Water Security in the Anthropocene: A Dialectical Water–Man Interaction Model

Abstract

The impacts of human activities have been detected in geological strata by rock radiometry and fossil recognition. They represent the timeline of Man–Nature interaction in different periods of climate change over a long duration. A notable exception is the human footprint during the industrial period, starting in the 18th century. Due to the severity of human impact during the last few decades, some scientists have suggested calling this era the “Anthropocene”. One of the main challenges in the Anthropocene is to achieve water security with innovative approaches aiming to improve natural water resources management, policy, and governance. In this paper, it is suggested to reformulate the Water–Man interaction as the union of two opposites: conflict and cooperation. Their dialectical unification by conflict resolution leads to a new model of water resources management and policy that can initiate a harmonious symbiosis between Man and nature, minimize externalities, and increase water resilience.