In 21st century, world’s natural environment is started to change. Also, human population is increasing ultimately and some countries facing some problems in resource management. “Water” is the one of these resources. Water is the main substance of human being. Human race requires water to quench one’s thirst, cleaning and many many main activities. Clearly result of this, governments which main object is meet the needs have to supply water to their citizens.
On the contrary, some countries do not have enough water supplies for their people. Some countries like Saudi Arabia must import water due to haven’t got enough water supplies for their citizens. On the other hand, some countries like Canada exporting water. Linda Duffin (2006) notes that “Canada has, by some estimates, up to 20% of the world’s fresh water supplies and only 0,5% of the world’s population.”. In addition, United States was not bad for this water situation in the past but because of some reasons, United States started to export water from their neighbor: Canada. Canada and United States have got one of the most unguarded borders in the World. Due to the fact that, this border area’s big part is water and it’s called Great Lakes Region. This region is including Superior Lake which is the biggest lake of the World after Aral Lake, Huron Lake, Erie Lake, Ontario Lake and finally Michigan Lake which in United States. Great Lakes Region has got great fresh water supplying and of course results of this, United States and Canada governments had to make agreements in this sensitive fresh water sharing situation. Boundary Waters Treaty and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) can be showed for to regulate water problems between United States and Canada. Unfortunately, some communities do not looking good to these agreements and due to this condition Canada and United States have some problems for about water issues.
Actually, Canada and United States do not have bad relations. Approximately $400 billion per year is the volume of border trade between these countries. Due to the Middle East crisis, Canada is gain importance for about United States’ energy importing situation. As a result of that, they are facing environmental problems including water. These problems can be solved with cooperative working. The International Joint Commission giving a chance for solves these problems to United States and Canada. The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 signed with this commission’s activities. Unfortunately, these two countries have got not only water problems. Canadian animals which closed United States’ can be given for an example between two countries problems. Clearly results of this, there are also other agreements between these countries for solve trading and environmental problems of course. Up to these days, Canadians are more satisfied than Americans but United States’ behaviors to Canada are changed. In those days, Americans policy for about this situation is more aggressive than older policies in their history. As a natural result of this, discords between United States and Canada will be raised in the future.
In October 21, 2007, Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper said we are working on a “national water strategy”. On the contrary, instead of this, government is continued to trading water with United States. In April 2007, Canadian and American governments are signed a treatment about water: North American Future 2025 Project. Also, two countries were talking about “water transfers”. After that, House of Commons are agreed this treatment 134 to 108.
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River are the most largest fresh water supplier of world. Only these two regions is resolve 45 million people’s water needing. Also, they are solving 50% of Americans water needing. In addition, Agriculture of Canada’s 25% is depends this two source. People want migrate to regions which have enough water supplies since many many years. Because of that, Ontario side of the Great Lakes population is increased due to immigration from Somalia, Sudan, China and India.
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement is a chance for regulate the management of the Great Lakes. On the contrary, due to the United States which a superpower, there are always a force to regulate conditions. For instance, Annex 2001 which represented by Council of Great Lakes Governors, could be complementary for the Great Lakes Charter. It could be determine a standard for water diversion. Annex created for protect to Great Lakes. On the contrary, main target was giving the permission to exporting water from Great Lakes. There was no sign for this condition’s effects.
When looked to Canada from Americans side, Americans only see great green lands, natural resources, lakes and rivers. On the other hand, Canada’s north have extremely cold climate. Clearly, Canada can be looked from outside like a heaven but reality is not this. Also, Canada can be endowed with lakes and rivers these are true but this situation should not bring an idea to people like all of them available for fresh water. Although Canada has great opportunities for about water situation, this isn’t same thing as renewability. If human race don’t stop draining water from this resources, eventually it will shrink. However, there also renewable resources depend on raining and snowing. But, this is a natural equality system and effects which made from humanity can turn this equality to inequality.
In other words, Canada is famous as a water rich in the world but there can be water problems even Canada. For instance, Lake Superior’s water levels are decreased because of the water diverted from Chicago canal to Lake Mississippi. Canadians have a consciousness in these situations. For example, when it rains, you cannot irrigate your farm. But due to these protections, Canada can be facing with water problem in the future because of the water exportation and global warming which effects raining and snowing frequency.
United States is one of the most industrialized countries of the world. Natural result of this, United States are facing with environmental problems. Water problem is coming through first. California and Arizona states which supplying their recommend from Colorado River are facing water problem that days. In addition, as Vegas state which supplying their water resource from Lake Mead are facing in water supplying problem due to Lake Mead’s shrinking.
United States government had to solve this water problem but instead of the protecting their water and making plans for about water protection and make their people more consciousness they choose easy way, export water from their neighbor Canada. On the contrary, United States is not fully unfair in this water problem. Because, Canada has got great water supplies and they have enough water for their people. United States government wants export water from Canada. Importing from Canada is not a new thing for United States. Canada export even oil to United States and this is not in small amounts on the contrary huge amounts even more than Saudi Arabia. Not only oil, Canada also exports natural gas and uranium to United States. These resources are going to finite in the future. On the contrary, water is renewable.
Most of Americans trust North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). United States can be used their rights which depends on this agreement. But Canadians don’t trust Americans in these environmental situations. United States is in a struggle for their benefits in this water problem. In this struggle, Americans favorite gun is media power. Wikileaks documents improve this. United States government always serving news to media for about Canada’s great resources but also adding this: “Although United States in drought some estimates, Canada doesn’t want to share their water with United States.”. In these days, Americans moves are working. International Joint Commission is affected from United States’ pressing and their decisions.
When we looked objectively, both sides have a point. Firstly, we look as a Canadian. United States is a country which usually doesn’t care about these environmental situations up to the facing problems. As Shyrban writes that if they are not managing water properly in the U.S and they run out, it’s no answer to simply divert Canadian water. Canada exporting all their natural resources to United States and one day these resources are going to be finished. Contrary to common belief, water is one of these finite resources. As mentioned about before in this article, immigration, global warming and American’s water importing come through in the reason of water shrinking. Also, in Canada’s north, water problem can be appeared in the future. Because, Canada’ North which closer to North Pole is completely rainless. If Canada cannot protect their water, one day even Canada will be facing with drought problems.
When we look as an American, we can see Canadians are not completely right. In some estimates, United States having drought problems and their neighbor is world’s water rich: Canada. Also, United States, Canada and Mexico signed North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and Americans have rights from this treatment. Even United States government is faulty, as Steven Shrybman has noted “Water needs to be regarded as a fundamental human right not as a commodity.”
To sum up, these water problems between United States and Canada have not an extremely hard solution. Because, two countries are in cooperation from many years and it’s a win win situation. It’s true, Canada can be face with drought in the future but if it is happens, the entire world will be worse than Canada and eventually Canada will share their water. On the other hand, Canada must have to take money for it, of course. But, environment problems are more important than money. Because of that, Canadians should give their water to Americans but both countries should make laws to protect their water. Not just this, of course. Also, American and Canadian people should have a consciousness for about these water problems and governments have to start working on this subject immediately. Last of all, Canada and United States not are enemies, they are neighbor and both countries can share fresh water supplies but in addition to these, both countries have to protect water and they make laws preventing wastage of water.
