https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/unicef-warns-millions-lebanese-face-water-shortages-2021-08-21/
QuoteUNICEF 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.
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.
A harbinger of the water wars.
Read this morning that since June the price of fuel has tripled.
Quote from: Eddie Teach on August 23, 2021, 12:42:58 AM
A harbinger of the water wars.
I have read theories the Syrian mess started up for the same reason :ph34r:
Quote from: Tyr on August 23, 2021, 02:42:11 AM
Quote from: Eddie Teach on August 23, 2021, 12:42:58 AM
A harbinger of the water wars.
I have read theories the Syrian mess started up for the same reason :ph34r:
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.
Have sudden increases in food prices led to revolutions in the past? Nothing to worry about, surely? :frog:
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/
QuoteFirst-ever water shortage declared on the Colorado River, triggering water cuts for some states in the West
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.
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.
What's the price of water on the world market?
Quote from: Valmy on August 23, 2021, 11:45:03 AM
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.
Time to call in the Templars of Mithra.
Quote from: The Brain on August 23, 2021, 11:55:19 AM
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.
Quote from: The Brain on August 23, 2021, 11:55:19 AM
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#
QuoteA 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
Quote from: Syt on August 23, 2021, 03:04:43 PM
What are California water futures trading for?
About $900 per acre foot. But that's a local (CA) price.
I have read of some projects like re-greening the sinai that could have a decent impact on improving the climate on a local level.
The middle east is in a rough place though, hit on both sides by their own local environmental destruction and global warming.
This is the solution to our water/green energy problems... :P
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BN-350_reactor
Quote from: Tonitrus on August 26, 2021, 02:35:14 AM
This is the solution to our water/green energy problems... :P
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BN-350_reactor
A Soviet era nuclear plant? Pass. :P