The concept of the New Normal is frequently used with reference to prolonged periods of droughts, e.g., the ongoing drought in California and earlier ones in the Sahel, Australia and other places. It is also associated with increased uncertainty/risks and a speeding up of hydrological processes, e.g. evapotranspiration. I like to argue that there are other quite problematic New Normals of societies, linked to water: ours is the first generation who have been exposed to a considerable surplus of food production & supply in relation to the recommended intake. We are the first generation when overweight, obesity and micronutrient deficiencies have become much more prevalent as compared to undernourishment – about three times higher. These changes have significant negative repercussions on water, energy, land-use, GHG emissions, investments and human health. Individual components of water and food systems may be efficient but overall system efficiency is quite poor and associated with high costs.  For farmers, a relative over-supply gives a negative push on prices. For consumers, over-supply combined with relatively lower prices in shops, stimulates overeating and waste. And some 800 million people remain deprived of access. For water, energy, land etc. oversupply means that rivers of water are used in vain and so are other resources. 

A main challenge to discuss: how can production & supply shift to relatively more of nutritious food, how to reduce losses and waste? Both farmers, supply chain agencies and consumers must gain.

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