15 of 49

Yes

Write now Article Tools

The human race has a long history of staking ownership claims to both territories and resources; in what seems like an innate trait linked not only to instinctive survival behavior but also economic viability. Waging of wars is a differentia of the human species and while battles have been fought over many things; boundaries, religion, conquest and independence, we have yet to see the full depths of brutality and warmongering that countries, societies, organizations, groups, and individuals may beget over a resource as fundamental to the very human survival as water.

Its abundance is overstated by its visibility. On a global scale, water is everywhere; the greater portion of the earth's very surface is covered by it. But water like many other natural resources takes many forms, and the abundance, so visual in raw form, is not usable for consumption. Cycles within nature deposit natural resources in areas conducive or derivative of the transformation of that resource. Usable water falls into aquifers which represent geological and geographical repositories for the use of drinking water, or potable water, and irrigation. Not only do these aquifers and water tables ignore political boundaries, they also are not allocated by need. So while all mankind shares the dependence, the distribution is not necessarily equitable.

Dependence in itself does not breed desperation, but when factored with a transition from availability to scarcity, the combination turns into a threat against sustainability, persistence and survival. Unlike a dependency on fossil fuel, for which alternatives exist, though underdeveloped; water for human consumption and use, has no substitute. There is nothing designed or even imagined that can satisfy or supplant the body's dependence on water. While reduction in water table levels and the density of potable water sources decreases, scarcity increases, first to areas without infrastructure to accommodate transportation of people to sources of water, or the transport of the water itself to those in need.

Economic and political factors will help to divert, deflect or delay some of this pressure and desperation. The value proposition will be directed to those who can develop and implement technology and capability for conservation, reclamation or provisioning programs. Unless a sustainable equilibrium is obtained between the cycles of water on the planet and those who use it, we risk a tipping point when the scarcity forces decisions to be made either through neglect, political, or social preference as to who has access to safe potable water and who does not.

Without alteration of the trends toward water crisis through technological innovation, social and economic revaluing, and political cooperation; war in some mode will manifest. It may take the form of small regional or networked but nebulous factions such as that seen in the War on Terror. Or it may exhibit the traits of black market trade or drug trafficking as in the War on Drugs. Or in may reach a regional or political antagonist level and come to full scale war. Either way, we must first recognize this as a global problem and work toward a global solution, a pending crisis is an elemental basis for change.

Learn more about this author, Chuck Moyer.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Will there be wars over the ownership of water??
We want to hear your view. Write now!