International conflict triggers and potential conflict points resulting from food and water insecurity

A Workshop Report by Future Directions International:

Over the next 40 years, there is a high probability of a global food and water crisis. This will result from population pressures, an increasing shortage of fresh water and a decline in access to arable land. The result will be demand exceeding supply due to competing interests, including environmental pressures, poor governance, high levels of food wastage, pre- and post-harvest losses and inadequate research.

All these factors will put upward pressure on the price of food. Unfortunately, those most affected are the least able to afford price increases.

There have been tensions between, and within, states over access and control of food and water. The signs of an impending crisis suggest these tensions will increase.

This paper summarises the conclusions reached during a series of workshops conducted by FDI over the last 18 months, including the recent workshops on conflict points held in March 2012.

H/t: Australian Policy Online