Water for Earth: the Role of Water Diplomacy
Water is a resource that unites both individuals and ecosystems.
It is the basis of all life on earth, the primary building block of the human body, and is essential for survival, health, nutrition, hygiene, and wellbeing.
Equally, water is a resource that divides people and separates states.
Water resources are not evenly distributed. Just 13 countries in the world hold 64.4% of the total water on Earth, with Brazil alone having 15% of global reserves. Disparities also exist for water consumption. Despite the effects of climate change hitting every latitude of the globe, the average water consumption in most European countries is 200–300 liters per person per day, while other countries, such as Mozambique, are limited to less than 10 liters of water per individual.
The result is that water-related disasters, water contamination, and water scarcity disproportionally affect the human rights of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, as stressed by the latest Report on Human Rights and the global water crisis in January 2021. It refers to the right to life, food, water, and health, including mental health, as data reveal that lack of water security contributes to anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders. With 700 million people worldwide at risk of displacement by intense water scarcity by 2030 (UN Water data) and the countries hit the most by war facing moderate to severe drought, achieving good water governance is crucial. It is pivotal to ensure environmental and social justice, especially now that water has been officially listed on the stock exchange (Nasdaq Veles California Water Index that quoted water at $486.53 per acre-foot). But a crucial role is also played by water diplomacy, to preserve interstate balances, to achieve resilient ecosystems, and to empower prosperity-driven communities.
Why is water an accelerator of conflicts?
Water is essential for human survival and as a necessary resource for food and energy security. Climate alterations inevitably affect national traditions, economies, and trade as demonstrated by recent large-scale fish migration towards the Southern Hemisphere in search of food that directly imperils fishing-dependent communities and national policies. Also, ice melting in the Arctic is disrupting food practices, cultures, food transportation, and logistics of indigenous communities.
In addition to this data, anthropogenic modification of water sources increases the odds of water insecurity and tensions on water access.
Being a scarce resource, competitions over water usage are increasing over time.
With limited water quantities, conflicts may occur within national economic sectors (internal competition over water), as the water used for irrigation cannot be used by the industrial sector or for domestic reasons; but also between states (transboundary competition over water) especially when a river, a lake, or a groundwater basin crosses more than one state.
Our Planet counts more than 200 transboundary surface resources (lakes and rivers) and over 300 transboundary aquifers. This phenomenon affects almost 75% of countries and nearly 40% of the world’s population.
While water insecurity may represent the root cause of conflicts, it can also become the side-effect of conflictual situations among states. Throughout history, states have competed for control of and access to food and other natural resources, such as water and energy, because they are essential to human survival and inextricably tied to political and economic development.
Aiming at blue peace
“When resources are degraded, we start competing for them. […] So one way to promote peace is to promote sustainable management and equitable distribution of resources.” — Wangari Maathai
If managed responsibly, water can become a potent tool for peace and shared prosperity. This can only be achieved by incentivizing cooperation among states, transparency, and inclusive decision-making.
In the last 70 years, almost 300 international water agreements were negotiated and signed.
Also, fields, such as water diplomacy have been gaining traction as a way to restore and rebuild relationships and trust between conflict-prone parties. Building on inclusive and multi-stakeholder decisions, deeper comprehension of the interdependencies between water, energy, food systems, and efficient resource use, water diplomacy has the potential to rebuild dialogue to turn water conflicts into “non-flicts,” to quote Stephen Hecht.
Achieving a Blue Peace is possible only when water cooperation and sustainable development extend beyond borders, sectors, and generations.
“Whoever you are, whatever you do, wherever you live, we urge you to get involved, and contribute to meeting this great challenge: safe water and sanitation for all, and our water managed sustainably. Make every drop count. It’s time for action.” — 2021 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment
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