Water Wars is basically a term used to recognize the trouble that the people, moreover our world, is facing when it comes to the water resources. Moreover, it is to describe the conflicts that countries, states or groups have regarding water supply scarcity.
Way back through history, conflicts dealing with water insufficiency have already been happening. It does not matter whether it is freshwater or saltwater, history before has already faced this issue of what we are experiencing now.
Several countries are off on their seats trying to fight for their own respective rights towards certain water resources. At this point, no one is to be blamed as to how this has come about and why has this happened and is still happening. Particular countries will do everything they can with their power 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.
There has been a lot of industrial and manufacturing methods that have severely disrupted our climate in general. Global warming has reached a more serious and alarming level that left our environment and the people a difficult time to rise from this horrifying situation. Many factors have affected the level of water the earth has that can be calculated as either sufficient or the other.
Why does Water Wars Exist?
There have already been more than a hundred of reasons why wars occur before and now. Some were clarified, some were left unresolved and others are still ongoing. Now, there is a new arising issue, that is potentially creating diplomatic tension across the globe, that can be added to the list, and that is water scarcity.
The water issue is slowly taking over the place of the oil issue that has also caused a global threat and panic during the years before. Nonetheless, that the oil crisis is still an ongoing conflict, water scarcity has even created a more alarming danger posing the entire population at risk. The global security has been assessed to be at its dangerous peak because of the heightened tension between nations fighting for water rights and power.
Water is an absolute necessity for all human beings. It is highly associated and used to almost all human activities. The dominant aspect of our being in general is deeply connected to the availability and quality of water. The bad news is, there is not enough water for all the billions of people across the globe. Taking in to consideration the affecting factors such as climate change and general human activities, the amount of water available is likely to decrease.
Water Wars exist because mainly the demand for water supersedes the supply of it. Also, debates as to whoever has the power to control certain access to water and the process as to how it should be distributed is an unending process. These discussions then often lead to overpowering or overruling the other and forcibly demanding what should not be theirs, creating unwanted tension.
In Eastern Africa, the severe case of drought has led to the fatal combat between Africans and the Somali clans vying for the right to water accessibility. The danger of having shortages when it comes to life basic’s necessities, in this matter which is water, is slowly leaning towards violent competition between countries.
The extensive scope of water conflicts makes it impossible to address. Local and international law, corporate or business interests, environmental concerns, and human rights activists make water conflicts complicated to solve. There are many interconnecting factors that needs to be looked at whenever trying to mend the bridges between conflicting parties. Not to mention, when combined with opposing and persistent views, opinions and interests, the longer, riskier and more complex it is to find that solution.
What has happened over the years? What is still to happen?
The uncertainty of having enough water supplies or resources for all country is already a scary thing to even think of. Because of that, certain areas of the globe have taken matters in to their hands by aggressively pumping underground water. In line of 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. What is worse is that these numbers continue to increase as days, months and years pass by.
Last year, scientists were able to make conclusions if we continue to abuse our water resources. Taking into account the aggressive underground water pumping, railways, roads, infrastructures and foundations of buildings will disrupt. China, as an example, is now considered as one of the most stressed out country when it comes to water management and supply.
Due to the irresponsible consumption of groundwater across the globe, for reasons such as agriculture and providing drinking water to cities and local areas, its sufficiency to be able to provide for us in the upcoming years is now threatened. The United Nations themselves shared their prediction, that by the year 2030 a drastic shortfall in waters will occur globally.
Years ago, the globe still had aquifers that could potentially serve as backup for continents and countries in times of drought and extreme heat climate where situation calls for the need of water supply. However, two-thirds of what we hope to be the emergency storage of water supply has now been consumed due to non-stop water-related activities conducted by countries and certain regions. Even Africa, Eurasia and America, whom are all containing the largest amount of groundwater, are now in a critical situation as well.
The drastic shift in our climate has taken its toll on the earth’s water supply. Corresponding governments and officials were able to disseminate this certain prediction decades ago. The people were warned and were pleaded to help and unite in conserving our water supply. However, the response of the population is merely the clear reflection of what we can now see that is happening around us, and what we are experiencing and will continue to experience.
The Effect of Water Insufficiency to the World’s Economy
As countries and regions draw closer in to having an unsustainable amount of water, the economy is then affected. The economic growth will rapidly decline, which will catapult the prices of food and other products immensely. Hence, will further fuel the fire between existing conflicts or just cause new conflicts in that matter. People revolutions have already taken place years ago because of water instability. Furthermore, if the crisis in water continues to worsen, the start of a bigger war between neighboring countries is more likely to happen.
People in affected areas of water scarcity are already anticipated to migrate from one place to another, practically, to where there is enough supply of water. The predicament in this situation is, the more populated the place, the more likely it is use up all the water supplies rapidly. So, when a number of people, we are talking about thousands or even millions, migrate to a less water-stressed country, the higher the possibility that perhaps that particular place might refuse and hinder their arrival. Therefore, opposing interests and intentions clashed, 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 an important necessity to almost every functionality of society and the world in general. It is basically used in every process or method to every product or food creation. Not to mention, that it is an important essential to humans and their health. Hence, the instinct to compete and survive is at a higher percent of happening.
How did the Earth’s water become this Scarce?
That is the million dollar question that is in every person’s mind. How did we reached a point in our generation to which the water levels, supplying everything we rely on for living, dropped to an alarming rate?
It may be possible or impossible to trace the root of this crisis. There are a number of factors that have potentially contributed to this global problem.
- A corrupt or irresponsible usage of water supplies for agriculture, manufacturing, business purposes, personal use, etc by the people.
- Poor management of pumping groundwater.
- Substandard maintenance of cities or local areas to their respective water systems causing the pipes to leak.
- A spike in population growth, and;
- an increase in demand of 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. Apparently, it is a slow-occurring crisis which leaves us more time to find measures and solutions to resolve the issue. Highly affected regions can find new ways or methods on how to conserve water and make it reusable if possible.
Where are we right now at this point?
Knowing that the issue with water scarcity is a slow-arising conflict can be quite comforting. However, it does not leave us to further abuse the convenience that we still have now. Certain areas of the globe are already troubled and are in serious danger because of the insufficiency levels of water availability. That itself already calls for international intervention.
Aside from the substitute aquifers provided and technological advancements to recycle and conserve water, no specific information have been clearly disclosed by international organizations yet, concerning the precautionary methods to put an end to the issue against water scarcity, once and for all. It is still cloudy as to whether the the global fall will continue with its downward direction, or may reach a point and change directions.
Solving conflicts in the past is way more easier, shall we say, as oppose to the future. In today’s generation, laws have been added, new principles have been followed and a new set of fundamental conflict-solving theory have been implied. All these makes it more complex to solve a single problem.
Scientists and experts have predicted that our relationship with water is not projecting very well. 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 summit was the 2015 COP-21 held in Paris, France to which at least representatives from 200 countries attended the summit to participate in the discussion of solving the world’s problem against water scarcity.
That is a matter that is to be urgently discussed by international organizations and political diplomats. Certain climate summits are definitely an avenue for delegates of different countries, especially the most affected ones, could come and express their concerns and for all to find a common means to resolve existing conflicts between opposing parties. However, in order to achieve a great outcome, an agreement in a more personal level is necessary. That includes to come in to peace and agree on fair matters that could give an assured benefit and help all nations affected.
If this crisis persists to exists, a global divide will likely happen. This issue can only be slowed down, or stopped, through advanced, strategic solutions. The result should be as large as providing separate water sources to countries who share one key water access. But, if the our water resource is seemingly going down the drain, where can we find the supply to refill what we have wasted over the years?
In the mean time, we can do our share in helping the globe conserve its water through small steps like turning off the faucet if not in use and a like. It may seem too small in a larger picture such as a global crisis, but it can definitely aid in some ways.
EcoBlueLife.com is a replacement water and air filter company located in the United States. The views and opinions contained herein are solely those of the original author and do not represent Eco Blue Life or its affiliates. This article was originally published on TheBerkey.com
