Water - The oil of the 21st century

Something I had written for an assignment...

Water is a basic human right without access to which mankind cannot survive. More than 75% of Earth’s area is under water, of which only 2.5% is portable. Of the 2.5%, 75% is locked in icecaps and glaciers making very little available for consumption. Pollution is another major concern. Unbridled industrialization, in developing nations has contaminated rivers and aquifers making the available, scarcely usable.

Oil prices are drastically going down from their recent peaks, but concerns about the availability of freshwater show no sign of abating and the demand for water is rising on the back of a demographic boom against reducing supply. Global water consumption is doubling every 20 years. With subsidies on the use of water for agriculture (especially thirsty crops like corn), innovation of new water fuel cells, production of bio fuels (ethanol) and energy production for cooling nuclear/thermal power plants, the demand is only increasing. Countries in the Middle East where fresh water is scarce are spending huge sums to build desalination plants to satisfy the demand. With the growing demand and decrease in supply it must be noted that there is no alternative for water as is for oil and other commodities.

More over Fortune Magazine back in May of 2000 had stated, "Water promises to be to the 21st century what oil was to the 20th century: the precious commodity that determines the wealth of nations." All this would be enough to start water wars in the world in lines to the oil wars of the 90’s. For instance Egypt which has a historical right on the River Nile has been negotiating with the upstream states for the same. The minister of water resources of Egypt says "a drop of water is becoming more precious than a drop of blood". For these reasons water is a strategic resource and an important element in many political conflicts. Another example would be the water wars seen within states in India like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It is not going to be long before it starts worldwide.

Water conservation is the only alternative for the betterment of the society. The problems are a big concern for large organizations like Coca Cola, Pepsi etc which have started cutting down water consumption and focussing on water stewardship which must be followed suit by all the nations by signing a pact similar to the Kyoto protocol.