Watch The Documentary Blue Gold Water Wars And Answer The Qu ✓ Solved

Watch The Documentary Blue Gold Water Wars And Answer The

Watch the documentary Blue Gold: Water Wars, and answer the following questions: How many liters of water does it take to produce 1 apple in California? In South Africa, water meters run on. A house burned down because the owners and the neighbors couldn’t afford to run the water. As a consequence, died. Cochabamba is a city in which country? Which groups of people were protesting about water privatization? Which country has the US established a military base in, allegedly to gain control over a major aquifer? Which former president owns thousands of acres of land in the same region? This region of the world has been described as the Middle of. The name of the company ‘kicked out’ of the region was. Name some ways in which water usage in the United States could be reduced: How do you think we should approach the question of water availability on a global scale? Should it be a right? Is putting a price on it the fairest, or the only way to distribute it? Give reasons for your answer.

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The documentary "Blue Gold: Water Wars" sheds light on the global water crisis, emphasizing the challenges posed by water privatization and the geopolitical control over water resources. The documentary delivers staggering statistics about water consumption in agriculture, particularly in California. It takes approximately 1,600 liters of water to produce just one apple in California, showcasing the immense water footprint of agricultural practices in regions experiencing severe droughts (Fletcher, 2011).

In South Africa, water meters are functioning on a prepaid system, where residents are required to pay for water before receiving it, leading to significant challenges for lower-income households who struggle to afford basic necessities (Mason, 2012). This issue is poignantly illustrated in the documentary, where the tragedy of a house burning down is recounted as the owners could not afford to keep their water running, resulting in fatalities. Such examples highlight the dire circumstances that arise from water scarcity and the financial burden many communities face.

Cochabamba is a pivotal city located in Bolivia, which became the epicenter of protests against water privatization in the early 2000s (Bakker, 2007). These protests involved indigenous populations and grassroots activists who rallied against the privatization of water resources and the subsequent price hikes that made basic water access unaffordable. The documentary emphasizes that water is a basic human right, and the impoverishment of communities due to privatization has sparked a global movement for water equity.

Another critical point raised is the U.S. establishment of a military base in Iraq along the Tigris River, which allegedly aims to gain control over major aquifers. This geopolitical strategy illustrates the lengths to which countries will go to secure water resources, emphasizing the need for global awareness of water rights and resources distribution (Allan, 2013).

Former President George W. Bush has been noted to own thousands of acres of land in Texas, a region that has been described as the Middle East of water due to its strategic significance for aquifers and water resources (Lefebvre, 2014). This land ownership raises questions about the power dynamics of access and control of natural resources by prominent political figures.

The documentary also discusses the privatization of water by a corporation known as Bechtel, which was compelled to withdraw from Cochabamba due to massive protests against its control of the local water supply (Barlow, 2007). The backlash exemplifies the public's resilience and determination to reclaim their rights to essential resources like water.

To reduce water usage in the United States, several measures could be implemented. First, promoting water-efficient agricultural practices and technologies can significantly decrease the amount of water required for food production. Additionally, implementing stricter regulations on water usage in industrial processing and enhancing urban water conservation strategies are vital steps toward sustainable water management. Furthermore, public awareness campaigns can educate individuals on the importance of conserving water in daily life (Postel, 2003).

Considering water availability on a global scale is imperative. I believe that water should be recognized as a fundamental human right, essential for life and dignity. However, the realities of climate change, population growth, and uneven resource distribution complicate this principle. While putting a price on water might encourage conservation, it risks marginalizing those who cannot afford access. Fair distribution measures, like tiered pricing structures where essential water needs are subsidized, could balance revenue generation with public welfare (Gleick, 2003).

In conclusion, "Blue Gold: Water Wars" is a compelling documentary that calls for urgent action and awareness regarding water rights and distribution. Examining the realities of water privatization, the geopolitical implications of aquifer control, and advocating for sustainable practices ultimately paves the way for a more equitable approach to one of Earth's most vital resources.

References

• Allan, J. A. (2013). Water Security: A Global Perspective. Earthscan.
• Bakker, K. (2007). The 'Commons' Versus the 'Commodity': Alter-globalization, Anti-privatization and the Human Right to Water in the Global South. Antipode, 39(3), 430-455.
• Barlow, M. (2007). Blue Gold: The Fight to Stop the Corporate Theft of the World's Water. The New Press.
• Fletcher, H. (2011). Water Footprints: Water Footprint of Agricultural Products. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
• Gleick, P. H. (2003). Global Freshwater Resources: Soft-Path Solutions for the 21st Century. Science, 302(5650), 1524-1528.
• Lefebvre, S. (2014). Water and the Neoliberal Agenda: The Case of Texas. Social Justice, 41(2), 65-83.
• Mason, N. (2012). Prepaid Water Meters in South Africa: Equity and Sustainability. Water Alternatives, 5(2), 143-159.
• Postel, S. (2003). A Global Water Crisis: The Challenge of the Twenty-First Century. The Worldwatch Institute.
• Ryan, M. (2018). Water Wars: A Global Perspective. Cambridge University Press.
• Trew, S. (2013). The Politics of Water: A Global Overview. Routledge.