Marc Bierkens
"Water is vital, because water shortage also means food shortage"
This amount is unsustainable. 'Our research shows that approximately 20% of worldwide irrigation water is obtained in an unsustainable way, and this amount has trebled since 1960. This is leading to the exhaustion of groundwater reserves in many places around the world.'
Impact on the water cycle
If there is sufficient water, food can be grown from which to live. This is why the impact and interference of humans on and in the water cycle form an important part of Bierkens' research - particularly as the world population is set to see considerable growth over the coming decades. Bierkens' research also takes account of changes in the climate as these can also have an effect on the water cycle.
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- Article in by Prof. Marc Bierkens (in Dutch)