Losing Paradise The Water Crisis in the Mediterranean

About this book

Taking a uniquely interdisciplinary view of the Eastern Mediterranean region's water problems, this book considers some of the technical and regulatory solutions being proposed or implemented to solve the difficulties of diminished or polluted water supplies. Stressing the importance of traditional and historical cultural understanding in addressing the water crisis, the authors demonstrate that what is required is an integrated legal, social and scientific management system appropriate to each country's stage of development and their cultural heritage.

Using case studies from Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian territories, Egypt, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus, the authors focus on the urgency of the present crisis faced by each country and the need for cooperation. The suggested solutions also serve as a paradigm for the rest of the world as it faces similar issues of water shortage.

Contents

Preface; Part 1 The Cultural Background: Losing Paradise: the water crisis in the Mediterranean, Gail Holst-Warhaft; Water policy as a gospel of redemption, Gaspar Mairal; Tradition, aesthetics and water in the Mediterranean, Eriberto Eulisse.; Part 2 Law, War, and Water: The right to have water: or an obligation to provide it?, Keith Porter; Water resources and conflict in Lebanon, Nadim Farajallah.; Part 3 Managing a Scarce Resource: Watershed management: 5 stages of development in water use as applied to the Mediterranean, Tammo Steenhuis; Alternative water management strategies for conflict resolution in the Middle east: a case study of Jordan, Zeyad Makramreh; water conservation in Egypt, Nicholas Hopkins; water and geology in the Mediterranean, George Stournas; Beyond politics: water loss management, sustainability and commodification of water in Cyprus, Symeon Christodoulou; Index.

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Biography

Dr. Gail Holst-Warhaft is Professor of European Studies, Cornell University, USA, Dr. Tammo Steenhuis is Professor of of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, USA.