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How Big Water Projects Helped Trigger Africa’s Migrant Crisis
October 17th, 2017
Via Yale’s e360, a report on how major dam and irrigation projects are drying up the wetlands that sustain life in the arid Sahel region of Africa, resulting in a wave of environmental refugees: People in the northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri gather along the seasonal Ngadda River, which feeds into Lake Chad. The Hadejia-Nguru […]
Read more »Water Shortages Fuel Conflict
October 7th, 2017
Via Nexus Media, a look at how drought amplifies the potential for violence in the developing world: Human survival depends on access to water. It sustains living bodies and nourishes the land. Wars have been waged over water, often called “blue gold,” for centuries. Not surprisingly then, prolonged drought renders societies volatile. When drought strikes a particular […]
Read more »Water Stress is Helping Drive Conflict and Migration
September 27th, 2017
Via the World Resources Institute, commentary on the connection between water stress and conflict & migration: Water stress and drought are as old as civilization, and while human beings have devised many ways to guard against these threats, economies have evolved in ways that make us more vulnerable. Recent water-related tragedies in Syria, Africa’s Sahel […]
Read more »The Link Between Drought And Riots In Sub-Saharan Africa
September 27th, 2017
Via Africa Daily, a look at the relationship between periods of drought and rioting: The scientific community has been working on the possibility of a relationship between periods of drought and rioting for several years. The University of Geneva (UNIGE), operating in partnership with the universities of Heidelberg (Germany) and Lucerne (Switzerland), has formally verified this […]
Read more »Boko Haram: Exacerbating and Benefiting From Water Insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin
September 19th, 2017
Via Future Directions International, analysis of the impact of water insecurity on Boko Haram’s growth in the Lake Chad basin area: Key Points The Lake Chad basin suffers from multiple security stressors, including widespread unemployment, poverty and conflict. Rising food and water insecurity exacerbates the tensions that arise from these stressors. Food and water insecurity […]
Read more »Tackle Middle East Water Scarcity To Save Money, Boost Stability: World Bank
September 9th, 2017
Via Reuters, an article looking at the impact of water scarcity on stability and growth in the Middle East: The Middle East and North Africa region loses about $21 billion each year because of an inadequate supply of water and sanitation, the World Bank said on Tuesday, warning urgent action is needed to prevent ripple […]
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