New Delhi

Scarcity alone doesn't seem to be the reason. Poverty, and inequalities in income and power contribute primarily to this fear. But the moot point is what is the context and perspective to this looming likely scenario?

Whether water will become the new oil depends upon who is asking this question and what's the premise. Trade warriors see this as a future commodity and therefore will create market conditions to do so.

Environment campaigners see this as mismanagement and abuse. And finally, people see this as the potential for conflict arising out of diminishing supplies or scarcity.

We have enough examples at home wherein states are engaged in constant bickering over a share of river water supplies.

However for the moment lets go by some of the startling facts as shared by the UNICEF website purely highlighting the water scarcity:

Four billion people - almost two thirds of the world's population - experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year.

Over two billion people live in countries where water supply is inadequate.

Half of the world's population could be living in areas facing water scarcity by as early as 2025.

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Some 700 million people could be displaced by intense water scarcity by 2030.

By 2040, roughly 1 in 4 children worldwide will be living in areas of extremely high water stress.