Crossing the (watershed) divide: satellite data and the changing politics of international river basins

摘要: Acquiring freshwater resources is a necessary component of sustainable human settlement subject to increasing pressure from population and climate changes. This sometimes scarce resource primarily comes rivers, international river basins (IRBs), where watersheds watercourses cross political boundaries, are often spaces great tension conflict worldwide. Such potential has garnered interest wide range research communities, each emphasises public access hydrologic data as integral successful management IRBs. However; these data, especially measurements flow rate, closely guarded state secrets. Satellites have been cited key technology set challenge this monopoly that yet unable calculate rate without some form ancillary data. Now, at-many-stations hydraulic geometry (AMHG) offers means circumventing limitations any priori information, the forthcoming NASA/CNES Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite also promises estimate rates solely its novel following launch. In paper, we explore how newly available estimates could reconfigure water-management interstate relations in IRBs, demonstrate AMHG, for two cases: Ganges–Brahmaputra Mekong. For find retrievals will likely reinforce favour state-level negotiations water governance. Also, can direct, concrete effect improving understanding upstream Ganges–Brahmaputra, sorely needed advance positively benefit millions Bangladeshis affect interactions between India, China, Bangladesh. Finally, avoid offering prescriptive solutions case, local stakeholders ultimately determine if such be used.