Abstract Africa's human population is growing rapidly and is set to account for 40 percent of global numbers by 2100. Further development of its inland waters, to enhance water and energy security, is inevitable. Will it follow the development pathway of industrialized countries, often destructive of ecosystems, biodiversity, and river-dependent social structures, or can it chart a new way into the future based on global lessons of equity and sustainability? This essay tracks the global and African growth of the benefits and costs of water resource developments, explores the reasons for the costs, and offers insights on new scientific thinking that can help guide Africa to a more sustainable future.

中文翻译：

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非洲的活河流：可持续发展管理

摘要 非洲人口正在迅速增长，到 2100 年将占全球人口的 40%。进一步开发其内陆水域以加强水和能源安全是不可避免的。它会遵循工业化国家的发展道路，通常会破坏生态系统、生物多样性和依赖河流的社会结构，还是会根据全球公平和可持续性的教训为未来开辟一条新道路？本文跟踪全球和非洲水资源开发的收益和成本的增长，探讨成本的原因，并提供有助于引导非洲走向更可持续未来的新科学思维的见解。