Oil, Schmoil.

It has recently been raining cats and dogs in Northern California. Flooded roads. Mudslides. The works.

Hard to keep in mind what a precious and limited commodity fresh water actually is on this planet. Unless you are in one of the places where the water wars have already begun. The book has already been written, opening with a 1995 quote from a World Bank V.P. predicting "the wars of the [21st] century will be over water".

The trends are being studied, incidents mapped, regions of potential conflict identified, treatises written, doctorates obtained and data compiled. All this work will provide a bloodless outline for what is almost certain to be one of the bloodiest chapters in human history.

In some places, like India, privatization of formerly public water resources may be the spark.

In others, like Israel and Palestine, the conflict over dwindling water resources for burgeoning populations merely provides another compelling goad to antagonisms fuelled by decades of violence and religious hatreds.

Oil ? I can burn bio-diesel or frying oil in my car.

Water ? Without fresh water you are dead within 4 to 15 days, depending on your state of health.

You're in the city, as most people are. Water supplies collapse. The authorities organize trucked in water but it is closely rationed and sporadic. Your children are thirsty all the time. Out in the country the farmers have wells. And guns. The street corner orator is talking crazy about the injustice of these few having so much water and so many so little.

Coming soon to a planet near you.

Stay Naked.