Water Wars are a term used to recognize the problems that people, and indeed our world, face regarding water resources.
Moreover, it describes countries, states, or groups' conflicts regarding water supply scarcity.
Historically, conflicts have already occurred regarding water insufficiency, whether freshwater or saltwater. History has already faced this issue, which we are experiencing now.
Several countries are off on their seats, trying to fight for their respective rights towards certain water resources.
At this point, no one is to be blamed for how this has happened or why it is still happening. Particular countries will do everything possible to provide their nation with enough water resources for survival.
It is no longer a good sight to witness people surviving for their lives, more so, countries fighting each other for the sake of their own.
Many industrial and manufacturing methods have severely disrupted our climate. Global warming has reached a more serious and alarming level, making it difficult for our environment and people to recover from this horrifying situation.
Many factors have affected the earth's water level, which can be calculated as sufficient or not.
Why do Water Wars Exist?
There have already been more than a hundred reasons for wars, some of which have been clarified, some have remained unresolved, and others are ongoing.
Now, a new issue potentially creating diplomatic tension across the globe can be added to the list: water scarcity.
The water issue is slowly taking over the oil issue, which caused a global threat and panic in previous years.
Nonetheless, the oil crisis is still an ongoing conflict, and water scarcity has created a more alarming danger, posing a risk to the entire population.
Global security has been assessed as at its dangerous peak because of the heightened tension between nations fighting for water rights and power.
Water is an absolute necessity for all humans. It is highly associated with and used in almost all human activities. The availability and quality of water are deeply connected to the dominant aspect of our being.
The bad news is that there is not enough water for all the billions of people worldwide. Water availability will likely decrease due to factors affecting climate change and general human activities.
Water Wars exist because the water demand supersedes the supply.
Debates about who has the power to control certain access to water and how it should be distributed are unending. These discussions often lead to one side overpowering or overruling the other and demanding what should not be theirs, creating unwanted tension.
In Eastern Africa, the severe drought has led to fatal combat between Africans and Somali clans vying for water accessibility.
The danger of shortages of life necessities, such as water, is slowly threatening violent competition between countries.
The extensive scope of water conflicts makes them impossible to address. The solution is complicated by local and international law, corporate or business interests, environmental concerns, and human rights activists.
Many interconnecting factors must be considered to mend the bridges between conflicting parties. When combined with opposing and endless views, opinions, and interests, finding a solution is longer, riskier, and more complex.
What has happened over the years? What is still to happen?
The uncertainty of having enough water supplies or resources for all countries is already scary. Because of this, certain areas of the globe have taken matters into their own hands by aggressively pumping underground water.
In line with that, particular lands are beginning to sink at a depth of three to four inches per year. Specific areas in California have already sunk by a foot.
Furthermore, local areas have also dropped to as much as 25 to 28 feet. Worse, these numbers continue to increase as days, months, and years pass.
Scientists concluded last year that we continue to abuse our water resources. Aggressive underground water pumping will disrupt railways, roads, infrastructure, and building foundations.
China, for example, is now considered one of the most stressed countries in terms of water management and supply.
Due to the irresponsible consumption of groundwater globally, for reasons such as agriculture and providing drinking water to cities and local areas, its sufficiency to provide for us in the upcoming years is now threatened.
The United Nations predicted a drastic water shortage would occur globally by 2030.
Years ago, the globe still had aquifers that could serve as backup for continents and countries during droughts and extreme heat climates when water supply is needed.
However, two-thirds of what we hope to store in emergency water supply has now been consumed due to nonstop water-related activities conducted by countries and certain regions. Even Africa, Eurasia, and America, which contain the largest amounts of groundwater, are now in a critical situation.
The drastic shift in our climate has affected the earth's water supply. Corresponding governments and officials were able to disseminate this prediction decades ago. The people were warned and were pleased to help and unite to conserve our water supply.
However, the population's response merely reflects what we can now see, are experiencing, and will continue to experience.
The Effect of Water Insufficiency on the World's Economy
The economy will be affected as countries and regions approach unsustainable water. Economic growth will rapidly decline, catapulting food prices and other products immensely.
Hence, it will further fuel the fire between existing conflicts or cause new conflicts. People's revolutions have already taken place years ago because of water instability. Furthermore, a bigger war between neighboring countries will likely start if the water crisis worsens.
People in affected areas of water scarcity are already anticipated to migrate from one place to another, practically to where there is enough water. The predicament is that the more populated the place, the more likely it is to rapidly use up all the water supplies.
So, when some talk about thousands or even millions migrating to a less water-stressed country, there is a higher possibility that that particular place might refuse and hinder their arrival. Therefore, if opposing interests and intentions clash, then conflicts will arise. Worst case scenario, government intervention may be required and may opt to call for war.
Yes, it could happen and is even already on the verge of happening! Water scarcity can affect a greater scale beyond what we could imagine. It can destroy a larger picture from what we can only imagine or see.
Let us not forget that water is necessary for almost every function of society and the world. It is used in every process or method for creating products or food and is essential to human health.
Hence, the instinct to compete and survive is at a higher percentage of happening.
How did the Earth's water become this Scarce?
That is the million-dollar question on everyone's mind. How did we reach a point in our generation when the water levels, which supply everything we rely on for a living, dropped alarmingly?
It may be possible or impossible to trace the root of this crisis. Several factors have potentially contributed to this global problem.
-
A corrupt or irresponsible usage of water supplies for agriculture, manufacturing, business purposes, personal use, etc.
-
Poor management of pumping groundwater.
-
Substandard maintenance of cities or local areas to their respective water systems causes the pipes to leak.
-
A spike in population growth, and;
-
an increase in demand for water supply for food production.
The brighter side of this whole water issue is that its urgency to be resolved is at its minimum now. A slow-occurring crisis leaves us more time to find measures and solutions to resolve the issue. Highly affected regions can find new ways or methods to conserve water and make it reusable.
Where are we right now at this point?
Knowing that the issue of water scarcity is a slow-rising conflict can be quite comforting. However, this does not mean we should continue to abuse our remaining conveniences.
Certain areas of the globe are already troubled and in danger because of insufficient water availability, which already calls for international intervention.
Aside from the substitute aquifers provided and technological advancements to recycle and conserve water, international organizations have not yet disclosed specific information concerning preventive methods to end water scarcity once and for all.
It is still unclear whether the international fall will continue downward or reach a point and change direction.
Solving conflicts in the past is way easier, shall we say, than in the future. In today's generation, laws have been added, new principles have been followed, and a new set of fundamental conflict-solving theories have been implied. All this makes it more complex to solve a single problem.
Scientists and experts have predicted that our relationship with water will not be very good unless we take immediate steps to address this issue.
So far, delegates from hundreds of countries are participating in climate summits discussing the possible measures to combat the risks of climate change globally.
One of the most significant climate summits was the 2015 COP-21 held in Paris, France. At least representatives from 200 countries attended the summit to participate in solving the world's problem of water scarcity.
International organizations and political diplomats must urgently discuss this matter. Certain climate summits allow delegates from different countries, especially the most affected ones, to express their concerns and find a common means to resolve conflicts between opposing parties.
However, an agreement on a more personal level is necessary to achieve a great outcome. That includes coming into peace and agreeing on fair matters that could give an assured benefit and help all nations affected.
If this crisis persists, a global divide will likely happen. Advanced, strategic solutions can only slow down or stop this issue. The result should be as large as providing separate water sources to countries with one key water access.
But if our water resources seemingly disappear, where can we find the supply to replenish what we have wasted over the years?
In the meantime, we can do our share in helping the globe conserve water through small steps like turning off the faucet when not in use. These steps, such as a global crisis, may seem too small in the larger picture, but they can help.
← Older Post Newer Post →