Water Conflicts
Publisher: The International Encyclopedia of Geography
Author(s): Jacob D. Petersen-Perlman and Aaron T. Wolf
Date: 2017
Topics: Conflict Causes, Cooperation, Renewable Resources
The transboundary nature of water may lead to conflicts regarding its use. Yet, entities, both national and international, are more likely to cooperate over water than to engage in conflict. While the risk of water conflict may be exacerbated by several factors, institutional capacity, in the form of treaties or river basin organizations, has been found to both prevent water conflict and enhance water cooperation.