Competition over scarce water and land, exacerbated by regional changes in climate, are already a key factor in local-level conflicts in Darfur, the Central African Republic, northern Kenya, and Chad, for example — when livelihoods are threatened by declining natural resources, people either innovate, flee or can be brought into conflict.

In total, 145 countries share one or more international river basins. Changes in water flows, amplified by climate change, could be a major source of tension between states, especially those that lack the capacity for co-management and cooperation.

Achim Steiner, executive director of the U.N. Environment Program, speaking about water’s importance in regional conflict, UN official: Climate change could lead to conflicts

  1. underpaidgenius posted this