Grants Pass, OR (PRWEB) March 06, 2014
Fresh water scarcity is the world's most explosive humanitarian and political crisis, reports author Steven Solomon. Speaking on the Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water syndicated radio talk show, On the show, Solomon described several countries where fresh water scarcity is critical or could become critical. He also cited examples of countries that have managed their water responsibly and offer a glimmer of hope to an increasingly water starved world beset by numerous water wars.
The globally syndicated Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water® radio show, with host Sharon Kleyne, is heard on the VoiceAmerica Variety Channel and Health and Wellness Channel, and Apple iTunes. Kleyne is also Founder of Bio Logic Aqua Research, a water and health research and product development center. Natures Tears® EyeMist®, a 100% pure water mist, is the Research Center’s global signature product for dry eyes.
Steven Solomon, an investigative reporter specializing in environmental issues, is author of the best selling book Water: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power and Civilization (Harper, 2010). Solomon is a frequent Sharon Kleyne Hour guest.
Solomon and Kleyne discussed the impact of fresh water scarcity in several countries:
Iraq. In the rebellion following the Gulf War, according to Solomon, Saddam Hussein punished the Iraq's Shiite Muslims “Marsh Arabs," by draining the marshes where the Tigris-Euphrates River empties into the Persian Gulf – an area believed by some to have been the site of the Garden of Eden. Thousands of Marsh Arabs either died or fled. Since the Iraq War, the United States has restored 75 to 90 percent of the marshes.
Yemen. In this failed and impoverished state, says Solomon, Al Qaida is extremely powerful, in part because they finance well-drilling projects for local tribes. Because of constant drought, many people are moving to the cities, which also have severe fresh water problems.
Somalia. The situation is similar to Yemen in that out-of-control fresh water shortages have rendered the government powerless.
Syria. The ongoing internal conflict, Solomon notes, was triggered in part by a spike in food prices caused by extended drought. Most Syrian rivers, including the Euphrates, begin in Turkey, which, because of the same drought, has been removing water before it reaches Syria.
Tibet. In the high Himalayas, Tibet, says Solomon, is the "water tower" of Asia and the source of the Yellow, Yangtze, Mekong and Brahmaputra Rivers. To control this water, says Solomon, China continues to occupy Tibet and encourages Chinese citizens to move there.
India. The Brahmaputra, River, one of India's major rivers, begins in Tibet. According to Kleyne, China has proposed a huge hydroelectric dam on their side of the river. India fears that China will withhold water, although the dam would help reduce the frequent flooding in Indian and Bangladesh.
China. With its giant population, polluted rivers, dozens of mega-cities and inadequate water distribution, says Kleyne, China experiences widespread water shortages despite numerous large rivers that begin in the fresh water rich Himalayas. The industrial north is particularly water poor.
Netherlands. Because of extreme low elevation in parts of the Netherlands, floods are a recurring problem. In the 1500's, cities and provinces began forming local Water Boards to build canals and dikes for flood control and land reclamation. According to Solomon, this was the direct precursor to the Dutch Parliament, one of Europe’s first democracies, which triggered the Dutch Golden Age in the 1600's.
Singapore. This tiny island nation, says Kleyne, with the world’s second densest population, has become the water conservation model for the world. Singapore formerly obtained 50% of its water from Malaysia. With the success of the current multi-faceted water strategy, the country did not renew a 50-year water contract with Malaysia that expired in 2011. Singapore projects 100% water independence by 2061, even though demand will have doubled by then.
United States. According to Solomon, the US is experiencing increasing long-term drought, not only in rapidly growing Western desert areas but in regions once considered fresh water rich, such as Georgia and Alabama. Most Western water comes from Colorado, Washington and Canada and is coveted by California, Nevada and Arizona. Allocation of fresh water for cities versus agriculture is a major issue.
Live broadcasts of Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water® are heard on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. PST/PDT. Podcasts, including interviews with Steven Solomon, may be heard at http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2207/the-sharon-kleyne-hour.