Scientists Say Risk of Water Wars Rising

[redqueen]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040820/sc_nm/environment_water_dc

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - The risk of wars being fought over water is rising because of explosive global population growth and widespread complacency, scientists said on Friday.

"We have had oil wars," said Professor William Mitsch. "That's happened in our lifetime. Water wars are possible."

Scientists at the World Water Week conference which began on Sunday in Stockholm said that ignorance and complacency were widespread in wealthier countries.

"I don't know what will shake these regions out of complacency other than the fact there will be droughts, pestilence and wars that break out over water rights," said Mitsch, professor of natural resources at Ohio State University.

more...
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How is complacency even possible? :crazy:

[leeman67]

1. starring Kevin Costner and Dennis Hopper

:P

sorry, couldn't resist.

[phantom power]

2. The real thing will star you, me and a cast of billions

Kostner is definitely a shoe-in for the Hollywood remake :-)

[phantom power]

3. Complacency is possible because people are lied to

It's the same reason that people are generally complacent about our wars for oil. We just lie about what the war is for. If they came out and said "hey, we're fixing to invade Iraq to secure our oil", you'd see a lot less complacency. But we're told it's for self-defense, democracy, Mom and apple pie.

Water-wars would play out the same way. Our government would manufacture some other excuse to invade mexico, when they start getting uppity about the water we take before it crosses their border.

You know, "mexican terrorists, stealing our water"...

[redqueen]

4. Oh, yes - on the part of the public I agree

but I mean the scholars, the scientists... how can they be so quiet?

[phantom power]

5. I don't think they are quiet, it's just that

nobody wants to hear what they say.

To tie it in with your question on the reservoirs: Back when the Glenn Canyon Dam was being planned, there were geologists who warned that the dam would eventually silt in. It's not rocket science. Anybody who understands what a silt-load is can predict the ultimate fate of any reservoir. They could even predict a rough estimate of the reservoir's lifetime, since the siltload is a measureable quantity.

The Colorado has one of the highest silt loads anywhere. But people didn't want to hear about it.

[indigobusiness]

6. That's the key. Ignoring crisis is the way of the ostrich /America.

In our self-indulgent world, we won't be bothered by anything until it visits our personal doorstep. Then we whine and shriek to high heaven.

[phantom power]

7. And another thing

Trying to warn people, as a scientist, tends to put the scientist between a rock and a hard place. If they attempt to make a strong, absolute claim about dire consequences, they get labeled as an "alarmist". If they attempt a more moderate strategy, it ends up sounding like this: "Well, the situation is complicated, and prediction about the future is tricky, blah blah blah". True, but not compelling.

It's really a losing battle. Figuring out how to present this kind of information in a way that's both compelling *and* credible, would be quite a coup.

[redqueen]

8. I'm starting to think it doesn't matter how it's presented.

We need to focus on electing responsible representatives, I suppose, since they're the ones ignoring the scientists in favor of whomever else has a compelling interest in the situation.

[MrSandman]

9. How about Southern Califonia

against AZ, NV, NM, CO, and UT?

[phantom power]

10. Or....

CA, AZ, NV, NM, CO, and UT

versus

WI, IA, MI, OH, PA and NY

in a battle for the Great Lakes water...

[MrSandman]

11. I can see that too...eom

[NickB79]

12. They'll never get past Minnesota

We'll kill em with lutefish :-)

[alarimer]

13. yes

The apocalypse will not be about oil, it will be about water. The Milagro Beanfield War will loke like child's play. It is happening now. Texas will be a major front but so will Florida. There are too many people, all wanting nice green lawns and golf courses.

[CHIMO]

14. And Just How

Does one protect this from terrorists?
Add another color to the terror warnings. We'll solve the details later.

[MrSandman]

15. Patriot 3...

[CHIMO]

16. Never Thought About

That. It opens up a whole new avenue. Just imagine that they could reduce the acidity of water by reducing CO2 emissions.
Oh no! They wouldn't go that far, would they?
Well who knows. They might be so devilish to try and implement something so drastic.

[MrSandman]

17. Anyone purchasing photograpic materials...

Near a major watershed should be investigated, put on a watchlist, ...

[CHIMO]

18. Oh Shit

Does this mean that I have to give up my golden throne because it is a heavy metal?

[MrSandman]

19. Someone else found it...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=118x81474