Lack of Fresh Water

Water is a renewable but finite resource. We are now using about half of the fresh water availableon the planet. Many nations now have water shortages that threaten the health and economics of these nations.

In recent years the world has seen catastrophic damage and loss of life from an excess of water – monsoons, tsunamis and floods.

Ironically, at the same time:

"millions of people live without access to adequate or clean water, with little hope their situation will improve as the global water-shortage crisis escalates." (IRIN 2007)

"By 2050, as much as 40% of the world's population may have to live in countries with insufficient freshwater stocks to meet the combined needs of agriculture, industry, and domestic use." (GBN 2007: 9)


By far the largest quantities of water are used in the growing of food and by industry. The water sources for these industries in many cases flow across borders of both states and nations which will add to the potential for conflict.

"Many major rivers now run dry during part of the year. Water withdrawal from lakes and rivers has doubled in the last 40 years. UN agencies estimate that without major changes, by 2050 more than 2 billion people will live in water scare areas. Agriculture accounts for 70% of all human usage of fresh water." Millennium Project State of the Future Report 2006.

One of the questions that this raises is how do we bring about changes in our agricultural industries globally to become more efficient in water usage and substituting to crops that are more water friendly.

As populations grow and cities increase in size, industrial, agricultural and individual water demands are rising. According to the World Bank, world-wide demand for water is doubling every 21 years. However, population growth alone does not account for increased water demand. Since 1900, there has been a six-fold increase in water use for only a four-fold increase in population. This reflects greater water use associated with rising standards of living.

Consumption patterns show an ever-increasing desire for products that require high levels of water. (IRIN)

Water reduction is occurring through environmental change and human exploitation. Climate change will only exacerbate the problem. According to the United Nations Water Development Report of March 2006,

Water quality is deteriorating also:

"... increased pollution is damaging ecosystems and the health, lives and livelihoods of those without access to adequate, safe drinking water and basic sanitation" IRIN:1

The primary indirect driver of wate degradation and loss of rivers, lakes, freshwater marches, and other inland wetlands (including loss of species or reductions of populations in these systems) has been population growth and economic development.


Estimates are that water consumption, at current rates of increase will pass the available fresh water on the planet. This will lead to some areas still having an abundance but others falling well short of what is needed even for basic survival.

Other practices are also adding to our water shortage one example is salinity, caused by industrial farming and over-extraction. Additionally, continued degradation of water quality increases the prevalence of disease.

As demand for fresh water reaches the limits of supply, potential conflicts may loom between regions, states and nations that share freshwater reserves. Many countries get substantial amounts of their water from rivers that cross the borders of neighbouring countries where relations are already strained.

Today, with more than 500 million people living in semi-arid areas and more than 200 million in arid areas, access to water and water allocation is a key source of tension. (Impacts of Climate Change 2007:8)

Virtually all of the world's major rivers run through a number of different countries:

"yet there are few international structures, treaties or institutions in place to efficiently and peacefully manage shared water resources." (GNS 2007: 9)

Access to adequate fresh water and increased water demands require cooperation between nations. Nations will be drawn into water disputes unless they establish agreements on how to share reservoirs, rivers and underground water supplies. In this context, water is likely to become a future cause of war between nations. Peace needs to be proactively undertaken between these nations.

The Global Peace Index provides the ability to measure the progress of these nations towards or away from peace.

There is an urgent need for increased international management and cooperatio if conflicts over water are to be avoided. Despite increased recognition that the presen crisis is a combination of the interrelated factors of environmental damage, inadequate governance, overpopulation and climate change, learning to share water will also build peace.