Water Wars: The Water Wars: Conflicts Over Water Sources Continue to Grow

Sep 9, 2014 | David Zetland, Water Canada
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Google "water wars" and you will get 1.45 million search returns – more than "nuclear war." Does this statistic mean that water wars are more likely, more deadly or just more sensational? It's a a bit of each.

Water wars are definitely more likely. Even on a weak definition – one country upsetting another country with its water policies – we can say that there are more water wars (many) than nuclear wars (none). Mexico is upset with the way the United States drains the Colorado River, and Americans are upset with the way Mexico drains the Rio Grande. Chinese and Laotian dams on the Mekong threaten food security in Cambodia and Vietnam. The Palestinians suffer from Israeli control of their water resources and infrastructure. In each example, we see one country upset and frustrated with another's behavior.