Drought Unbound: The Global Water Crisis You Need to Know
23 October 2025

Drought Unbound: The Global Water Crisis You Need to Know

Impact!

About

This week we examine the escalating global drought crisis driven by climate change, highlighting alarming statistics on atmospheric evaporative demand, the severe and spiralling regional impacts across many parts of the world and the consequences for food security, ecosystems, and human communities.


We consider mitigation strategies, adaptation measures, and intentions and prayers listeners can hold to support those affected and encourage wiser stewardship of water resources.


Prayers and intentions start at 27 minutes 46 seconds.


Suggested Intention Focus for this week


This week, as we reflect upon the increasing risk and consequences of drought facing many countries in the world, we suggest holding as our main intention:


We will for a transformation of hearts and minds regarding humanity's relationship with creation, including reducing our attachment to materialism, choosing sustainable lifestyle choices, and appreciating water as a sacred resource that is essential for life.


Please join us in holding this.


Mentioned in this episode:


Global Healing Response resources: Water: https://globalhealingresponse.com/ghr-2024-q1-ourplanet-water/


Our episode accompanying the GHR Water focus, Intentions And intercession For A World Reliant On Water: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5aqjm-157fef9


Clive apologises to Marilyn Larson for a temporary loss of memory in mentioning her wonderful work with labyrinths!


Chapter markers:


00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:08 Drought and Global Crisis
00:03:50 Understanding Atmospheric Evaporative Demand
00:06:11 Regional Changes in Precipitation
00:08:45 Economic Impacts of Drought
00:10:41 Africa’s Drought Crisis
00:14:00 Agriculture and Drought Effects
00:17:31 Future Projections and Risks
00:24:39 Mitigation Strategies and Adaptation
00:27:46 Intentions and Prayers


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Join us in person for intention holding:  


https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/events-1 Labyrinth Activist Network Zoom calls  


https://insighttimer.com/cliverj Daily intention holding with Clive on Insight Timer.  


Our websites:   


www.heartfulimpact.com/   Our show website.  


https://globalhealingresponse.com/ Global Healing Response ~ Offers a wealth of prayers, suggested practices and prompts in response to environmental catastrophe, conflict, and other world events.  


https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/ Legacy Labyrinth Project ~ Creating global energetic connections through the labyrinth; inspiring active intention sending using the labyrinth via labyrinth activism.  


https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/ Clive Johnson Ministry ~ Events and offerings aimed at building beloved community, including weekly energy holding vigils and Power of Eight group.  


https://insighttimer.com/cliverj ~ Daily intention holding.  


Impact! Is presented by Ellen Bintz and Clive Johnson. It is produced by Impact Productions.  


Our show content is hosted by Podbean and available from all major podcast platforms.  


Our theme music is by Chris Collins. indiemusicbox.com.  


Our logo artwork is by AltoClassic (Getty Images/istock).  


Contact us via Facebook Messenger from the Impact! Facebook group, or using any of the contact methods mentioned on our websites.  


Impact! www.heartfulimpact.com.