The increased frequency and intensity of severe storms and floods in certain locations due to climate change has also affected the distribution of water on the planet, or the hydrology of our Earth. Now, scientists fear that water scarcity in drier countries will get worse, thus fueling conflict. This has already begun in some regions. Two Norwegian environmental scientists explain.

Dr. Ånund Killingtveit, University of Science and Technology, Norway: It’s (hydrology) a vital thing because there is little water in many places, especially in the Nile Basin. There’s been a lot of conflict as you probably know in the Nile Basin. So there is a competition.

Dr. Knut H. Alfsen, Center for International Climate and Environmental Research, Norway: We are redistributing water on this globe. We are melting glaciers, it will affect the water supply to billions and billions of people, which will have to move, because people don’t live where there is no water. So we are creating, or making a setup for social conflict on a grandiose scale. So it’s very much threatening the sustainability of the globe.

VOICE: Also related are the millions of environmentally displaced, whose numbers increased to an unprecedented 37 million last year, according to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Dr. Killingtveit and Dr. Alfsen speak on the urgency to act before even more societies and nations are adversely affected.

Dr. Ånund Killingtveit: We have to drive less, use less coal.
 
Dr. Knut H. Alfsen: Use local resources, try to minimize transport. Try to buy things that are produced and grown in your local neighborhood.

VOICE: We are grateful for the research on hydrology by scientists such as Dr. Killingtveit and Dr. Alfsen of Norway. May the essential resource of water be preserved and its supply cycle stabilized so that the world’s people may live in health, safety and peace.