in quantities that exceed what crops actually need, at times that don't align with plant uptake cycles, and through delivery systems that lose significant volumes to evaporation and runoff.
This isn't a problem limited to large industrial farms. Smallholder farmers — who produce roughly 70% of the world's food — often lack access to the data and tools needed to optimize their water use. The result is both economic loss for farmers and unnecessary strain on shared water resources.
Why students are uniquely positioned to act
The solutions to water scarcity exist across disciplines: hydrology, data science, education, policy, and community organizing. Students who understand the science are better equipped to build tools, advocate for change, and educate their communities. That's the core belief behind Terra2Vita — and why we invest equally in technology and education.