Environmental Issues in Southwest Asia Standard SS7G6.
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Transcript of Environmental Issues in Southwest Asia Standard SS7G6.
Environmental Issues in Southwest Asia
Standard SS7G6
SS7G6 The student will discuss environmental issues across southwest
Asia (Middle East) a. Explain how water
pollution and the unequal distribution of water impacts irrigation and drinking water
Enduring Understanding
Students will understand that humans, their society, and the environment affect each other.
Where have we seen that EU before?
Essential Questions
How do water pollution and the unequal distribution of water impact irrigation and drinking water in Southwest Asia?
How has the distribution of oil affected the development of Southwest Asia (Middle East)?
How do the deserts and rivers of Southwest Asia (Middle East) affect the population in terms of where people live, the type of work they do, and how they travel?
WATER WARS“Indeed water is already a catalyst
for regional conflict”Quote from the influential head of environmental research institute
Worldwatch,Lester Brown.
The world's supply of fresh water is running out. Already one person in five has no access to safe drinking water.
Oil has always been thought of as the traditional cause of conflict in the
Middle East but now countries fight over water.
Map of the countries in the middle east fighting over water supplies
WATER WARS: Middle East
The 10 countries with the least amount of water in cubic metres (m³)
Country 1955 1990 2025Kuwait 147 23 9
Qatar 808 75 57
Bahrain 1,427 117 68
Saudi Arabia 1,266 306 113
Jordan 906 327 121
Yemen 1,098 445 152
UAE 6,196 308 176
Israel 1,229 461 264
Tunisia 1,127 540 324
Algeria 1,770 689 332
Water is the most precious resource in the Middle East, more important even than oil. Competition for water from the River Jordan was a major cause of the 1967 war. As populations increase, water becomes more scarce.
Let’s Discuss
Why is water more important than oil? Google the following:
How much water is needed per day to survive?
How many people live in the Middle East Region?
How much fresh water is available in the Middle East Region?
Israel and Syria
The Lebanese have long accused Israel of having designs on the waters of the River Litani, and Syria accuses it of being reluctant to withdraw from the banks of the Sea of Galilee, the source of up to 30% of Israel's water.
Israelis in the West Bank use four times as much water as their Palestinian neighbours.
Turkey has been accused by Syria and Iraq of depriving them of much-needed water, as it continues to build a series of dams along the Euphrates and Tigris. It is also embarking on an ambitious project to sell water from its Manavgat river across the Middle East.
1955 1990 2025Bahrain Algeria Egypt
Jordan Israel/ Palestine Iran
Kuwait Qatar Oman
Saudi Arabia Syria
UAE
Yemen
THIS SHOWS THE LIST OF MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES WHICH WILL SUFFER FROM
WATER SCARCITY IN THE NEXT 15 YEARS
Desalination
Desalination is the process of removing salt from sea water to make it suitable for farming and drinking.
Why do you think countries in SW Asia use this process?
Problems with Desalination
It is very costly for countries to use this process.
Many countries in the Middle East cannot afford to use this process.
In your opinion, which countries in the Middle East could afford this process?
A Question for YOU What impact will the scarcity of water have on the Middle East in years to come?
Water Pollution in The Middle East
What is water pollution? While water pollution is a serious
problem anywhere, why is this an even more serious problem in the Middle East?
What would be the consequences of water pollution in the Middle East?
SS7G6 continued
b. Describe how the deserts and rivers of SW Asia (Middle East) have affected the population in terms of where people live, the type of work they do, and how they travel.
How do the physical features of SW Asia affect where people live?
Think about where deserts and rivers are located in SW Asia.
Look at an atlas, pages 408-409, and find a physical map of Asia to help answer the first question.
What impact do the deserts and rivers have on the type of work people do in SW Asia?
What types of jobs do you think people do and why?
What modes of transportation might people use travel to work?
Where in SW Asia do you think the population density would be low? Why?