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Saturday, April 18, 2009

water wars

Asia may see more conflicts over scarce water resources in the coming years , a report warned
Water problems in Asia are already severe, with one in five people, or 700 million, not having access to safe drinking water and half the region's population lacking access to basic sanitation. While Asia is home to more than half the world's population, it has less fresh water per person than any other populated continent.

The report, "Asia's Next Challenge: Securing the Region's Water Future." said concerning the water disputes between hostile neighbors India and Pakistan and the complex relations governing the vast Mekong River, which is shared by China and its southern neighbors, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam that:
"The potential for conflicts sparked by the direct and indirect impacts of an increasingly volatile water supply should not be underestimated, particularly in the light of rising concerns about climate change...hydropolitics is likely to be a growing force in Asian security,"

However , the report explains that "The majority of Asia's water problems are not attributable to an actual shortage, but rather are the result of poor water governance. They are solvable through more effective governance and better management practices."

SOYMB does not share the reports optimism that such improvement and reform is indeed possible as we are fully aware of capitalist competition between nation states . Under capitalism, the question of inter-nation rivalry for control of natural resources far outweigh environmental concerns or the efficient management of water.
Read also Thirsting for Conflict


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