Water cycle + Insecurity exam | 24 Questions and Answers (Verified Answers)

Evaluate the extent to which transboundary water resources always lead to conflict between different players (20) intro, 4 points, conclusion - Intro- transboundary water sources are those sharing political boundary + often cross international boundaries, many players involved e.g governments + communities -can lead to tensions particularly where a number of countries/governments share it e.g. tiger Euphrates where war has been threatened due to threats to water supplies, although this could be argued not just to look at the water as other political challenges exist showing this may be a more determining factor -In a lot of cases though conflicts don't arise due to agreements being made, such as the Helsinki rules and the UN water courses convention that offer help + give certain frameworks, as well as agreements within countries such as the Colorado river basin + its 2 main agreements -tensions can though arise when different players within a basin have different interests + don't all agree, e.g. Mekong river basin, a sign that certain agreements/rules don't always work -however within countries despite basins having large populations tensions + different players being involved conflict doesn't have to arise, e.g. Murray darling basin Australia where plans + policies have been agreed to help combat water problems and so players can see how their problems will be resolved Conclusion- don't always lead to conflict, however tensions do often arise where other factors such as political tensions are at play or large populations where it is hard for all groups to agree Explain 2 ways in which planners can alter a rivers lag time to reduce the risk of flooding in storm events (6) - -One way is to create green roofs to increase vegetation cover which therefore increases rates of interception as well as vegetation storage resulting in less water to reach the ground, slowing rates of soil saturation and so reducing surface runoff. -Another way is through things such as rainwater harvesting that helps to collect rainwater again reducing that that enters the ground with this being abled to then be recycled, or through permeable pavements. Assess the risks associated with water insecurity (12) intro + 3 points + conclusion - Intro- Water insecurity is defined as where a country does not have the sufficient water to meet demand, with this being a combination of both water scarcity + water stress. Water scarcity is where there is less than 1000m3 water available per person a year,with this being either economically meaning a lack of resources to harness the water available, or physically meaning there just isn't the water available at all. Water stress is when there is less than 1700m3 per person, with this often then leading to more temporary water shortages for a region. This can be seen to significantly impact a region in a number of ways, and with increasing energy demand and rising populations this insecurity is only set to increase.-One of the major risks associated with water insecurity is just how vital water is to peoples livelihoods, in terms of for food and drink but also often for countries economic development in terms of industry and manufacturing, with this then having a knock on effect on development. Due to many regions being so focused upon economic development this is therefore resulting in many people often those that are poorer to have a lack of access to clean and reliable water sources, resulting in clear negative impacts upon health and overall life expectancy. An example of where this can be seen is in many regions within Asia, such as an emerging economy such as China. Due to chinas rapid economic development largely being as a result of manufacturing, this has resulted in serious water pollution, with 70% of all its rivers and lakes now polluted and so china now only has 6% of the global freshwater supply. The fact that china has one of the worlds largest populations as well as living stanfdards (and so energy demand) increasing, this clearly poses a large problem for those who are unable to access this. This is then also efecting regions on a global scale, with a water gap to emerge between developing/developed nations and those within lower developed that are suffering much of the shortfall. 800 million people still cannot access safe water, with regions particularly in africa such as nigeria having thousands of children dying a year as a result. This therefore shows just how significant water insecurity can be, both locally and on a global scale. -A further large impact from water insecurity is the impact this is having on transboundary water sources, impacting not only on the regions competing for water but then also leading to conflict. An example of where this can be seen to be occuring is along the tigre-euphrates river, used by syria, turkey + iraq. Due to their location these regions suffer from water shortages as it is, however Turkey has recently begun its GAP project, building over 20 HEP dams to provide HEP as well as irrigation and agriculture. This has therefore led to significant impacts upon both syria + iraq, with it estimated to lead to a 40% reduction of flow into syria and a further 80% into iraq, therefore not only impacting on water availability byt also these regions electric output + irrigation. Estimates state that by 2040 the river may not even reach the sea, diminishin so much in flow therefore showing again just how impactful water insecurity may have, with both already threatening conflict. Although it must be identified that this region is already in large amounts of conflict as it is, it clearly cannot be ignored that if not cause the conflict the issue with water resources are clearly going to exacerbate them. -It must though be identified that in regard to transboundary water sources they could be said to be much less significant as a risk when compared to the global water shortages, with evidence showing that they can be managed and resolved. For example the Murray darling basin in australia, provides 75% Australias water and as a result of so many players being involved as well as natural climatic changes such as El nino cycles reducing precipitaion, is now suffering from water shortages + much reduced flow, therefore impacting heavily upon those that use it. However 2012 new basin plan was implemented to help ensure that the amount of water extracted does not have a negative impact on the environment and overall groundwater source. This therefore aims to improve overall water security, showing that risks do not always have to occur. (could mention COLORADO basin instead?) It must then also be said that risks do not have to occur, only actually accessing half of worlds freshwater, it is more the fact is large mismatch between water usage, therefore some areas are more at risk despite this could be able to be overcome. Also transboundary compared with the risk of the actual physical scarcity as well as economic within more developing regions could be argued to be much more significant, especially as economic development + global energy demand is only set to rise.Explain one reason why countries such as spain are likely to experience increased water stress in the future (3) one point - -due to increases in tourism and rising population sizes. With more people either moving to the country or visiting it, there will be increasing demand for freshwater both to drink, use and producing food -or- -due to climate warming with higher global temperatures leading to increased evaporation and smaller soil and surface water stores. Also overall shifts in climatic belts leading to more unreliable and likely reduced levels of rainfall, with areas becoming more arid further reducing water availability + increasing stress.