Farmable land in the Middle East largely relies on sufficient access to river water to grow staple crops such as rice and wheat. Without access to river water, farmers are not able to irrigate the normally barren desert. Taking away water from farmers disenfranchises an entire class of people, leading to mass migration into urban areas, further straining ethic tensions and poor water utilities infrastructure.
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Population density maps indicate that populations are most compact along major water sources such as lake or rivers. Water is a vital source of life in the Middle East.
Damming rivers supply freshwater to nations further downstream for hydroelectric power and water storage. With diminishing water supply, nations downstream receive exponentially less water than those upstream.
Rising CO2 levels due to human consumption of fossil fuels has adversely impacted the Middle East. Global climate change has shifted reliable weather patterns, mitigating levels of rainfall and exacerbating regional droughts.
Desalination plants turn sea water into freshwater through lengthy and costly process
Pros -Effective/ proven process -Applicable to middle eastern regions -Can sustain freshwater supplies Cons -Costly to build and sustain energy wise -Contributes to greenhouse emissions/increases water salinity -Biproducts can have negative environmental effect if not disposed correctly |
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