In
many developed countries, the majority of populations generally under
appreciate freshwater resources. Though water is essential for human life and
many processes that impact it, modern water allocation systems and pricing
lead individuals to never fully appreciate their reliance on water. Throughout
the world, there are concerns on drinking water quality and quantity. In the
Middle East, countries with historic conflicts attempt to diplomatically claim
various water resources in a part of the world lacking freshwater. In
developing nations, locals fear the extraction of water by privatized companies
for consumption within their own states or exportation around the world. There
has yet to be an armed conflict over water resources. Though many decry the
notion of a “war” over water resources alone, worsening international ties
between nations and a growing need for freshwater could lead to an unexpected
future.
In
2200, many of the world’s surface freshwater resources have been polluted
beyond repair. Technology exists to purify water, but is expensive and not
readily available to the public. The rich, regardless of their location, are
able to purchase the water they need. These powerful individuals and companies
employ large quantities of people, with payment in the form of fresh water or
food. Much of the population works for these freshwater holders in order to
sustain their survival. Elsewhere, revolutionaries recall a time when these
wealthy parties were the ones polluting public waters. Acts of Ecoterrorism are
on the rise, and those with money employ private armies to stop attacks on
their property.
The
largest question on everyone’s hand is what to do with the freshwater resources
in the North and South. In the past, preventing melting of the ice caps was
seen as the most important of jobs for environmentalists. Now, leadership is
split as many question if melting these can be controlled to gain fresh water
frozen away. “Environmental extremists” seek to melt and collect this water to
distribute, even though the impacts could cause irrevocable harm to coastal and
island communities.
In
the future, individuals are left to judge for themselves –when there are
limited resources before us, what ends will we take to get what we need? Will some
be left for worse so that the majority may survive?
I wrote about water scarcity as well in my blog post. I strongly agree that there is going to be rising tensions over the wealthy countries extracting water for their own uses and stirring up trouble. I believe that since the wealthy countries do have the power and wealth, they will be in charge of the dispersion of the resource (if such a thing were to occur). As mentioned in my article, I think it is going to come to a "survival of the fittest" scenario. However, I would hope that others wouldn't have to suffer so the majority could live. Do you think that capturing of water from the caps is actually a feasible option?
ReplyDeleteI think that this is an extremely likely response to freshwater scarcity. What struck me about this scenario was the fact that though developed nations polluted most of the water sources, they still were able to access clean water. I think this plays into the issue of rich countries being able to essentially pay their way out of their environmental issues while poorer countries cannot afford to buy their way out of the consequences. Also, developed nations probably play a role in setting the prices for the new technology and make prices so high that poorer countries cannot possibly afford it.
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