UNA-MN Climate Change High School Conference at Macalester College, November 2015 UN Department of Economic and
Social Affairs (UNDESA) Committee (Location: JBD Conference Room, Campus Center).
Topic: Water: Border Conflicts and Access
Our Changing Climate
Climate and weather are commonly thought to be the same thing, but the knowing the differences
is essential for addressing our global climate issues. Weather is what is happening outside your window - sunny, rainy, cold, hot, windy. Climate is an established pattern of typical weather events that has been
established over many years, and scientists have noticed that weather data is more frequently occurring
outside of the normal historical ranges. Over the last several decades, a massive body of evidence has
been collected indicating not only the existence of climate change and humanity’s unintentional
contribution to it but the need for collaborative global action to be taken swiftly and decisively.
Global climate change, sometimes referred to as “global warming,” is driven by the greenhouse
effect, which has been exacerbated by human activity over the past 150 years. The basic mechanism of the
greenhouse effect is necessary to sustain life on earth, as it keeps the planet warm enough for complex
life to thrive. As shown in the figure below, energy from the sun hits the surface of the earth, warming
the land and sea. Some of this energy is reflected all the way back into space, but some is absorbed by the
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere -- water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, etc -- preventing the earth
from experiencing extreme swings in temperature between day and night.
Human activity, especially the consumption of fossil fuels for manufacturing, transportation, and
energy production has caused a sharp increase in the amount of greenhouse gases -- especially carbon
dioxide -- present in the atmosphere. Because of this, more heat than usual is trapped by the atmosphere
and causes the average yearly global temperature to rise. The effects are only beginning to manifest
themselves: melting of the polar and glacial ice sheets which causes sea levels to rise and decreases the
already limited supply of fresh water on the planet; more frequent severe weather, including droughts,
floods, and super-intense hurricanes and thunderstorms; warmer winters and longer, hotter summers that
push the habitats of many plants and animals farther north. Scientific models predict that in order to
prevent genuinely catastrophic events, the average yearly global temperature increase must not exceed a
2°C change, meaning dramatic changes in the way our world operates must go into effect by 2050.
UNA-MN Climate Change High School Conference at Macalester College, November 2015 UN Department of Economic and
Social Affairs (UNDESA) Committee (Location: JBD Conference Room, Campus Center).
Topic: Water: Border Conflicts and Access
The Population Problem
Over the past two centuries, humanity has made incredible strides in science, medicine,
technology, and engineering, allowing our population to grow exponentially. Child mortality has decreased
dramatically, modern medicine has allowed millions to survive illness and injury, and through industrial
food production we have achieved the capacity to provide enough food for every person on earth.
However, this population explosion has put intense strains on the planet’s natural resources, especially
since our technological advances have improved the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people. The
Earth’s population reached a milestone 7 billion people in 2011 and is projected to reach 9 billion by 2040.
How can the international community support so many people without completely exhausting the Earth’s
resources?
Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely.
When a species surpasses its carrying capacity for any of a variety of reasons, nature always causes a
decrease in the population back to the carrying capacity, usually because of lack of resources for food,
water and shelter. The carrying capacity of humanity is currently unknown, but the more pressing question
is what we will do if and when we get there.
Climate change is also putting stress on the availability of natural resources in addition to the
increasing needs of a growing population. Conflicts have already begun to arise over the access and use
of natural resources such as timber, oil, fertile land, fishing grounds, and especially fresh water. Scientists,
policy makers, and citizens must collaborate to find solutions to prevent and mediate conflict, to equitably
share and manage resources, and to slow the rate of population growth while continuing to address global
poverty and other human rights issues.
Committee: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)
The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) is a division of the United Nations
that is focused on helping nations around the globe set and achieve social, economic, and environmental
development goals. The UNDESA has three primary functions: norm-setting, where international
standards are established for world nations to work towards; analysis, the evaluation of current policies
and programs and how they can be improved; and capacity-building, which provides nations struggling to
meet their goals with the resources they need to be successful. Within the context of this conference,
the UNDESA would look to the future and in order to create a path for the international community to
follow by announcing new sustainable development goals and projects, identifying regions or nations that
might require aid in achieving their goals, and encouraging all nations to come to mutually beneficial
agreements for the equitable distribution of natural resources.
UNA-MN Climate Change High School Conference at Macalester College, November 2015 UN Department of Economic and
Social Affairs (UNDESA) Committee (Location: JBD Conference Room, Campus Center).
Topic: Water: Border Conflicts and Access
Topic:
Water: Border Conflicts and Access
Fresh water is arguably the most precious resource on this planet. Every living thing needs it to
survive and it is becoming scarcer due to the effects of climate change, pollution, overexploitation, and
inequitable distribution. Many nations, especially those that have an arid climate in the first place, are
already facing severe shortages of water as a result of climate change, and must look to the future to
provide for their people. As detailed below, some disagreements have already become hostile, and several
hotspot regions will need international assistance.
Escalation of Hostility
Water is a basic human right. That being said, however, lack of water can lead to spread of diseases,
hunger, and international conflicts between borders that bring up issues with nationalism and power play.
States like Pakistan and India, States in Eastern Africa, and disputes in West Central Asia are prime
examples of disputes based on water, or lack thereof.
Pakistan and India already have tension when it comes to their relationship. Both states signed a
treaty, the Indus Water Treaty in 1960, but this hasn’t stopped the water conflict from taking place.
Pakistan has accused India of blocking water from entering the country by building the Kishanganga dam.
While both nations met last year to discuss a way to fix the conflict over their water war, India has refused
to adhere to Pakistan’s demands to alter the designs to the dam. There has also been push to stop water
from entering Pakistan altogether from right-wing Hindu groups. Lack of communication and rise
nationalism have lead to an increase conflicts and a decrease of solutions.
Ethiopia and Kenya struggle with nationalism and the spread of diseases due to lack of freshwater.
Both countries suffer from drought and lack of clean freshwater. Obtaining clean drinking water can be
considered daunting due to how precious of a resource it is. Proliferation of arms has occurred within
these states along with other states in Eastern Africa because of how desperate the people are to find
freshwater. Not only is this an issue, but the spread of diseases is rampant. Without freshwater, there is
a lack of sanitation that keeps the population from being clean, increasing the amount of infectious diseases
that are being spread. This is a great cause for concern to the Non-governmental organizations and other
public health organizations trying to find solutions are struggling, due to international debate on climate
change.
In West Central Asia, water is grossly misused. Countries like Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have had
a surplus of freshwater, but due to increase in their population of about 10 million since early 2000, the
freshwater has been misused and is in danger of being depleted. Nationalism is also rampant and needs
to be addressed. Lack of consideration for this water has led to irrigated land being wasted.
UNA-MN Climate Change High School Conference at Macalester College, November 2015 UN Department of Economic and
Social Affairs (UNDESA) Committee (Location: JBD Conference Room, Campus Center).
Topic: Water: Border Conflicts and Access
Turkey and the Middle East
While the Middle East and Turkey are known as arid regions with some of the most fertile
rivers, water conflicts have been a constant anxiety . Freshwater is a precious resource that this region
of the world still needs to address. Turkey and Iraq struggle to find a balance on how to best use the
Tigris and Euphrates rivers. While the rivers run through Turkey to Iraq, the water levels of this stretch
have lost over one hundred cubic kilometers of freshwater. This depletion of the freshwater sources has
risen tensions, but there is also a lack of cooperation between most of the Middle Eastern states and
Turkey due to power struggle. Turkey has a large amount of control to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
due to their geographical location. While this is the case, their most significant water source is the Dead
Sea, but this is unusable freshwater. Turkey has built dams on the rivers for their freshwater, as the
rivers account for one third of their water source, but this has cut a significant amount of water to Iraq.
Iraq has stated their frustrations with Turkey’s choice to withhold water from the rest of the region as
unnecessary and inhumane. Lack of understanding on either side has caused tensions to rise from water
conflicts to political strife.
Ethiopia and Eastern Africa
Ethiopia and Eastern Africa lack freshwater. There is a severe lack of sanitation with the water
they do have. The populations in this region struggle with maintaining safe, healthy lives due to their lack
of access to clean, fresh drinking water. Two of the biggest reasons that water conflicts exist are due to
political strife and water shortages. In Ethiopia, about forty two percent of the population has access to
clean water, but of that forty two, only eleven percent has access to sanitation sources. This not only
affects their health, but also affects gender roles. Due to Ethiopia’s lack of water, girls are withheld from
going to school because it is their duty to bring water home. They are sent to other locations to fetch
UNA-MN Climate Change High School Conference at Macalester College, November 2015 UN Department of Economic and
Social Affairs (UNDESA) Committee (Location: JBD Conference Room, Campus Center).
Topic: Water: Border Conflicts and Access
water, which can take them the entire day to do because of where their freshwater wells are located.
Also, because of how often drought hits villages in Ethiopia, there is an increase in infectious diseases
due to lack of water. The population has no water in which to bathe with, leaving areas unclean and
unsanitary and open to the spread of diseases. Food has become scarce in Eastern Africa due to lack of
water. Livestock are dying out leaving families to deal with hunger. This has caused tensions between
communities due to desperation to end thirst and hunger. Political strife is another conflict due to lack
of water. Tribes in Kenya and Ethiopia struggle to maintain peace due to desperation to find clean
water. This has also increased to the increase in proliferation of arms in Somalia. Finding clean, fresh
drinking water has become a daunting task, that now falls into politics. Not only this, but tensions have
risen between communities due to desperation to find water resources.
Tajikistan and West-Central Asia
Tajikistan and West-Central Asia struggle with water conflicts. There is a surplus of water
between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, but this has led to a mismanagement of water sources. In the
region, there has been an increase of ten million population wise since 2000, but because of this there
has been a decrease in resources due to overuse. Mismanagement of water has led to problems in
irrigation. Water was used heavily for irrigation, not leaving much for the rest of the populations also
causing depletion of the Syr Darya and the Amu Darya rivers. Population increase a leading conflict in
water disputes, but a lack of economy has caused tensions to rise nationally. Due to an economic fall,
nationalism is on the rise causing border disputes throughout West-Central Asia. States are not inclined
to work together, especially in water disputes. There has been a lack of communication on how to best
UNA-MN Climate Change High School Conference at Macalester College, November 2015 UN Department of Economic and
Social Affairs (UNDESA) Committee (Location: JBD Conference Room, Campus Center).
Topic: Water: Border Conflicts and Access
handle the freshwater crisis. Due to this regional tensions are at an all time high, and there seems to be
a lack of understanding between the states.
Pakistan and India
Pakistan and India have had a long history of conflicts. In this region, there has been a decline in energy,
fuel and electricity shortages and water shortages. Climate change is a major problem with the water
shortage facing Pakistan. Pakistan doesn’t get as much rainfall as they need as well. Also, local waste and
mismanagement of the resources have caused an increase in shortages and rapid depletion of Pakistan’s
water supply. According to the Asian Development Bank, Pakistan seems to be one the state with the
most water stressors. The people of Pakistan struggle to find clean drinking water and tensions are high
because of it. India and Pakistan have struggled politically, but this lack of water to the region has added
heightened stress. Political groups in India have called to end water supply to Pakistan. India has also
built water dams that has caused a shortage in water flow to Pakistan. While both Pakistan and India
have signed the Indus Water Treaty that was brokered by the World Bank in 1960, both states claim
each is a culprit in the water shortages. Lack in communication has caused this issue to increase in
tension and decrease in understanding on either side.
UNA-MN Climate Change High School Conference at Macalester College, November 2015 UN Department of Economic and
Social Affairs (UNDESA) Committee (Location: JBD Conference Room, Campus Center).
Topic: Water: Border Conflicts and Access
Laos, Cambodia, and Southeastern Asia
Southwestern Asia has struggled significantly with water conflicts. There has been an increase in
temperatures in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. This and a decrease in rainfall in the region has led to a
decrease in irrigation. Farmers have left their fields and rice paddles unplanted due to lack of water
access. Sanitation is also a key issue in water problems. Only about forty one percent of Southeastern
Asia has access to clean water. Lack of education and adherences to risks are among some of the top
issues in addressing this concern. Open defecation is still at an all time high, which affects the amount of
clean water the region attains. Natural disasters in this region also affect how much clean, fresh water
the region gets.
Increase in population of the major cities in states has caused an influx of people to major cities.
This has led to water disputes and lack of access to clean water for populations in this region. China has
deal with over 120,000 water disputes in the last twenty years. Most of the water conflicts arise in lack
of communication and sharing of ideas. Conflicts are based around misused water, lack of clean water,
and willing to work with the resources available. Also, there is an imbalance in what ways water is used.
In Southeastern Asia, countries are on the incline economically, but there is still a huge divide between
the industrial and agricultural parts of the states.
UNA-MN Climate Change High School Conference at Macalester College, November 2015 UN Department of Economic and
Social Affairs (UNDESA) Committee (Location: JBD Conference Room, Campus Center).
Topic: Water: Border Conflicts and Access
Work Cited
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http://pacinst.org/issues/water-and-conflict/
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http://worldwater.org/water-conflict/
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http://www.popsci.com/sites/popsci.com/files/import/2014/water-lightbox.jpg
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http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/asia/central-asia/233-water-pressures-in-central-asia.aspx
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https://www.stratfor.com/image/tensions-over-water-resources-central-asia
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http://thewaterproject.org/water-in-crisis-ethiopia
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http://pulitzercenter.org/projects/africa/water-wars-ethiopia-and-kenya
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http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/africa705/history/africa.html
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http://www.internationalwaterlaw.org/blog/category/middle-east/
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http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/13/world/asia/pakistan-braces-for-major-water-shortages.html
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http://thediplomat.com/2014/11/interview-the-india-pakistan-water-dispute/
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http://tribune.com.pk/story/765106/uneasy-neighbours-pakistani-experts-to-discuss-waterdispute-in-india/