Over the past few years, the issue of water consumption has gained impressive significance. Because of the lack of focus on the seemingly renewable source and the scale to which it is used, major overuse of the specified resource has been detected. According to the existing evidence, the sphere of public utilities could use a major improvement in terms of instructing people on the wise use of water (Makki, Stewart, Panuwatwanic, & Beal, 2013).
A closer analysis of the problem will reveal that, on the household level, overconsumption of water occurs during taking a shower most of the time (Russel & Fielding, 2010). The specified phenomenon can be explained by the fact that controlling the use of water in the course of taking a shower is quite complicated for most people.
Moreover, it is a tradition for a range of people to leave the tap running while they are busy performing other actions, such as soaping their hands, shampooing their hair, etc.: Residential water consumption has been found to be influenced by the use of efficient water appliances (Makki et al., 2013, p. 132), which means that showering is the procedure that leads to massive waste of water.
Water conservation, in its turn, may solve the issues described above. Although the present-day strategies for proper water use seem quite legitimate, the fact that most people tend to overuse water resources cannot be doubted.
According to recent research, the rates of water overuse have increased from 80 to 111 l/day per person (Makki et al., 2013, p. 138), which is beyond deplorable. Nevertheless, water conservation, as one of the key strategies for addressing water overuse, especially during shower time, is a legitimate solution to the existing situation.
The solution to the problem is quite simple and just as obvious, yet admittedly costly and painstaking, as it will require a massive campaign for raising awareness regarding the issue of water overuse. In other words, the issues of water overuse and the idea of sustainable consumption must be spread across the state so that the U.S. citizens could be invested into the issue and concern themselves with locating the solutions to the problem.
The problem is quite challenging not only because of the wide range of target demographics that need to be embraced but also because the peoples mind frame needs to be altered. Water is the substance that people are used to taking for granted; therefore, it rarely occurs to average citizens that they contribute to the development of a major catastrophe. Thus, the campaign to be held needs to use, especially persuasive arguments.
Apart from the attempts at convincing the citizens of the U.S. that there is an urgent necessity to save water or, at the very least, stop its consistent overuse, the incorporation of technological advances allowing for controlling the usage of water must be suggested. The recent technological breakthrough has opened a plethora of opportunities for improving the present-day system of public services in general and the provision of water in particular.
For instance, the incorporation of water-saving showerheads in the design of showers can be viewed as a possibility and a chance for altering the current water consumption rates: Efficiency behaviors refer to oneoff behaviors such as installing water-saving showerheads or rainwater tanks that facilitate ongoing water savings (Russel & Fielding, 2010, p. 2).
Individual Case Study
In order to prove that careful and economical use of water is possible without installing valves on taps or using any other technology, our group carried out a series of experiments. The first experiment to be held concerned the evaluation of the amounts of water used in the course of daily showering, as well as the study of the techniques that could possibly reduce the rates of individual water consumption.
For the necessary calculations to be carried out, certain preparations have been made. In order to measure the water flow of the tap that was used for showering, the researcher installed a bowl under the water tap. After leaving the tap running on its average speed for half a minute, the researcher collected the water from the tap in the above-mentioned bowl and measured the volume of the water in it. Originally, it was planned that the tap should be left running for a minute, yet it was not possible to find a suitable bowl.
It should be noted that the water collected in the course of the experiment was later on used for washing dishes and, therefore, was not wasted. According to the results of this part of the experiment, approximately eight liters of water is used per minute.
Seeing that I spend 15 minutes in the shower on average, the daily consumption of water makes approximately 120 l, which is obviously beyond admissible. Therefore, the next stage of the experiment included a search for the means of reducing the amount of water used in the process of showering.
The third stage of the experiment, which was carried out during Week 5, included the implementation of the key strategy for reducing the amount of water consumed during shower time. Specifically, the time spent on showering was reduced by three minutes. As a result of the given change, it became possible to save around 24 l of water on a daily basis. While the specified change could be viewed as a major improvement, it was still far too minor to have any effect on the overall water consumption rates that I displayed.
For the fourth stage of the experiment, the approach known as Navy showering (How to save water at home, 2014) was used. By definition, the specified strategy helps cut the volume of water used for daily showering to an average of 11 l (How to save water at home, 2014). According to the existing descriptions of the technique, the concept of Navy showering involves turning off the water when performing any action that does not require rinsing or using water in any other way (e.g., the process of soaping, shampooing, etc.).
The effects of the use of the Navy showering technique were beyond impressive; not only did I reduce the amount of water used per minute of showering, but it also made the time used for the procedure drop by 12 solid minutes. Consequently, only 24 l of water were wasted in the process.
However, the experience was overall unpleasant; moreover, the process of showering was not as efficient as it used to be with the traditional methods used. It seems that the Navy shower technique might work in a specific environment, where water scarcity dictates specific rules for water use; however, as far as the traditional everyday environment was concerned, it did not seem to be either efficient or recommendable. Herein the necessity to resort to a different approach lied.
Despite being barely applicable for everyday use, the Navy shower technique served as the basis for developing another strategy, which was tested during Week 6 of the case study. Specifically, the habits to turn off the tap when the water was not needed, to avoid turning the water on so that it operated on its full capacity, and to avoid spending much time under the shower were developed. As a result, the total amount of minutes spent under the shower dropped to seven.
Moreover, the volume of water used for showering was cut by nearly half, which is obviously a major accomplishment in terms of saving water resources. When viewed on a larger scale (e.g., the use of water city- or statewide), the idea of saving water during shower time seems quite promising.
It is assumed that the technique specified above will allow for reducing the amount of water used in the course of showering by 23,360 l per year. The drop in water consumption that was demonstrated with the help of the experiment described above is very impressive; it shows that the problem of water scarcity may be partially resolved once people comply with the approach provided above and consider reducing the time and water spent on their daily showering procedures.
Moreover, the specified approach may spark the concept of sustainable use of water in the household. The strategy incorporating the analysis of water used for daily showering and the approach for reducing both the amount of water used and the time spent in the shower may lead to a grand improvement in the current water consumption rates, therefore, triggering an opportunity for supplying more water to the regions with the scarcity of the above-mentioned resource.
Reference List
How to save water at home. (2014). A Dawn Journal. Web.
Makki, A. A., Stewart, R. A., Panuwatwanic, K., & Beal, C. (2013). Revealing the determinants of shower water end use consumption: enabling better targeted urban water conservation strategies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 60(1), 129146.
Russel, S. & Fielding, K. (2010). Water demand management research: A psychological perspective. Water Resources Research, 46(5), 112.
Without exception, all living organisms on earth include water as one of the main components of any cell. However, the role of this element is not only in the formation of life but also its maintenance since this seemingly ordinary liquid plays an enormously essential role in the existence of the human and the representatives of flora and fauna. Two hydrogen molecules and an oxygen molecule, which together form a chemical compound of water, serve as a valuable source of cell nutrition. They help to not only strengthen the human body but also to stimulate the growth of plants, participate in the natural processes of air saturation with important components, and provide nourishment for cellular structures.
This element of life is present on Earth in sufficient quantities, but one of the global problems that humanity has faced is the pollution of water resources. Despite the large reserves, many big and small reservoirs contain harmful products, which is the result of anthropogenic interference. The importance of water conservation on Earth is one of the priorities of the modern world since human health and the entire surrounding world directly depend on the quality of this natural resource and its preservation. As a separate region for analysis, the situation with water conservation in Albania will be considered.
Based on statistical data, it is possible to find out whether pollution is a topical issue in the country and what potential measures are to be taken to improve the current situation. The use of up-to-date information is a valuable source of obtaining the necessary facts for analyzing and conducting appropriate intervention aimed at preserving the countrys water resources.
Relevant Statistics on the Countrys Water Quality
In order to consider the situation with water resources in the country, it is possible to cite the official statistics presented by the European Environment Agency for 2015. As a research object, the state of the bathing waters of Albania was assessed, and since there are many reservoirs in the country, the report is quite extensive. In accordance with the data of the survey conducted in 2015, only 32.1% of all the bathing waters were of sufficiently high quality (European Environment Agency). The acceptable condition was assessed in 50.0% of the waters (European Environment Agency). Finally, 39.7% of Albanian bathing reservoirs were rated as those with poor water quality (European Environment Agency).
As the report shows, the relevance of work in relation to the cleaning of water resources from pollution is essential in the country. Moreover, based on the results of the same study, the indicators deteriorated significantly compared with previous years. In 2013, only 8.2% of the bathing waters were noted as those that had a high level of pollution, and in 2014 1.4% (European Environment Agency).
In accordance with these data, it is crucial to emphasize the relevance of intervention aimed at working in relation to the cleaning of Albanian bathing waters. Otherwise, the situation may worsen if insufficient measures are taken. The population and, in particular, industrial organizations are to be aware of the importance of protecting natural resources and value existing wealth. Relevant advocacy should be carried out to alert people about the global pollution of water resources and what the consequences are for future generations. For this purpose, it is required to describe what virtues pure water has for human health.
Health Benefits of Water
Water has a number of indisputable advantages over other liquids that people face every day. They include those products that are usually referred to as food: tea, coffee, juices, and other substances. Certainly, it is not necessary to abandon the use of these beverages completely. However, it is essential to be aware of the virtues of water and its advantages over other liquids. As it is known, the human body, for the most part, consists of water that not only forms tissues. This element is responsible for the dissolution of oxygen and performs the transport function for blood cells. In addition, water directly influences a number of the most important processes in the body. Despite its simple structure, it has many valuable properties.
In the human body, water acts as a binding substance that connects the solid components of all cells. In particular, these are cell membranes that perform the role of barriers. Passing through tissues, water produces energy, which is the driving force of the body. Moreover, the neural processes in the brain are also carried out by this fluid, which makes it even more valuable for the human.
It is impossible to neglect the use of water and to replace it with other liquids constantly. When abandoning it and consuming various hot and cold drinks, there is a risk of dehydration. In the process of evolution, humanity has developed a protective mechanism. It is a thirst that signals the lack of water in the body. While refusing to take it and drinking much tea, coffee, and other drinks, a person loses the natural feeling of thirst, which can lead to dire consequences.
For example, it is doubly dangerous to use natural coffee instead of water since caffeine in this drink leads to dehydration and dulls the feeling of thirst. Moreover, there are other threats that thermally treated fluids carry. Boiled water loses its original structure and turns into a useless liquid. Also, the composition of coffee and tea includes natural stimulants that are addictive, and in the future, it becomes difficult to abandon these drinks.
The value of water for the body can be determined by the following theses:
The balanced availability of water in the body significantly reduces the risk of diseases of the excretory system, the formation of stones in kidneys and gallbladder, and relieves constipation;
Water contributes to the absorption of nutrients by the human circulatory system and internal organs;
The consumption of the required amount of water reduces the likelihood of severe illnesses for people, including the diseases of the heart, kidneys, bladder, and breast and colon cancer;
Water activates the process of excretion of toxins, slags, and other harmful substances from the human body;
Water contributes to normal digestion and dulls the feeling of hunger, which allows the human to control his or her body weight;
A sufficient amount of water in the body improves the brain and circulatory system, reducing the risk of strokes;
Water is a binder for muscles and joints, which reduces their inflammation and prevents injuries during physical exertion, such as muscle strain.
It is essential to note that only pure water is beneficial to the human body. The use of an unprepared liquid is fraught with serious problems, including dangerous ailments. The installation of filter systems allows protecting water consumption and achieving its purification at home. However, when speaking about large reservoirs, additional security measures should be taken by the authorities to ensure safe processing and supply to people.
Main Sources of Water Pollution
Water pollution is the process that makes the water unsuitable for its further use, and it is one of todays global problems. There are several main sources of pollution, and household pollution is the most common and well-known. Performing daily needs, for instance, cooking, washing, cleaning, and other procedures require using water. In addition to private use, the resources that are used for social needs should also be taken into account putting out fires, washing streets, and various communal needs.
All the liquid used turns into domestic wastewater and enters the sewer. In its dissolved form, there is a huge amount of soap, laundry detergents, bleach, and other household chemicals in it. In addition, it also contains various organic and food waste. Also, thawed and rainwater wash away those substances that accelerate the melting of snow and ice, sand, salt, and other harmful compounds from sidewalks and roadways. All the drains often enter remote basins, and afterward, dirty water gets into large reservoirs and, as a result, pollutes them.
One of the largest sources of water pollution in developed countries is industrial activities. The liquid often acts as a coolant; it can be used for washing various materials and is often utilized as a means of storing certain substances. Most of the wastewater comes from such industries as oil refining, pulp and paper, ferrous metallurgy, and the organic synthesis industry. Moreover, thermal pollution should also be mentioned since it is one of the frequent forms of contamination. When relatively clean water is thrown into rivers and lakes, but its temperature is slightly higher compared to that in a reservoir, it can have quite dangerous consequences for the fish population and may be fraught with the growth of algae and weed plants.
Agriculture is another area that is characterized by high water consumption. In this industry, it is actively used for irrigation, and when draining, it contains soil particles and various chemical compounds (insecticides, inorganic and organic fertilizers, herbicides, and other harmful productions). In addition, a huge amount of organic waste from farms processing agricultural products gets into the water. Therefore, activities in different industries can be hazardous to natural resources, and the additional effects of contamination should be mentioned.
The Impact of Pollution on the Environment
First of all, under the influence of pollution, the amount of oxygen in water decreases. It is due to the active decomposition of organic residues by aerobic bacteria. Those creatures that live in polluted reservoirs die both under the action of harmful substances and due to the lack of oxygen to support life. Also, the aforementioned thermal pollution of water leads to a decrease in oxygen concentration. Due to the saturation of water with certain types of pollution, the process of eutrophication accelerates, which leads to the rapid overgrowing of lakes and ponds and their disappearance.
No less dangerous is infection with pesticides that are used in agriculture to combat insects, weeds, and other pests. They are environmentally unsafe and tend to accumulate in various organisms, circulating within food chains. Their structure is not amenable to chemical or biological decomposition. Another danger is the radiological contamination of water. Chemical isotopes are inherently resistant to transferring various environments and, like pesticides, they able to circulate in food chains. Radiation, as it is known, can destroy the tissues of living organisms, cause genetic mutations, sterility, and even death.
Together with industrial wastewater, hazardous heavy metals enter water reservoirs. They also tend to accumulate, and a person who eats even frozen fish exposed to a poisonous substance may die. All of these factors account for the urgency of finding appropriate abatement measures, and one of them is purification and filtration.
Water Purification and Filtration Methods
Realizing that freshwater pollution threatens human existence, government agencies create requirements for the operation of enterprises and the behavior of people at the national and international levels. This framework is reflected in specific documents regulating the procedures for monitoring water and the operation of cleaning systems. There are different methods of filtration, which are used depending on the type and volume of pollution, as well as the final goals.
Mechanical filtration methods prevent large objects from entering water reservoirs. For this purpose, special gratings and filters are installed on pipes through which the drains flow to delay them. The timely cleaning of pipes is required; otherwise, clogging may cause accidents. Specialized filtration is designed to capture pollutants of one particular type. For instance, there are traps for fats, oil spills, or flocculent particles, which are deposited with the help of coagulants.
Chemical filtration implies that wastewater is reused in a closed cycle. Therefore, knowing the composition of specific waste, it is possible to select those chemicals that are able to return water to its original state. As a rule, it is technical water and is not meant to be drunk. Finally, tertiary cleaning provides an opportunity to use water in everyday life, agriculture, or the food industry, and the quality of such a product is to be impeccable. To do it, water is treated with special compounds or powders that are capable of retaining heavy metals, harmful microorganisms, and other substances in the process of multi-stage filtration.
The Rational Use of Water Resources
The rational use of water resources is currently an urgent problem. It is primarily the protection of water spaces from pollution, and since industrial effluents occupy the first place in terms of the volume and damage they cause, it is essential to solving the problem of their discharge into rivers and lakes. In particular, it is necessary to limit discharges into water reservoirs and improve the technologies of production, purification, and disposal.
Also, a crucial aspect is the collection of fees for the discharge of wastewater and pollutants and the transfer of collected funds for the development of new non-waste facilities. It is necessary to reduce the size payments for the environmental pollution to enterprises with minimal emissions and discharges, which will serve as a priority to maintain a minimum of discharge or its reduction in the future. Apparently, the ways of solving the issue of water pollution in the world lie primarily in the development of an advanced legal framework. Therefore, it is significant to support the system that would protect the environment from harmful anthropogenic impact, as well as to find opportunities to put these laws into practice.
Modern Methods of Control over Water Pollution
Control over water pollution by remote and non-contact methods is carried out using aerial photography. Specific images obtained from space are widely used to study the contamination of the World Ocean, the structure and directions of the sea currents, ice cover, snow melting, and other processes. Determining the ratio of areas covered and not covered with ice is of great interest for flood forecasting. Photographs provide an opportunity to establish floodplains and river deltas filled with water, ancient river beds, and water quality in large reservoirs and streams. The analysis of such images allows characterizing the salinity of coastal zones, water erosion, and the areas of groundwater outflow to the surface.
Those services that perform such procedures provide an opportunity to receive a comprehensive understanding of the Earths water resources and select scientific recommendations for their use. This activity is significant since humanity faces the danger of chronic water hunger, and the lack of this valuable resource may be an urgent issue not only in arid regions of the planet but also in other places. Oceans pollution is one of the aspects of the general problem, and the main resources contaminating water include oil, domestic and agricultural wastewater, and radioactive substances.
One of the indicators of water pollution is the change in its temperature. All the measurements are carried out by active radar methods. The temperature of the water surface is fixed by the detector accurately, and modern equipment is utilized to receive the most precise data. On the whole, the activities that are performed today to protect water are large-scale. However, despite the work that is conducted, the issue still exists, and relevant actions need to be taken to protect the global water reserves from pollution.
Work on the Control over Water Pollution in Albania
Despite the disappointing data from recent statistics, the level of water pollution in Albania is not critical in order to abandon any ways of improving the current situation. According to Grazhdani, one of the relevant issues is non-point source pollution (NPS) (82). As the author remarks, in Albania, NPS has become a major problem in recent years due to more human interactions and disturbances to natural landscapes (Grazhdani 82).
Nevertheless, recent attempts by the government to control this issue suggest that relevant work is done, and new ways of combating the dangerous pollution of the countrys water sources are sought. The state agencies seek to understand the relationship between residents attitudes and actual behaviors regarding NPS pollution control and community-based watershed management policies (Grazhdani 82). The desire to improve the current situation is a positive trend, and if the dynamics of work are stable with respect to this issue of environmental protection, significant changes for the better can be achieved.
Conclusion
The assessment of risk factors, current statistics, and possible protective measures are those procedures that allow determining the threat of water pollution water and suggesting the potentially successful ways of solving this problem. The value of water on the planet is significant, and the deterioration of this elements quality is fraught with problems both for representatives of the flora and fauna and humans. This natural resource is the component of almost all processes occurring in living organisms. The types of pollution may be different, and relevant protection measures are to be taken. The situation in Albania is not critical, but the state should pay attention to the alarming statistics and do everything possible to improve the current indicators of water purity in the country.
Works Cited
European Environment Agency. Not on Albanias Bathing Water Quality. Web.
Graziani, Dorina. Contingent Valuation of Residents Attitudes and Willingness-to-Pay for Non-Point Source Pollution Control: A Case Study in AL-Prespa, Southeastern Albania. Environmental Management, vol. 56, no. 1, 2015, pp. 81-93.
Every form of life depends on water for existence. Water is also critical for most industrial processes. However, misuse and pollution of water are making it a very scarce commodity although most of the world population does not realize this. This paper describes water scarcity, factors behind the scarcity and the possible methods of protecting and conserving it.
At an industrial level, a good water management plan (WMP) is mandatory. Apart from saving water, the good WMP benefits the industry in various other ways. These are described in the paper. It also considers various methods of saving water at home and the possibility of forced water conservation in cases where consumers are ignorant.
Introduction
What is water? How and why do we need to conserve it? These are very important questions when considering sustainability of life in the future. Most people especially in the developed world do not realize that sustainability of life in the future is at stake if measures to conserve water are not implemented.
This is because through out their lives, these people have had readily available fresh water (Cheng, 2010). Their taps and showers never run out of water, the water closets always flush and even when they need ice, the refrigerator has more than enough. The only people who realize that water is scarce are those from arid and semiarid regions where getting a cup of clean drinking water counts as one of their greatest challenge.
In the developing countries of Africa and the Middle East, women from some places walk for six kilometers a day just to fetch water. Even in their cities, water crisis is not a new thing. This has not been felt in the developed countries because of the well-established infrastructure, which is absent in the developing countries. Due to this, the issue of water scarcity is assumed to only affect the developing countries.
However, this is not the case and Live Earth CEO has warned that in 20-25 years time, there will be a disaster in developed countries (Mueller, 2010). There is therefore a dire need to protect and conserve water in our daily domestic and industrial activities.
Water scarcity
Water is a unique compound. It exists naturally in three physical states namely: solid, liquid and gas unlike many other compounds.It is vital for sustenance of life; it transports nutrients and oxygen to cells, normalizes body temperature, regulates Earths temperature, removes wastes, protects tissue, and many other functions ( importance of water, n.d.).
Without water, standard animals would only survive for a few days.At an industrial level, all manufacturing and processing companies require water somewhere along their production lines.Water is therefore important not only for existence of life, but also for economic activities.It needs to be protected and conserved.
In order to show effectively the importance of conserving water, it is imperative to show the logical reasons for doing so. Since it is a known fact that 80% of the earths surface is covered by water, someone may ask how then water can be scarce. To answer this question, water is scarce because only less than 1% of this surface water is fresh water ( The water cycle, n.d.).
Almost all of our daily needs such as drinking, cooking, irrigation, manufacturing and many others require this fresh water. Apart from the surface water, there is the ground water. This water is also available for use but over the years, the water table has been decreasing day by day. Boreholes dry up and deeper ones need to be drilled.
Another problem with availability of water is water pollution. Although Earths processes recycle water, its pollution makes it unavailable for future use. Factory discharges, pesticides and herbicides, sewage waste, detergents and all other chemicals that we use on the surface affects the natural water sources. Pollution is therefore acting as one of the major reasons of scarcity in portable water. Measures to protect and conserve water can be applied at domestic and industrial level.
Industrial Water Protection and Conservation
Industries should also strive to conserve water. To do this, they need a water management plan (WMP) which is effective. For the water management plan to be effective, it must incorporate both systems and technical approaches (Mohan, 2007). This is because incorporating both systems and technical approaches ensures that water management is sustainable.
That is, the plan will effectively manage the water usage at the current state of the company as well as in the future. The change in management priorities or departure of a champion for the plan does not jeopardize the WMP. Therefore, an effective WMP ensures continued improvement in water conservation. All companies that are planning to conserve water must have an effective WMP.
Traditional water management systems only incorporated the technical approach and sustainability was a problem. Mohan (2007) describes the characteristics of a good WMP to be leadership, accountability, efficient water usage, minimized pollution, addressing behavioral changes in water usage, driving development of data collection and reporting of water usage, specifying the benefits and costs of the system to the company and driving changes in how the company interacts with suppliers.
By ensuring that the water management plan of the company meets these characteristics, sustainable water management by the company is achieved. The company also achieves other benefits. It saves costs, aligns water conservation with corporate strategy, good public relation and citation for obtaining subsidies among others. The plan also has the overall effect of minimizing water shortage.
Domestic Water Protection and Conservation Measures
At home, every individual can contribute at protecting and conserving water. If everybody is made aware of the importance of conserving water, the worlds population may safeguard its future and that of the future generations.
One of the areas in which people can save water is through minimizing the quantity of water spent every day. People use water without caring if there will be more tomorrow. They just know that if there is no water, they will complain to the city council and the problem will be solved. This is especially the case if the families can afford the clear the water bills.
People misuse the water because they can pay for it. They spend too much time in the shower, leave the taps running unnecessarily and excessively water their lawns. These are just a few examples of some of the ways people use excessive water in circumstances that would require less water. By making people aware of the effect their activities have on water availability, some wasted water will be conserved.
Apart from conserving water, individuals may also protect water sources from pollution. Use of environmental friendly detergents and other household chemicals will have a positive impact on minimizing the level of water pollution. By minimizing water pollution, the costs involved in treatment and purification of water will be used to implement other infrastructure in water management.
Forced Water Conservation
Leaving the option of conserving water to individual citizens may not be very effective since some of them may not care much. The authorities involved in provision of water should put in place measures that force the consumers to conserve water. In Los Angeles, the citys department of water and power has implemented several restrictive measures to cub water wastage.
Lawn sprinklers in the region are not permitted between 9.00am and 4.00pm (Welch, 2009). This ensures minimum water loss through evaporation. In addition to this, the sprinklers are only permitted twice a week a week (Welch, 2009). The result of these restrictions is that water consumption by single-family homes decreased by over 23 percent.
To be able to observe these restrictions, Los Angeles residents had to change the type of vegetation they planted on their compounds. They replaced grass that requires a lot of water with low water native plants like rosemary and synthetic grass. These measures by the city council were effective in controlling wastage of water.
It is worth noting that the city council determined the most water wasting activities performed by residents of Los Angeles and restricted them. This can also be done in other cities. If residents of Los Angeles, which receives very little rainfall in a year, can save water, residents of other places can save water too
Discussion and Conclusion
Ensuring water conservation is a challenging task. It has many challenges especially since it mainly depends on peoples perception and willingness to change. To change peoples perception and habits, intensive awareness campaigns are needed and this requires a lot of investment.
With few bodies ready to support such campaigns, it is still not possible to reach every individual and change their water usage habits. At the industrial level, investment is also needed to implement WMPs. Most corporate organizations are not willing to make the step especially those focused on only maximizing their profits. These limitations therefore call for forced water conservation by authorities, which is not sometimes possible due to lack of such laws in many places.
Water is vital for existence of life. It is also important for economic activities carried out by man. The amount of water available on Earth is not enough to meet all its requirements. Further more, with the current excessive waste of fresh water and pollution, the life of future generations is at stake. If protection and conservation of water is not done, there will be a disaster in the coming few decades. The conservation measures are needed at both domestic and industrial levels.
At the domestic level, awareness is needed since most people in developed countries do not realize the importance of conserving water. Forced water conservation is even needed in some cases. At an industrial level, all companies should develop and implement an effective water management plan (WMP) that ensures sustainable water management. A good WMP has far-reaching benefits for the company as well as the society. (1640 words).
Reference List
Cheng, M. (2010). Teen Ink. Be hydro-smart. 21(6), 25-25.
Importance of water. (N.d.). Water is our lifeline that bathes us and feeds us. Fremont watersheds. Web.
Mohan, S. (2007). Practical Approach to Water Conservation for Commercial and Industrial Facilities. Amsterdam: Boston Elsevier.
Mueller, E. (2010). Going the Distance-An Interview with Live Earth CEO Kevin Wall.
The water cycle. (N.d.). Ecosystems. Thinkquest. Web.
Welch, W.M. (2009). L.A. mows down water usage. USA Today. Web.
One of the most critical issues in the contemporary world is the global water shortage. As human lives mainly depend on water and food for survival, the issue at hand remains vital for the world population. Even though the problem could be considered a global issue in terms of risk, the majority of developed countries are not close to the dangerous levels, that is to say, some countries are significantly more vulnerable to the problem (Pichel et al. 1).
Numerous factors depict the universality of the problem, such as limited reserves of freshwater, uneven distribution, and lack of substitutes (Zheng 1). On the other hand, such factors as industrial and agricultural utilization of water resources, extinguishing ecological environment and climate change, pollution, and mismanagement of resources play a similarly enormous role (Zheng 1). There are different ways to approach the problem, but negotiation with the salt particles in sea waters might be the most effective way to solve it.
It is difficult to approach negotiations with inanimate beings such as salt because there is no distinct desire or ambition present within that group of beings. They are dissolved in seawaters; hence they cannot be seen by the human eye. However, it also means that the salt particles act as a tight community with mutual goals as they are inseparable from each other in their dissolved form. The community of sea salts has a long history with humans, particularly in terms of trade. Humans were extracting salt from the oceans through evaporation for many years. This trade relationship is based upon the fact that without water salt community has no place to go.
Consequently, in search of entertainment or a change of scenery, the salt complies with human demand to be transported and sorted. There are certainly ethical issues with this type of trade despite the fact that salt has no concept of humanism as this trade is essentially coercion of others will. Nevertheless, using a human-centered approach is necessary due to the lack of alternatives at hand, and the salt does not seem to be very negative about it.
Sea waters could save lives of billions if they are properly cleaned of salt because they account for 97.5% of the surface waters. This fact could resolve the issue of water shortage until the colonization of other planets would be feasible and water would be extracted from them. For the salt population, these waters act like a home, shelter, means of transportation, and entertainment. However, it is undeniable that the salt in these waters is very old. Consequently, an assumption could be made that the salt population generally seeks new sources of entertainment. This assumption will contribute to the plan of effective negotiation with the salt population as humans might enlighten the salt as they enlightened the indigenous populations of Africa.
The power within negotiation could be gained through what is known as Best Alternative to a Negotiating Agreement or BATNA (Weiss). In the negotiation with the salt population, it is essential to prepare a strong BATNA that would accelerate the progression in a favorable direction for the human side. However, the colonization of Mars in the feasible future could be the essential leverage during the negotiations. According to the currently available data, there are underground ice deposits that can be used as a source of drinkable water (Nazari-Sharabian 29). Therefore, humanity could reveal that given that the salt would not be willing to negotiate, it is possible to extort the water from the Martians as the resources of Earth are not as essential. Moreover, the current trade with salt might be discontinued after the colonization as people would easily abandon the Earth.
During the negotiations, it is not necessary to have an interpreter as the age of sea salt, and human interactions with the sea could point to the particles understanding of all existing and prehistoric languages. It can also point towards one-sided negotiations as the implementation of the agreement would immediately be recognized. Nevertheless, careful preparation of the agreement and addressing the aims of each party are essential. The salt might demand entertainment as the main compensation for the services provided. Human entertainment is an unknown area for salt. Thus, the subjects of the agreement should be built around this fact.
It is known that salt has a novelty nature and seeks thrill in adventures, interactions, and traveling as without the water, it prefers to comply with humans demands and travel around human settlements. The expansion of traveling scope and exhibition of humanitys cultural and technological entertainment would be an attractive point of agreement, especially if the salt is not familiar with the concept of fear. Fear is known to cause a boost in the adrenaline in humans and sometimes leads to the feeling of ecstasy. Therefore, it could be possible to negotiate using fear as the main language.
In the long history of humanity, nothing provoked greater fear than well-developed weaponry. Humans tested numerous atomic bombs in the oceanic basins; hence it is possible that the days when the bombs were tested led to the greatest feeling of ecstasy for the salt. Therefore, it is undoubtful that application of the even greater weaponry than the Czar bomb made by the Russian government would be the most appropriate approach towards negotiations. However, it would imply receiving the cooperation of Russia or severe depletion of US National Atomic Bomb Reserves. Therefore, in order to avoid the loss of numerous atomic bombs, it would be recommended to approach the Russian government as they would simply need to provide a single bomb capable of surpassing their previous work of craftsmanship.
It is also possible to use personal bonds to direct the negotiations in favor of humanity. Probably utilizing the human connection with the water would be helpful. Humans exploit the water throughout all known history, and the relationship between the two is absolutely fantastic. The water participated in numerous human rituals and was deified in numerous religions but also utilized in ways that could be seen as new experiences by the water, such as oil spillage and contamination. Although it is unknown to what extent the water may actually affect the negotiations with the salt, it would remain a beneficial addition because water is the greatest partner of sea salt.
The water formed a symbiotic relationship with the salt, and probably tired of this prolonged life under the same roof. It is possible that the water itself might want a vacation from the salt akin to the aged parent and a child. Consequently, it might be essential to include the interests of water within the subjects of the agreement.
In conclusion, the negotiation with salt could potentially resolve the global problem, which is related to the shortage of drinkable water. The salt particles are inanimate beings that lived for a very long period inseparable from water, and their combined age is on par with the data pertaining to the development of life on Earth. Therefore, it is possible that water, which often complies with humans wishes, would be willing to negotiate the severance of its bonds with the salt in the sea.
However, the salt might demand valid entertainment in exchange for the separation. Therefore, to meet the interest of water and humanity, it might be necessary to negotiate with the Russian government in order to organize the thrilling experience of the atomic bomb. Furthermore, the negotiations are estimated to proceed in favorable terms for humanity due to the existence of a strong BATNA at its disposal. The main BATNA would be the prospects of the colonization of Martians and the utilization of appropriated water resources. However, it is also recommended to negotiate the transporting terms as the immediate separation of salt and water would result in drastic effects on the marine wildlife and possibly cause an additional outrage of puny eco-maniacs.
Works Cited
Nazari-Sharabian, Mohammad, et al. Water on MarsA Literature Review. Galaxies, vol. 8, no. 2, 2020, p. 40.
Pichel, N., M. Vivar, and M. Fuentes. The Problem of Drinking Water Access: A Review of Disinfection Technologies with an Emphasis on Solar Treatment Methods. Chemosphere, vol. 218, 2019, pp. 1014-1030.
Weiss, Joshua N. Book of Real-World NEGOTIATIONS: Successful Strategies from Business, Government, and Daily Life. Wiley & Sons Canada, Limited, John, 2020.
Zheng, Xinqiao. Analysis of Water Shortage Solution Based on Gray Prediction. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Economics and Management, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences (EMEHSS 2018), 2018. Web.
Nowadays, the water crisis is one of the most serious problems faced by humanity. For example, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) (2017) states that approximately 1.1 billion people do not have constant access to water. It creates difficulties for agricultural development, causes a high prevalence of diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and diarrhea, and increases mortality rate among children (World Wildlife Fund, 2017). Its devastating effects on health cannot be underestimated, and before proposing any solution, it is vital to understand the nature of its occurrence.
In the first place, the water crisis is majorly caused by climate change and associated environmental phenomena such as the drought that is currently present in different parts of the planet (Silva, Galvao, & Silva, 2015). Along with that, another potential reason is the insufficient management of water resources, as governmental authorities and other organizations often use them for wrongful purposes while the global population continues to grow (Silva et al., 2015). A combination of these factors implies that recommendations have to focus on approaches that will resolve the fundamental problems indicated previously. Currently, there is an array of solutions that include conservation of water supply, converting seawater to freshwater, water transportation, and reusing water for various purposes (e.g. in the agricultural sector) (Hadadin, Qaqish, Akawii, & Bdour, 2010). These solutions are sustainable, but the major problem is the lack of finances. Consequently, should the water crisis be reconsidered and be reviewed from the angle of investors?
Purpose of the Paper
Based on the factors mentioned above, it could be said that the primary goal of the paper is to discuss the issue of the water crisis, as it is of paramount importance for the survival of the planet and humanity. At the same time, it is essential to describe this issue in detail, as, otherwise, it will not be possible to review critical constituents of this situation. Today, an array of solutions exists, but, in the context of this paper, it will be rational to discuss it from marketing and investors perspectives. In the end, conclusions are drawn to summarise the main findings of the paper.
Description and Analysis of the Problem
Apart from a clearly presented background of the water crisis, it is of critical importance to unveil additional details. As was mentioned earlier, at least 2.1 billion people do not have constant access to fresh water supplies while 2.7 billion experience difficulties every month (World Wildlife Fund, 2017). Today, 70% of the planet Earth is covered with water while only 3% can be used for drinking and consumption (World Wildlife Fund, 2017). These aspects present that water is already a scarce resource that cannot be renewed. Apart from that, its continuous decrease can be explained by global climate changes. For example, the lessening thickness of the ozone layer, global warming, intensive urbanization, and water scarcity tend to interfere while having a negative impact on human health and the environment (Eslamian & Eslamian, 2017; Tilt, 2015). Consequently, a combination of these factors has to be considered of critical significance when developing solutions, as only a complex framework can help resolve the issue of the water crisis.
As was indicated earlier, there is an extended variety of solutions including reserving water and managing its consumption (Hadadin et al., 2010). Apart from their cost-effectiveness, governments still experience problems with financing. For example, this issue majorly exists in countries with insufficient economic development such as Jordan and Tanzania, and this fact implies that the budget is distributed ineffectively. In turn, this situation may also take place in rapidly developing countries such as China due to its high urbanization, lack of city trees, and, consequently, a lower density of the ozone layer (Tilt, 2015). In turn, potential investors may also change their attitudes towards this problem. For example, an economic recession can lead to lower investment in environmental initiatives, as the statements of national expenditure have to be fully reconsidered (Tilt, 2015). A combination of these factors implies that the problem of the water crisis has to be reframed by using a market-focused approach while clearly emphasizing the need to attract the attention of investors to this segment.
Recommendations
Attracting Investors
In this instance, the role of investors and the whole business segment cannot be underestimated since they can modify the existent situation in a positive way. However, to attract investors, it is necessary to explain that their contribution will be beneficial not only for the environment and their social image but also for their financial performance, growth, and enrichment (Riet, 2015). Thus, it is essential to mention that this sphere will continue its development since apart from the water crisis, other environmental issues will continue to exist. To increase the effectiveness of promotion, governmental authorities, and nature protection funds should work in collaboration and contact potential investors. Creating a strong bond between the business sector, governmental entities, and various funds will help address the issue from a dissimilar angle. In the first place, it will be vital to research the problem, create an action plan, and redesign policies to enhance the existent decision-making procedures. After that, a ranking of the most cost-effective solutions and concepts can be proposed for investors to choose the most appropriate action.
Establishing Start-Ups
One of the potential solutions is founding a company that will prioritize dealing with environmental problems. Start-ups are often used to deliver innovative ideas to the market while creating additional value for business owners and society simultaneously (Leon & Donoso, 2017). In the context of the water crisis, introducing water purification solutions can be discovered as one of the beneficial ideas since it will be possible to establish businesses in the geographical areas where water scarcity is present. It remains apparent that this concept is majorly appropriate for business enthusiasts, but it will improve the existent situation. Another potential alternative that is linked to the previous solution is to develop funding programs to support the existing environmental start-ups. Apart from slight differences, both of these initiatives will have a positive effect on the current situation and attract the attention of others while generating additional revenues for investors.
Investments and Philanthropy
In turn, other contributions imply investment in the existing projects. In the first place, investors may consider supporting governments financially to plan their budgets effectively. This action is supposed to have a direct reflection on the environment, as resolving this type of problem is one of its core goals. Unfortunately, on the other side, this investment may not be as effective as it seems because, in some countries, the water crisis takes place due to poor financial planning and water management (Silva et al., 2015). Consequently, sponsoring governmental actions does not guarantee that these problems will be solved. Only with the help of the control mechanism and constant check-ups, it will be possible to achieve the desired results.
One cannot underestimate that funds such as WWF also play a critical role in addressing water crisis and other environmental problems (World Wildlife Fund, 2017). For example, WWF has a diversity of projects that attempt to control aspects such as the spread of infection due to the lack of water sanitation and water availability for everyone can also be attractive to investors, but this activity along with giving financial resources to the government can be rather viewed like cases of philanthropy than actual investments. In turn, investing in projects that deal with global warming is also rational due to the dependence between temperature rises and water scarcity, as it will not only address the existent water crisis but also aim at paying attention to other environmental issues.
Lastly, another possibility for investors is to invest in existing projects. Nowadays, there is a variety of companies that provide water technology. For example, desalination with the current market value of $11 billion and 10% annual growth is represented by companies such as AquaVenture, IDE, and Hyflux (Riet, 2015). Meanwhile, other segments cover filtration, industrial water treatment, irrigation, and other ideas (Riet, 2015). This analysis indicates that these businesses experience continuous growth, and investors should consider them as profitable projects in the long-term. It could be said that investing in these ideas is not only mutually beneficial for the environment and financial wealth but also attracts the attention of other potentially interested parties.
Conclusion
To summarise, the water crisis is one of the most important aspects that affect humanity and the environment in a negative way. Its nature is directly linked to the problems with the ozone layer, high levels of urbanization, and ineffective water management. Today, billions of people do not have access to water, and it has negative outcomes on their health including different illnesses, diseases, and chronic medical conditions. The lack of freshwater also increases mortality rates. The government attempts to resolve this problem by creating different solutions such as water purification and conservation. These methods are cost-effective, but the governments or funds do not have enough financial resources to deal with these issues sufficiently. Consequently, reframing this problem and reviewing it from marketing and financial perspectives can contribute to a faster response to the water crisis.
In this instance, attracting the attention of investors by promoting mutual benefits for them and society should be viewed as one of the priorities. After convincing the investors, there are different methods that have to be employed. For example, establishing a new start-up or designing a program to attract and support new talents could be considered as one of the options. However, this solution will be suitable only for business-enthusiasts and entrepreneurs. Investing in funds and supporting governments can also resolve the problem with financing, but, in this case, it is vital to establish monitoring and control tools, as there is a proven ineffective distribution of finances related to the water crisis and low or no return on investment. Lastly, investors can evaluate the existent market opportunities and invest in fast-growing and popular solutions while this option can be viewed as the best one due to its high profitability and impact on the environment.
References
Eslamian, S., & Eslamian, F. (2017). Handbook of drought and water scarcity: Management of drought and water scarcity. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Hadadin, N., Qaqish, M., Akawii, E., & Bdour, A. (2010). Water shortage in Jordan Sustainable solutions. Desalination, 250(1), 197-202.
Leon, I., & Donoso, G. (2017). Innovation, start-ups and intellectual property management: Strategies and evidence from Latin America and other regions. New York, NY: Springer.
Riet, H. (2015, August 28). Solutions for the anticipated water crisis offer US $500 billion in sustainable investment opportunities. NN Investment Partners. Web.
Silva, A., Galvao, C., & Silva, G. (2015). Droughts and governance impacts on water scarcity: An analysis in the Brazilian semi-arid. Extreme Hydrological Events, 369(1), 129-134.
Tilt, D. (2015). Dams and development in China: The moral economy of water and power. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
The discussion post acknowledges that the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) has remained a powerful guideline that must be followed by different stakeholders to ensure quality and clean drinking water is available to the greatest number of people. The role of the Clean Water Act of 1972 is also identified in the article. The Act has continued to support the cleanliness of the natural environment. Since water is essential for human life, the author explains why different agencies have been coming together in order to support the needs of more people (Abdel-Raouf, Homaidan, & Ibraheem, 2012). In order to ensure clean water is available, the narrator explains why stringent measures are needed. The approaches will ensure the level of nitrate in water is reduced significantly. By so doing, most of the common diseases associated with the compound such as methemoglobinemia (also called blue baby disease ) will be dealt with. The affected babies tend to develop respiratory and digestive problems.
From this analysis, it is agreeable that the author has articulated the intended message in a professional manner. The author encourages the reader to be part of the wider process aimed at ensuring that the available water is safe and clean for domestic use. When this approach is considered, it will be possible to protect more children and families from the diseases and conditions associated with unsafe drinking water. This argument is meaningful because it can be embraced to bring together different players and stakeholders in order to deal with the problem of unclean drinking water (Abdel-Raouf et al., 2012). When every stakeholder considers these attributes, it will definitely be possible to maximize the well-being of every citizen.
Response to Discussion Two
The message designed for the residents of Queen City is timely and meaningful. The narrator begins by explaining how the passage of the landmark Safe Drinking Act in 1974 marked a new beginning for the nation. The Act has been regulating and protecting the countrys public water supply system. Although the existing contaminants are within the limits outlined by the Act, it is agreeable that the levels can cause a wide range of health complications or diseases. The discussion is meaningful because it explains why the presence of specific chemicals such as trihalomethanes in water can be a major health concern. For instance, the treatment of reclaimed water with a compound known as chlorine can produce this compound (Shaheed et al., 2014). This is the case because chlorine reacts with less harmful compounds in water.
The outstanding message from the narrator is that people can successfully protect themselves from the harmful effects of trihalomethanes. In order to achieve this goal, people should let drinking water stand for some time before using or consuming it. The water can also be boiled to minimize the impacts of the chemical. Purification methods can be encouraged in order to reduce the levels of trihalomethanes in water. Federal regulations, according to the post, can be considered in order to promote the use of medical and modern scientific research (Shaheed et al., 2014). The approach will ensure the available water is healthy and fit for drinking. Consequently, more people will minimize the common water-borne diseases affecting them and lead healthy lives. Families and communities can embrace these ideas and collaborate with scientific agencies in order to achieve sustainable solutions to the problem.
References
Abdel-Raouf, N., Al-Homaidan, A., & Ibraheem, I. (2012). Microalgae and wastewater treatment. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 19(3), 257-275. Web.
Shaheed, A., Orgill, J., Ratana, C., Montgomery, A., Jeuland, M., & Brown, J. (2014). Water quality risks of improved water sources: Evidence from Cambodia. Tropical Medicine and International Health, 19(2), 186-194. Web.
Its no doubt that the world is facing a topic of water crisis which has gone out of control and therefore raising a lot of concerns from the leaders and international organization who are trying to come up with ideas of solving this problem (Oxfam.org.uk, 2011).
However, the root cause of this problem is upon the human race that is entirely to blame for the ever increasing water crisis due poor and undeveloped policies governing protection of such water one of the most precious natural resource. In this regard the following discussion will elaborate on the major causes and implication of water shortage in the planet today.
First, both industrial and domestic water pollution is one of the major causes of water shortage because as more water is polluted the more water is wasted (Oxfam.org.uk, 2011).
Due to lack of proper technology available for recycling and purifying such polluted water in many countries across the world, issues of water pollution have become so prevalent and therefore contributing to high percentage of water wastage.
Secondly, water shortage has also been attributed to the high population growth causing a serious competition for this resource (Jones, 2010). The world population is increasing at an alarming rate and consequently straining the supply of this natural resource and hence resulting to severe scarcity of such water due to its over use.
Additionally, poor management of the water catchment areas is also another cause of water shortage (Oxfam.org.uk, 2011).
Majorly, when water catchment areas are destroyed through deforestation among many other ways, water is also likely to decrease due to destruction rocks and water table hence resulting to low water generation from the surface of earth (Oxfam.org.uk, 2011).
On the other hand, due to the fact that water has become a scarce resource, consequently this has possible implications to the humanity and animal kingdom as well.
To the humanity, one of the major implications is that, water scarcity may possibly cause a disagreement of ideas in the planet due to conflict of interest among different countries who would want to have the natural resource for them selves.
Additionally, issues of water shortage may also probably cause division of classes when people will want to own water privately and this will create a class of water have and have-nots (Jones, 2010).
Discussion
Summary of the article
This article is a discussion regarding one major problem that is an issue of concern in the 21st century which according to the author, the world is currently facing a major crisis- the scarcity of water one of the most useful natural resource.
The argument is that, in the 20th century the world was having a crisis in dealing with issues such as political ideologies among others, but now the current crisis is much worse and it might be one the major causes of conflict in the planet today (Jones, 2010).
The author describes the intensity to how much water as natural resource has become so scarce especially the fresh water which is essential for domestic consumption, in fact, the most shocking news is that, according to authors report, fresh water currently contributes only about 2.5 percent of the planets entire water supply and therefore, such supply of water can not meet the actual demand for water worldwide since the worlds population is also increasing at an alarming rate and consequently causing an increasing in water demand at least by double the original water necessity (Jones, 2010).
For this reason, then it is reasonably clear that the current trends of this particular natural resource can not sustain the world population; meaning that those sectors that fully depend on water such as agriculture and manufacturing industries may also not be able to function fully (Jones, 2010).
As a result of all these issues, then the ever rising water shortage crisis might be a cause of conflict in the world due to the competition for the natural resource that will also rise.
For this particular concern, there is a clear warning to the humanity that, this is a real danger because people will clash to own any drop of fresh water and then there will be water have and water have not categories of people (Jones, 2010).
Additionally, the article describes water shortage as a genuine problem that the world leaders need to address in order to establish a long lasting solution to safeguard the future (Jones, 2010).
The opinion is that, the leaders should put laws which are necessary in governing proper and at the same time, people should try to reduce cases of water pollution in order to facilitate recycling process.
Clear examples and factors arising due to fear of water scarcity
Water crisis is a global issue although it is more pronounced in some countries than others. For instance, a good example is river Nile which is one of the biggest rivers and a major source of water for various uses in North Africa region.
However, river Nile is also a source of worry to the current international relations due to the rising water competition amongst three African countries namely; Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia (Egypt. com, 2007).
There is a crisis in this part of the world where there is a lot of politics on which country should rightfully tap out water (Egypt. com, 2007).
Egypt being a country with powerful military power is more likely to initiate military action in order to ensure she has control over the use of this water for its domestic use and for agricultural production as well, besides, Sudan and Ethiopia also claims that, they have the exclusive rights to use this water which Egypt argues that, the use of water by these other two countries might starve them (Egypt. com, 2007).
Besides, Lake Victoria in East Africa is also another geographical region where conflict over water is an issue already raising concern.
Due to the fact that, the lake lies along the boarder lines of three countries, namely; Kenya, Ugunda and Tanzania, this is enough reason to have a water crisis in this region (Kamugisha, 2007).
For instance, the many activities takes place at this lake including economical activities such as fishing among others is the major cause of catastrophe over the volume of water which is reportedly decreasing with each day.
There is a conflict over ownership of the lake due to the economical benefits which the three countries are generating from this lake causing some of the countries to extend their boundaries in order to have a bigger share of the lake which has already triggered a major conflict (Kamugisha, 2007).
It is no doubt that, these two cases reflect a rising conflict in Africa which happens to be one of the most affected regions in the world. The conflicts are on the rise as a result of competition for the natural resource which is becoming a scarce every day.
Conclusion
The world is currently facing much worse crisis in the 21st century than previously when the world leaders were only having crisis over political ideologies and so on (Jones, 2010).
Currently, this is an issue that should be addressed with a lot of concern putting into consideration that, this particular issue of water scarcity might be the next cause of major conflict in the planet especially also considering that this particular natural resource is diminishing at a frightening rate.
In this regard, the humanity has a duty to safeguard their future in order to ensure its survival which can not be achieved without a drop of fresh water.
World leader, scientific researchers , international organization among many others, all have a major rule in enlightening the society about the need to protect and take care of this precious commodity in order to ensure sustainability for many years to come because water is an essential component that the whole animal kingdom rely on for life sustenance (Sipes, 2010).
Therefore appropriate and necessary actions should be implemented to curb the issue of water scarcity. Such measures would include; proper management of water catchment areas, reduce cases of water pollution, plant more tree around the globe, and establish policies such as water act which has already been implemented in US to reduce water wastage (Sipes, 2010).
Among many other measures, the solution to water scarcity is achievable if we fully get committed to the set polices in order to provide a long lasting solution one for all.
Reference
Egypt (2007). Egypt News Water crisis hits Egypt Country of Nile River . Web.
Jones, D. (2010). Water: The cause of the next global conflict? Web.
Kamugisha, D. (2007). Lake Victoria Extinction and Human Vulnerability in Uganda. Web.
Oxfam (2011). Water for all. Web.
Sipes, J. (2010). Sustainable Solutions for Water Resources. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons Press.
A graph Showing Price Determination by Market under Different Quantities
As the government of Bolivia imposes the price floor on the sale of water, a number of issues will consequently emerge. Primarily, setting the price floor above equilibrium price means suppliers will no longer be supplying water at the equilibrium price but at the price set by the government. On the other hand, consumers will demand less water. This means there is a likelihood of having a surplus as this policy attracts more suppliers into the industry of water supply. Because water is, a basic commodity government will be forced to intervene in the industry by giving subsidies that end up meeting some costs supposed to be paid by consumers.
The government of Bolivia was forced to privatize its water public system by the World Bank if they were to receive future financial packages (Schultz 1). This was mostly due to corruption that involved with the supply of water across society. The government thought of extending a contract to a Californian company known as Bechtel. Noticeably, the company supplied water at an extremely high price that forced Bolivians to protest severally over the price hiking.
The Government attempted to use force but failed in the end and had to resolve by offering temporary rollback on the high water prices. Although this happened, the anti-privatization movement needed a permanent rollback and the cancellation of the Bechtel contract. This led to more protests and eventually the government had to declare a state of martial law in which media stations had closed down while protest leaders were arrested. It was at the height of this protest that Bechtel flew away as protesters demanded the control of the water supply to be handed over to the hands of the public(Schultz 2).
The government should have thought of giving the contract to local companies and further impose a price ceiling. This would have protected consumers against overpricing of water. In addition, it would have insulated water against monopoly. Equally, it could have established a strong constitution that would shield the water supply in the country against corruption. This would have ensured the fair distribution of water and maintenance of affordable prices at the market (Quah and Wilson 114).
Factors that Contribute to Exchange in the Flats
The study that was carried out on the social network build-up by relatives and close friends with an aim of supporting each other reveal a lot particularly the factors that led to exchange existing among families and friends living in The Flat. Primarily, these individuals are poor or earn little salary because most of them are low-skilled workers (Stack 33). Among the factors that influence exchange, include:
Poverty: this means no individual has enough resources to satisfy his/her wants and has to rely on others for support.
Scarcity of resources: resources are in short supply and therefore network is a viable means of redistributing resources fairly across the community
Urgency and need of obtaining necessities: if one lacks immediate money or goods to satisfy their wants, they have to look for support from friends or relatives
Good reputation: this helps one to develop trust in someone upon his help. Reputation is good for an organization because it acts as goodwill that sells the product of the firm.
Sympathy: ones feelings towards someone will determine his degree of supporting him/her
Power of recognizing a gift given by a relative or friend: this determines the level of one returning the same favor to the giver
Ones status: if one is in a better position maybe financially then he/she is more likely to offer support
Influence from members of the network: the behavior of giving by others may also influence one to give out
The flow of Information and gossips about someones position: If one is known as having something good more than others then he may end up sharing
Close ties developed over a long time: increases the level of trust
Dx = fx(poverty, scarcity of resources, urgency and need of obtaining necessities, information about others position, one status, good reputation)
Sx =fx(good reputation, ones status, power of recognizing a gift earlier given, sympathy, influence from members) (Stack 42).
Works Cited
Quah, Euston and Wilson, Peter. Principles of economics: An Asian edition Chapter 6. Supply, Demand and Government Policies. Singapore: Cengage Learning. 2008.
Schultz, Jim. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Latin America: From Theory to Practice The Right to Water Fulfilling the Promise. 2002.
Stack, Carol. All our kin: Strategies for Survival in a Black community. New York: Basic Books. 1975: 33-44.
Food security remains a persistent issue in the contemporary world, as not all people have physical and economic access to healthy and sufficient nutrition. National security and human security are among the significant paradigms that assess this problem. Human security focuses on peoples well-being and, thus, is a better perspective to identify the problem but it is still not a perfect fit due to many factors still functioning on the state level.
To develop a comprehensive position on food security through the lens of human security, it was necessary to gather a sufficient amount of relevant information from multiple sources. Andersen-Rodgers and Crawford supplied a comprehensive definition of food security that combined food and water access, availability, stability, and use, including proper sanitation and clean water (232). World Hunger supplied the data on the general number of undernourished people in the world 815 million people of the 7.6 billion ( 2018 World Hunger ). United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization provided information on the correlation between undernourishment and negative outcomes other than death ( Undernourishment ). To characterize access to clean water and sanitation, the group used the numbers provided by the World Health Organization ( 2.1 Billion ). To gather more details on how food security is practically implemented in the developing world, the group consulted Tscharntke et al. with its emphasis on land use in the developing nations (55). These sources allowed developing the groups specific position: food security constitutes an acute problem, and the human security lens offers a well-suited, albeit not a perfect way to approach it.
The strength of using human security as a lens to approach food security is that it focuses on the peoples well-being directly. Human security makes access to food, clean water, and sanitation its primary aim, while national security only stresses these insofar as they are conducive to strengthening the state. From the national security perspective, access to sufficient nutrition becomes merely a way to avoid dangers to the country, such as the Egyptian revolution of 2011 or Venezuelan protests in 2017 (Andersen-Rodgers and Crawford 237). Human security, on the other hand, perceives food security not as a prerequisite for stabilizing the country but as a goal in its own right. Thus, this perspective is better suited for identifying the problem because it perceives it as such, even when there is no direct threat to the states stability present.
However, while human security is superior to national security as an approach to identifying the issue, it is still not a perfect fit for the problem. Regardless of how one chooses to perceive food security, the majority of the instruments to address it still functions on the state level and, thus, depend on nation-states rather than supra-state actors. For instance, international investors consistently leasing or buying farmland in Africa, Asia, and Latin America for food and fuel production constitute a direct threat to food security in these regions (Tscharntke et al. 55). It happens because the concentration of land in the hands of international companies undermines small-scale farming that remains the primary source of economically accessible food in the developing world (Tscharntke et al. 55). However, implementing the laws protecting local farmers and, consequently, promoting food sovereignty is the prerogative of a nation-state, and national interests coincide with the human security perspective in this case. Thus, while human security is better in identifying issues with food security, it is still not a perfect choice to approach them in practice, as most of the relevant policy tools still belong to nation-states.
The group succeeded in presenting the collective point as planned, although developing the logical structure of the presentation required some effort. For instance, it might not have been readily evident how the fact that more than 4 billion people access to sanitation relates to food security ( 2.1 Billion ). This potential misunderstanding required a broad definition of food security, including clean water and sanitation, as presented by Andersen-Rodgers and Crawford (232). In general, presenting the groups point proved easier than anticipated, but developing it was harder than initially presumed.
The primary observation made in the course of this study was the sheer complexity of factors influencing the food security of the state and supra-state levels alike. In some cases, international intervention may benefit the situation with food security where the state has failed, as in Sudan (Andersen-Rodgers and Crawford 236). Yet in other cases, human security and national security may be mutually reinforcing (Andersen-Rodgers and Crawford 236). Since human security makes the most gains against national security in identifying the problem, but the nation-state still possesses most means of rectifying it, such mutual amplification becomes pivotal.
As one can see, human security is preferable, albeit not a perfect perspective to approach food security. Its direct focus on the peoples well-being makes it superior to national security in identifying the problem, although the national security perspective remains relevant in fixing it. Success in promoting food security worldwide depends on the state and supra-state actors acting cohesively rather than neutralizing each others efforts. Thus, food security may serve as an illustration of the complexities involved in ensuring human security in the contemporary world.
Works Cited
Andersen-Rodgers, David, and Kerry F. Crawford. Human Security: Theory and Action. Rowman & Littlefield, 2018.
Tscharntke, Teja, et al. Global Food Security, Biodiversity Conservation and the Future of Agricultural Intensification. Biological Conservation, vol. 151, no. 1, 2012, pp. 53-59.
The key features of the Water Cube that enhance economic, social and economic sustainability
The Water Cube design helped to reduce the cost of building materials while guaranteeing a stable structure by substituting glass materials with ETFE. The designers employed techniques to ensure optimal utilization of sunlight, which would help to reduce the cost of electricity for lighting and heating the swimming pools and building. The ETFE allows a significant amount of light into the building, which the engineers can harness to serve various energy requirements. The design would reduce energy consumption by 30 per cent for heating purposes and 55 per cent for artificial lighting. Despite the variety of designs that the engineers could use in the construction, the choice of a Water Cube helped to embolden the Chinese culture in the building. The design of the floor emphasized the theme of peace and stability in society. The designers adopted techniques to maximize water conservation through reuse and recycling in consideration of water scarcity in Beijing.
The key challenges facing the Water Cube project
One of the key challenges facing the Water Cube project was a dispute regarding the use of ETFE. The Chinese authorities had concerns that the material would be unable to mute external noise. The architects had to identify a perfect structural geometry for the construction of the Water Cube. Modifications in the placement of the ETFE cladding helped to realize a structure that could insulate sound effectively. Cultural differences caused a stalemate in the selection of the shape of the Water Cube in the early stages of designing the building. While the PTW architects favoured a wave-shaped structure, the Chinese architects preferred a rectangular shape. The stalemate between the two groups almost caused the project to halt. Arup could not maintain a supervisory role during the construction of the Water Cube and ensure the implementation of the intended design. The organization had to develop a design and submit it to the Chinese authorities.
The key success factors of the Water Cube project
Structural experts estimate that the design and material used to build the Water Cube will guarantee the building a lifespan of about 100 years. ETFE has a high thermal efficiency, which protects the steel members of the building from corrosion. The friction coefficient of ETFE is such that the dust does not accumulate and form layers, which are difficult to clean. The Water Cub behaves like a greenhouse with appropriate climate and humidity to support various events. The architects installed vents to regulate indoor temperatures depending on the season of the year. The ETFE material would shrink during a fire outbreak to vent smoke out of the building and ensure peoples safety. The greenhouse will rely on its water supply system created using sophisticated techniques of water reuse and recycling.
Differences between Arups approach and traditional design-build approach
Arups approach challenged the conventional designing of structures, which does not take into account the need for structures and nature to exist harmoniously. Traditional architectural designs restrict structures to boundaries that promote energy consumption and inefficient use of resources such as water, air and sunlight. Traditional architectural designs encourage the installation of energy-consuming systems such as air conditioning systems and artificial lighting. The designs do not integrate systems for harnessing natural resources within a building. The architects demonstrated that it was possible to redesign a structure to fit its natural environment. The Water Cube incorporated the culture, environment, economic and social aspects of the people of Beijing. The building serves as a monument that encourages people to adopt environmental-friendly practices for conservational purposes.
