Blue Gold: World Water Wars

Blue Gold: World Water Wars from PBS, first aired in 2008, is a hard-hitting, eye-opening documentary that explores the global and often hotly contested issue of freshwater scarcity. The storyline revolves around the world's rapidly diminishing water supply, revealing startling truths about this pressing issue. This captivating 90-minute film is a comprehensive exploration of a looming crisis that some fear may lead to the next great global conflict.

Based on the book “Blue Gold: The Fight to Stop the Corporate Theft of the World's Water” by Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke, the documentary illuminates the worldwide struggle over declining fresh water resources. The film does an excellent job of showcasing how corporations and governments are rushing to control access to water, with the potential of making it a rationed commodity.

Filmmaker Sam Bozzo masterfully weaves together various narratives, instances, and accounts from around the globe, bringing to light the magnanimity of this issue. The film uses stunning cinematography to capture the beauty and fragility of the world's water sources, offering a visual feast that accentuates the importance of the message it carries.

The documentary's premise lies in the fact that less than 1% of the world’s water is readily available for human consumption. Yet, the demand for water is ever-increasing due to the world's growing population, industrialization, and climate change. Blue Gold presents a vivid snapshot illustrating the potential for future global conflict if water resources continue to dwindle at the current pace.

Blue Gold provides a careful and detailed examination of numerous aspects of the world's water crisis. The film takes its viewers on a journey from regions plagued by water scarcity, such as Africa and Asia, to the heart of water-rich nations, like Canada, that find their national sovereignty threatened by international trade agreements. The documentary also shows the fallout of water depletion, including river destruction via dams, mining pollution, and mass human displacement.

The film employs interviews with scientists, activists, and scholars who share their expert insights and firsthand experiences about the water crisis. This expert commentary allows viewers to dive deeper into the topic, understand its undeniable gravity, and appreciate the need for immediate and lasting solutions. These narratives are interspersed with cases of communities standing up and fighting for their right to water, lending an empowering edge to the film.

Moreover, Blue Gold does not stop at merely uncovering the problem; it goes a step further to suggest potential solutions for the crisis. It explores the idea of water sustainability, highlighting the importance of rethinking water usage and advocating against its commodification. It also discusses the role of civilians, industries, and governments in conserving and sustainably using water resources.

The documentary does an exceptional job of interlacing the elements of science, politics, economics, and human rights, providing a comprehensive and grounded perspective of the water crisis. Whether it's shedding light on corporations' water buyouts, corrupt governments turning a blind eye to illegal dumping, or innovative solutions for water conservation, the film presents an educationally rich and balanced view of the complexity of global water issues.

At its core, Blue Gold: World Water Wars serves as both a wake-up call for humanity and a bold plea for a global commitment to preserving and saving one of our planet's most vital resources—all before it is too late. While the topic is indeed grave, the film adopts a hopeful tone, believing in humanity's ability to change its ways and stop the commodification of the world's water supply.

This documentary from PBS is a must-watch for anyone interested in the environment, sustainability, global politics, or the emerging geopolitics of water scarcity. By situating itself at the intersection of environmentalism and human survival, Blue Gold: World Water Wars is not just an exploration of a global issue, but a timely and compelling call to arms.