Water shortage for Thailand by 2015?
By Jon Fernquest
Northern
China is experiencing a water
shortage
right now.Thailand is likely to experience the same kind of water shortage by 2015 according to the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR).
Thailand's future water situation was the subject of a presentation given at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) by Dr. Alain Vidal who works at CGIAR.
Today's article is a recap of that presentation.
(Diagram on right of green house effect from Wikipedia)
water shortage -
not enough water to meet needs
Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR) - an organisation with the goal: "sustainable food security and reduce poverty in developing countries through scientific research and research-related activities in the fields of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, policy, and environment" (See website)
green house effect - the heating of the earth due to the presence of an atmosphere containing gases that absorb and emit infrared radiation (See Wikipedia)
recap - to tell a story again giving a shorter version
Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR) - an organisation with the goal: "sustainable food security and reduce poverty in developing countries through scientific research and research-related activities in the fields of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, policy, and environment" (See website)
green house effect - the heating of the earth due to the presence of an atmosphere containing gases that absorb and emit infrared radiation (See Wikipedia)
recap - to tell a story again giving a shorter version
Economics
RESOURCES
Thais warned of looming water crisis
4/11/2009Nareerat Wiriyapong
Thailand is set for a water crisis in the near future and needs the political will to address the issue urgently, an international research group warns.
Water scarcity is a global threat projected to emerge by 2025, with population growth and food demand as short-term driving forces, said Alain Vidal, the director of the CGIAR Challenge Programme on Water and Food (CPWF).
Parts of Asia such as northern China have already been hit by water scarcity and it is clear the problem will reach Southeast Asian countries no later than 2015, said Mr Vidal, who is based in Colombo with the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR).
looming water
crisis - a water crisis that will happen in a short period of
time
set for a water crisis - in a situation that will cause a water crisis in the future
will - wanting to do something and having the energy, drive, persistence to succeed
political will - wanting strongly to achieve political goals
address the issue urgently - solve the problem quickly
short-term driving forces - things or factors that cause change in over short periods of time
CGIAR Challenge Programme on Water and Food (CPWF) - an international research programme bringing together "research scientists, development specialists, and river basin communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America aiming to improve the productivity of water in river basins in ways that are pro-poor, gender equitable and environmentally sustainable" (See website)
scarcity of Y - not enough Y for everyone who needs it
water scarcity - not enough water
set for a water crisis - in a situation that will cause a water crisis in the future
will - wanting to do something and having the energy, drive, persistence to succeed
political will - wanting strongly to achieve political goals
address the issue urgently - solve the problem quickly
short-term driving forces - things or factors that cause change in over short periods of time
CGIAR Challenge Programme on Water and Food (CPWF) - an international research programme bringing together "research scientists, development specialists, and river basin communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America aiming to improve the productivity of water in river basins in ways that are pro-poor, gender equitable and environmentally sustainable" (See website)
scarcity of Y - not enough Y for everyone who needs it
water scarcity - not enough water
"People in Thailand are eating more meat and they need more water to feed the livestock.
Meanwhile, domestic water consumption is growing faster in Southeast Asia than in the past, to 100-150 litres per capita per day at present," he said at a Bangkok forum held by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).
livestock - animals
raised on a farm for a profit such as beef
cattle, dairy cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, geese and turkeys
water consumption - the amount of water used by people
litres per capita per day - average litres used by each person everyday
water consumption - the amount of water used by people
litres per capita per day - average litres used by each person everyday
Climate change also poses a longer-term threat of water and food crises by raising sea levels, altering rainfall patterns and cutting the yields of major crops, he said.
By 2050, shifts in rainfall will have cut production of rice by 21%, maize by 16% and wheat by 42%, according to the programme's research.
Other driving forces include urbanisation and soaring production of biofuels, added Mr Vidal.
climate change -
long-term negative changes in weather patterns and temperature caused
by changes in greenhouse gases (GHGs) (See Wikipedia)
Greehnouse Gases (GHGs) - gases in the Earth's atmosphere such carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone that are associated with climate change (See Wikipedia)
poses a threat - creates a threat
yields of crops - the amount of crops produced during the year
urbanisation - more and more people moving to cities (See Wikipedia)
biofuels - fuel for cars that comes from plants (See Wikipedia)
Greehnouse Gases (GHGs) - gases in the Earth's atmosphere such carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone that are associated with climate change (See Wikipedia)
poses a threat - creates a threat
yields of crops - the amount of crops produced during the year
urbanisation - more and more people moving to cities (See Wikipedia)
biofuels - fuel for cars that comes from plants (See Wikipedia)
"Productivity [of water supply] is a challenge. With today's practices, projected double food demand in 2050 would require almost double agricultural water use. We need to change the way we think and act on water use," he said.
In Mr Vidal's view, the Thai government should promote the multiple use of water, particularly to help poor rural farmers cope with water scarcity.
Higher water productivity would increase incomes, providing a better buffer against revenue fluctuations caused by climate variability, he said. He described multiple-use water systems as an effective way to fight poverty by improving access to agricultural water.
productivity - how
much is produced with a fixed amount of resources (labour, capital)
productivity of water supply - how much is produced with the fixed amount of water that we have
a challenge - a difficult new task that requires great energy and determination to solve
buffer - something that protects from harm (example: buffer stock of rice - extra rice in case there is a shortage)
fluctuations - value going up and down
climate variability - changes in the weather
providing a better buffer against revenue fluctuations caused by climate variability -
multiple-use water systems - water systems that provide water that is used in more than one way (example: used for crops once then used for crops again or for industry)
productivity of water supply - how much is produced with the fixed amount of water that we have
a challenge - a difficult new task that requires great energy and determination to solve
buffer - something that protects from harm (example: buffer stock of rice - extra rice in case there is a shortage)
fluctuations - value going up and down
climate variability - changes in the weather
providing a better buffer against revenue fluctuations caused by climate variability -
multiple-use water systems - water systems that provide water that is used in more than one way (example: used for crops once then used for crops again or for industry)
Edward Jobson, environmental director for global product management of Volvo Bus Corp, said introducing models that reduce carbon dioxide emissions had become a focus for the Swedish automaker.
"Volvo concentrates on lowering the fuel consumption of our products. Our hybrid buses have been commercially available in Europe and are expected to be introduced in countries like Singapore and Thailand for demonstration in the next few months, before commercial launch to be made by the end of next year," he said.
"CO2 emissions to the atmosphere have been increasing considerably. To decrease the amount, it needs a new mindset of political will and we have to act right now."
carbon dioxide emissions, CO2 emissions -
a chemical that is becoming more common in the air we breath that can
have negative health consequences (See Wikipedia)
hybrid - a mixture of two or or more different things
hybrid buses - buses that use two types of fuel (gasoline and biofuel such as ethanol)
demonstration - showing how something is done
commercial launch - starting to sell a product for profit (not just a test)
emissions - gases released into the air (from cars, factories, etc)
mindset - the general way that people think about things, their attitude
will - wanting to do something and having the energy, drive, persistence to succeed
mindset of political will - wanted to succeed and achieve political goals
hybrid - a mixture of two or or more different things
hybrid buses - buses that use two types of fuel (gasoline and biofuel such as ethanol)
demonstration - showing how something is done
commercial launch - starting to sell a product for profit (not just a test)
emissions - gases released into the air (from cars, factories, etc)
mindset - the general way that people think about things, their attitude
will - wanting to do something and having the energy, drive, persistence to succeed
mindset of political will - wanted to succeed and achieve political goals
(Source: Thais warned of looming water crisis, 4/11/2009, Nareerat Wiriyapong, link)
