International World Water Day is held annually on March 22nd to remind and focus on the importance of freshwater resources and to promote the United Nations' call for sustainable freshwater management. This year, 2013, the theme of World Water Day is "International Year of Water Cooperation." At the opening ceremony, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated that one-third of the world's population is currently under moderate to high water scarcity pressure; by 2030, nearly half of the world's population will face water shortages.
A UN report states that climate change is exacerbating water supply pressures and could trigger more conflicts, highlighting the critical importance of water in safeguarding national security, potentially on par with national defense.
The report points out that approximately 145 countries worldwide share water resources with their neighbors, and increasingly frequent floods and heat waves could lead to water depletion. Countries should strengthen their efforts to coordinate water resource utilization.
"Over the past few decades, the definition of security has expanded beyond limited focuses such as military threats and conflict," said Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), in a report.
In 2011, approximately 185,000 Somalis fled to neighboring countries, mainly due to drought causing water and food shortages. In 2012, some communities in South Sudan were forced to leave their homes due to water scarcity caused by conflict.
Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien emphasized, "Few issues can cause more friction than cross-border water management." Chretien led 37 former heads of state in a campaign to make water a security issue.
With a global population currently exceeding 7 billion and likely to reach 9 billion by 2050, international water supply pressures are increasing. Studies indicate that the destructive impacts of climate change are most evident in the water sector. The 2010 floods in Pakistan caused nearly 2,000 deaths, and recent droughts in the United States and Russia have also led to rising global food prices.
Waterborne diseases such as dysentery and malaria cause approximately 3.5 million deaths globally each year, mostly in developing countries. Climate change may increase the number of deaths from waterborne diseases in some regions.
Competition for water among farmers, ranchers, industries, and farmers worldwide is intensifying. Especially given the growing global population and climate change, human demand for water will continue to rise, doubling by 2025. At that time, approximately 5.5 billion people will face varying degrees of water scarcity. Transboundary waterways will pose a significant challenge to water supply security, making international cooperation crucial for water resource protection and management.
Sources: Yahoo新聞 (2013-03-23) (Edited by PIDC)
