In the century of drought
— Water as a reason for war and a
political instrument of power
— Unique overview of global water
conflicts
— Foreword by Wolfgang Ischinger Every year, droughts in African countries cause hundreds of thousands of deaths and much
suffering. Europe also experienced drought in 2022's summer of record temperatures. Without
water, there can be no life. More and more people are suffering from water shortages. Climate
change is fuelling the distribution battles for water; violent conflicts over this precious resource
are the order of the day. Whether the protests in Iraq, the war in Syria, in the Himalayas, the Nile
conflict and in many other places, water is already a reason for war and is being misused as a
political instrument of power. The construction of huge dams, the targeted closure of locks, river
diversions, water and land grabbing bring wars over the "blue gold" with them. In a unique
overview, journalist Jürgen Rahmig describes the struggle for
water in the 21st century. Where do dangers lurk today; where
will they be tomorrow, and how can we prevent wars over
precious water?
