Articles | Volume 17, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-17-291-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-17-291-2026
Research article
 | 
16 Mar 2026
Research article |  | 16 Mar 2026

Emerging global freshwater challenges unveiled through observation-constrained projections

Fei Huo, Yanping Li, and Zhenhua Li

Model code and software

Code for the EC paper Fei Huo https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14975488

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Short summary
In this study, we find that global freshwater storage on land (excluding Greenland and Antarctica) will likely decrease much more than raw models suggest – about 83 millimeters less water by 2100. This means that earlier studies may have overestimated future water availability. When we correct the models using observations, the results consistently show significant declines in freshwater, which could worsen water stress worldwide if demand continues to grow.
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