water conflictsWater conflicts is one of the resources topics of the course, looking at the range of conflicts associated with supply and demand as well as the patterns linked with water as a resource.
Water supplies and water quality vary considerably on a global scale - conflicts arise as a result causing a wide gap with growing demands and less supplies/reserves of water. Climate change also has an impact on a more global scale as it is a context hazard affecting everyone on our planet. Water supply in China Water supplies as well as sanitation is undergoing a massive change as well as facing huge challenges including a widening gap between rich and poor and rapid urbanisation. Water scarcity, contamination and pollution are also subsequent problems. However, despite the problems China still faces, developments have been made during the past decades in terms of increased access, water treatment, the creation of water and wastewater utilities. According to survey data analysed by the Joint Monitoring Program for Water and Sanitation of WHO and UNICEF, about 100 million Chinese still did not have access to an improved water source in 2008. Contamination of drinking water is desperate problem in China, also in other developing countries. As a result, these cause serious illnesses, for example hepatitis and diarrhea. A UNICEF survey found that in 11 provinces over half of all drinking water samples contained high leaves of bacteria.
China currently, is facing a shortage of water - this is because of a changing climate and rapid development. In 2013, China, for the first time, issues water quotas to every province setting targets for yearly consumption by 2015. |
This is a BBC report created in 2003 which highlights the water conflicts in Isreal/Palestine. Especially in the Middle East, water is an important resource, possibly considered more important than anything else. The reliability of the supply is crucial. Life isn't possible if it isn't effectively in place.
How do you think the Middle East can make sure that the population all has access to water? Do you think that water should be a basic human right? For want of a drink - Economist special report
This article by The Economist describes water as 'finite, vital, much wanter, little understood' - take a look at this article and summarise a few of the key points in the article. There's also some really useful stats:
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The documentary below 'A World Without Water' is a must watch clip highlighting different problems surrounding water in different areas.