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The Global Water Shortage

Adapted from: http://ag.arizona.edu/AZWATER/awr/dec99/Feature2.htmWater Resources Research Center, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona

1. When most U.S. citizens think about water shortages — if they think about them at all — they

think about a local problem, possibly in their town or city, maybe their state or region. We don't

usually regard such problems as particularly worrisome, sharing confidence that the situation

will be readily handled by investment in infrastructure, conservation, or other management

strategies. When water feuds arise, e.g., between Arizona and California, we expect them to be

resolved through negotiations or in the courtroom.

2. But shift from a local to a global water perspective, and the terms dramatically change. The

World Bank reports that 80 countries now have water shortages that threaten health and

economies while 40 percent of the world — more than 2 billion people — have no access to

clean water or sanitation. In this context, we cannot expect water conflicts to always be

peacefully resolved.

3. Consider: More than a dozen nations receive most of their water from rivers that cross

borders of neighboring countries viewed as hostile. These include Botswana, Bulgaria,

Cambodia, the Congo, Gambia, the Sudan, and Syria, all of whom receive 75 percent or more

of their fresh water from the river flow of often hostile upstream neighbors.

4. In the Middle East, a region marked by hostility between nations, obtaining adequate water

supplies is a high political priority. For example, water has been a controversial issue in recent

negotiations between Israel and Syria. In recent years, Iraq, Syria and Turkey have exchanged

verbal threats over their use of shared rivers. (It should come as no surprise to learn that the

words "river" and "rival" share the same Latin root; a rival is "someone who shares the same

stream.")

5. More frequently water is being likened to another resource that quickened global tensions

when its supplies were threatened. A story in The Financial Times of London began: "Water, like

energy in the late 1970s, will probably become the most critical natural resource issue facing

most parts of the world by the start of the next century." This analogy is also reflected in the oft-

repeated observation that water will likely replace oil as a future cause of war between nations.

6. Global water problems are attracting increasing attention, not just at the international level,

but also within the United States, in its popular press, in natural resource journals and as the

_____________________________________________________________________________The Global Water Shortage / 1

http://ag.arizona.edu/AZWATER/awr/dec99/Feature2.htm

subject of books. Former Sen. Paul Simon from Illinois recently authored Tapped Out: The

Coming World Crisis in Water and What We Can Do About It. A book for the general, non-

specialized audience, Simon's publication sounds an alarm about the approaching crisis.

"Within a few years, a water crisis of catastrophic proportions will explode upon us — unless

aroused citizens ... demand of their leadership actions reflecting vision, understanding and

courage."

7. A prime cause of the global water concern is the ever-increasing world population. As

populations grow, industrial, agricultural and individual water demands escalate. According to

the World Bank, world-wide demand for water is doubling every 21 years, more in some

regions. Water supply cannot remotely keep pace with demand, as populations soar and cities

explode. World population has recently reached six billion and United Nation's projections

indicate nine billion by 2050. What water supplies will be available for this expanding

population?

8. But population growth alone does not account for increased water demand. Since 1900, there

has been a six-fold increase in water use for only a two-fold increase in population size. This

reflects greater water usage associated with rising standards of living (e.g., diets containing less

grain and more meat). It also reflects potentially unsustainable levels of irrigated agriculture.

9. In addition, water quality is deteriorating in many areas of the developing world as population

increases and salinity caused by industrial farming and over-extraction rises. About 95 percent

of the world's cities still dump raw sewage into their waters. As a result of these phenomena,

many countries suffer increasing desertification.

10. Climate change represents a wild card in this developing scenario. If, in fact, climate change

is occurring — and most experts now agree that it is — what effect will it have on water

resources? Some experts claim climate change has the potential to worsen an already gloomy

situation. With higher temperatures and more rapid melting of winter snowpacks, less water

supplies will be available to farms and cities during summer months when demand is high.

11. A technological solution that some believe would provide adequate supplies of additional

water resources is desalination. Some researchers fault the United States for not providing

more support for desalination research. Once the world leader in such research, this country

has abdicated its role to Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Japan. There are approximately 11,000

desalination plants in 120 nations in the world, 60 percent of them in the Middle East.


12. Others argue that a market approach to water management would help resolve the situation

by putting matters on a businesslike footing. They say such an approach would help reduce the

political and security tensions that exacerbate international affairs. For example, the Harvard

Middle East Water Project wants to assign a value to water, rather than treat rivers and streams

as some kind of free natural commodity, like air.

13. Other strategies to confront the growing global water problem include slowing population

growth, reducing pollution, better management of present supply and demand and, of course,

not to be overlooked, water conservation. As Sandra Postel writes in her book, Last Oasis,

"Doing more with less is the first and easiest step along the path toward water security."

14. Ultimately, however, an awareness of the global water crisis should serve to put our own

water concerns in perspective. Whether our current activity is evaluating Arizona's Ground

Water Management Act or, at a more personal level, deciding whether to plant water-conserving

vegetation, the wiser choice would likely be made, if we are guided by an awareness that water

is a very scarce and valuable natural resource.


The Global Water Shortage – Exercises

Exercises adapted from Esti EisenbergPre- and post-reading exercises by Zhanna Burstein, Minna Lipner, and Anna Lyubman

I. Pre-Reading 1. Of all the water in the world, how much is fresh water?

a. Slightly less than half

b. About 20%

c. Only 3%

Now that you know the answer, what conclusion can you reach based on this

statistic?

___________________________________________________________________

2. Study the map below. What change in global water resources does this map

represent?

Which regions will be particularly affected by this change?

*Water Withdrawal: The removal of water from some type of source for use by humans. The water is later returned some period of time after it is used. The quality of the returned water may not be the same as when it was originally removed.


3. In many noun phrases in this article, the noun “water” is used to modify another

noun. Translate the phrases below into Hebrew.

____________________________

______________________

________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

II. Global Reading Skim the article by reading the first sentence in each paragraph.

This article discusses several different aspects of the global water shortage. Which

paragraphs discuss each topic below? (NOTE: The topics are not in the order of the text.)

Topic Paragraph(s)

a. Causes of the global water shortage

b. Water as a source of political tension

c. Ways to overcome the global water shortage

d. Conclusion of the text

e. Contrast between views on local and global water shortages


water quality

water security

water shortage adequate water supplies

water feuds

water resources

water concerns

growing global water problem

water conservation

http://www.wpclipart.com/weather/rain_water/rain.png.html









III. Close Reading Questions

1. What attitude do most Americans have to local water shortages?

(Circle the correct word.)

They view them as a MAJOR / MINOR problem.

Quote from the text to support your answer.

Par. #: ____________

Quote: _____________________________________________________________

2. Why are investment in infrastructure, conservation, and management strategies

mentioned in paragraph 1?

a. to show how local water problems cause serious concern among U.S. citizens

b. to present possible ways to settle local problems of water shortages

c. to explain the factors that cause water feuds between different U.S. states

d. to demonstrate that conflicts over water often have to be resolved in court

3. According to paragraphs 1-3, what is the difference between local and global water

conflicts?

While local conflicts are usually solved in a ____________________________ way,

global water conflicts may involve ______________________________________.

4. What problem do Botswana, Bulgaria, and Cambodia have?

They share water with ________________________________ (ONE WORD) countries.

5. What idea do the examples in paragraph 4 illustrate?

They show that water in the Middle East has great ___________________________

importance.

6. In what way are water and oil similar?

They both have the potential to _________________________________________.

7. a. Why does the writer mention Sen. Paul Simon’s book?

To show that ________________________________________________________

b. According to Sen. Paul Simon, what may prevent a water crisis?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

8. What factors are responsible for the growing global water shortage?

Read paragraphs 7-10 and list as many answers as you can.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The Global Water Shortage / 6

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

9. On what basis do we know that population growth is not the only reason for the

increased water demand? (Circle the correct answers.)

Because the growth of the POPULATION / WATER DEMAND is greater than the

growth of the POPULATION / WATER DEMAND.

10. Fill in the cause-effect chart below based on paragraph 9.

a. ___________________

_____________________

b. over-extraction

The quality of the

water is poor.

11. Which two phenomena related to climate change lead to reduced water resources?

a. _________________________________________________________________

b. _________________________________________________________________

12. List the solutions to the water shortage discussed in paragraphs 11-13. Give the

solutions, not examples.

a. _________________________________________________________________

b. _________________________________________________________________

c. _________________________________________________________________

d. _________________________________________________________________

e. _________________________________________________________________

f. _________________________________________________________________

13. What is the purpose of the statistic at the end of paragraph 11?

To show that:

a. there are many desalination factories in countries around the world

b. the number of desalination plants all over the world is insufficient

c. desalination is an inadequate solution for the reduced water supply

d. the U.S. no longer provides enough support for desalination research

14. What is the writer’s conclusion?

The writer concludes that the most critical factor in dealing with the water shortage is

_________________________________. (ONE WORD)

IV. Noun Groups _____________________________________________________________________________The Global Water Shortage / 7

I. Underline the head noun in the noun groups below. Then translate the phrase into

Hebrew.

Paragraph 1

1. management strategies _____________________________________

Paragraph 3

2. rivers that cross borders of neighboring countries viewed as hostile

_________________________________________________________________

3. the river flow of hostile upstream neighbors

_________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 5

4. the most critical natural resource issue facing most parts of the world by the start of

the next century

_________________________________________________________________

5. the oft-repeated observation that water will likely replace oil as a future cause of war

between nations

_________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 6

6. natural resource journals _____________________________________

Paragraph 7

7. ever-increasing world population _____________________________________

8. industrial, agricultural, and individual water demands

_______________________________________________________________

Paragraph 8

7. increased water demand _____________________________________

(cf. increasing water demand _____________________________________)

8. greater water usage associated with rising standards of living

_______________________________________________________________

9. potentially unsustainable levels of irrigated agriculture

_______________________________________________________________

Paragraph 9

10. developing world _____________________________________

11. salinity caused by industrial farming and over-extraction

_______________________________________________________________


Paragraph 10

12. climate change _____________________________________

Paragraph 11

13. approximately 11,000 desalination plants in 120 nations in the world

___________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 12

14. a market approach to water management

___________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 13

15. population growth _____________________________________

V. Post Reading Activities 1. Read the following report on water shortage in Israel. What factors have contributed to the

Israeli water crisis?

Water Shortage in IsraelIsrael is now in the middle of one of its worst water crises ever. The contributors to

Israel's water crisis include:

Increased water consumption - largely due to population growth;

Decreased water supply - following four drought years, with the most recent drought

(2007/8) especially severe.

Closure of drinking water wells - past pollution led to the closure of drinking water

wells and to the inability of pumping some 80 cubic meters of water per year.

Water scarcity and decreasing water quality mean that there is a need for greater water

efficiency and conservation in Israel. In recent years, major water saving campaigns

have been introduced to increase awareness of the need for water conservation and to

reduce consumption in the society.

2. People consume water for a great variety of purposes. Name a few examples.

___________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________


3. The following diagram represents the proportion of fresh water usage in Israel.

Predict which part of the diagram corresponds to each purpose below. For each

purpose, write the appropriate percentage.

Laundry and cleaning

Toilet flushing

Shower and bath

Drinking, cooking and dishwashing

Gardening


4. Water Saving TipsEvery person can take part in the effort to protect and conserve water sources, thus

preventing the deterioration of this important natural resource.

Read the water conservation tips in the table below and match each tip with its

explanation.

TIPS EXPLANATION____ 1. Put water saving devices

on all faucets. a. This can be done by using irrigation computers or switching to water saving plants.

____ 2. Use "smart" hot water faucets.

b. We may lose large amounts of water from water leaking from damaged pipes.

____ 3. Use a dual flow toilet. c. This will prevent liters of cold water from coming out of the faucet before the hot water begins flowing.

____ 4. Conserve water in the garden.

d. We can gain a free fresh water resource if we redirect rainwater from urban areas like streets and sidewalks (where it is wasted) to home gardens and public parks (where it can be effectively used).

____ 5. Use rainwater. e.. These substances may pollute the ground and groundwater.

____ 6. Report water pipeline leaks to city officials.

f. This will help to reduce water flow from the faucet.

____ 7. Report fuel and dangerous material leaks.

g. This will save water in flushing.

What additional water saving tips can you think of?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________


5. Additional ReadingRead the article about water conservation in Israel and answer the questions that follow.

How Grandma Rachel Conserved WaterBy Amiram Cohen, From Haaretz, February 13, 2011

Today, it is clear that attempts at scare-mongering and preaching to the public have not helped in conserving water. Perhaps this is because our society does not resemble the one that Grandma Rachel lived in.

1. Grandma Rachel, may she rest in peace, once had a solar water boiler on the roof of

her home. Before showering in the morning, she would place a bucket underneath the

hot water faucet. While waiting for the hot water to emerge from the faucet, she would fill

up the bucket with the cold-lukewarm water that was available for the time being. She

would then use that water to rinse the toilet, wash the floor, clean the dishes that piled

up in the sink, and water the plants on the porch.

2. "Nobody is going to tell me how to conserve water," she would angrily say when

watching a television broadcast about the decreasing water levels of the Kinneret. If

everyone would simply use the cold water that comes out before hot water began

flowing from the faucets, the country would save a million of buckets worth every year. "I

would completely forbid the use of Jacuzzis," she said.

3. Grandma Rachel was wrong. Before the water in the shower heats up, some two to

six liters of cold and lukewarm water go down the drain, depending on the floor one lives

on. It is possible to conserve between 300-400 million buckets of water nationwide, the

equivalent amount of water consumed by a city with a population of 250,000.

4. According to statistics published by the Knesset's research division, nothing has been

done in the last decade to save water in either the municipal or household sectors,

despite the fact that the growing problem of decreasing water supplies was known to all

the relevant decision makers, as well as to the public. Today, it is clear that attempts at

scare-mongering and preaching to the public have not helped in conserving water.

Perhaps this is because our society does not resemble the one that Grandma Rachel

lived in. She could scold her neighbors if she saw them washing their cars with a hose,

and would call city hall if she saw a leaky fire hydrant down the block.

5. But we do not need to adopt the methods of Grandma Rachel in order to save water,

not only because these methods are no longer suited to modern Israelis' way of thinking,

but also because they entirely depend on the goodwill of the average citizen.


6. There are two ways to save water: Hit people in the wallet, or take administrative

steps against them. By hitting in the wallet, we mean raising the costs of water

consumption, which is customary even in European countries with plenty of water.

Household water usage in these countries costs the equivalent of NIS 10-15 per cubic

meter, beginning with the first cubic meter. An increase in water rates would certainly

make it necessary to help those of low income. Administrative steps involve formulating

a list of rules requiring the public to use conservation-friendly faucets and devices. It may

be even necessary to have inspectors visit homes unannounced in order to make sure

that these devices have indeed been installed.

7. True, these steps are not democracy at its finest, but it is preferable to take them

rather than reach the point where in another two to three years we will be able to

examine the floor of the Kinneret from the deepest point of the lake.

Questions1. How did Grandma Rachel conserve water? Give an example.

___________________________________________________________________

2. Have the water conservation measures in Israel been effective? Yes / NoSupport your answer with evidence from the article.

___________________________________________________________________

3. According to the writer, Grandma Rachel’s methods are not suited to modern Israel.

Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

4. According to the article, what can be done to save water in Israel?

a. One way is to increase ______________________________________________

b. The other way is to make people use __________________________________

5. a. In paragraph 7, why does the author say "these steps are not democracy at its

finest”?

___________________________________________________________________

b. In general, does the writer approve of these measures? Yes / Noc. What is your opinion of these measures? ________________________________

___________________________________________________________________


6. Water Conservation and Humour


The Global Water Shortage – Vocabulary

Find and underline the following words in the text.

Word Also in par. #

Word Also in par. #

Paragraph 1 Paragraph 5

1. shortages (n.) 13. resource (n.) 10

2. region (n.) Paragraph 6

3. regard (v) 14. alarm (n., v.)

4. conservation (n.) / conserve (v.)

15. approaching (adj., v.) / approach (n., v.)

5. resolve (v.) 16. demand (v., n) 8

Paragraph 2 17. explode (v.) / explosion (n.)

6. shift (v., n.) Paragraph 7

7. threaten (v.) / threat (n.) 18. escalate (v.)

8. access (n.,v.) Paragraph 10

Paragraph 3 19. climate (n.)

9. border (n., v.) Paragraph 12

10. hostile (adj.) / hostility (n.) 20. exacerbate (v.)

Paragraph 4 Paragraph 14

11. adequate (adj) 9 21. evaluating (v.) / evaluation (n.)

12. supplies (n.) / supply (v.)

Affixes

-En = to make

Liken (para.5)

Quicken (para.5)

Threaten (para.5)

Desertification (para. 9)

Desalination (para. 11)

Exercise 1: Finding SynonymsFor each of the following words, find a word with a similar meaning from the vocabulary list.

1. lack _______________ 5. antagonistic, unfriendly ___________________

2. area _______________ 6. enough, sufficient_________________

3. consider _______________ 7. worsen _________________

4. switch, change _____________ 8. assess _____________________________________________________________________________________________The Global Water Shortage / 15

Exercise 2: Cloze

Fill in the gaps with words from the following list. Use each word only once.

access resource supply alarm approach conserve threaten

border resolve demand explode escalate climate

1. Disagreements over drinking water between states __________________ peace.

2. In order to enter the Highlearn program, you need to have an __________________ code.

3. Oil is an important energy __________________.

4. The rate of inflation __________________ as a result of the economic crisis.

5. Israel has a long __________________ with both Egypt and Jordan.

6. The Ministry of Education is ___________________ by the low numbers of young

people who enter the teaching profession.

7. The shortage of organs for transplantation has reached alarming proportions. All over

the world, the __________________ is higher than the ________________________.

8. The students were excited about the ______________________ graduation day.

Soon, they'll get their diplomas!

9. This country has a moderate _____________________: the summer is not too hot,

and the winter is not too cold.

10. Due to improvements in living standards and medicine, the birth rate in this region

has ________________________.

11. One way to ___________________ an argument is to discuss the situation and

determine what has caused the disagreement.

12. Don't exercise too much now. You need to ___________________ energy for the

approaching competition.


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