So Lebanon's having some rough times (4M threatened by water shortages)

[Syt]

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/unicef-warns-millions-lebanese-face-water-shortages-2021-08-21/

UNICEF warns millions of Lebanese face water shortages

BEIRUT, Aug 21 (Reuters) - More than 4 million people in Lebanon could face a critical shortage of water or be cut off completely in the coming days, UNICEF warned, due to a severe fuel crisis.

Lebanon, with a population of 6 million, is at a low point in a two-year financial meltdown, with a lack of fuel oil and gasoline meaning extensive blackouts and long lines at the few gas stations still operating.

"Vital facilities such as hospitals and health centres have been without access to safe water due to electricity shortages, putting lives at risk," UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said in a statement.

"If four million people are forced to resort to unsafe and costly sources of water, public health and hygiene will be compromised, and Lebanon could see an increase in waterborne diseases, in addition to the surge in COVID-19 cases," she said, urging the formation of a new government to tackle the crisis.

[jimmy olsen]

I saw this last month, doesn't seem to be any light on the horizon for them.

The port explosion really put them on their knees.

[Eddie Teach]

A harbinger of the water wars.

[Syt]

Read this morning that since June the price of fuel has tripled.

[Josquius]

A harbinger of the water wars.

I have read theories the Syrian mess started up for the same reason

[The Larch]

A harbinger of the water wars.

I have read theories the Syrian mess started up for the same reason

It's no secret that one of the causes behind the Syrian Civil War was a massive multi-year drought that greatly increased food prices in the country and caused a mass migration of rural families to the cities.

[Habbaku]

Have sudden increases in food prices led to revolutions in the past? Nothing to worry about, surely? 

[Syt]

CNN had an article about increasing water scarcity in the region. It doesn't paint a pretty picture.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/22/middleeast/middle-east-climate-water-shortage-iran-urmia-intl/index.html

WaPo, too:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/aid-groups-millions-in-syria-iraq-losing-access-to-water/2021/08/23/b9b7bf16-03f4-11ec-b3c4-c462b1edcfc8_story.html

Then again, the Colorado is struggling, too:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/08/16/colorado-river-water-cuts-drought/

First-ever water shortage declared on the Colorado River, triggering water cuts for some states in the West

[Valmy]

So the initial article made it sound like this was a fuel shortage problem but now it looks like a general water shortage. I mean what is to be done? I mean there is plenty that a well functioning country might do, at considerable effort and expense, but that is not the situation in these countries. I am just at a loss as to what sort of action we should be taking here to prevent this disaster beyond just shipping in more fuel for electricity...and even that is unlikely to happen I suppose.

[Syt]

Not sure there's much we can do. I expect much of the Middle East will become quite difficult to live in within a few decades. There'll probably an exodus at some point. The rich ones can buy their passage, and the others ... well, we'll see, I suppose.

[The Brain]

What's the price of water on the world market?

[The Minsky Moment]

So the initial article made it sound like this was a fuel shortage problem but now it looks like a general water shortage. I mean what is to be done?

Money plus dry climate plus not so much tree cover + access to sea = solar powered desal plants.

[Tonitrus]

Time to call in the Templars of Mithra.

[HVC]

What's the price of water on the world market?

Hopefully doesn't get too high, don't want to get invaded for our sweet sweet Canadian water.

[Syt]

What's the price of water on the world market?

What are California water futures trading for? https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-06/water-futures-to-start-trading-amid-growing-fears-of-scarcity

https://www.cmegroup.com/trading/equity-index/us-index/nasdaq-veles-california-water-futures.html#

A new derivative solution to hedge water price exposure

The Nasdaq Veles California Water Index futures can help you manage the price risk associated with the scarcity of water in the largest water market in the US.

https://www.nasdaq.com/solutions/nasdaq-veles-water-index