An interesting article in the Mexican Vanguardia, explaining why in a capitalist system the human right to water is worth less than the profits of the oil companies. That’s what you get, when the so-called market (i.e. money) decides:
Why can oil be transported around the world, but not drinking water?
Oil moves around the globe through complex logistical and commercial networks, while millions of people still do not have access to safe drinking water.
In a world where clean water is a human right and oil is a strategic energy resource, it is contradictory that it is easier to transport the latter than to ensure access to the former. Why can oil move easily across oceans and continents while millions of people lack clean water?
The answer is not simple, but it can be understood by looking at key factors such as cost effectiveness, available infrastructure and the sanitary conditions required for each resource.
DIFFERENCE IN ECONOMIC VALUE
One of the main reasons why oil travels the world and drinking water does not is the economic value per litre. Oil has a high energy value and is essential for industry, transport, power and more. This makes transporting it economically viable on a global scale.
Drinking water, on the other hand, has a low commercial value per volume, making it generally uneconomical to transport over long distances, except in emergency situations or in very specific sectors such as luxury tourism or oil rigs.
LOGISTICS AND DENSITY: AN OBSTACLE FOR WATER
Water is very heavy and bulky: one litre equals one kilogram. Transporting large quantities requires a lot of energy and space, making it expensive to distribute. Oil is also dense, but its value per tonne is so high that it offsets the logistics costs.
In addition, drinking water requires a specialised sanitation infrastructure to maintain its quality all the way to its destination. If not properly preserved, it can become contaminated and unusable.
OIL INFRASTRUCTURE VS. WATER SUPPLY
The oil industry has an international network of pipelines, refineries, tankers and port terminals that has been developed over decades. This network allows crude oil to be transported from the point of extraction to any part of the world.
Drinking water, on the other hand, relies mostly on local sources. Long-distance supply solutions – such as desalination plants, inter-regional pipelines or wastewater recycling systems – are expensive and in many countries simply do not exist.
THE TYPE OF RESOURCE AND ITS USE
Another important difference is the purpose for which it is used. Oil is a strategic commodity for industry, transport and energy production. Governments and companies have strong incentives to move and store it globally.
Drinking water is a daily commodity and perishable. Its quality can easily deteriorate and requires constant treatment. It is also considered a human right, not a tradable resource like oil.
FUN FACT: ISRAEL AND WATER TECHNOLOGY
Israel, a country with extreme water scarcity, has managed to supply its population with technologies such as seawater desalination and wastewater recycling. More than 80% of the water used for domestic purposes in Israel is recycled, a world record. However, these systems are very expensive and beyond the reach of most developing countries.
WATER: ABUNDANT BUT POORLY DISTRIBUTED
Although 70% of the planet is covered by water, only 2.5% is fresh, and only a fraction of that is available for human consumption. Geographical distribution also plays a role: while some countries have an abundance of natural sources, others depend on imports, storage or advanced technologies.
IS THERE A SOLUTION?
Bringing clean water everywhere is not a matter of will alone, but of solving a complex equation between technology, financial resources and governance. The key is to invest in local infrastructure, promote sustainable technologies and protect natural water sources.
While oil is transported around the world thanks to its high value and decades of global infrastructure, clean water remains a logistical and economic challenge. Resolving this contradiction is one of the great challenges of the 21st century, not only for reasons of social justice, but also for reasons of global survival.
