by Adam Lee Buller

Created on: September 05, 2008   Last Updated: November 23, 2010

Each day our actions, our governments actions and international action all stake a claim, or, show disregard for others right to the now scarce supply of the worlds fresh water. Developed and emerging economies continue to concentrate efforts on their insatiable thirst for economic growth, causing serious damage to our planet and climate. As these nations pump more and more carbon into the atmosphere, global warming continues to tighten it's grip and show it's ugly effects on the climate, restricting the supply of fresh water to those in need of it most!

The evidence is now undeniable that due to climate change the worlds glaciers which act as a regulator providing a water supply in dry periods and absorbing water during wet periods are melting. This leaves countries that experience extremes in their weather at the mercy of their environment. In times of little rain when there should be a steady flow of fresh water from these glaciers, there is now little fresh water flowing into rivers and streams. These rivers and streams that act as veins to these countries, keeping small communities and also large cities alive are rapidly drying up. When the rain waters do finally arrive it is in the form of torrential downpours, the waters of which cannot be effectively stored causing devastating flooding in many regions also contaminating the water making it unfit to drink or wash with.

In some poorer countries the question of who owns the water has arisen, and, is being answered not just in the indirect actions of international organizations but also in the direct action of government. Some governments in poor regions have in effect nationalized the water and are selling it at a price. This means there's no shortage for those who can afford to buy the water but the most vulnerable and their families are left to fight for their survival. These dire circumstances are leading to corruption and social unrest.

The possibility even exists that in the future we may have wars being fought over water, the source of life! A report in February 2008 from UK newspaper The Independent stated, "Around the world, more that 215 major rivers and 300 groundwater basins and aquifers are shared by two or more countries, creating tensions over ownership and use of the precious waters they contain. Growing shortages and unequal distribution of water are causing disagreements, sometimes violent, and becoming a security risk in many regions"

Every human being has a right to life. To sustain this life we need water, without it we will die! Should we as onlookers really stand back while this right is being stripped away along with the dignity of many of the worlds poorest people, stripped away by the greed and lack of care of industrialized wealthy nations and unfortunately their citizens. The fact is that with the intense media attention the subject of climate change has received we no longer have the excuse of ignorance to the current water crisis. The question is, now we have the facts, do we care enough to change?

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