One water cycle: Why connecting the ocean and freshwater will allow the economic benefits to flow

The document asserts that the ocean and freshwater are part of one interconnected hydrological cycle, yet are currently managed through separate policy and investment systems. This siloed approach leaves countries and businesses poorly equipped to handle water-related risks, which are estimated to cost $301 billion globally if neglected. The author calls for multilateral cooperation, the alignment of Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 14, and the use of integrated data and circular approaches—such as renewable-energy-powered desalination and sustainable aquaculture—to build economic resilience and environmental health.

• The economic value of freshwater is estimated at approximately $58 trillion annually, which is nearly 60% of the global gross domestic product. Furthermore, sectors dependent on water, such as energy, industry, and agriculture, account for 80% of the volume of global trade transported via the ocean.
• Neglecting water-related risks—including pollution, flooding, and scarcity—carries a global cost of $301 billion, whereas addressing these risks would cost less than one-fifth of that amount. Currently, about 4 billion people suffer from severe water scarcity for at least some part of the year.
• Current governance is fragmented, with ocean and freshwater issues treated as separate regimes. This disconnect is evident in the fact that 153 UN Member States share transboundary rivers, lakes, and groundwater systems that are managed separately from their shared maritime boundaries, despite these waters sustaining over 40% of the global population and accounting for 60% of global freshwater flows.
• Integrated management strategies are providing results, such as integrated sustainable aquaculture that combines fish, shellfish, and seaweed farming to reduce coastal pollution. Additionally, desalination is being used to address freshwater shortages, provided it is powered by renewable energy and utilizes nature-positive solutions for brine and by-products.

APA

Thomson, P. (2026). One water cycle: Why connecting the ocean and freshwater will allow the economic benefits to flow. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/food-water-air/water-cycle-ocean-freshwater-economy/

Chicago

Thomson, Peter. One water cycle: Why connecting the ocean and freshwater will allow the economic benefits to flow. World Economic Forum, 2026. https://www.weforum.org/stories/food-water-air/water-cycle-ocean-freshwater-economy/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Thomson |first1=Peter |title=One water cycle: Why connecting the ocean and freshwater will allow the economic benefits to flow |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=22 September 2026 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/food-water-air/water-cycle-ocean-freshwater-economy/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{thomson2026one, author = {Thomson, Peter}, title = {{One water cycle: Why connecting the ocean and freshwater will allow the economic benefits to flow}}, publisher = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2026}, month = sep, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/food-water-air/water-cycle-ocean-freshwater-economy/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }