As stated in the previous text, water scarcity is likely to become considerably worse around the world.

Historically, there has been more cooperation than conflict over international waters. But given changes brought on by climate change and growing human demands for water, disputes will arise unless shared water resources are managed through science-based water diplomacy.

That was one of the main messages from a discussion on “Conflict, Climate and Cooperation” led by eminent scientists and academics briefing the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

There are 313 international water basins which comprise roughly half the earth, in addition to 600 transboundary aquifers, as informed by a professor of geography at Oregon State University. These have accounted for some 1,800 international water-related events between UN Member States over the past 60 years, and “actually two-thirds of what nations do over water is cooperate.”

But as freshwater becomes increasingly scarce, tensions are on the rise. Even in the past 50 years, one-fourth of water-related interactions have been hostile, ranging from name calling to military action. The professor said that disputes seem to be increasing and not all cooperation is good, adding that water is emotional, tied to sovereignty, history, power, and spiritual life.