The Future of Water
Water is the source of our life, but, at the same time, it is still one of the major sources of human disease and death globally. Nowadays there are three major water crises: shortage of fresh water supplies, inequitable access to water, and the corporate control of water. Businesses, which heavily depend on water supplies, predict that these problems will be even more acute in the near future, because countries start to make heavier demands on the scarce water supplies and the water deficit worsened as a result of the global warming. (3)
The consequences of the climate change that are directly aggravating the water crises are the spread of deserts, fueling armed conflicts and civic unrest, acidification of the oceans, and etc. Because of the growing number of natural and human-induced changes, which contribute to the escalation of water problems, the future is being pictured to be full of civil unrest, bust of economics (especially because of bad effects on the agriculture section), return of deathly epidemics, and mass migrations from Africa as a result of droughts. However, at the same time, specialists foresee a better prospect, which is suggested by the rise in water-saving technology development and better water management, and proposal of water conflicts solutions. (2)
The consequences of the climate change that are directly aggravating the water crises are the spread of deserts, fueling armed conflicts and civic unrest, acidification of the oceans, and etc. Because of the growing number of natural and human-induced changes, which contribute to the escalation of water problems, the future is being pictured to be full of civil unrest, bust of economics (especially because of bad effects on the agriculture section), return of deathly epidemics, and mass migrations from Africa as a result of droughts. However, at the same time, specialists foresee a better prospect, which is suggested by the rise in water-saving technology development and better water management, and proposal of water conflicts solutions. (2)
New Sources of Water
In addition to the more efficient usage of the existing supplies, for example through conservation, new sources of water are being developed. Despite being not completely straightforward to implement, new nontraditional sources (recycling, desalination, and underground storage) have a lot of advantages. (1)
Water membrane technology, the filtration method that removes large molecules and ions from solutions by applying pressure to the solution when it is on one side of a selective membrane, despite existing for over 30 years, has become extremely popular over the past decade. The increasing number of wastewater treatment facilities demonstrates the technology’s capability in meeting definite requirements. Not only does the membrane technology have a wider application range, but it also is much more economical then other alternatives. (4)
Desalination, the process of removing some amount of salt and other minerals from saline water, has been greatly improved by the usage of the floating nuclear power plants, which can be modified to produce 240,000 cubic meters of fresh water a day. (5)
Water membrane technology, the filtration method that removes large molecules and ions from solutions by applying pressure to the solution when it is on one side of a selective membrane, despite existing for over 30 years, has become extremely popular over the past decade. The increasing number of wastewater treatment facilities demonstrates the technology’s capability in meeting definite requirements. Not only does the membrane technology have a wider application range, but it also is much more economical then other alternatives. (4)
Desalination, the process of removing some amount of salt and other minerals from saline water, has been greatly improved by the usage of the floating nuclear power plants, which can be modified to produce 240,000 cubic meters of fresh water a day. (5)
Blue Covenant: The Alternative Water Future As the world population increases and the water deficit aggravates, the World Bank expects that by 2025, more than two-thirds of total population will not have access to the drinking water. In addition to water wars between many nations, the problem of inland privatization is very widespread. Large companies can claim whole rivers, or end up making water unusable for local residents, which is privatization through contamination. Other forms of privatization include bottling water and monopolizing purification technology.
Blue Covenant, written by Maude Barlow, is unofficially reigned as “the most important book that’s ever been written on the global water crisis”. It directly addresses all three of the global water crises and calls for a covenant among nations to determine fresh water as a human right and a public trust. This book suggests the three extremely important components (water conservation covenant, water justice, and water democracy covenant), each of which is designed to deal with each of the three water crises in the future. (3) |
Concept Questions
1. Why do you think the Blue Covenant, which was published in 2007, hasn't had a huge impact in real life yet? (water wars still exist and etc.)
2.`In you opinion, what is the most promising new nontraditional water source?
2.`In you opinion, what is the most promising new nontraditional water source?
Sources
1. Boscov-Ellen, Lisa. "Thirst for Profit: Corporate Control of Water in Latin America | Common Dreams." Common Dreams. Council on Hemispheric Affairs, 20 June 2009. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <https://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/06/20-3>.
2. Vidal, John. "Cost of Water Shortage: Civil Unrest, Mass Migration and Economic Collapse."The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 16 Aug. 2006. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2006/aug/17/water.internationalnews>.
3. Sobsey, Mark. "Drinking water and health research: a look to the future in the United States and globally". Journal of Water and Health. IWA Publishing, 2006. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.
4. "Membrane Technology". Web 29 Nov. 2012 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Membrane_technology>
5. Khamis, I. "Nuclear Desalination." World Nuclear Association. N.p., 2010. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf71.html>.
2. Vidal, John. "Cost of Water Shortage: Civil Unrest, Mass Migration and Economic Collapse."The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 16 Aug. 2006. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2006/aug/17/water.internationalnews>.
3. Sobsey, Mark. "Drinking water and health research: a look to the future in the United States and globally". Journal of Water and Health. IWA Publishing, 2006. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.
4. "Membrane Technology". Web 29 Nov. 2012 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Membrane_technology>
5. Khamis, I. "Nuclear Desalination." World Nuclear Association. N.p., 2010. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf71.html>.