Fighting the Deluge of Water Challenges
This summer, multiple regions of the globe have been hit by water-related disasters, ranging from bone-dry droughts to devastating floods. An international group of water experts is warning of severe social and economic consequences unless significant investments in infrastructure such as irrigation systems and dams.
Speakers at the World Water Congress in Vienna told attendees that infrastructure has to more than double from $80 billion to $180 billion to keep pace with the effects of population growth and climate changes.
According to the World Bank, the major water challenges we face include lack of access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation, water scarcity and extreme weather events resulting from climate change. It is estimated that four billion people will be affected by these challenges in the near future, especially in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.
Without sustained investment in water infrastructure like irrigation systems and dams, the results could be dire, especially for developing countries. This summer’s news headlines are further evidence. Haiti and other Caribbean countries are reeling from four back-to-back hurricanes, the flooding in Bihar, India is the worst in 50 years, and countries from Australia to Ethiopia are experiencing record droughts.
With the effects of water challenges accelerating so rapidly, it remains to be seen whether world leaders will have the foresight to effectively address these problems preventatively, or be stuck playing catch up — with deadly results.
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Water Crisis
The lack of basic sanitation and clean drinking water are common problems plauging most countries in the developing world. Due to the lack of infrastructure developing nations invest into their own land, people are continually at risk for water-borne diseases and severe malnourishment. The death toll rises in countries in South-east Asia and Africa simply because people are dying due to preventable causes. When natural disasters occur, people in these countries are put at even further risk. It is imperative that governments in South-east Asia and Africa make efforts to reduce the annual death toll that accompanies natural diasters by building basic irrigation systems to provide their people with the utmost basic living standards i.e. clean water, sanitation systems. Investment in such initiatives will only help progress developing countries in their efforts to overcome the extreme poverty so many people are living in.
Water
It seems to be a no-brainer that African governments should put a lot of resources into building wells all over the countries especially the rural areas. You would assume that this smart idea will be adopted and implemented.
I know that one of the first things that a lot of “middle class” Nigerian’s in America embark on for their families back home is financing a well or borehole for their families back in Nigeria. The cost is not exorbitant and it alleviates a lot of problems associated with water borne diseases. The priorities of governments and the basic needs of the population are never the same. One would think that the success of UNICEF’s (http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/nigeria_1468.html) programs that team up with local government to provide clean water will be duplicated all over.
I agree that additional wells
I agree that additional wells would be beneficial, but depending on governments and donations may not be as effective as Playpumps for example :
http://www.playpumps.org/site/c.hqLNIXOEKrF/b.2589393/k.30EE/The_PlayPum...
The advertising helps fund the actual well, but can also be a continuing source of revenue. The pump becomes a merri-go-round for children and takes out the back breaking work of actually pumping water. And the health and educational information help spread important messages in a location where many will be able to see them.
approach with caution...
Although it is seemingly obvious that building more sophisticated water systems along precarious waterways would inevitably prevent a lot of damage, one must also consider the cultural implications that come with it. For example, the Meekong river serves as a cozy home for the many peoples that base their lives around it. These small cultures have spent a historically long time developing an intimate relationship with their natural surroundings. Therefore, this river serves as the traditional base of their culture, and most aspects of their lives revolve around the ways in which they interact with it. Whether this be farming or traditional ceremonies, bombarding this waterway with a extremely sophisticated set of controls would disrupt and endanger the delicacies of their nature-dependent culture and lifestyles.
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