The Middle East

The Middle East is said to be in a "water crisis" because of

• A water scarcity

• A cold climate

• Extreme water pollution

Why is there conflict over water in SW Asia?

• water companies compete with oil companies

• too much water causes flooding in the region

• water’s unequal distribution limits irrigation opportunities

• power plants rely on water to provide energy to the region

Which water issue does the Middle East struggle with the MOST?

• Water scarcity and unequal distribution

• Flooding and heavy rains

How has the building of dams created problems for countries sharing rivers in Southwest Asia?

• Dams are too expensive to build to be practical

• Dams limit the water available to countries further downstream.

• Few countries have the technology needed to be able to build dams.

• Countries in Southwest Asia are not allowed to build dams along shared rivers

What is an effect of raw sewage being dumped untreated into the rivers of Southwest Asia?

• Plants are growing larger.

• Water pollution is NOT a problem in Southwest Asia.

• Little rainfall.

• Water-borne diseases making people sick.

The water conflicts in both Southwest Asia and in the Southeast US deal with unequal distribution and which other issue?

• Pollution

• Flooding

• Monsoons

• Desertification

Vast areas of the Middle East are deserts. How has this impacted the use of water?

• In order to grow crops, people need to use irrigation.

• In the Middle East, many people use large quantities of water.

• There is lots of water in Southwest Asia.

• All the drinking water is piped in from the Arabian Sea.

What is the major environmental issue that leads to conflicts in the Middle East?

• Economic Growth

• Ethnic Groups

• Hot and dry climate.

• Uneven distribution of water.

Vast areas of the Middle East are deserts. How has this affected the use of water?

• Irrigation is essential for growing crops.

• In the Middle East, few people use water.

• Water is plentiful in the Middle East.

• All water is piped in from the Arabian Sea.

Which country is using a lot of water for its dams and preventing other countries from having enough water?

• Iraq

• Iran

• Turkey

• Syria