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How has Israel gone from having a shortage of water to a surplus to water? Start video at 1:00

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How has Israel gone from having a shortage of water to a surplus to water? Start video at 1:00

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How Israel became a leader in water use in the Middle East

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How is desalination helping people in the Middle East address their water shortages?

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How is desalination helping people in the Middle East address their water shortages?

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Water desalination in thirsty Gulf region

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Start here! What ways are people in the Middle East using new innovations to help them address the water crisis in the region?

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Start here! What ways are people in the Middle East using new innovations to help them address the water crisis in the region?

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can the middle east solve its water problem? - cnn

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Can the Middle East solve its water problem?

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The world's most water-scarce region needs to take critical action to narrow the gap between water supply and demand, according to a recent World Bank report.

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What has the Middle East been investing in to address the water crisis?

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What has the Middle East been investing in to address the water crisis?

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What does this show you about how having a scarcity of water affects the people that reside in that region?

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What does this show you about how having a scarcity of water affects the people that reside in that region?

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World Water Day 2013

WATER TIME I S STATS RUNNING DRY Water use in many parts of the world has become unsustainable, so much so that local populations, agriculture and businesses are under heavy threat. The 10 countries facing the most 'extreme' risk level are Of all the water on Earth, 97.5% is salt water, leaving only 2.5% as fresh water! Water tables are falling in many parts of the world. Himalayan glaciers will shrink massively in the next century, reducing natural water storage in the mountains. The shortfalls will have to come from groundwater and surface storage. Many great rivers have drastically diminished flows. all in North Africa or the Middle East. The top five countries facing extreme risk are as follows: Saltwater 97% Demand for food and fiber is projected to increase by 70% by mid-century when the world's population is projected to reach nine billion; without intervention untenable Almost 70% of that fresh Freshwater (Frozen) water is frozen solid in Antarctica's and Greenland's Freshwate (Avallahle) icecaps, and the majority of pressure on water resources in many regions will threaten food and water security. the remainder is in the earth's soil or lies as groundwater in deep underground aquifers. Water on Earth Less that 1% of all fresh water on earth (equivalent to 0.007%) is accessible for human use. This water is found in rivers, lakes and reservoirs as well as underground sources that are shallow enough to be tapped. UN WATER O Bahrain O Qatar o Kuwait O Libya O Djibouti World Water Day 2013 POVERTY/DROUGHT International Year of Water Cooperation The lack of fresh water in 3rd world countries also contributes to food insecurity and malnutrition. This can result in poor or failed harvests which in turn result in food scarcity and high prices of the available food. 3rd WORLD 1" WORLD Drought is now the most common cause of food shortages in the world. In 2006, recurrent drought caused crop failures and heavy livestock losses SOURCES: in parts of Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya. * The UN suggests that each person needs 20-50 litres of water a day According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S.households http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/fr eshwater_supply/freshwater.html to ensure their basic needs for waste 1.25 trillion gallons of water each drinking, cooking and cleaning. http://www.harvesthelp.org.uk/causes-of-food-insecurity-in-african-and -other-third-world-countries.html year. More than one in six people worldwide (894 million) don't Around 30% of the water an average http://maplecroft.com/about/news/water_stress_index_2012.html http://www.wfp.org/hunger/causes American uses is used outdoors, mainly just to water their lawn and flowerbed. Garden hoses spray around 10 gallons of water per minute, so using around 150 gallons of water in one wash isn't difficult at all. World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Joint Monitoring Programme on Water Supply and Sanitation (UMP) WATER have access to improved water sources. COOPERATION Globally, diarrhoea is the leading http://www.channel4.com/4homes http://www.howdini.com Torgny Holmgren - Stockholm International Water Institute ens-newswire.com http://www.unece.org 6 1989 - 1992 - Water Convention plans negotiated. cause of illness and death, and 88 % of diarrhoeal deaths are due to a lack of access to sanitation facilities, together with inadequate availability of water for hygiene and unsafe drinking water. O 6 1994 - Recommendations to UNECE Governments on the Prevention of Water Pollution from Hazardous More than one-fourth of all the water we use worldwide is taken to grow over one billion tons of food that nobody eats. Substances. BATHSHOP321 6 1996 - The Water Convention enters into force First Guidelines on Water-Quality Monitoring. 6 1999 - Agreement on the status of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. 6 2001 - Belarus-Ukraine and China-Kazakhstan THE UK'S BEST VALUE BATHROOM SHOP! www.bathshop321.com Today 2.5 billion people, including almost one billion children, live agreements. * 2003 - Hungary-Romania and Estonia-Latvia agreements. 6 2006 - Dam safety project starts in Central Asia. 6 2007 - The new Franco-Swiss Genevese aquifer agreement is signed. without even basic sanitation. Every 20 seconds, a child dies as a result of poor sanitation. That's 1.5 million preventable deaths each year. 6 2008 - Water quality project starts in Central Asia. 6 2012 - Expected globalization of the Water Designed by: Info Graphicg DEION TIAM Convention. To learn more, head to - http://www.unwater.org/watercooperation2013/

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WATER TIME I S STATS RUNNING DRY Water use in many parts of the world has become unsustainable, so much so that local populations, agriculture and businesses are under heavy threat. The 10 countries facing the most 'extreme' risk level are Of all the water on Earth, 97.5% is salt water, leaving only 2.5% as fresh water!

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Middle East faces water shortages for the next 25 years, study says

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Rising population and dwindling water supplies will affect millions of people and exacerbate conflict in the region

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What needs to be done to lessen the affects of the growing water problem in the Middle East?

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What needs to be done to lessen the affects of the growing water problem in the Middle East?

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How does lack of access to fresh water affect the people in the Middle East?

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How does lack of access to fresh water affect the people in the Middle East?

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Water scarcity is a significant issue in the Middle East due to its arid climate and high population growth. Many countries in the region are considered to be among the most water-stressed in the world, with limited freshwater resources and high water demand levels.

Water resources are becoming increasingly scarce, especially for the millions there who already lack access to clean and safe water. Some of these countries, including Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq, are facing unique problems that require immediate, global attention. Besides their neighboring location, one shared factor of all these countries is the challenges they face due to a lack of water resources and associated difficulties in water management.

The Middle East has some of the largest oil reserves in the world, which produces most of the region's wealth - particularly in the Gulf countries. Even so, climate and environment can make living harsh for poor and rural dwelling peoples. Lack of water can also lead to food insecurity as farmers struggle to secure reliable water resources and suitable land for agriculture, and governments rely on importing the majority of the food from other water-rich countries outside the region. And much of the land available for producing food is becoming increasingly unusable due to desertification.

The scarcity of water in the Middle East is primarily caused by natural factors, such as limited rainfall and high temperatures, but also by human activities, such as overexploitation of groundwater resources and inefficient irrigation practices. Groundwater is a critical source of water in the region, but it is being depleted at an alarming rate. In addition, climate change is exacerbating the problem by leading to more frequent and severe droughts.

Desertification is a sweeping environmental problem Universal causes for the spread of arid environments are unsustainable agriculture practices and overgrazing. Irrigation for agriculture uses 85 percent of waterin this region. In this area, droughts are more frequent and contribute to the changing landscape. The overuse of water in agriculture is affecting the countries' already limited water resources.

Desalination of seawater is a crucial strategy for meeting the growing demand for freshwater in the Middle East. However, desalination is energy-intensive and expensive, and the brine generated as a byproduct can harm the marine ecosystem if not properly disposed of. Recent advancements in desal technology are reducing overall costs and improving efficiency.

The majority of of desalination plants in the world are located in this region, found mostly in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain. While these plants produce water needed for the arid region, they can also generate additional problems for health and the environment. The seawater used most in desalination plants has high amounts of boron and bromide, and the process can also remove essential minerals like calcium. Also, the concentrated salt is often dumped back into oceans, where the increased salinity affects the ocean's environment and biodiversity. The desal plants can disrupt local wildlife and add pollutants to the region's climate. In addition, desalination is the most energy-intensive means of treating water. The Pacific Institute explains that the high use of energy results in raised energy prices and higher prices on water produced, hurting the consumer. The water produced can be beneficial, even essential, as a substitute for a lack of fresh water, but reliance on these technologies can also result in overuse. Concerns with the large number of desalination plants in the Middle East focus on the improper dependency they can cause instead of encouraging more sustainable actions such as conserving freshwater.

To address the issue of water scarcity, many countries in the region have implemented water conservation measures, such as promoting the use of water-efficient technologies and reducing water losses in distribution systems. In addition, some countries have invested in the development of alternative water sourcessuch as treated wastewater and rainwater harvesting. Some countries are using cloud-seeding technology to increase precipitation locally. However, these efforts are often constrained by political and economic factors as not all countries have the means to implement these solutions, making it challenging to achieve sustainable water use and ensure equitable access to water for all in the region. The uneven distribution of water resources, coupled with population growth, has led to water-related conflicts between countries in the region.

Water scarcity is a significant challenge in the Middle East that requires a comprehensive approach to address. Since water resources are shared by neighboring nations, transboundary water management and diplomacy will continue to be key considerations for a more water-secure future. The following sections highlight some of the key water resource challenges facing different regions of the Middle East.

In summary, water scarcity in the Middle East requires a multi-faceted approach to address. This includes not only technological solutions but also social and political interventions to promote equitable access to water resources. It involves addressing the interlinked issues relating to food and energy security. This water-food-energy nexus presents significant challenges for the Middle East due to limited water resources, population growth, urbanization, climate change, and political instability.

While the region is expected to face worsening water scarcity in the future due to climate change and population growth, there are promising developments from the growing recognition of the need for sustainable water management practices as can be seen in long-range water security strategies such as the one developed in the United Arab Emirates. Strategies detail plans for increased investment in alternative water sources, the adoption of water conservation technologies and efforts to recharge depleted aquifers, among other plans.

Increased international cooperation and diplomacy have the potential to address shared water resources challenges and promote sustainable development. By addressing the water challenges in a collaborative and sustainable manner, the Middle East region can support its growing population, and ensure equitable access to water for all.

* This article was produced in part by generative AI technologies, then edited and reviewed for accuracy by The Water Project staff.

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Water scarcity is a significant issue in the Middle East due to its arid climate and high population growth. Many countries in the region are considered to be among the most water-stressed in the world, with limited freshwater resources and high water demand levels.

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Think: How might living in a water-stressed area impact the people in that region? Agriculutre is a huge part of life in the Middle East, how might this shortage affect farmers?

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Think: How might living in a water-stressed area impact the people in that region? Agriculutre is a huge part of life in the Middle East, how might this shortage affect farmers?

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What did you learn about the infrastructue of the Middle East?

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What did you learn about the infrastructue of the Middle East?

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The infrastructure of oil in the Middle East

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What does this political cartoon show you about the relationship Saudi Arabia has with the United States? How might Middle Easter leaders use oil as a threat to the US?

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What does this political cartoon show you about the relationship Saudi Arabia has with the United States? How might Middle Easter leaders use oil as a threat to the US?

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How has "cheap oil" putting Saudi Arabia's wealthy economy in danger?

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How has "cheap oil" putting Saudi Arabia's wealthy economy in danger?

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Look to the map- What do you noitce about the resources that the Middle East produce? What resources do other countries, like the US, have? How might this affect politics and how countries interact with each other?

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Look to the map- What do you noitce about the resources that the Middle East produce? What resources do other countries, like the US, have? How might this affect politics and how countries interact with each other?

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Using data from the CIA Factbook, we labeled every country in the world by its highest valued export - the commodity that makes the country the most money in the global market. Click on any of the maps below to see an enlarged version.

Unsurprisingly, much of the world runs on oil, particularly the Middle East and Central Asia. Europe is the world's workshop, where most of the machinery and motor vehicles are made, from optical instruments to BMWs. Latin America brings a blend of food products and oil to the trading table. Asia is the world's manufacturing center, where the world's clothing, wood products, and semiconductors are made. Africa is extremely rich in natural resources, particularly precious metals and oil. A substantial part of the continent makes its money on diamonds, gold or oil.
This article, by Simran Khosla, originally appeared at GlobalPost. More from GlobalPost...

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This map shows which export makes your country the most money

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Using data from the CIA Factbook, we labeled every country in the world by its highest valued export - the commodity that makes the country the most money in the global market. Click on any of the maps below to see an enlarged version.

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Think about how oil has developed the economy of the Middle East- how might the shift away from oil affect their economy?

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Think about how oil has developed the economy of the Middle East- how might the shift away from oil affect their economy?

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Transcript from video (Read as the video plays- the narrators accent can be difficult to understand. This will help you:
What if Saudi Arabia runs out of oil?
Saudi Arabia's main source of income is petroleum-based.
Roughly 75% of its budget is based on export earnings and 90% of export earnings come from the oil industry. Hence, the falling oil prices from late 2014 has scrambled the Saudi authorities to look for alternative sources of revenue. As a result, the crowned prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud, formulated vision 2030 to ease pressure on the oil industry. Recently, Saudi Arabia has decided to divert its economy from oil to and will pump about 2 trillion dollars into diversifying its economy. This brings us back to the question, what will happen if Saudi Arabia runs out of oil and fails in diversifying its economy? As provision 2030, Saudi Aramco, one of the biggest oil companies in the world, will consider listing 5% of its value to the New York Stock Exchange. According to the prince, this idea would generate more than the 2 trillion dollar budget to fulfill the plan. But can we guarantee the success of Vision 2030? In 2006, Saudi Arabia planned the King Abdullah Economic City. In order to compete with other large cities like Dubai. It was supposed to host 2 million people but as of 2016 it only accommodates 5,000. Moreover, the KAEC Port was expected to rank in the top 10 ports of the world. Currently, it serves only  4 ships a day. Investors around the world also have to think about how the hardcore traditional ideology like banning women driving that obstructs the ability to conduct business in Saudi Arabia. This raises the concerns over the success of Vision 2030. Let's think for a second that Saudi Arabia does run out of oil and Vision 2030 is a failure. Let's think for a second that Saudi Arabia does run out of oil and Vision 2030 is a failure. Iran is the biggest regional rival of Saudi Arabia so the downfall of Saudi Arabia could increase the influence of Iran in the region significantly. This could deliver political pressure to the region and decrease the position of the U.S. (The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have a close relationship). Saudi Arabians account for the highest amount of foreign fighters in the war against ISIS. If Saudi Arabia falls, it could become a hub for extremist ideologism.

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What do you notice about the placement of oil and gas lines in the Middle East? 2. Which facts stand out to you or surprise you most?

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What do you notice about the placement of oil and gas lines in the Middle East? 2. Which facts stand out to you or surprise you most?

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Fueling the world: A guide to the Middle East's oil and gas reserves | CNN

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How has oil played into the politics of the Middle East and it's relationship/alliances with other countries?

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How has oil played into the politics of the Middle East and it's relationship/alliances with other countries?

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You will use the research provided, to help you in your investigation of these questions. You may need to find alternative research to help you as well.

Goal: As a group you will develop a statement, in your own words, that addresses the question you were tasked with researching. Your statement will sum up your research in a concise way. You will write this statment on the paper, provided and you will develop a poster that further explains this using both research and illustrations.

You will use your checklist to guide you through this process.

To ensure that your groups are working effectively you may want to assign roles:
1. Scribe: Records groups thoughts and constructs final summary.
2. Time-Keeper-Keeps track of time and reminds group of how much time is left.
3. Questionaire-
4. Materials Manager-Picks up, districutes, collects, turns in, or puts away materials.
5. Checker-Checks for accuracy and clarity of thinking during directions. Also checks written work to make sure that final product makes the most sense.
6. Facilitator/Leader-Makes certian that everyone contributes and keeps the group on task.

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Look at the world's resources- What do you notice about the resources in the Middle East? How might this affect their economy?

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Look at the world's resources- What do you notice about the resources in the Middle East? How might this affect their economy?

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How might the strength of the ruling family of Saudi Arabia change if oil runs out?

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How might the strength of the ruling family of Saudi Arabia change if oil runs out?

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Transcript from video (Read as the video plays- the narrators accent can be difficult to understand. This will help you:
What if Saudi Arabia runs out of oil?
Saudi Arabia's main source of income is petroleum-based.
Roughly 75% of its budget is based on export earnings and 90% of export earnings come from the oil industry. Hence, the falling oil prices from late 2014 has scrambled the Saudi authorities to look for alternative sources of revenue. As a result, the crowned prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud, formulated vision 2030 to ease pressure on the oil industry. Recently, Saudi Arabia has decided to divert its economy from oil to and will pump about 2 trillion dollars into diversifying its economy. This brings us back to the question, what will happen if Saudi Arabia runs out of oil and fails in diversifying its economy? As provision 2030, Saudi Aramco, one of the biggest oil companies in the world, will consider listing 5% of its value to the New York Stock Exchange. According to the prince, this idea would generate more than the 2 trillion dollar budget to fulfill the plan. But can we guarantee the success of Vision 2030? In 2006, Saudi Arabia planned the King Abdullah Economic City. In order to compete with other large cities like Dubai. It was supposed to host 2 million people but as of 2016 it only accommodates 5,000. Moreover, the KAEC Port was expected to rank in the top 10 ports of the world. Currently, it serves only  4 ships a day. Investors around the world also have to think about how the hardcore traditional ideology like banning women driving that obstructs the ability to conduct business in Saudi Arabia. This raises the concerns over the success of Vision 2030. Let's think for a second that Saudi Arabia does run out of oil and Vision 2030 is a failure. Let's think for a second that Saudi Arabia does run out of oil and Vision 2030 is a failure. Iran is the biggest regional rival of Saudi Arabia so the downfall of Saudi Arabia could increase the influence of Iran in the region significantly. This could deliver political pressure to the region and decrease the position of the U.S. (The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have a close relationship). Saudi Arabians account for the highest amount of foreign fighters in the war against ISIS. If Saudi Arabia falls, it could become a hub for extremist ideologism.