Bethnai
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Joined: 11/8/2007
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When I started surfing around yesterday I came across this article that spoke about the effects of the water shortage in Iran. I am somewhat interested in the decline of the nomads in the last 20 years. The more I wanted to keep my focus in one area the more I kept running into the water shortage-so I caved. The next few months have a lot riding and its about snow and rain. It,s been a 4 year drought.
I hit a Korean article (below)that mentioned this future cast report by a specific organization (World Future Society) listed below. I have never heard of the organization. I am assuming that that is the very same report that was listed (6). Secondly, I love history but I have never sat down and paid attention or studied if downstream countries have increased defense capabilities more than upstream nations. So WFS.org may in fact stand for something else.
6. Water will be in the twenty-first century what oil was in the twentieth century. Global fresh water shortages and drought conditions are spreading in both the developed and developing world. In response, the dry state of California is building 13 desalination plants that could provide 10%-20% of the state's water in the next two decades. Desalination will become more mainstream by 2020. --William E. Halal, "Technology's Promise: Highlights from the TechCast Project," Nov-Dec, p. 44
According to the report, (Again, I’m assuming that it would be in the same report)40 percent of the world population live near 250 waterways, and downstream countries have historically increased defense capabilities more than upstream nations because of their concerns about water supply.
The report says the possibility of such water wars is especially high on the River Jordan (Israel and Jordan), the Nile (Egypt, Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia), the Tigris-Euphrates (Turkey, Iraq and Syria), or the Indus (Pakistan and India).
The lack of pasture means livestock also suffers. Nomads in Fars who move 1.2 million animals annually from winter to summer quarters have been badly hit.
"I now have 58 sheep and geese. But I lost some. They don't become fattened," said Avaz Peykar, 40, now settled in Eghlid's Aspas plain.
The father of six sees no future for the nomad lifestyle.
"A nomad's herd is his asset. But this drought means there will be no more nomads. In the end we'll have to settle down somewhere. We are dying of hunger."
This summer has seen severe water shortages throughout the country, leading to numerous protests by frustrated -- and thirsty -- citizens. Egypt has seen its share of political demonstrations in recent years, but the latest water protests are the first time that ordinary people have taken to the streets to demand a basic service.
The waters of the Sea of Galilee are now at their lowest on record and, officials say, are set to fall even lower. The crisis is both natural and man-made. Four successive years of droughts, with rainfall less than half the annual average, has combined with a lack of snow on the peaks of Mount Hermon to lead to the shortage. At the same time,Israel's relentless pumping of water to irrigate farmland and supply homes has been massively worsening the situation. (This one was for drama only, notice how Israel is “not” paying attention)
At any rate, I have found articles that state that talking points between Syria and Israel are about water. I have found articles that talk about resources that are shared (or will be) between countries. Jordan (in some areas they have one day of water) and Israel have articles that recognize the shortages and that if it is not handled carefully the effects could be more devastating. Jordan and Iran have shut down there borders due the cholera outbreak in Iraq. I’m thinking that, if done well, it isn’t a war point but a peace point.
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Repercussions of a 4 year drought - 
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