Climate variability could alter water availability. Using forecasts from three global climate models, the potential change in water availability and water requirements were studied for scenarios where global average temperatures increase by 1.5 °C and 3 °C. The study concluded that up to 35% of arable land that has previously relied on rainwater might require irrigation to adapt to climate variability without negatively impacting freshwater resources. The study helps identify those regions on Earth where investment in the development of sustainable agriculture is necessary, while simultaneously considering the irrigation of agricultural land.