Indonesian Deputy Minister Says Future Wars May be Fought Over Water, Not Fuel

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Environment and Forestry Alue Dohong has said that water could potentially trigger wars in the future between countries around the world.

This is likely because water capacity is decreasing as a result of being threatened by environmental problems, he explained.

"Fresh water could be a factor in triggering wars in the future. In the future, we will not (wage) war over fuel oil, but over water," he said at the Environmental Vocational Agency Convention on Saturday.

Dohong explained that currently, the availability of water is decreasing over time, as seen in Africa, and it is possible that this would also happen in other countries.

The availability of clean and suitable water for daily needs is declining because the environment is currently dominated by rubbish and other pollutants, which are contaminating rivers, soil, etc.

"If people want to survive, they have to drink, so instead of dying, I will just fight to get that water," he said to illustrate his point.

He then reminded that environmental engineers are facing the challenge of developing a water management mechanism, especially one that is affordable for the community.

Engineers have the task of purifying water sources in places that are currently dumping grounds for rubbish and waste, so that potential wars over water do not break out in the future.

"Engineers can develop affordable water treatment. This water is essential. River water and groundwater are now filled with rubbish and waste disposal," the deputy minister said.

ANTARA

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