Water Shortages and conflict
The risks of water shortages are growing, and, as they do, so does the potential for conflict. When patterns of economic development on either side of a political border are uneven, the potential for ‘water wars’ becomes a growing concern.
One rising soured of conflict is due to water availability from the Colorado River. For example, the Colorado may cause potential conflict between Mexico and the US in future years. 90% of water is extracted before it reaches Mexico due to its heavy usage; as a result the Mexican government is clearly angered due to the US’s excess use. This tension is further contributed as the US federal government are under pressure to not change water allocation, therefore meaning Mexico will continue to suffer the consequences and continue to extract more than its allocated share from the Rio Grande. Consequently this may affect US-Mexico relations if no change occurs, as a result the water supply from the Colorado may lead to conflict between these two countries. However, this is unlikely as this could affect relations in terms of NAFTA and reduce the US’s spatial division of labour which would increase costs, a consequence no major US Company will want. On the other hand, the Colorado River has potential the cause conflicts within the US. For example, California is accused of using water that increasingly urbanised states may need in the future. This may lead to increased tensions when states who require more water are suffering due to California’s excess use. A recent example is Arizona, who is beginning to take their full share of water, meaning farmers in Imperial Valley are being squeezed to supply water to LA and San Diego. This may actually provide conflict between farmers in Imperial Valley as more states are putting pressure on the Colorado, as a result many farmers will struggle for water in terms of having enough for irrigation and state supply. This could be a very likely outcome if water supplies continue to reduce as
One rising soured of conflict is due to water availability from the Colorado River. For example, the Colorado may cause potential conflict between Mexico and the US in future years. 90% of water is extracted before it reaches Mexico due to its heavy usage; as a result the Mexican government is clearly angered due to the US’s excess use. This tension is further contributed as the US federal government are under pressure to not change water allocation, therefore meaning Mexico will continue to suffer the consequences and continue to extract more than its allocated share from the Rio Grande. Consequently this may affect US-Mexico relations if no change occurs, as a result the water supply from the Colorado may lead to conflict between these two countries. However, this is unlikely as this could affect relations in terms of NAFTA and reduce the US’s spatial division of labour which would increase costs, a consequence no major US Company will want. On the other hand, the Colorado River has potential the cause conflicts within the US. For example, California is accused of using water that increasingly urbanised states may need in the future. This may lead to increased tensions when states who require more water are suffering due to California’s excess use. A recent example is Arizona, who is beginning to take their full share of water, meaning farmers in Imperial Valley are being squeezed to supply water to LA and San Diego. This may actually provide conflict between farmers in Imperial Valley as more states are putting pressure on the Colorado, as a result many farmers will struggle for water in terms of having enough for irrigation and state supply. This could be a very likely outcome if water supplies continue to reduce as