Water Crisis
Water Crisis in UAE
Introduction
Water crisis refers to the situation where the available water within a geographical location cannot meet the water needs of the population in that location. This prevalent situation has drawn considerable attention in most countries due to its severity to humanity. Because of the tripling of the population in the 21st century, the demand for water has remained considerably higher than the available clean and safe water. Despite the fact that the earth is covered by seventy percent of water, only four percent of this water is fresh. The rest is saline. Additionally, out of the fresh water, sixty-nine percent consists of glaciers, while the rest is available as surface or underground water. As a result, only one percent is available for direct human consumption, which is relatively less than the human demand (Jennifer, 2010). This condition has necessitated most countries to embrace the option of underground water or desalinization to sustain the ever-increasing demand for water. Similarly, climate change has considerably contributed to the worldwide water crisis. Due to global warming, the level of water loss on the earth’s surface has increased especially in tropical regions. This with other factors has led to water crisis.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), water crisis has been on the rise with the increase in population. With the rapid growth in population influenced by the booming economic activities within the country, the need for clean and safe water has increased surpassing the supply. The country’s climate, characterized by little precipitation because of high temperatures and low humidity, contributes to the water crisis. The temperatures, which fluctuate between 400C and 200C during the year, significantly influence the long run average precipitation. The country’s precipitation levels are an estimated 80 mm per year (Environmental Agency, 2010). This situation is alarming especially in consideration to the growing
Introduction
Water crisis refers to the situation where the available water within a geographical location cannot meet the water needs of the population in that location. This prevalent situation has drawn considerable attention in most countries due to its severity to humanity. Because of the tripling of the population in the 21st century, the demand for water has remained considerably higher than the available clean and safe water. Despite the fact that the earth is covered by seventy percent of water, only four percent of this water is fresh. The rest is saline. Additionally, out of the fresh water, sixty-nine percent consists of glaciers, while the rest is available as surface or underground water. As a result, only one percent is available for direct human consumption, which is relatively less than the human demand (Jennifer, 2010). This condition has necessitated most countries to embrace the option of underground water or desalinization to sustain the ever-increasing demand for water. Similarly, climate change has considerably contributed to the worldwide water crisis. Due to global warming, the level of water loss on the earth’s surface has increased especially in tropical regions. This with other factors has led to water crisis.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), water crisis has been on the rise with the increase in population. With the rapid growth in population influenced by the booming economic activities within the country, the need for clean and safe water has increased surpassing the supply. The country’s climate, characterized by little precipitation because of high temperatures and low humidity, contributes to the water crisis. The temperatures, which fluctuate between 400C and 200C during the year, significantly influence the long run average precipitation. The country’s precipitation levels are an estimated 80 mm per year (Environmental Agency, 2010). This situation is alarming especially in consideration to the growing
References: Ali, F. (2010). Development of water stress index as a tool for measurement of water stress areas. International Sustainable Development, 1(1), 551. Boberg, J Environmental Agency. (2010). Impact, vulnerability and Adaptation in the UAE. Climate change and the UAE, 1(1), 52 Jennifer, k. (2010). Global water intelligence. International Issues, 42(1), 25-85. Landrais, E Mehmet, O. (2000). Water balances in the eastern Mediterranean. Ottawa: International Development Research Centre. UAE.Report (2008.) Waterbury, J. (1997). Yes, California, there is a water crisis: observatins on the UN water conference. Hanover, NH: American Universities Field Staff. World Bank Report World, Bank Report (2010). Regional Desalinisation study for the Middle East. World Bank Reports, 1(1), 13.