Article 3: Ny Times
This New York Times article focuses on the importance of conserving water in an efficient way.
Summary:
Many countries in the Middle East and other parts of Asia have lesser amounts of water than other countries. The majority of the water these countries use is primarily for "irrigation for agriculture and urban parkland". The people of the United Arab Emirates in particular are trying to conserve the amount of water used in agriculture and irrigation by developing new methods of farming. They are trying to establish new plans to decrease the amount of water used by fifty percent. Many centers are helping to reach this goal by establishing water conservation technology in farms throughout the United Arab Emirates. The residents, and especially the farmers, are realizing they need to develop habits that will still be efficient, but will also use less water. New agricultural and irrigation techniques are currently being initiated, such as the idea to increase the amount of production in crops. Unfortunately, climate conditions and the decreasing amount of production of crops and livestock are also additional factors pertaining to the uses of water. Many water treatment facilities are considering recycling groundwater in order to drop their levels of water usage. A managing director of the Gulf Cooperation Council stated, "we have the highest usage of water in the world and the lowest amount of renewable water in the world". This statement emphasizes the need for these specific areas to find a solution to conserve water quickly and efficiently, so they can hopefully lower their levels of water usage.
OPinion:
I was not aware of this area having much lower levels of water compared to other countries, although I was aware they are richer in other resources such as oil. I know that the U.A.E. is not the only place that struggles with water conservation. Several other countries have problems constricting the amount of water they use. According to the article, the United Arab Emirates uses the most water in the world, mainly for irrigation in agriculture. I have learned that in this particular part of the world subsistence farming is mainly used, although newer methods are being considered. If these Middle Eastern countries would choose new techniques then they could grow the essential amount of crops, without using excessive amounts of water. These new techniques could include more commercial farming areas, as well as growing a variety of crops to increase the supply and production. Water conservation, amongst the conservation of our other renewable resources, is challenging but in order to save our water, it is important for countries to know their limits and use water wisely.
Parkland: open land consisting of fields and scattered group of trees
Viable: capable of working successfully; feasable
Desalination: to remove salt from water
Innately: inborn; natural
Meager: (of something provided or available) lacking in quantity and quality
Viable: capable of working successfully; feasable
Desalination: to remove salt from water
Innately: inborn; natural
Meager: (of something provided or available) lacking in quantity and quality