Yemen Environmental Yemen Environmental StrategyStrategy

By: Eugene Ling 12ABy: Eugene Ling 12A

Introduction to YemenIntroduction to Yemen

Location: Location: Middle East, between Oman Middle East, between Oman and Saudi Arabiaand Saudi Arabia

ClimateClimate: Yemen is mostly desert and : Yemen is mostly desert and it is one of the driest countries on it is one of the driest countries on

earth earth –– Per capita water share Per capita water share –– 125 125 cubic meterscubic meters

EconomyEconomy: Yemen is the poorest : Yemen is the poorest country in the Arabian Gulf. GDP: country in the Arabian Gulf. GDP:

$2,500$2,500

Yemen is located in the middle east and it is Yemen is located in the middle east and it is found between Oman and Saudi Arabia. However, found between Oman and Saudi Arabia. However, unlike its neighboring countries in the Arabian unlike its neighboring countries in the Arabian peninsula, it is extremely poor. It is actually one peninsula, it is extremely poor. It is actually one of the poorest countries in the middle east. Its of the poorest countries in the middle east. Its average GDP/capita is $2,500, where as Oman’s average GDP/capita is $2,500, where as Oman’s GDP/capita is $20,300. Furthermore, it is one of GDP/capita is $20,300. Furthermore, it is one of the driest countries on earth, it’s per capita water the driest countries on earth, it’s per capita water share is 125 cubic meters, whereas the global share is 125 cubic meters, whereas the global world average is 7,500 cubic meters.world average is 7,500 cubic meters.

Why is an Environmental Why is an Environmental Strategy Needed?Strategy Needed?

WaterWater ScarcityScarcity Four times as much water Four times as much water

is taken out of the Sanais taken out of the Sana’’a a basin as falls into it each basin as falls into it each

yearyear Most experts believe that Most experts believe that

SanaSana’’a will run out of a will run out of economically viable water economically viable water

supplies by 2017 supplies by 2017 19/21 (90.5%) of the 19/21 (90.5%) of the countrycountry’’s aquifiers arens aquifiers aren’’t t

being replenished.being replenished. Yemen Yemen ‘‘s water share is s water share is 175 cubic meters a person 175 cubic meters a person

a year, well below the a year, well below the international water international water

poverty line of 1,000 cubic poverty line of 1,000 cubic metres. metres.

The biggest problem that Yemen faces today is water scarcity. Many areas in The biggest problem that Yemen faces today is water scarcity. Many areas in Yemen suffer from an extremely severe crisis in terms of volume and quality of Yemen suffer from an extremely severe crisis in terms of volume and quality of water. In Sana’a, the capital of Yemen, four times as much water is taken out of the water. In Sana’a, the capital of Yemen, four times as much water is taken out of the basin than what falls into each year. The water basin Taiz, one of Yemen’s largest basin than what falls into each year. The water basin Taiz, one of Yemen’s largest cities, has already collasped. As 19 out of the country’s 21 aquifiers aren’t being cities, has already collasped. As 19 out of the country’s 21 aquifiers aren’t being replenished, much of the return flow is polluted. Untreated wastewater replenished, much of the return flow is polluted. Untreated wastewater contaminates groundwater thus reducing the quantity of fresh groundwater contaminates groundwater thus reducing the quantity of fresh groundwater available. Furthmore, Yemen’s water table is dropping at at about two meters per available. Furthmore, Yemen’s water table is dropping at at about two meters per year. Its per capita water share is at 125 cubic meters, whereas the poverty line is year. Its per capita water share is at 125 cubic meters, whereas the poverty line is 1,000 cubic meters. 1,000 cubic meters.

Most experts believe that Sana’a will run out of economically viable water supplies Most experts believe that Sana’a will run out of economically viable water supplies by 2017. According to the World Bank, this is the same year that it will cease to by 2017. According to the World Bank, this is the same year that it will cease to earn money from oil, which currently accounts for ¾ of the country’s revenues. earn money from oil, which currently accounts for ¾ of the country’s revenues. Within this decade, it could be the first capital in modern history to run out water. Within this decade, it could be the first capital in modern history to run out water.

Aside from the obvious impacts that water scarcity has on people’s health, it also Aside from the obvious impacts that water scarcity has on people’s health, it also retards development. According to the UN, it is already the poorest and most retards development. According to the UN, it is already the poorest and most underdeveloped country in the Arabian Penisula. As of 2005, the Yemen underdeveloped country in the Arabian Penisula. As of 2005, the Yemen Parliamentary report stated that 75% of Yemen’s population is threatened by Parliamentary report stated that 75% of Yemen’s population is threatened by waterborn diseases due to unclean drinking water. Water scarcity will only waterborn diseases due to unclean drinking water. Water scarcity will only exasperate the problem at hand. exasperate the problem at hand.

As the country shifts its resources towards finding more reliable water sources, it As the country shifts its resources towards finding more reliable water sources, it will also divert attention away from the growing threat of Al-Qaeda and northern will also divert attention away from the growing threat of Al-Qaeda and northern Shiite rebels.Shiite rebels.

Furthmore, water riots are spralling all over the country. In August 24Furthmore, water riots are spralling all over the country. In August 24thth, 2009 a riot , 2009 a riot in the southern city of Aden left one person dead and 3 critically wounded. in the southern city of Aden left one person dead and 3 critically wounded.

Causes of Water ScarcityCauses of Water Scarcity‘‘QatQat’’

92% of all the water in 92% of all the water in Yemen is spent in Yemen is spent in

Agriculture.Agriculture. Qat uses approximately Qat uses approximately

60% of that amount.60% of that amount. Requires huge amounts of Requires huge amounts of

waterwater From the 1970From the 1970’’s Yemenis s Yemenis

turned from rain-fed turned from rain-fed farming to irrigation using farming to irrigation using water pumped from new water pumped from new

tube wellstube wells As a result, irrigation is now As a result, irrigation is now

unsustainableunsustainable Inefficent irrigation Inefficent irrigation

methods. methods. “Irrigation”

QATQAT Over 90% of Yemen’s water is already targeted towards Over 90% of Yemen’s water is already targeted towards

agriculture. Almost 2/3 of that water is being spent on a agriculture. Almost 2/3 of that water is being spent on a highly addictive narcotic drug called qat. This is a rare type highly addictive narcotic drug called qat. This is a rare type of rtee requires huge quantities of water causing great of rtee requires huge quantities of water causing great strain on Yemen’s resources, It is estimated that qat trees strain on Yemen’s resources, It is estimated that qat trees annually consume about 800 million cubic meters of water annually consume about 800 million cubic meters of water

From the 1970s, Yemenis turned swiftly from rain-fed From the 1970s, Yemenis turned swiftly from rain-fed farming to irrigation using water pumped from new tube farming to irrigation using water pumped from new tube wells. However, they found that this sort of irrgation was wells. However, they found that this sort of irrgation was unsustainable because the groundwater wasn’t being unsustainable because the groundwater wasn’t being replensiehd. Furthermore, the irrigation methods for Qat is replensiehd. Furthermore, the irrigation methods for Qat is extremely ineffecient, as an estimated 40% of the irrigation extremely ineffecient, as an estimated 40% of the irrigation water is wasted.water is wasted.

Causes of Water ScarcityCauses of Water ScarcityOverpopulationOverpopulation

SanaSana’’aa’’s population growth 8%s population growth 8% YemenYemen’’s population growth: 3.46%s population growth: 3.46%

Puts an enormous strain on resourcesPuts an enormous strain on resources

OVERPOPULATIONOVERPOPULATION Another cause of water scarcity is Sana’a Another cause of water scarcity is Sana’a

booming population. It is one of the world’s booming population. It is one of the world’s fastest growing cities. According to the World fastest growing cities. According to the World Bank, it has a population growth of 8% every Bank, it has a population growth of 8% every year. Yemen’s population is experiencing a year. Yemen’s population is experiencing a growth of 3.46% and it’s population of 23 million growth of 3.46% and it’s population of 23 million people is prejected to double in the next 20 people is prejected to double in the next 20 years. This enormous population will put a giant years. This enormous population will put a giant strain on Yemen’s water resources.strain on Yemen’s water resources.

Environmental StrategiesEnvironmental Strategies

The government has The government has considered:considered:

Moving the capital Moving the capital elsewhereelsewhere

Desalinating seawater from Desalinating seawater from the coast and pumping it the coast and pumping it 2,000 meters uphill to the 2,000 meters uphill to the

capitalcapital

Transfer water over the Transfer water over the mountains from another mountains from another

basinbasin

Reduce Qat growing, which Reduce Qat growing, which sucks up the largest sucks up the largest share of water use.share of water use.

Desalinating seawater on the coast and pumping it 2,000 meters uphill to the Desalinating seawater on the coast and pumping it 2,000 meters uphill to the capitalcapital

The costs for the pipeline and solar power plant to pump 1 billiom cubic meters of water per The costs for the pipeline and solar power plant to pump 1 billiom cubic meters of water per year is about $6 billion. This amount is equivalent to 2% of Yemneni oil reserves. year is about $6 billion. This amount is equivalent to 2% of Yemneni oil reserves. Construction of the pipe lines can be controlled. If the government starts now, they may be Construction of the pipe lines can be controlled. If the government starts now, they may be able to construct it in time. However, there is a catch here. The desalination process has to able to construct it in time. However, there is a catch here. The desalination process has to be powered by solar energy.be powered by solar energy.

BUT: You need a collector area of about 40 km2. BUT: You need a collector area of about 40 km2.

The government has considered moving the capitalThe government has considered moving the capital BUT: BUT: Building new settlements for around 2 million people will cost over $35 million. The Building new settlements for around 2 million people will cost over $35 million. The

relocation of 2 million people can lead to frictions and surprises that can induce relocation of 2 million people can lead to frictions and surprises that can induce uncontrollable developments including civil war.uncontrollable developments including civil war.

This doesn’t really do anything, simply by moving the capital elsewhere doesn’t change the This doesn’t really do anything, simply by moving the capital elsewhere doesn’t change the fact that Sana’a doesn't have water. Furthermore, it is way too costly and inefficient. fact that Sana’a doesn't have water. Furthermore, it is way too costly and inefficient.

A third solution would be to transfer water over the mountains from another A third solution would be to transfer water over the mountains from another basin. basin.

BUT:BUT: Too expensive, takes too long, unrealistic. This might spark conflict with nearby Too expensive, takes too long, unrealistic. This might spark conflict with nearby provinces that are also parched.provinces that are also parched.

The best solution, everyone agrees, is to reduce qat growing, which sucks up the The best solution, everyone agrees, is to reduce qat growing, which sucks up the largest share of water use.largest share of water use.

BUT:BUT: However, it presents us with huge social and economic issues. In a country where half However, it presents us with huge social and economic issues. In a country where half the population earn less than $2 a day it provides many jobs. Studies completed in 2001 the population earn less than $2 a day it provides many jobs. Studies completed in 2001 estimated that the income from cultivating qat was about YR2.5 million per hectare, while it estimated that the income from cultivating qat was about YR2.5 million per hectare, while it was only YR0.57 million per hectare for fruits. Furthermore, the banning of qat is also was only YR0.57 million per hectare for fruits. Furthermore, the banning of qat is also impossible because it is so entrenched in Yemeni culture and society. An estimated of 2/3 of impossible because it is so entrenched in Yemeni culture and society. An estimated of 2/3 of the population chews qat. “It's like trying to ban beer in Germany or wine in France," In the population chews qat. “It's like trying to ban beer in Germany or wine in France," In addition, the plantations are often in the hands of 'qat mafia,' which are extremely powerful. addition, the plantations are often in the hands of 'qat mafia,' which are extremely powerful. However, the government should provide materials to those farmers who grow fruits and However, the government should provide materials to those farmers who grow fruits and vegetables at subsidized costs and also place a tax on qat. This tax would not only deter vegetables at subsidized costs and also place a tax on qat. This tax would not only deter farmers from planting this crop, but more importantly, it would generate the necessary funds farmers from planting this crop, but more importantly, it would generate the necessary funds that could be used to off-set the losses that would be initially incurred when switching from that could be used to off-set the losses that would be initially incurred when switching from qat farming to that of fruits, vegetables and grains. qat farming to that of fruits, vegetables and grains. 

Environmental Strategy - Environmental Strategy - MDGMDG

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainabilityGoal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability““By 2015, reduce by half the proportion of By 2015, reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe people without sustainable access to safe

drinking waterdrinking water””

To achieve this target, an additional To achieve this target, an additional 1.5 billion people will require access 1.5 billion people will require access to some form of improved water to some form of improved water supply by 2015, that is an additional supply by 2015, that is an additional 100 million people each year (or 100 million people each year (or 274,000/day) until 2015. Since 1990, 274,000/day) until 2015. Since 1990, 1.6 billion more people gained 1.6 billion more people gained access to safe drinking water. access to safe drinking water.

This has clear indicator for success.This has clear indicator for success.

DesertificationDesertification FDCD says that 97% of FDCD says that 97% of

YemenYemen’’s land suffers from s land suffers from desertificationdesertification

The worst cases of The worst cases of desertification are in the desertification are in the northeastern statesnortheastern states

FDCD stated that wind FDCD stated that wind and water erosion are and water erosion are two the primary causes of two the primary causes of desertificationdesertification

3.83 million hectares 3.83 million hectares suffer effects caused by suffer effects caused by salty water. salty water.

Most areas only receive Most areas only receive less 250 mm of rain every less 250 mm of rain every yearyear

FDCD says that 97% of Yemen’s land suffers from desertificationFDCD says that 97% of Yemen’s land suffers from desertification The worst cases of desertification are in the northeastern statesThe worst cases of desertification are in the northeastern states FDCD stated that wind and water erosion are two the primary FDCD stated that wind and water erosion are two the primary

causes of desertificationcauses of desertification 3.83 million hectares suffer effects caused by salty water. 3.83 million hectares suffer effects caused by salty water. Nowadays, Yemen’s environment is worsening more than in the Nowadays, Yemen’s environment is worsening more than in the

past, particularly as the country’s current population stands at past, particularly as the country’s current population stands at 21.7 million, according to the 2004 general census. Such rapid 21.7 million, according to the 2004 general census. Such rapid population growth has increased human activities and maximized population growth has increased human activities and maximized the usage of natural resources, thereby disturbing the balance the usage of natural resources, thereby disturbing the balance between humans and the environment. between humans and the environment.

The Agriculture and Irrigation Ministry’s Forestation and The Agriculture and Irrigation Ministry’s Forestation and Desertification Control Department, Desertification Control Department,

Environmental Environmental ““StrategyStrategy”” Yemen ratified the UN Yemen ratified the UN

Convention to Combat Convention to Combat Desertification in 1996 Desertification in 1996 to alleviate to alleviate desertification and desertification and droughtdrought

Main (only) activity: Main (only) activity: WindbreaksWindbreaks

A lack of funding and A lack of funding and government government incompetence are the incompetence are the main obstaclesmain obstacles

The plan requires $24 The plan requires $24 million, FDCDmillion, FDCD’’s annual s annual budget doesnbudget doesn’’t exceed t exceed 320,000320,000

Yemen ratified the U.N. Convention to Combat Desertification on Dec. 31, 1996, which Yemen ratified the U.N. Convention to Combat Desertification on Dec. 31, 1996, which aims to alleviate desertification and drought in various countries. FDCD Director General aims to alleviate desertification and drought in various countries. FDCD Director General Saleh Al-Dhamiri says, “There are many activities to combat desertification in various Saleh Al-Dhamiri says, “There are many activities to combat desertification in various Yemeni governorates, including planting windbreaks and shelterbelts.” A Yemeni governorates, including planting windbreaks and shelterbelts.” A windbreakwindbreak or or shelterbeltshelterbelt is a is a plantation usually made up of one or more rows of usually made up of one or more rows of trees or shrubs or shrubs planted in such a manner as to provide shelter from the wind and to protect soil from planted in such a manner as to provide shelter from the wind and to protect soil from erosion. erosion.

Al-Dhamiri points out that current efforts to combat desertification depend on the local Al-Dhamiri points out that current efforts to combat desertification depend on the local budget, while no efforts have been made in those areas needing international financial budget, while no efforts have been made in those areas needing international financial assistance.assistance.

(Yemen Times)(Yemen Times) 1. Lack of implementing rules and policies fighting desertification.1. Lack of implementing rules and policies fighting desertification. 2. The organization’s failure to divide and assign duties to each department or agency.2. The organization’s failure to divide and assign duties to each department or agency. 3. The poor job by various agencies to implement agreed points in the national fighting 3. The poor job by various agencies to implement agreed points in the national fighting

desertification plan.desertification plan. 4. The poor job organizing between involved departments.4. The poor job organizing between involved departments. 5. Inability to communicate with regional and international programs.5. Inability to communicate with regional and international programs. 6. Limited research and training programs in this field.6. Limited research and training programs in this field. Ali Mohammed Al-Thameri, an engineer at the General Department of Forestry and Ali Mohammed Al-Thameri, an engineer at the General Department of Forestry and

Desertification Control, insists that the main factor in the weakness of the work done to Desertification Control, insists that the main factor in the weakness of the work done to fight the problem in Yemen is his department’s scant financial support and economic fight the problem in Yemen is his department’s scant financial support and economic resources to carry out the national plan to battle desertification.resources to carry out the national plan to battle desertification.

““The plan is estimated at $24 million, whereas our annual budget doesn’t exceed $320 The plan is estimated at $24 million, whereas our annual budget doesn’t exceed $320 000000

““The department’s annual budget is only 1 percent of the ministry [of Agriculture]’s The department’s annual budget is only 1 percent of the ministry [of Agriculture]’s budget.”budget.”

Environmental Strategy - Environmental Strategy - MDGMDG

Yemen doesnYemen doesn’’t even an outline to do t even an outline to do anything remotely to alleviate anything remotely to alleviate desertification, therefore this desertification, therefore this

““strategystrategy”” cannot be compared to cannot be compared to anything else.anything else.

Thank You for ListeningThank You for Listening