Turning to the animal life of inland waters, the report says that 24 per cent of mammals and 12 per cent of birds are threatened. Between 34 and 80 fish species have become extinct since the late nineteenth century, six since 1970. Only about 10 per cent of the world’s fish species, the majority from inland waters, have been studied in detail, yet one third are at risk.
International Conflict and Cooperation
As demand for water grows, there is much talk of looming water wars. The report presents empirical data indicating the contrary. While water scarcity will intensify conflicts between States, there is little evidence to suggest that these situations will explode into full-fledged water wars.
The report highlights the findings of a study of every single water-related interaction between two countries or more over the past 50 years. Of the total of 1,831 interactions, the overwhelming majority, 1,228, were cooperative. They involved the signing of about 200 water-sharing treaties or the construction of new dams.
There is a total of 507 conflictive events. Only 37 involved violence, of which 21 consisted of military acts (18 between Israel and its neighbours).
International Conflict and Cooperation
As demand for water grows, there is much talk of looming water wars. The report presents empirical data indicating the contrary. While water scarcity will intensify conflicts between States, there is little evidence to suggest that these situations will explode into full-fledged water wars.
The report highlights the findings of a study of every single water-related interaction between two countries or more over the past 50 years. Of the total of 1,831 interactions, the overwhelming majority, 1,228, were cooperative. They involved the signing of about 200 water-sharing treaties or the construction of new dams.
There is a total of 507 conflictive events. Only 37 involved violence, of which 21 consisted of military acts (18 between Israel and its neighbours).