Global Water Issues Confronting Humanity

Water's central role in the biosphere implies that several of the large issues confronting humanity are in fact related to water: pollution, desertification, water scarcity-related conflicts, water-logging of mismanaged agricultural lands, forest die-back, eutrophication, and fish kill, to mention a few. The article identifies a number of reasons why man has not been able to solve water-related problems at lower hierarchical levels: complexity of water vs. simplicity with which it is being addressed; impact as non-professional perceptual differences leading to widespread communication problems; deep involvement of water in the generating, spreading and growth of environmental disturbances; and upstream/downstream dichotomies in international river basins. The global policy dimensions of water are clarified: on the one hand, the global circulation system of a resource that incessantly transcends international boundaries; on the other, the fact that water problems are common to all countries. After selected examples of past efforts in global problem-solving, the discussion concentrates on the UN Water Conference in Mar del Plata in 1977 and the extremely weak follow-up of its many recommendations and resolutions. The explanation is sought in pitfalls and barriers similar to those operating at lower hierarchical levels. Special emphasis is placed on decision-makers' tendency to react to perceived rather than predicted problems, on an almost extreme administrative fragmentation, and on the general absence of a body combining overall overview with overall responsibility in the field of water. The article closes with the pessimistic observation that there are indeed limited alternatives to global policy-making, and that there is not much time for delay. Mankind will have to pay the price in terms of quality of life and futures foregone.