Baku In Azerbaijan: Pollution Levels

capital of Azerbaijan In Azerbaijan Pollution LevelsImagine that you ar walking down the street and see nonhing but stones, ruins, fissures on the land its smuggled and you even do non see what is happening approximative you because of fog and soot, you try to get something attractive, you want to see blue ocean and white seagulls all everywhere it, but again, you see nothing but the cruel reality and the saddest thing is that you discover there is nowhere to run to escape this.. It is our world this is what happened with the intendet as a result of human activity. You wish you could leave not because of yourself, but because of your children, you do not want them to grow up in such environment, you realize that theyll never see the things you saw green trees, blue skies, pure piss. They go away not understand what the fresh air means, they will hardly believe in story about fish in the sea, birds in the sky. But, maybe you will not even wish to tell them what you saw, b ecause you atomic number 18 sure they will belike ask So what happened, why everything turned to be so bad, who is guilty? And it will be difficult to explain them that these are people have sunk their own lives.We all are living on one planet, Who will save it for our children, for saucy generation if we dont?Azerbaijan has the reputation of being an environmental disaster zone. legion(predicate) scientists consider Apsheron Peninsula, where 50% of Azerbaijanis live, to be the most ecologically devastated vault of heaven in the world because of severe air, piss supply and s crude inunct pollution.The objective of this paper is to present a brief review related to the pollution in Azerbaijan, in particular in capital of Azerbaijan and Sumgait cities, historical development of vegetable oil sector and exploration of oil and gas deposits in the commonwealth and its influence on environmental situation, history of urine, air and ground pollution in Azerbaijan.To achieve t he proposed objective, the initial off chapter of the paper presents the country profile and oil sector development history as well as present business situation. The punt chapter covers issues of history of pollution in capital of Azerbaijan and the related factors contributed to that as industrial development, decades of lack of sustainable environmental policy. Divided into subchapters it gives more comprehensive detailed analysis of environmental concerns in Azerbaijan.At the culmination of this document, a brief conclusion about this topic is presented as well as the bibliographical in variateants utilize to prepare the respective presentation and paper on the subject of history of environment.CHAPTER 1. COUNTRY PROFILE AND OIL HISTORYGeographical location of Azerbaijan.Azerbaijan is a lower middle-income country with a gross national income per capita of $1,240 in 2005. Territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan is 86,6 thousand square kilometres. Azerbaijan has common bo undaries with Iran in the south aprospicient the perimeter 765 km, with Turkey 15 km, with Russia in the north 390 km, with Armenia in the westernmost 1007 km. The length of the coastal line is 713 km. Azerbaijanis situated in the eastern part of the South Caucasus on the Caspian Sea shore and covers an area of 86.6 thousand km2. Capital of Azerbaijan is Baku city.General facts on the country.Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan 8 million and 593 thousand people (for 01.01.2007). The age-composition of the population comprises the following age-classes people of 0-14 years of age make up 26% of the population, 15-64 years-67%, 65 and above-for 7%. Young people of 18-34 years of age make up 29% of the population with the half of them living in sorry cities.Country Statistical Profile2006*Population, total (millions)8.48Population emergence (annual %)1.10Life expectancy at birth, female (years)75.20Life expectancy at birth, male (years)69.60gross domestic product (current US $) (billions)19.85GDP growth (annual %)34.50GNI, Atlas method (current US$) (billions)15.64Inflation, consumer prices (annual %)8.30Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP)-2.94Time required to start a business ( mean solar days)52.00 net income users (per 100 people)9.77Source www.world.bank.orgAzerbaijan is rich in exploitral resources, mainly oil and natural gas but as well as in iron ore, nonferrous metals, bauxite. The country also has agricultural land and a well-educated labour force with a strong entrepreneurial tradition. Despite the countrys natural resources, poverty continues to pose a major(ip) challenge for Azerbaijan. In 2005 29% of the population lived in poverty and 8% in extreme poverty.Azerbaijan has had high economic growth in 2006 and 2007 that was due to considerable and growing oil exports. The oil and gas sector contributes approximately 1/3 of GDP, date agriculture contributes about 9%. The impressive GDP growth of the past five years with a n average annual growth rate of 12% was led mainly by oil and gas exertion. Oil issue is expected to peak in 2011 and decline thereafter in the absence of major forward-looking discoveries.Azerbaijan shares all the problems of the former Soviet republics in making the musical passage from a command to a market prudence, but its considerable verve resources brighten its long-term prospects. Several former(a) obstacles slow down Azerbaijans economic feeler the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector, the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, pervasive corruption, and elevated inflation. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining, while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new oil and gas pedigrees in the region, and Azerbaijans powerfulness to manage its energy wealth.1.3. History of Oil boom in AzerbaijanInfo rmation on oil production in Azerbaijan was repeatedly mentioned in the manuscripts of scientists and travelers in the diaphragm Ages and it was noted that such an uncommon product would generate a significant income.Arabian historian Masudi Abdul Huseyn (9th century) mentioned in his manuscripts that there were two main sources of Black oil and white oil (kerosene) on ApsheronMarco Polo (13-14th century) wrote in his travel notes that Apsheron peninsula was dotted with oil rise and the oil extracted used for lighting and for heating purposes.Engelbert Kaempfer (15th century) oil was mailed via wineskins on four-wheeled carts to Shamakhi and Baku. From Shamakhi it is taken across country on camels. From Baku it is taken by sea to other regionsTurkish traveler Ortakoy (17th century) The area around Baku has a burning ground. The ground is hot from the burning provide beneath it.Early views of Baku and first drilling methodsEarly oil extraction methods were very primal mainl y hand dug wells drilled to very shallow depths (2-3 meters). Overall In 1813, 136 wells were drilled in Absheron which produced total volume of precisely 64 barrels of oil per day. In 1825, oil was produced on the Absheron peninsular in all suborns of Baku. But it should be stressed out that much of premature oil production was wasted in blowout gushers and this was a very uneconomical and environmentally harmful process. Workers were dying because of the gushers. The strong gushers were flooding the houses in the near villages. Oil from wells was lost for nothing because of oil gushers.In 1844 in Baku, more than a decade earlier than the oil well in protactinium (USA, 1859), V. Semyonov, the Baku exploit engineer, drilled a well 21 m deep using primitive percussion method in the settlement of Bibi-Heybat near Baku. This is considered the starting point of industrial oil extraction in Azerbaijan and in the whole world. The first oil refinery was built in 1859 in Baku.In 1878 t he first oil pipeline in the world was constructed between oil fields in Balakhany and the oil refinery in Baku. The length of pipeline was 12 km. 1896-1906 the construction of Baku-Batumi (Georgia) pipeline carrying 900 thousand tons of oil per year. The Nobel Brothers were major contributors to oil transport, who built the worlds first oil carrying steamship, named Zoroaster in 1878 and constructed the first rail tanks for transporting oil in 1883 from Baku to Astrakhan (Russia).By 1900, Azerbaijan was producing more than ten million tons of oil each year which was more than half of the worlds oil supply. Oil boom also influenced on the other sectors and Azerbaijan benefited from the expertise of well known chemists and geologists from the whole world such as the Russian chemist D. Mendeleyev, creator of the periodic table of chemical elements. As a result, innovative new techniques such as rotary drilling and gas lift were tested for the first era in Azerbaijan.The Nobel Brothe rs oil wells in Bakus suburbOil boom have had very negative affect as well, particularly on ecological situation in Azerbaijan oil wells in the vicinity of Baku were pumping oil into reservoir lakes. The ecological disaster started 100 years ago still plagues the region.1.4. Current oil production in Azerbaijan.The oil and gas industries are the basis of the economy of Azerbaijan. Since World War II, the republic not plainly fully provided itself with oil and oil products but also supplied the majority of oil and oil products to other republics of the former Soviet Union. Azerbaijans sharp economic decline in the first half of the 1990s has reversed and the economy has been growing since 1996. After gaining independence in1992 Azerbaijan started to attract badly needed foreign investment into the country. The implementation of the 20 production-sharing arrangements Contracts (requiring $60 billion investment) that have been concluded so far is an integral part of Azerbaijans oil s ystem. Azerbaijans oil production declined through 1997, but has registered an increase every year since. Oil production under the first of the Contracts, with the Azerbaijan internationalist Operating Company, began in November 1997. A consortium of Western oil companies began pumping 1 million barrels a day from a large offshore field in early 2006, through a $4 billion pipeline it built from Baku to Turkeys port of Ceyhan. By 2010 revenues from this project will stunt woman the countrys current GDP. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline was officially opened in July 13, 2006 and now transports crude oil 1,760 km (1,094 miles) from the Azer-Chiraq-Guneshli oil field (Baku suburb) in the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. It is the second longest oil pipeline in the world (the longest being the Druzhba from Russia to central Europe).According to State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan Republic, the current oil production is the followingOil production934,700 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil phthisis160,000 bbl/day (2007 est.)Oil exports795,600 bbl/day (2007 est.)Oil imports3,924 bbl/day (2004)Oil proved reserves7 billion bbl (17 April 2007 est.)Source www.azstat.orgCHAPTER 2. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS2.1. History of pollution in Baku and SumgaitIn environmental terms, the long history of oil exploration (supplemented during the Soviet days by the petrochemical sedulousness) has left the country with a massive legacy of oil and other chemical pollution, two land-based and offshore. milieual constipation is widespread in Azerbaijan. The country faces numerous problems related to air and piddle tone of voice, land and biodiversity, lowering levels of the Caspian Sea, outdated and polluting industries, and oil field spills. The organisation recognizes the need to address environmental problems to sustain economic development and a poverty reduction effort however much remains to be through to improve the countrys environment, particularly in urban areas. ( Bak u onshore oil fields. Oil workers work in 24hour shifts.)Starting from Soviet prison term economic development of Azerbaijan is concentrated mainly in the coastal areas on the Absheron Peninsula, between the contaminated sections of Bakus districts and the industrial city of Sumgait. These cities were considered the most polluted cities in Soviet Union. Azerbaijan was producing oil not only for itself but also to the all Soviet union Republic and decades of lack of sustainable environmental policy and unsustainable oil production starting from Soviet time till now, left behind huge wastelands with standing oil ponds and severely contaminated soil. Industrial development and mobile sources of fuel combustion have released high concentrations of heavy metals and other toxic and hazardous elements into air, land and wet. As a result, urban areas, such as Baku and Sumgait, became unblemished examples of environmental hot spots.This pool on the edge of town is evidence of the oil pol lution in Baku.The transition period (after collapse of Soviet Union) economic output has declined dramatically and industrial and agricultural decline reduced air pollution, industrial urine discharges and pollution from agrochemicals. But starting from 1996 the economy began to grow up in a rapid way. In common with other newly independent states, Azerbaijan is an urbanized society (urban population around 55% of the total). The Absheron Peninsula, with Baku and Sumgait, accounts for 50% of the countrys population and is a home to more than 80 big, 370 medium-sized, and 2000 small industrial enterprises. The upsurge of foreign investment in the oil and gas sector since 1996 has hike up underlined the economic dominance of the coastal area and the Absheron Peninsula in particular. Vehicles emissions significantly increased over the last decade (because of high economic growth) and became a leading source of unchecked air-pollution. Baku-Ceyhan pipeline will also contribute to air pollution because of increased oil production and lack of attention to modernization of oil industry from environmental management perspective. currently, Azerbaijan achievedRigs outside the Baku city subject matter, near Ramanasignificant progress in updating its environmental legislation, build partnership with international agencies and organizations addressing environmental issues, work on faculty development, etc., but the accumulation of toxic industrial waste, waste metals, pesticides residues, and oil pollution represents substantial and unresolved environmental problems.Government of Azerbaijan with the concentrate of international experts developed the National Environment Action Plan identifying four priority categories for Azerbaijanpollution from industrial production oil exploration and production energy transport other sourcesCaspian SeaForestry, land an biodiversityInstitutional developmentAccording to Caspian Envoriment Program, the major polluting industrial se ctors identified in the Caspian Region are the following scope/CountryIndustrial SectorsSumgait/AzerbaijanPower PlantsPetrochemical IndustryInorganic Chemical IndustryOrganic Chemical IndustryBaku/AzerbaijanPower PlantsRefineriesOil Gas exploitationMetal WorksShipyardsHarboursAbsheron Peninsula/AzerbaijanBreweriesMeat ProcessingOil Gas ExploitationNorthern AzerbaijanBeverages fruit Vegetable ProcessingSouthern AzerbaijanFish ProcessingFruit Vegetable processingSource http//www.caspianenvironment.org/newsite/index.htmFor more comprehensive understanding of the environmental concerns in Baku, I will proceed with more detailed analysis on water, air and ground pollution in the next sub-chapters.2.2. water supply Pollution.2.2.1. Availability of water resources.Azerbaijan has restrict water resources- only 30% of river flow resources are form within the country Apsheron Peninsula is one of the least water resources per capita and per unit area. Azerbaijan is almost entirely depe nds on Kur-Araz river basin originates in north-astern Turkey, passes through Georgia and flows into the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan. The water is used for agricultural, domestic, and industrial purposes, and for hydropower generation and recreation. The problems in the basin are related to both quantity and quality of water. Water shortage is acute because pelting declines sharply from west to east across the basin. Drought periods in the basin are very common.Other rivers formed from rain and snow start in mountains very often do not have permanent river beds. Undergrounds water resources make up about 25% of the river flow and have potential for incoming use, but currently provide only 5% of water abstraction. Piped drinking water reaches 50-95% of the urban population and to some estimates, safe drinking water is easy to less tan 50% of urban residents.Baku and Sumgayit, and about 75 other cities receive centralized water supply. Norm of daily water consumption for Baku citizen is about 400-580 litres that is very high in comparison with other countries but the water is undrinkable (recommended to drink only after boiled) and provided in pact with time schedule.Pollution of water resourcesWater quality is one of the major environmental concerns. Surface and underground water are polluted by untreated municipal and industrial effluent and agricultural run-off. Kur-Araz river basin is firmly polluted by neighbouring countries- Georgia and Armenia about 40,000 tons of nutrients released each year before cut across the Azerbaijan border. As an example, on the Azerbaijan side of the border with Georgia in 1992-1994, average annual concentrations of phenols and oil products exceeded existing water quality standards by about 14 and 3 measure respectively. Surface water and groundwater are polluted from a) oil spillage, linkage from pipelines, storage tanks, resulting in contamination of petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals b)pesticides from agriculture c) factory wastes dumped into rivers salinization of the water due to the Caspian sea water intrusion(raise of level of Caspian sea). Government estimates that 80% of country population uses water from Kur-Araz river basin for drinking purposes that does not tally Azerbaijanis drinking water standards even after water treatment.Wastewater management and Policy measures/ Institutional responsibilitiesDuring the Soviet Union period, large volumes of effluents were discharged into receiving water bodies on the territory of Azerbaijan. two domestic and industrial wastewater has been discharged into nearby reservoirs without proper treatment, if any.Existing Baku wastewater network, in operation for 100 years, does not have the capacity today for adequate and safe operations. Total wastewater collect in Baku is reported to be 1,3 -1,4 million m3/day. 30,000 m3/day of untreated municipal wastewater is discharged into the Caspian Sea. However only 50% of collected wastewater undergoes trea tment and more that 40% of the housing districts not connected. Thus, this figure should be 10 times higher. In addition, of more that 40 oil industrial companies operating in Baku and Sumgait, treatment facilities in only 7 are considered to be mental process reasonably well and, as a result, untreated wastewater form oil fields and other polluting industries is mixed with municipal wastewater.The following measures have bee taken by the governing body to address the water pollution concernAdoption of Water Code 1998 rectitude on water supply and waste water 2000Law on amelioration and irrigation 1996Law on environmental protection -1999Gaps to be further addressedLack of national water protection strategyintegration of river basin management approach rather that administrative units approachlack of institutional capacity of Ministry of Ecology and National Resources and other state bodies line of products PollutionIndustrialization and urbanization over 30 the past 35 years h ave resulted in significant deterioration of ambient air quality in urban areas. Currently, the major pollution in Baku and Sumgait is from motor vehicles oil and gas industries chemical steel and power plants and small and medium-size enterprises. According to data, 96% of the atmospheric pollution emissions are concentrated in 5 main cities of Azerbaijan with the most of air emission in Baku.2.3.1. Sources and trends of air pollutionMobile sources. Currently, transport is considered to be the main source of air pollution, responsible for increase in NOx, organic chemical, and CO emissions. Historically, the proportion of emissions from transport in Azerbaijan was 30-40%. Because of economic raise return of vehicles is steadily increasing, but the problem is increase in numbers of poorly maintained old vehicles using low-quality fuel. More than 90% of all vehicles are more than 5- years old (foreign models, mostly used cars), and the average age of vehicles is around 15 years.In a ddition, system of vehicles inspection for checking vehicles emissions (qualified staff, technical equipment lack of finance law of nature salary of inspectors) is very poor. Heavy traffic bad road figures lack of bypasses in most cities also contribute to increased vehicle emissions.Stationary Sources. Currently the primary source of atmospheric pollution fromStationary sources are the release of associated gases by power plants, burning of untreated garbage oil refineries, and factories in Sumgait. In Baku, emission of industrial pollutant unrelated to oil industry is relatively small with exception of releases of chlorofluorides from air conditioners refrigeration industries and cement production.Source www.azstat.orgAir Pollution Trends in Air Quality. In general, the ambient air quality in Azerbaijan has improved in recent years as a consequence of the sharp fall in air emissions from stationary sources. However, urban air pollution remains a matter of ongoing concern. Air q uality data in Azerbaijan is collected by the Monitoring department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. According to official data, the air pollution emissions peaked in 1991 2,1 million tons and is declining since that time (about 0,4 mln 0,2 mln tons) . In spite of lowered total emissions, air pollution is still perceived as critical. Annual air concentration level of soot in Baku is 3-5 times higher (depending on the source of information) that World Health Organization standards (60-90 g/m3). Current and projected economic growths will further cause unsustainable deterioration of urban air quality because of lack of monitoring and control equipmentAir Pollution Policy measures/ Institutional responsibilitiesThe following measures have bee taken by the government to address the air pollution concernLaw on Environmental protections 1999Law on Air Protection 2001National programmes on adjustment of standards form GOST to WHO international standardsLaw on Hydrometh ereological activity 1998 (hydrometehrological measurements and environmental monitoring).Ratification by Azerbaijan UN Framework expression on climate change in 1995 and Kyoto Protocol to the Convention in 2000 and Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1996Gaps to be further addressedLack of institutional capacity of Ministry of Ecology and National Resources and other state bodies on adjustment to international standardsLack trained of staffbudget limitationspoor monitoring emblematical penalties for violators, poor technologyLack of National Strategy addressing air pollution with concrete measures assign2.4. Ground PollutionSolid Industrial and godforsaken WastesDuring the Soviet period mostly heavy and chemical industry, including gas and oil, ferrous, chemical, machinery, as well as forage and light industries-produced high volumes of solid industrial and hazardous wastes. At present, oil production, chemical and mineral resources extraction and processing, power plants, and hospitals are the major generators of solid and hazardous wastes. Particularly acute is the problem of the management of waste stack away over decades of environmentally unsustainable development, as well as of newly accumulated waste. Known hazardous waste disposal sites are overloaded and not adequately sealed. There are no financial or institutional mechanisms to properly arrange for new sites. Solid pollution directly affects human heath via groundwater pollution, food contamination through vegetables and other crops grown in urban and per-urban areas.Soil pollution. As it was mentioned above, Azerbaijan signed an agreement with approximately 30 oil companies from 15 countries requiring that oil exploration and drilling should be according to international environmental standards, that are not fulfilled in most cases and oil-containing products are found both on legal and illegal dump sites with no protection. Unfortunately during soviet time, most of the industrial activities have focused in Sumgait and Baku that( view from top of the center of Baku to Bail) resulted that exactly that are become most polluted. Baku area- Apsheron Penninsula soil is known for having them most acute oil degradation with more that 10,000 hectares of land heavily contaminated. Copper, lead and zinc mines are the main sources of heavy-metal soil pollution. Steel plants produce dust containing 15-30% zinc, 3-5% lead, 0,1% cadmium.1In some areas of Baku average concentrations of zinc in soils are up to 50-60 times the acceptable levels.Radioactive waste. The issues of radioactive waste are related to oil drilling and processing operations. Radio nuclides of natural right ascension and atomic number 90 that are present in rocks and gases are brought to the surface when water is pumped into the pipes to maintain steady flow. Thats why the radioactive contamination is focused near the oil fiel ds. But there are also other sources of radioactive wastes research and medical institution concentrated mainly in capital Baku. Though there is the special isolated facility IZOTOP located 37 km from Baku for radioactive waste, statistical data for groundwater in Baku give the following figures Radium 226, Thorium 228.2Municipal waste. Obviously, population growths in Baku and urbanization have resulted in increased generation of municipal waste. Solid municipal waste contains up to 35% food waste 20-40% paper 3-5% wood 4-5% textile fabrics 4-5% glass breakage 1-2% metals and up to 10% polymeric substantials, though the share of paper and polymeric materials has been increasing.3In most European countries waste separation and recycling in applied but in Azerbaijan no waste separation and recycling is used about 2% of waste burnt 1,5% processed, and the left are disposed at municipal waste landfills that are overloaded and do not meet minimum health and environmental r equirements. Absence of environmentally controlled landfills leads toRisk of soil and groundwater contamination with heavy metals, toxicsRisk of dissemination of products containing heavy metals and toxicsPlaces for stray dogs, insects, rats, spreading infections pot from burning wastes polluting the air2.4.2. Solid Waste Policy measures/ Institutional responsibilitiesThe following measures have bee taken by the government to address the solid waste issuesLaw on Industrial and Municipal waste in 1998Hazardous Waste Management Agency established in 2003National strategy on Hazardous Waste Management Agency (with WB support)Training programmes for national staff on radioactive waste management and computerized registry of radioactive materials by International Atomic Energy Agency upgrade of IZOTOP facilityDevelopment of criteria for rehabilitation of contaminated cites and national programme on rehabilitation of some oil-contaminated landsNational plan developed to address creation of new waste landfills sorting disposal, recycling of waste introduction of methods to generate biogas from municipal waste.Gaps to be further addressed Plans and strategies are in place but not effectively implemented because of beuroctratic procedures and lack of financing the sector.Water level and Coastline of the Caspian SeaCaspian Sea is unique closed water basin, plays the important role in the establishment of the climate in the region, and has rich stocks of rare kinds of fishes, energy-carriers and large potential for development of sea transport. Disturbing the ecological condition of Caspian sea, caused by its pollution by industrial, agricultural and municipal wastes, offshore and coastal production of oil and gas, shipping company and other circumstances, have caused degradation its biodiversity, fag of fish resources, have increased fluctuations of the sea level, that has resulted to have fires of inhabited files and industrial understructures. The ecological proble ms of Caspian Sea can be divided into 3 types Chemical pollution by the running rivers Ecological problems, connected to the rise of the level of water offshore oil industry.The variation of the Caspian Sea water level is a grievous specific problem for the country that brings to economic, ecological, and social challenges. During 1927-1977, the surface area of the sea decreased from 425,000 km2 to 370,000 km2, which led to increasing development of the coastal ( Sea side, walking area called Bakinskiy Bulvar)territories and the construction of coast-protecting dams, channels, and roads, based on forecasts of further decreases in sea level. A reversal began in 1978 and during 1978- 1995, Caspian sea level rose by 2.3 m to -26.5 m. The new rise has caused extreme erosion of coastal areas, destruction of construction and engineering facilities, and inundation of vast areas. Scientists predict a further increase in sea level of 1.5-2.5 m by 2010 however the Government is not taking ac tion to mitigate the consequences of sea level variation. In this regard, the most severe environmental effects of the rise in the Caspian water level are associated with secondary pollution of the sea from oil fields and possibly some industrial plants, any through direct flooding or rise in groundwater levels.Health Effects of environmental conditionsNumbers of studies show the link between hazProtecting the Environment Save Water, Save Our LifeProtecting the Environment Save Water, Save Our LifeThe world is getting thirstier, today, nearly 1 billion people in the developing world do not have access to clean, safe drinking water. 97.5 percent of the earths water is saltwater and undrinkable, less than 1 percent of fresh water is usable, amounting to 0.01 percent of the earths total water. These astonishing statistics shock me that the clean water we drink every day is hard-won. Water is limited natural resources, also it is the most important thing to all living. If we do not con serve, recycle, and more efficiently use water, our environment would have weighty ecological consequences, such as climate change. Water crisis had become the most pressing environment issue, terrible in some countries like Africa. It may not obviously affect Americans daily life, but it would be too late to think about the solutions if the same problem coming to us. dirty water would undermine the ecological environment. For instance, recently, a Chinese mine spilt into the river, causing animals to die and affecting thelocal villages. Polluted water from a Chinese mining site in a Tibetan-populated area in western Chinas Sichuan province has spilt into a nearby river, killing large numbers of fish and livestock have by villagers, according to sources in the region (States News Service). In this news, mining activities are a lack of government regulation. The similar thing happened to Tibetan villagers in 2011, local people were legal to protest against environmental destruction and complaints to Chinese authorities yielded no results then, either. Chinese-operated mines not just pollute the drinking water also had caused severe damage to local forests and grasslands. We should perceive problem severity of water pollution in our global village.Moreover, the mismanagement mining or industrials not only issue in ecological environment damage but also waste an enormous amount of money and time for clean up the severe water. We will see a doctor and take medicine when we get sick, generally most of the indispositions are under our control in short time water is not alike human body, you might cannot see it from unsafe become clean drinking in your lifetime because water treatment takes over 100 years to recover the polluted water. Computer projections in the environmental impact statement say that either active or passive water treatment will be needed for 200 years for the mine site, and up to 500 years for the metallurgical site. The document says water tr eatment would address between $3.5 and $6 million per year after the mine closes (Star Tribune). The reporter establishes that water treatment for mine and the metallurgical site will cost a lot of years and money. What if no one wants to spend money for the long-term water treatment? The answer is simple Finally, the victims will be animals, plants, and us.According to Maude Barlows article, millions of people live in countries that cannot provide clean water to their citizens, because they are burdened by their debt to the global North. More children die each year of water-borne disease than war, HIV/AIDS and traffic accidents combined. At least 62 countries need deep debt relief if the daily deaths of thousands of children are to end (Global Issue 217). Barlow indicates that people in poor countries have not adequate water and exploit their resources to pay their debt. Barlow argues that water is commons and public that everyone can access, no one owns it but it does not mean th at we can waste water and wanton destruction the ecosystem. In my opinion, water does free to everybody, but actuality we pay for water fee for our family every month. I think this is one of the best ways to tell people to save water. However, we should help the poor countries which cannot provide clean water to people because of financial problem.Today, water is wasted through abuse, inefficiency, leakage, evaporation, and allocation of pure water to tasks that do not need it. The global water crisis getting worse by the day and lowering millions of more people every year, therefore, water protection strategies are needs urgently. In article Water of Life, Postel point out a interview that why are the greater amounts of money and sophisticated engineering have not solved the worlds water problem? We have been difficult to meet insatiable demands by continuously expanding a finite water supply (Global Issue 225). Postel emphasises that human demand too much water which is limited and unable expand resources. Postel provided some suggest for protect, recycle, and how efficiently use water can contain peoples water demands and avoid or correspond an ecological reckoning. tried-and-true measures as thrifty irrigation techniques, water-saving plumbing fixtures, native landscaping, and wastewater recycling can cost-effectively reduce the amount of water required to grow food, produce material goods and meet household needs (Global Issue 225). The author suggestions are convincing because each example she lists are improvable base on the technology today. another(prenominal) example of wasting water is every people doing every day, which is using pure water to flushing the toilet. I suggest people use dish water or the water after wash vegetables to flushing. This is kind of use up the water by the second time, better than use pure water.In my perspective, to transaction with the global water crisis, we must leave sufficient water in rivers and lakes for ensurin g their ecological health. The priority project we should do that is put investment to develop the infrastructure which can turn rainwater and stormwater harvesting, recycling, alternative energy use. In addition, only the protective measures of water are not enough, so we should create a new law to regulate human behaviours in order to protect the environment. As Martin Luther King said, the law may not change the heart but it will restrain the heartless. It is difficult or takes long-term to change human daily habits, but a law with punishments can at least restrict or let human perceive what is right and wrong.Wherever we are, we need water to survive. Not just because sixty percent of the human body is water, also constitutional for the production of food, clothing, and cars etc. Pollute water threatens our body and the next generation health problem. None of us can live on a run dry planet, we are responsible for keeping the environment healthy, and make sure every person hav e clean and safe drinking water.Source CitationChinese MINE SPILL KILLS ANIMALS, POLLUTES WATER IN TIBETAN AREA. States News Service 18 Oct. 2013. General OneFile. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.Johnson, June. Global Issues, Local Arguments Readings for Writing. N.p. Pearson Education, n.d. Print.Iron Range mine could pollute water for 500 years StateAEs first copper-nickel mine would require billions of dollars in long-term cleanup, regulators say. Star Tribune Minneapolis, MN 5 Oct. 2013 1A. General OneFile. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.