by Lauren Bove

Created on: May 15, 2008   Last Updated: September 18, 2009

How is the struggle for water, such as in Ethiopia and Kenya, shaping conflicts in this century?

This may sound surprising, but there is as much water on the planet now as was present in prehistoric times. The appearance of a shortage of water is only of regional relevance. As water is part of the global commons it requires global protection and access. But, this does not happen. People in poor areas of the world are being shorted and are suffering as a result. When people are unable to get what they need, they fight all the harder for survival.

The miserly hoarding of resources and sense of entitlement as well as the misconception that global warming is merely a cyclical climate change, herd us further toward the conflict dynamic that is taking place now in many places across the globe. Ethiopia and Kenya are two of the most vulnerable regions.

Kenya and Ethiopia have vast experience in the devastation brought by lack of water. Climate changes related to global-warming exacerbate the already critical drought. Cracked, waterless earth and rare but furious rainstorms flood the land parched too solid to absorb anything. The runoff floods the land, swells and overflows open sewers and uncollected garbage. The slurry mixture then rushes into the back yards of families, poisoning that potential source of water as well.

Potable water must be bought in these regions of Africa, and it is expensive. It is often even more expensive than it needs to be thanks to manufactured shortages created by greed. Good water can cost a family five cents for five-and-a-half gallons. In a country where you are considered lucky to make eight dollars weekly, that is a small fortune. The resulting anger of the people is natural, knowing water prices are driven up for pure profit. Powerful conflict results.

These issues are not new and they prevent progress. Climate changes from greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide were reported by Paul R. Ehrlich in 1968. Social problems that hold back the growth of a people have been studied as far back as the publication of George Orwell's Animal Farm. The Orwell quote seems apt: "Some animals are more equal than other animals." Regions of the world that struggle for basic survival needs are certainly not able to concentrate on progressing scholastically or socially if they are distracted by growling bellies and unsafe living environments. People need the access to resources first. Further progress is next.

We Americans take more than our share.

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