Blue Gold: World Water Wars, was an informative film that explored various aspects of water problems around the world. Based on the book, written by Maude Barlow and Tony Clark, Water Wars first investigates what our current water problems are and how they affect the human race on a global scale. Next, the film examines how both corporations and politics influence water rights. The documentary then analyzes water wars, as a fundamental violation of human rights, and finally examines possible solutions to this global water crisis. Water is essential for life. Without water we would die in a few days. The first human civilizations were founded on rivers: without them, society would not have advanced and we would still be primitive hunters and gatherers. The land is deforested, eroding and then hardening to such a level that water can no longer enter the ground, turning into a desert. In addition to the obvious environmental damage caused by desertification, it also negatively affects humans who rely more on groundwater for their water source. We can only estimate how much groundwater remains, but aquifers are rapidly sinking. Sinkholes appear more and more often and entire cities have disappeared due to this sinking (Ubar). Aquifers are being depleted, it is estimated that we are pumping 15 times more than we are replenishing. Many farmers rely on this water for irrigation, if these aquifers were to dry up and not replenish in time, we would have a massive food shortage on our hands. The film also shows the destructiveness of dams. Water, such a precious resource, is used to produce energy (hydroelectric power). But we need water more than energy. The water held in dams is essential for downstream ecosystems. Nutrients and sediments are retained and this actually causes more erosion downstream. Nutrients in surface water die and create an oxygen-free environment. This leads to water quality problems and releases methane (which contributes to climate change). Dams are “clogging the arteries” in the heart of the world. The war for water has been going on for centuries, in fact the word “rivals” derives from the word “river”, from those who fought over the rivers. The United States hasn't seen a major water war since 1934, when a group protested the construction of a new dam and the National Guard was eventually called in. However, in India they are very common. Farmers fight among themselves over the Kaveri River, at one point the fighting led to the kidnapping of a Bollywood star. Many confuse these wars as religious wars, but in reality they are fought over resources, particularly water. The most impactful example shown by the film is that of the protests in Bolivia. Water had been privatized there and the government enforced this privatization very strictly. No one could get their own water, including rainwater, without breaking the law. Water prices were very high and there were protests against the company. The government protected the company vigorously, and when the protests turned violent, police killed hundreds of innocent civilians. Eventually, thanks to the hard work of the protesters, Bolivia terminated the contract with the company and the water was free. This was very serious, however, violence around water is not uncommon. In fact, many believe that if we pinpoint the places where there will be water shortages, we will also pinpoint the places where social unrest will occur.