Water Flashcards
Evaluate the view that Lesotho’s dams created more problems than they solve for the people and the environment:
- Construction of 5 dams has led to the displacement of 30,000 rural farmers who have lost their lands
- Unlikely that they will be compensated
_ Has threatened several populations of Minnow - Preliminary investgations did not take social or environmental impacts
Evaluate the view that Lesotho’s dams solved more problems than they created for the people and the environment
- Temporary jobs for workers, improving livelihoods
- Has reduced flow rates, leading to less frequent flooding
Evaluate the view that the Mekong River’s insecurity is less sustainable:
- China has 24 dams built and planned along the river, while countries southern have their own dams in place
-Fish numbers have depleted due to halting of fish migration - Endemic species such as the Irrawady River dolphin threatened
- Chemical eutrophication
Evaluate the view that the Mekong River’s insecurity is more sustainable:
- MRC help to manage insecurity and damming
Assess the role of human factors in influencing water stress in Singapore:
- NEWater, a desalination and recycling strategy for rising population
- Has maintained decent relations with Malaysia
- Little corruption and efficient governance has led to a healthy ecosystem
- NEWater provides for 30% ofhe country’s water needs and will reach 50% by 2050
Assess the limitations of decreasing water stress in Singapore?
- Rapid population growth via immigration
- Combined with a scarcity of land
MAY make goal unrealistic
Evaluate the view that land use changes are the main cause of the increasing risk of river flooding in Houston:
- City council have reduced 600,000 acres of prairies to just 150,000
–Prairies are extremely efficient in absorbing rainwater and reducing pressure on rivers - City do not prioritise green space, opting for urban development due to pop. rise
- Major floods in 2001, 2005, 2008 and 2015; no.1 location for flood deaths
Evaluate the view that physical changes are the main cause of increasing flood risk in Houston:
- Climate change has led to increasing torrential rainfall with new record of 50 inches
Evaluate hte likely impacts of increasing precipitation in Pakistan:
- Complex interplay of the Indian monsoon, La Nina and jet stream meandering has meant that 1/3rd of the country is submerged
Evaluate the view that the Israel-Palestine conflict is impossible to solve due to the role of people:
Microcosm of a wider conflict
- Colonial decisions to draw borders based on ease has led to some groups deprived of water
- Gaza Strip has access to 40L than recommended UN allowance
- Netanyahu only granted water to Rawabi 5 years after construction
Evaluate the view that the Israel-Palestine conflict is impossible to solve due to the role of the physical environment:
- Both in a dry arid region with increasing water depletion due to climate variability
Evaluate the view that Bolivia’s private approach to managing water security was more unsustainable:
- In El Alto, water resources subcontractde to SUEZ to deal with water covereage
- SUEZ improved coverage by 50%
- Led to water prices increasing to $450
- Average wages are $17
- 200,000 people not being able to afford water
Water resources returned to public sector
Evaluate the view that Bolivia’s public approach to managing water security was less sustainable:
- Supply was intermittent with murky water quality and inadequate water in cities
- High levels of corruption in Bolivia
What is Cherrapunji’s climate like?
- Wettest place in the year
- 9- 13,000 mm per year
- Orographic Rain
