Lesson’s 8’s topic of water as a political entity was thought provoking, it also carried me back through the time I spent in Cambodia and Thailand. Riding down the Mekong in a rickety boat, hope it doesn’t flip….This week, it was mentioned that water can be a source of conflict, and power. In the example from the lesson, China built dams that had far reaching effects on the countries further down the Mekong river, such as Thailand and Cambodia. There are several communities in both countries that rely on the Mekong for the lively hood, especially poor fishermen. Restricted flow damages their trade, and main source of income and food. They are often forced to find and seek out other forms of livelihood, such as farming, which is more often than not, damaging to their environment. This is due inpart to China’s dams. This goes to show, how powerful water is, and how it can be a political entity. Perhaps the countries in Southeast Asia will try to find a way to take back control of their water and lives.
