Abstract
Water shortages have been for a long time a serious problem in the Middle East as well as other parts of the world. The large and arid land of the Middle East has also been dependant on water which is provided by few rivers. This issue has been tackled by researchers, orientalists and exploration associations (Palestine Exploration Fund 1882, and Oliphant, 1880). The aim of this paper is to tackle ways of managing and solving chromic water shortages and hydropolitical tensions in the Middle East. None of the Middle Eastern Countries enjoys water surplus with exception of Turkey. Fortunately, some Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman which suffers from water shortages enjoys fuel surplus. These countries are trying to solve their water shortages by using underground water and heavily investing in water desalination. Other countries like Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq are losing their grip on their national water as a result of sever and perpetuated conflicts which have never ended since the First World War. In terms of technological progress Middle Eastern countries are also differentiated. In this respect, Turkey managed to develop itself and upgrade its social and economic conditions, but most of Arab countries are lacking behind. All of Middle Eastern countries enjoy and share rich cultural heritages related to water management and consumption. Such a richness will help to upgrade peoples’ awareness regarding water consumptions and uses in different economic sectors. Middle Eastern countries suffer from physical water scarcity and the neighboring regions in Africa, Europe and Latin America suffers from economic water scarcity. In addition the regions are of little or no water scarcity lie in Northern Eurasia and Antarctica. As a result of these differences, this paper will suggest ways in which concerned countries and professional organizations may take part in bridging the gap between such physical and economic water scarcities. A projected model of cooperation between Middle Eastern countries in terms of natural resources, cultural, economic, and social enterprises needs to be developed. In addition, International community has to take part in introducing solutions to conflicts of Arabs and Israel, Iraq, Iran, Cyprus, Afghanistan, and Yemen.
Highlights
Most countries of the Middle East regardless of their locations are rapidly facing increasing water scarcity which may be aggravated the effects of climate change on all aspects of water use
Water shortages have been for a long time a serious problem in the Middle East as well as other parts of the world
The large and arid land of the Middle East has been dependant on water which is provided by few rivers
Summary
Most countries of the Middle East regardless of their locations are rapidly facing increasing water scarcity which may be aggravated the effects of climate change on all aspects of water use. Some countries a per capita share of available water has dropped to 170 cubic meters per year. This fact is a sad one since it is below the internationally recognized water scarcity standard of 1000 cubic meters. Countries of the Middle East have been growing in their dependence of food imports and this is accompanied by rising of fuel prices since 1970’s and population increase. The Middle East and North African countries suffer from sever water scarcity. This region is the home of 6.3% of world’s population but it contains only 1.4% of the world’s renewable fresh water. The uses of water in agriculture sector exceeds by ten times uses of water by industrial and municipal sectors combined
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