Clean Water for All

Water scarcity, poor water quality and inadequate sanitation negatively impact food security, livelihood choices and educational opportunities for poor families across the world. At the current time, more than 2 billion people are living with the risk of reduced access to freshwater resources and by 2050, at least one in four people is likely to live in a country affected by chronic or recurring shortages of fresh water. Within this context, Prof. Dr. Thomas Bernauer will give a speech on the battle for the so-called “Blue Gold”. He will examine whether water scarcity constitutes a reason for conflict or a catalyst for peace.

One of the fundamental findings of the academic studies on the topic of “water conflict or cooperation” is that international water wars are not to be expected. Is this predicted absence of water wars automatically translated into absence of any problem? Certainly not. The risk for conflict is considered particularly high in specific areas and these water-related conflicts have caused and are causing suffering throughout the world. If this is the case, which are the necessary steps to be taken in order to protect the global water resources? And how can we effectively address the issue of water allocation conflicts?  

Professor Bernauer will answer these questions during his insightful talk in HCI G3 at ETH Hönggerberg from 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm on Sunday, November 24.