Opinion: Water can work for peace — but more investment is needed

Climate change-induced disasters and conflict now regularly make headlines, but not enough attention is paid to the role that water can play as a stabilizing force in these crises — and not enough investments are being made into water, sanitation, and hygiene.

This year, the United Nations World Water Day’s theme is “Water for Peace.” It aims to raise awareness and inspire global action to use water as a catalyst for stability and international cooperation.

Water can play different roles in conflicts, both as a trigger and as a weapon: Water scarcity can drive violence when states or water users clash over the availability of resources, or when water quantity or quality decreases. It can be used as a means to gain control over territory or populations or to influence opponents. And water can be a casualty of conflict when resources or systems are intentionally or incidentally targets of violence, and civilians can see their wells poisoned or attacked and water infrastructure destroyed.