Global climate change is increasing pressure on water resources worldwide.

Axar.az reports that this was stated by the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov.

The head of state said that today, more than 3.6 billion people face water shortages, and by 2050, this figure will exceed 5 billion. The temperature is rising rapidly, precipitation is decreasing, and droughts are occurring. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent.

Sadyr Japarov noted that global warming has a direct impact on the planet's water cycle, and its consequences are felt in all countries:

“Scientific studies show that the melting of glaciers is accelerating, and over the past 70 years, the area of ​​glaciers in Kyrgyzstan has decreased by 16 percent. The disappearance of glaciers means a decrease in the flow of rivers and reservoirs and worsening conditions for energy production.”

Against this background, the President drew attention to the situation in Lake Issyk-Kul:

“Since 1854, the water level in the lake has dropped by about 14 meters, its volume is now 85 billion cubic meters, and the number of rivers flowing into it has decreased by more than three times. In the 1950s and 1960s, about 100-110 rivers flowed into the lake, but only 30-35. If this trend continues, the region will face serious environmental and socio-economic consequences.”