Clayton Apalategui– Undergraduate– Environmental Science & Natural Resource Management
The Minute System between the United States and Mexico
The United States and Mexico have several treaties in place concerning the allocation of water between one another. In this paper I will examine the history behind these treaties and how the passage of time has shaped them. The U.S. is obligated to allocate 1.5 million acre-feet to Mexico through the Colorado River every year while Mexico is obligated to allocate 300,000 acre feet every year to the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo River by way of tributaries in Mexico. In addition to the United States releasing water for Mexico, the U.S. is obligated to control the salinity of the water in the Colorado River that flows to Mexico. There are provisions in place called Minutes that offer flexibility for storage and releases in years that there is a drought or other disturbance to infrastructure on either side of the border. Each river has a significant portion of the river basin located in arid environments, which are often subject to little or no annual precipitation. Climate change and population growth are expected to further exacerbate water management issues between the two countries which will also test the long-term viability of the Minute system. Evaluating the Minute system is important because it may inform other countries around the world with multinational water treaties, especially those who are also located in arid environments.
Tyler Barry - Undergraduate- Geography
Transboundary Water Conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan
Afghanistan and Pakistan are both battling water shortages, yet they have never come to a water agreement to jointly manage the waters along their border. The Kabul River Basin is located on the border between the two nations and is vital for a significant portion of their populations. A total of nine rivers are located in this basin, the largest of which, the Kabul River, is the major water source for 7 million citizens of Afghanistan. Due to Afghanistan's conflicts in recent years, there is inadequate infrastructure to provide clean drinking water, with only 57% of Afghan homes having access to improved water sources. For its part, Pakistan has seen a decrease in water availability of 78% over the past 6 decades. In addition, dams are being built in the basin that may have unintended consequences if not handled jointly. In this paper I examine the water shortages in both nations before discussing the potential for a joint Kabul River water management agreement, similar to the Indus Water Treaty, in order for both nations to collectively analyze and manage the water in the Kabul River Basin.
Caitlyn Hoon - Undergraduate - Environmental Science
Fiji Water: A Paradise Lost?
The Fiji Water brand has an interesting niche in popular culture; the iconic square bottles are constantly seen in TV shows, movies, and on the street as a symbol of luxury and brand loyalty in its most basic form. Under the surface of the signature flashy bottles and eco-friendly advertising promises lies layers of greenwashing and pollution for the island that the company took its name. Ironically, for a small bottle of this water to be produced and end up on a supermarket shelf, 1.75 gallons are consumed in the process. The Fiji Water company has a contentious relationship with the Fijian government as well because the company does bring money and jobs to the area, but simultaneously exploits people they employ to ship off their water. In this paper I examine Fiji Water’s prevalence in the US, the environmental impact of producing water as a commodity, and the effect of the company within Fiji. As a status symbol, this water presents a question: In what ways has the shiny veneer of Fiji Water blinded the rest of the world from its exploitation?
Hayden Wright- Undergraduate - Environmental Engineering
The Geopolitical Controversy and Impacts of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
Recently constructed in Ethiopia, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a striking development given the long history of controversy surrounding who has water of the Nile River. Until recently, Egypt possessed greater influence over Nile Basin water than other riparian countries in the Nile Basin. Egypt’s regional influence stems from treaties connected to imperial powers in the early 20th century, which largely ignored the needs of upstream countries, such as Ethiopia. However, in 21st-century Egypt’s power over upstream projects has waned and Ethiopia has been able to complete GERD and do some initial fillings of its reservoir. While Ethiopians have rallied behind GERD, many Egyptians have worried greatly about the impact of the reservoir. The reservoir will likely provide several different effects along the river downstream. One of the benefits could be sedimentation capture, which could be valuable to both Sudan and Egypt. GERD is also projected to reduce the average capacity of the High Aswan Dam, one of Egypt’s main water storage reservoirs and possibly influence the potential for Egyptian-generated hydropower and water distribution. On the other hand, Ethiopia stands to benefit from GERD’s stored water and hydropower generation. This paper will examine the historical and geopolitical significance of conflicts over water and hydropower in the Nile River Basin as it relates to the GERD, while considering its impacts on Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia .
