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One-Third of Global Chip Production at Risk from Copper Supply Disruptions by 2035 — PwC

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A new report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has warned that 32% of global semiconductor production could face copper supply disruptions due to climate change by 2035, a sharp rise from current levels. The findings highlight a growing vulnerability in the global chipmaking supply chain, particularly as copper is essential for producing the billions of micro-wires in every chip.

The study flags climate-related droughts as the primary threat, particularly in Chile, the world’s top copper producer, which is already experiencing water shortages that are slowing mining operations. By 2035, PwC estimates that most of the 17 countries critical to copper supply for semiconductors will be at risk of severe droughts.

The impact could be severe, PwC project lead Glenn Burm noted, referencing the 2020–2021 global chip shortage that halted automotive and electronics production and shaved 1% off U.S. GDP and 2.4% off Germany’s, according to U.S. Department of Commerce data.

Copper-producing countries such as China, Australia, Peru, Brazil, the U.S., DR Congo, Mexico, Zambia, and Mongolia are all expected to be affected, leaving no chip-producing region spared from climate risks.

While research into copper alternatives is ongoing, the report warns that no substitute currently matches copper’s performance and cost-efficiency, making the material indispensable in the near term. PwC emphasized that unless innovation adapts rapidly and more reliable water supply systems are developed, the risks will grow more acute over time.

By 2050, PwC forecasts that half of each country’s copper supply will be at risk, even under optimistic climate scenarios. For Chile, 25% of copper output is already considered vulnerable; this figure could climb to 75% by 2035 and reach as high as 100% by mid-century.

Some countries, notably Chile and Peru, have taken preemptive action by boosting mining efficiency and investing in desalination plants to secure water access. However, PwC notes that such measures may not be viable for landlocked countries or those without access to seawater, making global coordination and innovation critical.

PwC’s report urges business leaders and governments to prioritize copper supply chain resilience as they plan future semiconductor strategies, warning that without action, climate-driven resource constraints could become the next major shock to the global tech economy.

Global Water Cycle Disrupted for First Time in Human History, Report Warns of Impending Crisis

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A landmark report from the Global Commission on the Economics of Water has revealed that humanity has destabilized the global water cycle for the first time in human history. This disruption, fueled by unsustainable land use, water mismanagement, and climate change, is pushing the world into a growing water crisis that threatens economies, food production, and human lives.

The global water cycle, a natural system where water evaporates from the Earth’s surface, forms atmospheric rivers, and returns as rain or snow, is being severely affected. Nearly 3 billion people already face water scarcity, and worsening conditions are set to cause further suffering as crops fail, groundwater dries up, and cities sink. The report warns that without urgent action, more than 50% of global food production could be threatened, with global economies facing GDP losses of up to 8% by 2050. Low-income countries could experience losses as high as 15%.

“For the first time in human history, we are pushing the global water cycle out of balance,” said Johan Rockström, co-chair of the Global Commission and one of the report’s authors. This imbalance means that rainfall — the primary source of freshwater — can no longer be relied upon as it once was.

The report distinguishes between two types of water: “blue water,” the liquid water found in lakes, rivers, and aquifers, and “green water,” the moisture stored in soils and plants. While green water has often been overlooked, it plays an essential role in generating about half of all land-based rainfall. Disruptions to this cycle are closely connected to climate change, which exacerbates the problem by accelerating global warming, drying out landscapes, and increasing fire risks.

Human activities such as deforestation and the destruction of wetlands are further depleting these natural water systems, reducing their ability to store carbon and combat climate change. This, in turn, dries out the environment, causing more severe droughts and unpredictable weather patterns.

The crisis is intensified by humanity’s growing demand for water. The report estimates that people need around 4,000 liters (just over 1,000 gallons) per day for a “dignified life”—far above the United Nations’ basic needs estimate of 50 to 100 liters. Many regions, however, are already struggling to meet these demands from local sources.

Richard Allan, a climate science professor at Reading University, England, echoed the report’s urgency. He described the human-caused disruption to the global water cycle as a “grim picture” and highlighted how land and atmospheric changes are intensifying extreme weather patterns. Allan, who was not involved in the report, stressed that addressing the crisis requires better management of natural resources and cutting greenhouse gas emissions to slow the rate of global warming.

The report also calls for governments to treat the water cycle as a “common good” that must be managed collectively. Since water vapor can travel across borders, decisions made in one country can impact rainfall in another. This interconnectedness makes global cooperation crucial in addressing the crisis.

To mitigate the damage, the report recommends a fundamental shift in how water is integrated into economies. It advocates for better water pricing to reduce waste and disincentivize planting water-intensive crops or building large facilities like data centers in water-stressed regions. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director general of the World Trade Organization and co-chair of the commission, emphasized the importance of recognizing the value of water, not only as a scarce resource but also for the wide range of benefits it provides. “The global water crisis is a tragedy but also an opportunity to transform the economics of water,” she stated.

Global Water Cycle in Crisis: Humanity Disrupts Nature’s Balance, Threatening Half of World’s Food Supply

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For the first time in history, the global water cycle has been thrown dangerously out of balance due to human activity, leading to a looming water crisis with catastrophic potential, according to a new report by the Global Commission on the Economics of Water. The report, released on Wednesday, warns that decades of destructive land use, water mismanagement, and the accelerating climate crisis are placing unprecedented stress on the Earth’s natural water systems, jeopardizing economies, food production, and lives worldwide.

The global water cycle refers to the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth’s surface. Water evaporates from bodies of water, soil, and plants, rises into the atmosphere, and eventually returns as precipitation. This natural process is now severely disrupted. Nearly 3 billion people are already facing water scarcity, crops are withering under drought conditions, and cities are sinking as groundwater reserves dry up.

Without swift and decisive action, the water crisis is expected to devastate global food security. More than half of the world’s food production is at risk, and the economic fallout could be severe, with projections of an 8% reduction in GDP globally by 2050. Low-income countries are expected to be hit hardest, facing potential losses of up to 15%.

Johan Rockström, co-chair of the Global Commission, explained the scale of the problem: “For the first time in human history, we are pushing the global water cycle out of balance. Precipitation, the source of all freshwater, can no longer be relied upon.” The report identifies two types of water: “blue water,” the visible liquid water in lakes, rivers, and aquifers, and “green water,” the moisture stored in soil and plants. Historically overlooked, green water is essential to the water cycle, producing roughly half of all land-based rainfall.

The report emphasizes that disruptions to the water cycle are intricately linked with climate change. Healthy ecosystems, including forests and wetlands, play a key role in absorbing carbon and maintaining moisture levels. However, human activities like deforestation and the destruction of wetlands have weakened these vital systems, worsening both global warming and water shortages. Rising temperatures are causing more frequent and severe droughts, fires, and reduced rainfall, further destabilizing ecosystems.

The report also highlights the massive amount of water required to support human life and dignity—about 4,000 liters per person per day, far more than what most regions can sustainably provide from local sources. This figure contrasts sharply with the United Nations’ basic needs guideline of 50 to 100 liters per day, underscoring the scale of the problem.

Richard Allan, a climate science professor at Reading University in England, who was not involved in the report, agreed with its findings. He pointed out that human activities are altering both the land and atmosphere, warming the climate, and intensifying extreme weather patterns. “The report paints a grim picture of human-caused disruption to the global water cycle, the most precious natural resource that ultimately sustains our livelihoods,” Allan told CNN.

Addressing this crisis, the report urges world governments to recognize the global water cycle as a shared resource and take collective action to protect it. Because water cycles across borders through rivers, lakes, and atmospheric moisture, decisions made in one country can affect rainfall patterns in distant regions. Therefore, cooperation and sustainable management of natural resources are essential to combat the crisis.

One of the proposed solutions is to overhaul the economic treatment of water. This includes better pricing strategies to prevent waste and discourage water-intensive industries, such as agriculture and data centers, from being located in water-scarce regions. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director general of the World Trade Organization and a co-chair of the commission, emphasized the need to revalue water. “The global water crisis is a tragedy, but it is also an opportunity to transform the economics of water,” she said. Valuing water appropriately is crucial to recognizing its scarcity and the essential benefits it provides to life on Earth.