Abstract
Most of the Arab countries are located in the arid to semi-arid parts of the world which are characterised by limited water resources and fragile ecosystems. The amount of available water resources is about 265 million cubic metres (MCM) compared to a total population of 370 million people, putting the per capita share of water at less than 1000 cubic metres (ESCWA 2013). Thirteen of the 20 states that make up the Arab world rank among the most-scarce nations globally, and suffer severe water stress (World Bank 2009a). High rates of population growth, urbanization, industrialization and other economic activities, as well as the effects of climate change and occurrence of droughts, add to the stress and raise the spectre of continuous water shortages in the near future. The land and water resources of the Fertile Crescent and the Nile Valley, that once fed the people of Middle East, are no longer sufficient due to the unprecedented population increase. Shortages of water resources that are necessary for food production have acted as a major stress factor and have exacerbated other environmental and social stresses. The reports of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (2012) and the World Bank (2009b) indicate that more than 50% of the food consumed in the region is imported. This paper discusses the role of water shortage and climate change in igniting the Arab Spring and its effect on water and food security. It also discusses the consequences of the Arab Spring on water security.
Highlights
Most of the Arab countries are located in the arid to semi-arid parts of the world which are characterised by limited water resources and fragile ecosystems
The dam, slated to begin operation in 2017, will reduce the downstream flow of the Nile by 20% to 30%, and so reduce by nearly a third the electricity generated by the High Dam
If the unrest continues in the Arab Spring countries, internal security will take priority over other developments plans including those for water supply and sanitation, maintaining hydraulic structures and modernization of irrigation schemes
Summary
Most of the Arab countries are located in the arid to semi-arid parts of the world which are characterised by limited water resources and fragile ecosystems. Thirteen of the 20 states that make up the Arab world rank among the most-scarce nations globally, and suffer severe water stress (World Bank 2009a). High rates of population growth, urbanization, industrialization and other economic activities, as well as the effects of climate change and occurrence of droughts, add to the stress and raise the spectre of continuous water shortages in the near future. This paper discusses the role of water shortage and climate change in igniting the Arab Spring and its effect on water and food security. It discusses the consequences of the Arab Spring on water security
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
