During the 2022 fiscal year, approximately 79 million megaliters of water were consumed by industry, while around 1.8 million megaliters were consumed by households across Australia. Overall, consumption of water had increased compared to the previous year.

Water usage in Australia As most of the water supplied in Australia comes from surface water, such as rivers and lakes, ongoing drought has led to issues revolving around water security. Around three quarters of the country’s water usage was used for irrigation and industrial purposes. Agriculture was the largest water-consuming industry in general. While the Northern Territory had the highest per household consumption, water consumption varied significantly from region to region.

Drought in Australia

As Australia’s water demand continues to rise, the threat of water shortages has also increased. Australia has faced periods of drought throughout history and the more recent droughts have affected many regions across the country. The effects of drought can be linked to other catastrophic environmental events. The environmental and economic losses from the recent bushfires in Australia were particularly devastating.

Bahrain has one of the highest water stress levels in the world. Based on an index that reflects how much water is extracted in relation to the available renewable water supplies, Bahrain was graded five on a scale from zero to five, where five shows the highest level of water stress. Other countries with the highest scores were Cyprus, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, and Qatar.

Water withdrawals per capita in Turkmenistan amount to 2,740 cubic meters per inhabitant, according to the latest available data from 2021. This is a far higher volume than in many other countries, such as China, where per capita water withdrawals were 398.7 cubic meters as of 2021. Global water withdrawals Countries around the world withdraw huge volumes of water each year from sources such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and groundwater. China has some of the largest annual total water withdrawals across the globe, at 581.3 billion cubic meters per year. In comparison, Mexico withdrew almost 90 billion cubic meters of water in 2021. Water scarcity Although roughly 70 percent of Earth's surface is covered with water, less than one percent of the planet's total water resources can be classified as accessible freshwater resources. Growing populations, increased demand, and climate change are increasingly putting pressure on these precious resources. This is expected to lead to global water shortages around the world. In the United States, the megadrought in the west has seen water levels of major reservoirs that provide water to millions of people plummet to record lows. In order to prevent severe droughts in water-stressed areas today and in the future, a more efficient use of water is essential.

A survey on the perception of climate change among the Australian public carried out in 2023 showed that ** percent of the respondents believed that climate change was occurring. This figure represents a substantial increase in the proportion of individuals who held this opinion compared to the results obtained in 2013. Climate change in Australia Australia has seen significant changes in its climate patterns over recent years. In 2023, the observed mean temperature in Australia was **** degrees Celsius. The frequency of hot days and heatwaves has increased, and the duration and severity of droughts have also intensified, leading to water shortages and wildfires. Australia is already the driest inhabited continent globally, with over 70 percent of its land classified as arid or semi-arid. The total volume of rainfall across Australia has declined in recent years. These changes have had significant impacts on Australia's ecosystems, including coral reefs and forests, as well as on its economy, such as agriculture and tourism. Public perception of climate change The public perception of climate change in Australia has been a topic of concern lately. According to a survey on the top concerns of young people in Australia, around a ******* were concerned about climate change. Another survey conducted about the willingness to spend money on climate change prevention showed that ** percent of respondents were willing to spend between 100 and 500 Australian dollars to stop climate change. However, ** percent of the survey participants said they would not be ready to pay any money at all. These figures suggest that many Australians acknowledge the reality of climate change and its human-caused nature. Nevertheless, there are still some individuals who deny or are unsure about the issue, which highlights the need for continued education and public awareness efforts.

In the financial year 2024, the average farm yield of soybeans was estimated at three metric tons per hectare in Australia. This was forecast to decrease to 2.6 metric tons per hectare in 2025. Crop production in Australia Australia's agricultural sector depends heavily on crop production, which also plays a significant role in the nation's economy and the world's food supply. The diverse climate across the continent allows for cultivating a wide variety of crops. The largest land area used for agricultural purposes is allocated to wheat production. Other major crops include barley, canola, and cotton, and Australia is one of the world's leading exporters of these commodities. China has become the leading export destination for Australia's crop exports, with the value surpassing Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia combined in financial year 2024. Farming challenges in Australia Farmers across the continent employ advanced technologies and sustainable practices to maximize yields and mitigate the challenges posed by Australia's variable climate, which includes periodic droughts and water scarcity. Being the driest populated continent on Earth, Australia highly values adequate water supply and consumption management. This aspect is strongly influenced by the forestry, fishery, and agriculture sectors, which use a significant amount of water. Additionally, emissions from the farming sector in Australia contribute significantly to the country's overall greenhouse gas output. The expected trend for agriculture emissions in Australia indicates a slight increase from the current levels in 2020 to projected figures in 2035.