Fresh Water Scarcity – A Potential Cause for Warfare

DISCUSSION: Fresh Water Scarcity – A Potential Cause for Warfare

by Kevin L. Chapman

“Water, thou hast no taste, no colour, no odour; canst be defined, art relished while ever mysterious. Not necessary to life, but rather life itself (…) Of the riches that exist in the world, thou art the rarest…” Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Less than 1% of the world’s water supply consists of readily available freshwater. Due to its scarcity and increased usage, there is an increased chance of low-level armed conflicts regarding freshwater resources. In water scarce environments, nations believe that water is of a strategic importance and the loss of any water supplies endangers its ability to survive. Due to this mentality, the development of a riparian policy that several countries will agree to is nearly impossible.

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