Resource Security

Question 1

UK water transfer schemes

Answer 1

West to East transfered have been debated heavily.
Thames Interbasin has been debated since 1973.
East to West is attractive but cons are: Construction costs, Ecological concerns and Public Resistance.

Question 2

China Water Transfer

Answer 2

South to North.
70% of Be Jing water comes from south- 30 cities benefit from it.
Cons of it: 433,000 people relocated. 3500 companies shut down. Goes across rivers, railways and roads.
Pros: Worlds largest water network, 500 million benefit, efficient and clean water quality.

Question 3

Egypt & Sudan Aswan High Dam Pros:

Answer 3

Aswan High Dam located between Egypy and Sudan.
Fed by river Nile and reservoirs form Lake Nasser.
Began in 1960 and completed in 8 years (1968).
Investments were $1bn.
Serves water for 33,600km2 of irrigation land and serves needs of Egypt and Sudan.
Improved Navigation across Nile.

Question 4

Egypt and Sudan Aswan High Dam Cons:

Answer 4

Originally failed 4 times, rebuilt each due to annual floods.
World Bank and Soviet Union helped fund for High Dam in 1960.
Created tensions which contributed to Cold War (Egypt Nationalised Suez canal).
Dam faced Environmental issues as well as relocating 100,000 inhabitants.
Submerged Historical Sites.
Nile was large provider of irrigation due to silts, no more.
Aquatic Life conerns were also raised.