Could water shortages be the cause of the next major international conflict? With around 1.8 billion people estimated to be living in water scarcity by 2025, water charity Just A Drop is posing just this question.
Some of the world’s most established and emerging economies – including parts of America, China, the Middle East, and India – are already suffering chronic water shortages.
Respected BBC journalist and presenter of BBC current affairs program HARDtalk Stephen Sackur will ask if worsening water shortages could lead to future international conflict.
Just A Drop patron Sackur will quiz leading international authority on climate change and senior advisor to Prince Charles’s Rainforest Project Andrew Mitchell and legendary explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell on the impact worldwide water shortages could have on the political landscape.
Just A Drop founder and chairman Fiona Jeffery said: “Water is such a significant resource and plays such a crucial role in many aspects of our lives.
“This importance could unfortunately lead to major international conflicts as countries battle to secure water supply in the same way oil has lead to international friction.
“The lecture aims to explore the issues while educating people of the importance of water and explore how we can all contribute to its effective use and at the same time help transform people’s lives.”
Just A Drop’s “Is Water The New Oil?” lecture – sponsored by Simpson Millar Solicitors LLP – takes place on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at the Royal Geographical Society, London SW7.
Simpson Millar Solicitors LLP Partner Jacqui Parker said: “Simpson Millar LLP is delighted to be sponsoring the Just A Drop Lecture, which will increase the awareness of water management problems facing the whole world. The lecture will help to raise valuable funds to help Just A Drop continue to alleviate water shortages in the areas that are most deeply affected.”
Tickets cost £15 each and can be purchased from www.justgiving.com/justadrop/lecture .
The event starts with a drink reception at 6:00 pm with the lecture commencing from 7:00 pm.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- Just A Drop patron Sackur will quiz leading international authority on climate change and senior advisor to Prince Charles’s Rainforest Project Andrew Mitchell and legendary explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell on the impact worldwide water shortages could have on the political landscape.
- The lecture will help to raise valuable funds to help Just A Drop continue to alleviate water shortages in the areas that are most deeply affected.
- “The lecture aims to explore the issues while educating people of the importance of water and explore how we can all contribute to its effective use and at the same time help transform people’s lives.
