Scientists Say Risk of Water Wars Rising

[Guest guest]

With the move on to " privatize " water, you can

eventually expect to see similar good deals that you

get now from Big Petrolium and Big Pharma. F.

 

 

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/26728/story.htm

 

Scientists Say Risk of Water Wars Rising

 

 

SWEDEN: August 23, 2004

 

 

STOCKHOLM - The risk of wars being fought over water

is rising because of explosive global population

growth and widespread complacency, scientists said.

 

 

" We have had oil wars, " said Professor William Mitsch.

" That's happened in our lifetime. Water wars are

possible. "

 

Scientists at the World Water Week conference which

began on Sunday in Stockholm said that ignorance and

complacency were widespread in wealthier countries.

 

" I don't know what will shake these regions out of

complacency other than the fact there will be

droughts, pestilence and wars that break out over

water rights, " said Mitsch, professor of natural

resources at Ohio State University.

 

Mitsch told Reuters potential flashpoints included the

Middle East.

 

" Continuing on our present path will mean more

conflict, " a report by International Water Management

Institute (IWMI) said.

 

With the world's population growing at exponential

rates there was extreme pressure on water supplies to

provide drinking water and food, said scientists at

the Stockholm gathering.

 

" In 2025 we will have another two billion people to

feed and 95 percent of these will be in urban areas, "

said Professor Jan Lundqvist of Stockholm

International Water Institute.

 

The answer was sustained investment in infrastructure.

 

An estimated $80 billion was invested each year in the

water sector, but this needed to at least double, said

Professor Frank Rijsberman, the IWMI's director

general.

 

" I think if I look at the numbers I can't immediately

see a way out over the next few years, " said IWMI

report co-author Dr David Molden. " I think we will

reach a real crisis. "

 

 

Story by Patrick McLoughlin

 

 

REUTERS NEWS SERVICE