Water Is Key To Demise of Islam's Golden Age and Contemporary Turmoil

In a world dominated by authoritarian states, strife and lack of development, Muslims recall the early days when Muslim forces ruled an empire stretching from Spain to Central Asia and were the world’s leaders in science and the arts and ask themselves what went wrong. The answer, according to a just published book, may be water.

In a sweeping history of water, journalist Steven Solomon, argues that water has stood at the cradle and grave of great empires. Muslim armies harnessed the water management of the camel to turn the desert from an unproductive, isolating stretch of land into a highway of conquest, expansion and cultural exchange. Highly maneuverable dhows allowed them to dominate the Indian Ocean and extend lucrative trade routes from Indonesia’s Spice Islands to the Mediterranean.

Islam’s Golden Age began to crumble when Muslim forces became complacent about the need for continued innovation to improve the efficiency of water use and stay technologically ahead of their inherent scarcity of freshwater resources. Muslim naval forces failed to adapt to Christian gunpowder-based naval power. When nomadic Turks effectively occupied the Abbasid levers of power, they focused on water holes and seasonal grazing lands, allowing canal and irrigation systems to deteriorate.

A thousand years later, the Middle East is again on the front lines of a global freshwater crisis. It is the first region to have virtually run out of water, housing a host of countries with water tensions, conflicts and troubled states. Oil-rich Gulf states are flush with petro dollars invested in mega projects to diversify their economies and plan for a post-oil era, but they are unable or unwilling to ensure success by not committing the same mistakes that led to their ancestors’ decline.

A recent report by Riyadh-based NCB Capital warns that Gulf states have at best 550 cubic meters a year per person in renewable water resources compared to 89,000 cubic meters for every Canadian citizen. Yet, Gulf residents are among the world’s biggest water consumers. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) puts consumption in Saudi Arabia and the UAE at close to 1,000 cubic meters a person and approaching US levels of 1,648 meters.

While municipal consumption in the Gulf is the world’s second highest, only outstripped by Canada, agriculture is the real culprit in the Gulf. Efforts starting in the 1970s to achieve self-sufficiency have drained ground water reserves and with agriculture accounting for 80 percent of consumption but only two percent of GDP are now being rolled back. Gulf states have adopted a policy of a kind of agro-imperialism, buying huge tracts of land in impoverished countries in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe to ensure future food security, but refuse to harness technologies such as hydroponics and drip-fed irrigation that would enable them to develop a smaller, more sustainable agricultural industry. “They don’t seem to want to know,” John Lawton, a Riyadh-based British agricultural consultant, told the Financial Times .

Yet, the history of water as a determinant of power teaches that correcting unsustainable situation is not enough. Boosting water supplies through desalination without seeking to curb demand produces new problems. Upgrading aging infrastructure increases efficiency and reduces water loss estimated in Saudi Arabia at 35 percent by the  World Bank but is only one of many policies Gulf states should be adopting.

To guarantee continued regional and global power, Gulf leaders and governments would have to continuously innovate and take bold and courageous decisions. Unlike 1,000 years ago that would involve largely unpopular regimes forging a different pact with the region’s population, one that is more open, liberal and transparent than the current deal in which authoritarian government is tolerated in exchange for cradle to grave welfare.

Subsidies for water in the Gulf are among the world’s highest, making the region’s water tariffs among the world’s lowest and removing a major incentive for greater water conservation.  The  Financial Times quotes Bahrain Water and Electricity Authority CEO Abdulmajeed Ali Alawadhu as saying that raising tariffs would be the easiest way to curb consumption “but that requires a political will.” In fact, it would be too risky says Jamro Kotilaine, NCB Capital chief economist and author of the water report. “In Bahrain, even the suggestion of raising prices can provoke demonstrations.”

Water, The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power and Civilization by Steven Solomon, Harper Collins, 2010

GCC Water Resources

Free water-saving devices for UAE homes

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates in cooperation with environmental NGOs have launched a national campaign to reduce water wastage, they estimate to be 250 liters per day per person or almost half of estimated daily consumption. The UAE has one of the world’s highest consumption rates per person with an average of 550 liters per person a day.

To reduce wastage, the government is providing free of charge water saving devices to 55,000 households, 2,750 mosques, 500 schools and 2,000 public or commercial buildings. The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi will install water saving devices in 60,000 buildings in the emirate. The campaign urges consumers to reduce consumption by avoiding leaving taps running while brushing teeth, shaving or washing dishes, limiting showers to five minutes and using a bucket and sponge to wash cars rather than a hose pipe. The campaign is also designed to reduce the UAE’s dependence on desalination, which provides virtually all of the UAE’s drinking water and accounts for 36 percent of the country’s carbon emissions.

US Funds Pakistani Hydropower

The United States, in a bid to further development and reduce the appeal of Taliban insurgents in Pakistan’s troubled Northwest Frontier, has agreed to contribute $16.5 million to upgrading the 35-year old Tarbela Dam hydroelectric plant. “The energy crisis in Pakistan is an issue that affects everyone,” US Ambassador Richard Holbrooke said at a ceremony marking the signing of the agreement. “Power blackouts cripple commerce and cause suffering in the daily lives of millions of Pakistanis. An efficient system of power generation and distribution is a critical factor in spurring economic development to the benefit of all.” The upgrade to be completed in the next two years is part of a $125 million US funded effort to Pakistan’s energy output and efficiency. The Jamshoro Thermal Power Station in Sindh, the Muzaffargarh power station in Punjab and the Guddu station in the triangle where Sindh, Punjab and Baluchistan meet are also slated for upgrades.

Abu Dhabi 2100: under water?

The National reports that a UAE government commissioned report has warned that the UAE could lose up to six per cent of its populated and developed coastline by the end of the century because of rising sea levels.

The report said a rise of one meter, the best case scenario, was not “unlikely.” It would put 1,155 square kilometers of the country’s coast under water by 2050; nine meters, the worst case, would submerge most of Abu Dhabi and much of Dubai.

A one meter rise would cost Abu Dhabi more than 10sq km of built-up area and more than 100 sq km of urban greening.

The report, Climate Change: Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation was commissioned by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and compiled by the Stockholm Environment. It warns that unless future development planning accounted for the changes, there would be unacceptable economic damages for the UAE’s coastal zones.

The International Panel on Climate Change, the world’s most authoritative scientific body on the subject, estimates that sea levels will rise by between 0.37 metres and 0.59m by the turn of the century. The actual fluctuation will depend on a number of variables, including how much global temperatures rise, and how that will affect glaciers and snow cover on polar caps.

Water For Haiti

Pieter Glieck of the Pacifica Institute warns that lack of water constitutes one of, if not, the biggest threat to Haitians in the wake of the earthquake. He suggests on the website of The San Francisco Chronicle:

In any disaster like this, after search, rescue, and immediate medical care, clean and safe water becomes a critical need. Without it, water-related diseases rapidly become a serious health threat for the survivors.

Water Number: 50 liters per person per day. In previous work I've done on basic human needs, I've identified 50 liters per person per day as a minimum for drinking, sanitation, cooking, and cleaning. In a disaster of this magnitude, even a fraction of that amount would be a blessing. Emergency water supplies can be provided in many ways, but there is no consistent approach or technology. Here are some that should be applied quickly:

-- Some space on the first cargo planes should be reserved for small-scale desalination systems and other water purification plants that can be put in place immediately in centralized locations. Systems that fit on pallets, that in turn fit on transport planes, should be available. Water (such as bottled water) itself is very heavy. Best to send the equipment to purify unlimited amounts on the ground. Also send the solar energy systems, diesel generators, and other energy systems needed to operate them 24/7.

-- Big US Navy ships have desalination systems on board. When the US aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson arrives (as news reports suggest it will), the ship's water system -- capable of producing water for thousands of people every day -- should be tied in to some kind of land distribution system so people can come and collect safe water. Other ships with such capability should also be used in this way.

-- It would have been nice to have pre-positioned some large water bags, such as the innovative Spragg Bag, that could be flown to the country, or to neighboring Dominican Republic, filled with freshwater, and towed to Haiti for distribution. Alas, this technology is still searching for angel funders, though similar bags operated commercially for a number of years in the Mediterranean. These kinds of bags could also be used to store water on land as it is produced by water purification plants.

-- Engineers should begin immediately to evaluate and repair the basic water system. In Haiti, this system has always been marginal and limited, but the purification and wastewater systems needs immediate attention.

-- I believe that both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have relationships with bottlers in Haiti. If so, their teams should work (as no doubt they are) to repair bottling facilities in order to provide purified water to surrounding communities rather than other commercial drinks, during the emergency.

Bottled water should be shipped when space is available. As much as I've been known to criticize the bottled water industry (and I have a new book coming out shortly, called Bottled and Sold: The Story Behind Our Obsession with Bottled Water, from Island Press, more about this a different time), some of the major bottled water companies have consistently been very generous during emergencies in making free water, or plastic bottles, available. The expertise of their water-quality engineers may also be valuable.

Mideast Water Crisis Produces Region's First Water Refugees

A two-part series by NPR focuses on the Middle East's worst water crisis in decades as a result of climate change, drought and mismanagement. The series focuses on the headwaters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which affects Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon and the fact that this already troubled region is confronting a new phenomenon: water refugees.

Contrary to popular perception, water seldom is the single cause for violent conflict, but it certainly can accelerate and exacerbate tensions. Perhaps, the latest example in the region is Yemen, whose multiple conflicts are enhanced by a falling water table and acute water shortage. Water plays a key role in Turkey's relations with Iraq and Syria, who believe that Turkey uses its control of the Tigris and Euphrates head waters as a tool to realize its regional ambitions. NPR reports:

"Syria and Iraq blame Turkey's huge network of dams on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for reducing water supplies by 50 percent.Turkey is the site of the headwaters of a river system that Syria and Iraq depend on. An informal agreement determines the flow downstream.

'When we had bad relations with Turkey, they reduced the flow of water despite the agreement, and now, thank God, we have excellent relations with Turkey, and hopefully, we will not see any cutoff of water,' Syrian economist Nabil)Sukkar says.

Turkey says there is enough water for everyone, but Syria and Iraq waste their share. (Hussein) Amery, (a Middle East water management expert and professor at the Colorado School of Mines. says the Turks are partly right. 'The issue is water but it goes far beyond water, he says. Amery says the key to head off a water crisis is more efficient management of a scarce resource. But he adds politics, not climate, is the problem. A lot of Arabs believe that Turkey is trying to assert itself as a regional superpower,' he says, "and water is being used as a tool to advance that interest"....

In Turkey, Gun Kut, a water expert at Istanbul's Bogazici University, expresses an often-heard criticism in response to Arab complaints: 'Quit wasting the water and there will be enough for everybody.' Kut says outdated farming techniques and bad water management decisions waste a dwindling resource. 'Simply insisting on others to release more and more water while the population is going up, the need for food is going up, won't work,' he says."

Indeed, for much of Turkey's modern history, Turkey viewed its control of the head waters of the Tigris and the Euphrates as a Turkish resource much like oil is an Arab resource. With other words, it was Turkey's right to control access to the rivers' waters. Former Turkish President Suleiman Demirel did not mince words, when he in 1992 inaugurated the Ataturk Dam, part of the Southeastern Anatolia Project, one of the world's biggest irrigation and electric power schemes. "We have a right to do anything we like," Demirel said at the dam's opening ceremony.

That attitude, however, may be changing as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan seeks to position his country as a regional superpower. In a sign that Turkey is seeking cooperation rather than confrontation, Turkey and Syria agreed in the first week of January to joint management of some water resources.

Water Expo China attracts record number of exhibitors and visitors

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A total of 10,239 visitors from 30 countries and regions attended Water Expo China 2009 to view the latest water industry technology at the Beijing Exhibition Centre from 18 – 20 November 2009.  This was a 26 percent increase in visitor numbers compared to the 2008 show.

There were 10,009 domestic visitors and 230 international visitors, representing an increase of 26 per cent and 8 per cent respectively.  In addition, the number of visitor countries and regions rose from 26 in 2008 to 30 in 2009, an increase of nearly 12 per cent.

Water Expo China was sponsored by China’s Ministry of Water Resources and approved by the Ministry of Commerce.  It was organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and the Chinese

Hydraulic Engineering Society (CHES).  Mr Jiang Shu Shen, Vice-Chairman of the National People’s Congress and Mr Hu Si Yi, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Water Resources were among the guests at the official opening ceremony.

The show also attracted a record number of exhibitors – 252 from 18 countries and regions, covering six halls in a total exhibition area of 16,000 sqm.  The exhibitor number was an increase of 26 per cent compared to the 2008 show.

Mr Jason Cao, General Manager, Messe Frankfurt Shanghai Co Ltd said that China’s water business reform started in 2002.  “As a result there are numerous opportunities for domestic and international companies to assist China in its commitment to upgrading the water industry.  What makes Water Expo China different from similar shows is that it provides a forum which brings together water industry players and key decision making government officials.”

This year, Water Expo China showcased seven key industry sectors: water business, irrigation and drainage, water and soil conservation, information and instrumentation, water-related equipment and rainwater harvesting.

Exhibitors showing their most advanced technologies included Beijing Capital, Veolia, Sino-French, General Water, Duoyuan Clean Water Technology Industries, Laurel, GRUNDFOS and Anhui Guozhen Environmental Protection.

Ground water specialists, Schlumberger Water Services from Canada were exhibiting at Water Expo China for the third year in succession.  Mr Martin Draeger, Marketing Manager said: “One of the Chinese government initiatives for 2009 and moving forward is a national ground water monitoring network and they have chosen our technology to be the key one for that. This is as a result of being in China and through Water Expo China being more visible among the water resources groups, together with our local office presence.   It’s a combination that allows us to meet all the right people.  Water Expo China has been good for us and that’s why we will do it again next year. In China we have come to learn that it is all about building relationships and about being patient.”

Another third-time exhibitor was pipe-coupling expert Straub Werke AG from Switzerland.  “I am very happy with the high quality government visitors,” said Mr Peter G. Mueller, Sales Director.   “Business is just starting because like all businesses in China you have to work three to four years and that’s what we have done.  Now we see that business is slowly starting here and there.”

Mr Horst Maier, Export Director for German company Tyco Waterworks GmbH & Co said his company met the right kind of government visitors at Water Expo China.  “We had a couple of visitors who were very interesting and China is a very big market for us. With our sophisticated products we can improve the quality of the water and our specialists can teach people by telling them how it is done in other countries.  So we can give many ideas on how to plan and organise.”

Chinese company Qingdao Lanhaixi Membrane Engineering Co Ltd also met their targeted clients.  Mr Yan Yonggang, Director, said: “These clients are not just coming to see the products, they asked many questions about the technology and how to use our products. These are the clients with real purchasing requirements. So we built many contacts with new clients and discussed with them face to face. The show is far beyond our expectation. We will definitely come back next year.”

Korean exhibitor, Humas Co Ltd, a water analyzer specialist reported a successful showing of their products.  Mr Jack Shin, Overseas Sales Team Manager said: “As the living standard in China is getting better and better, people are concerned about their environment and water in particular.  We met about 30 buyers from government, wastewater companies and universities and they are interested in our portable analyzers, desk-top analyzers and spectrophotometers.”

Returning for the second time to Water Exp China, Japanese rainwater harvesting system expert, Totetu Manufacturing Co Ltd said that after last year’s show they received five orders and were looking forward to more leads from the 2009 show.   “Our aim is to bring our rainwater systems to China and to expand our business here, “ explained Mr Seiichiro Takai, Managing Director. “We don’t want to just sell our products in China, we want to team up with the right local partner and develop our company because we are here for the long run.”

Visitors to the show were also impressed.  Dr Leszek Sobkowiak, from the Institute of Physical Geography and Environmental Planning Department of Hydrology and Water Management at Poland’s Adam Mickiewicz University commented: “I’m very interested in the products and technologies about water protection and water saving. There are lots of latest water project presentations at the show. It helps me to know the true situation about China’s water industry. There are very few opportunities such as this show to get such a close look into the industry.”

Indian visitor Mr Dinesh Joshi, Managing Director of Enviro Protect Utility which is involved in water, sewage and effluent treatment attended the show to source products.  “I’m impressed by the range of products on show,” he remarked.  “In fact, I’ve seen a new machine from Korea which can get rid of a lot of water bourne diseases and a lot of health problems.  I’m looking forward to marketing that machine in India.”

Local visitor Mr Yang Zhiqiang, Sales Engineer, Beijing Sumsun EP Hi-tech Co Ltd said: “There are so many new products and technologies at the show. It’s like a one stop platform that keeps me updated with the latest water industry trends and developments.  It’s very helpful and informative.”

Mr Wang Zhengdong, Client Manager of Beijing First Priority Technologies Co Ltd said he visits the show every year:  “It’s a ‘can’t miss’ opportunity to get information about the latest technologies and products. This really helps me to understand more about the new industry trends and developments.”

Country pavilions from Japan, Korea and Singapore and special pavilions from China attract show visitors

This year’s Water Expo China saw pavilions from China, Korea, Japan and Singapore.  Making a first time appearance at the show with a pavilion was the China Environment Chamber of Commerce (CECC).  This non-profit organization helps water companies from China and overseas to achieve greater success.  The organisation has more than 80 well-known domestic and international members.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of China’s Ministry of Water Resources, 28 provincial and municipal water authorities exhibited their achievements and latest projects in an exclusive hall with many regional pavilions.   Around 4,500 provincial group visitors from 30 provinces visited this section of the fair.

The Korean pavilion which showcased six companies was organised by the Uisan Business Support Center and the Japanese

Pavilion featuring three companies was organised by JETRO.

The Singapore pavilion hosted five companies and was organised by the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises.

Making their first appearance in the Singapore Pavilion at the show was Singapore’s WaterSource International Pte Ltd.  Their product transforms tap water into alkaline water.  Mr Michael Lee, the company’s Marketing Director said they were encouraged by the Singapore Government to exhibit at the show in order to give their product more international exposure.  “We had many people who are interested in our product and they wanted to talk to us about distributorship.  I think this is one of the best places to show our product.  China is a huge market and the target audience is quite right for us.”

Euroflo Pumps International Pte Ltd from Singapore was also a first time exhibitor and were happy with the achieved results. Mr Max Chiew Soon Hock, General Manager said: “The results are very encouraging.  We had good quality visitors and we will be visiting them after the show.  This trip was more for understanding the customer from the ground base and to see the government requirement and the direction they are moving to.  We will come back next year.”

Strong attendance at on-site seminars and 4th China (International) Water Summit

Several exhibitors presented their products and technologies at on-site seminars which were well attended by visitors.  Taking part were:

    * Water Source International, Singapore: Water that transforms your life

    * Straub Werke Ag, Switzerland: An introduction to the Swiss pipe connection

    * Tyco Water, China: Tyco needle valve application for flow and pressure regulation in water resources management

    * GRUNDFOS Pumps (Shanghai) Co Ltd: GRUNDFOS brand promotion and information exchange seminar

Also running concurrently with Water Expo China was the 4th China (International) Water Summit attended by more than 800 delegates from around 10 countries and regions who listened to key government and industry figures talk about a wide range of topics which included:

    * Water pricing in China

    * Supply safety for urban and rural water

    * Wastewater treatment and reuse

    * Business model for water businesses

    * Water financing

    * Sustainable use of water resources

    * Rainwater harvesting

Mr Pan Wentang, General Manager Beijing Capital Co Ltd whose company participated in both Water Expo China and the water summit said: “We are very honoured to have joined Water Expo China four times. Out of these four editions, this year is the best one. The summit is also very successful. The China water industry is facing big challenges now and it’s very important for all the enterprises and government to get together and find the solutions. The fair and the summit provides us a very good opportunity to meet each other and solve all the urgent problems together. ”

Mr Huang Xiaojun, Vice President of Veolia Water (China) added: “Nowadays, China’s water industry is developing very quickly and we are coming to a very key period. The fair and summit are very influential events in the industry. I’m very glad that we can join in.”

The 2010 Water Expo China will be held 17 – 19 November in a new venue at the China National Convention Center.  For more information on Water Expo China, email Ms Rebecca Zheng on rebecca.zheng@china.messefrankfurt.com or visit www.waterexpochina.com