July 1996

A UN report to a Beijing conference warned that water shortages, caused by rapidly increasing population and extravagant use, could be the cause of 21st century wars. In the next century, water could become as valuable as oil. The United Nations is calling for water conventions to prevent future conflicts, focusing mainly on water conservation and re-use rather than more expensive programs which are less likely to succeed. Unfortunately, the cost of implementing these reforms often comes into conflict with the immediate need for economic development. Many of the world’s largest rivers flow across international borders, and control of or [...]