The 2018 United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR) projected that 6 billion people will face clean water scarcity by 2050 due to increasing water demand, reduced resources, and pollution. However, the authors argue that this projection may be an underestimate, as the effects of population growth, economic expansion, and unequal access are not fully considered. They emphasize the need for stricter regulation of population and economic growth, pollution control, and water conservation. The paper highlights the interlinkage between population and economic growth and water demand, resources, and pollution, stressing the importance of local perspectives in addressing water scarcity. Water demand is expected to increase significantly by 2050, driven by population growth, economic development, and changing consumption patterns. Global water demand is projected to rise by 20-30% by 2050, with agriculture remaining the largest consumer. Water availability, however, is expected to decrease due to shrinking resources and pollution. Groundwater depletion is a major concern, with many basins nearing maximum sustainable levels. Coastal areas face additional challenges due to land subsidence and sea level rise, leading to salinization of aquifers and reduced arable land. Water pollution is also a growing problem, with increasing levels of nitrogen and phosphorus from agriculture, as well as industrial and urban waste. These pollutants threaten water quality and biodiversity. The paper also discusses the impact of ecosystem changes, such as wetland loss and soil degradation, on water availability. The authors argue that the WWDR's proposed nature-based solutions are insufficient to address the water crisis, and that more concrete regulatory measures are needed. They stress the importance of addressing population and economic growth, as well as improving water management and conservation. The paper concludes that water is a finite resource, and without significant efforts to address the underlying issues, water scarcity will become more severe, leading to social conflict. The authors call for urgent policy changes to ensure sustainable water management and equitable access to clean water.The 2018 United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR) projected that 6 billion people will face clean water scarcity by 2050 due to increasing water demand, reduced resources, and pollution. However, the authors argue that this projection may be an underestimate, as the effects of population growth, economic expansion, and unequal access are not fully considered. They emphasize the need for stricter regulation of population and economic growth, pollution control, and water conservation. The paper highlights the interlinkage between population and economic growth and water demand, resources, and pollution, stressing the importance of local perspectives in addressing water scarcity. Water demand is expected to increase significantly by 2050, driven by population growth, economic development, and changing consumption patterns. Global water demand is projected to rise by 20-30% by 2050, with agriculture remaining the largest consumer. Water availability, however, is expected to decrease due to shrinking resources and pollution. Groundwater depletion is a major concern, with many basins nearing maximum sustainable levels. Coastal areas face additional challenges due to land subsidence and sea level rise, leading to salinization of aquifers and reduced arable land. Water pollution is also a growing problem, with increasing levels of nitrogen and phosphorus from agriculture, as well as industrial and urban waste. These pollutants threaten water quality and biodiversity. The paper also discusses the impact of ecosystem changes, such as wetland loss and soil degradation, on water availability. The authors argue that the WWDR's proposed nature-based solutions are insufficient to address the water crisis, and that more concrete regulatory measures are needed. They stress the importance of addressing population and economic growth, as well as improving water management and conservation. The paper concludes that water is a finite resource, and without significant efforts to address the underlying issues, water scarcity will become more severe, leading to social conflict. The authors call for urgent policy changes to ensure sustainable water management and equitable access to clean water.