Why Might We Fight? International Resource Conflicts and Water Security in South America

Abstract

In a context of accelerated climate change, increasing scarcity, and global population growth, environmentalissues and natural resources have become a matter of heightened concern for international security.Competition for access to and use of scarce natural resources are increasingly part of the nations’ geostrategicpolicies. South America, one of the richest regions in the world in terms of natural resources, especiallywater, attracts the international interest. This article builds up a picture of such water resources and presentsevidence suggesting the urgent need for more effective cooperation among South American states to establishguidelines for the management and defense of the region’s natural wealth.