Anders Berntell (Anders Berntell, Executive Director Stockholm International Water Institute) - The Water Crisis The UN, World Bank and world leaders have warned that the lack of water resources will lead to global crisis this century. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon called securing safe and plentiful water for all "one of the most daunting challenges faced by the world today." Like oil, some speculate we may in future hit "peak water." There are key differences though. For one, there is no substitute for water; no growth – economic, human, or ecological – comes without it. Will there be enough water resources in the future? Unless major improvements are made to better manage and efficiently use water in agriculture, industry and by consumers, the answer is no. However, opportunities for improvement are as great as they are urgent.