Drought Unbound: The Global Water Crisis You Need to Know

This week we examine the escalating global drought crisis driven by climate change, highlighting alarming statistics on atmospheric evaporative demand, the severe and spiralling regional impacts across many parts of the world and the consequences for food security, ecosystems, and human communities.

We consider mitigation strategies, adaptation measures, and intentions and prayers listeners can hold to support those affected and encourage wiser stewardship of water resources.

Prayers and intentions start at 27 minutes 46 seconds.

Suggested Intention Focus for this week

This week, as we reflect upon the increasing risk and consequences of drought facing many countries in the world, we suggest holding as our main intention:

We will for a transformation of hearts and minds regarding humanity's relationship with creation, including reducing our attachment to materialism, choosing sustainable lifestyle choices, and appreciating water as a sacred resource that is essential for life.

Please join us in holding this.

Mentioned in this episode:

Global Healing Response resources: Water: https://globalhealingresponse.com/ghr-2024-q1-ourplanet-water/

Our episode accompanying the GHR Water focus, Intentions And intercession For A World Reliant On Water: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5aqjm-157fef9

Clive apologises to Marilyn Larson for a temporary loss of memory in mentioning her wonderful work with labyrinths!

Chapter markers:

00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:08 Drought and Global Crisis 00:03:50 Understanding Atmospheric Evaporative Demand 00:06:11 Regional Changes in Precipitation 00:08:45 Economic Impacts of Drought 00:10:41 Africa’s Drought Crisis 00:14:00 Agriculture and Drought Effects 00:17:31 Future Projections and Risks 00:24:39 Mitigation Strategies and Adaptation 00:27:46 Intentions and Prayers

Sources referenced in this episode:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09047-2   

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40468063/  

https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2025/06/global-drought-outlook_28488e98/full-report/towards-a-drier-world_6f10e2e5.html         

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11540010/ 

http://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/northwest/topic/drought-and-northwest-agriculture-changing-climate

https://www.globalwater.online/globalwater/report/index.html

https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/global-drought-threatens-food-supplies-and-energy-production-2024-10-02_en  

https://reliefweb.int/report/world/drought-hotspots-around-world-2023-2025    

https://www.iberdrola.com/sustainability/top-countries-most-affected-by-climate-change

https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/human-induced-climate-change-increased-drought-severity-in-southern-horn-of-africa/

https://www.wtwco.com/en-us/insights/2025/04/diverse-and-compounding-implications-of-south-americas-drought-for-risk-managers

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41612-024-00624-2

https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2025/06/global-drought-outlook_28488e98/full-report/impacts-and-costs-of-droughts_b407ba90.html 

https://www.drought.gov/sectors/agriculture   

https://agriplasticscommunity.com/