Archive for May 7, 2011

Erkin | May 7, 2011
No comments

Security and Water

Complex relationships exist between water and the security of individuals, communities, nations, and the global community as a whole. The vital role of water in daily life and economic activity underscores its importance to a secure and stable world. Water resources and the provision of water services involve political decision-making, and extreme types of conflict can escalate into violence, terrorism, or war.

Gleick (2000) provides a timeline of water conflicts throughout history, categorizing them according to the basis of the conflict and the actors involved.

  • State and non-state parties fight over water supplies or access to water supplies (control dispute).
  • Nations use water resources or water systems as a weapon during a military action (military tool).
  • State and non-state parties use water resources or water systems for political goals (political tool).
  • Non-state parties use water resources or water systems as a target or tool for violence or coercion (terrorism).
  • Nations use water systems as a target for military action (military target).
  • State and non-state parties argue over water resources or water systems in the context of economic development (development dispute).

Military and terrorist actions are of particular concern to security experts and those who are responsible for managing water resources and water systems.  Read more

Category: Article |
Erkin | May 6, 2011
No comments

Desert Hydrology

Deserts are arid regions, generally receiving less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) of precipitation a year, or regions where the potential evaporation rate is significantly greater than the precipitation. In most cases, deserts possess a high average temperature with large differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures. Arid regions can also be defined as environments in which water is the limiting factor for biosystems . This means that survival

This desert in Valley of the Tsauchab, Namibia illustrates the vegetation, desert crust, and occasionally pooled water that characterize these arid regions. Annual rainfall in Namibia’s coastal desert is 50 millimeters (about 2 inches).
of life in these regions involves a constant struggle to obtain this limited commodity and to draw the maximum benefit from it. Read more

Category: Article |
Erkin | May 4, 2011
No comments

Did you know…? Facts and figures about World Water Day

  • 828 million people live in slums or informal settlements that are scattered around the world’s cities; the biggest challenge is to provide these people with adequate water and sanitation facilities.
  • The urban poor pay up to 50 times more for a liter of water than their richer neighbours, since they often have to buy their water from private vendors.
  • Due to rapid urbanization, cities face a growing demand for water and sanitation services. To meet this demand, cities are going deeper and further, which leads to over-exploitation of water resources.
  • Pollution typically refers to chemicals or other substances in concentrations greater than would occur under natural conditions. Read more
Category: Facts and figures |