20 July 2012
NTS Alert (Jul 2012)
Abstract
Environmental change is regarded by many geopolitical experts as one of the biggest threats to international security in the coming years. In Southern Asia, its impact on rivers, and thus water security, is projected to be substantial. Such change, exacerbated by China’s water policies in the region that affect the flow of Tibetan rivers, could lead to increased socioeconomic, resource and political tensions. Against this background, this NTS Alert presents an overview of the impact of environmental change on the rivers of Southern Asia as well as on the existing river water sharing arrangements in the region; and argues that the future of these agreements could be imperilled by environmental change, particularly with the shifts being amplified by China’s river water management policies.
Abstract
Environmental change is regarded by many geopolitical experts as one of the biggest threats to international security in the coming years. In Southern Asia, its impact on rivers, and thus water security, is projected to be substantial. Such change, exacerbated by China’s water policies in the region that affect the flow of Tibetan rivers, could lead to increased socioeconomic, resource and political tensions. Against this background, this NTS Alert presents an overview of the impact of environmental change on the rivers of Southern Asia as well as on the existing river water sharing arrangements in the region; and argues that the future of these agreements could be imperilled by environmental change, particularly with the shifts being amplified by China’s river water management policies.
