WATER: The BLUE GOLD of the 21st CENTURY

It has suddenly become clear that humanity is actually destroying the world's freshwater supplies. In fact, the world is running out of clean water.

One of the most pressing and urgent new struggles on the international ecological front revolves around the future of the world's freshwater resources. Until very recently, most environmentalists and activists who were dealing with issues concerning water were unconcerned about the political question of the ownership of water. There seemed to be an abundant supply of freshwater around the world, even if it was unevenly distributed. Most concerns centred on water quality-toxic dumping, destruction of wetlands, industrial pollution-or water equity-the lack of access to clean water in the Third World. In both cases, pressure was placed on governments to stop the destruction of water systems and relieve the suffering of the poor. In both cases, it was assumed that there was water for all if governments fulfilled their responsibility. The notion that water itself would become a major bone of contention was non-existent.

In the last decade, however, two new developments have changed everything. The first is that it has suddenly become clear that humanity is actually destroying the world's freshwater supplies. In fact, the world is running out of clean water. We are polluting, diverting and depleting the wellspring of life at an astonishing rate. With every passing day, our demand for fresh water outpaces its availability, and thousands more people are put at risk. Already, the social, political and economic impacts of water scarcity are rapidly becoming a destabilizing force, with water-related conflicts springing up around the globe. Quite simply, unless we dramatically change our ways, between one-half and two-thirds of humanity will be living with severe freshwater shortages within the next quarter-century.

The second development is, as a result of the new scarcity of accessible fresh water sources, water is becoming the "Blue Gold" of the 21st century-a precious commodity that will determine the fate of nations and societies. Suddenly, the private sector has become intensely interested in the future of water and is moving in to take control of this finite and depleting resource. This should come as no surprise, for the knowledge of this looming water crisis comes in an era guided by the principles of the so-called Washington Consensus, a model of economics rooted in the belief that market economics constitutes the one and only choice for the whole world. Unlimited growth is the driving mantra of our time. And nation states are ruthlessly exploiting their water supplies to stay competitive.

Faced with the suddenly well-documented fresh water crisis, governments and international financial institutions are advocating a Washington Consensus solution: the privatization and commodification of water. Price water, they say in chorus; put it up for sale and let the market determine its future. For them, the debate is closed. Water, says the World Bank, is a "human need" not a "human right." These are not semantics; the difference in interpretation is crucial. A human need can be supplied in many ways, especially by those with money. No one can sell or trade a human right.

And so, a handful of transnational corporations, backed by the World Bank and the World Trade Organization, are aggressively taking over the management of public water services in countries around the world, dramatically raising the price of water to local residents and profiting especially from the Third World's desperate search for solutions to its water crisis. Their agenda is clear: Water should be treated like any other tradable good, with its use determined by the principles of profit.

Recently, a civil society movement has sprung into action to reclaim the world's water for nature and people. Based on the twin foundations of conservation and social justice, this movement is working furiously to stop the corporate theft of the earth's lifeblood. The political question of the ownership of water is shaping up to be one of the great contests of our time.

Maude Barlow is the National Chairperson of The Council of Canadians and a Director with the International Forum on Globalization. She is the best-selling author or co-author of 14 books, including, with Tony Clarke, Blue Gold, the Fight to Stop Corporate Theft of the World's Water, which has been published in 17 countries.