Editors’ Note:
For our last issue, Sarah and I really wanted to push the creative boundaries of Q3. We wanted to come up with a theme that we could have some fun with, both in terms of content and design. The great thing about Q3 is the flexibility of content. It can be a little crazy and and a whole lot of color. “Under water” was the perfect opportunity to embrace the long-awaited summer and talk all things environment, fish, and why water is as important to us. Water, our number one source of survival, is inside us and all around us: in our cells, in the vegetables we eat, around the land we live. This issue was a fantastic opportunity to address some of the fun sides to water but also dive into more serious topics such as plastics and alternative energy. So there you go, enjoy the 2017/18 Q3 team’s last Big Bang.
So this is it...our last issue! And, like a river, we have flown through so many topics: Joy, innocence, and now water. Water is a necessity for life, and it is time for us to sprinkle our wisdom onto the next editors (whoever they may be!) to let this magazine blossom even further without us. In this issue, we cover topics from Disney films to hydroelectric energy, so there’s something for everybody. I’ve had such a blast designing this magazine every few months, and it’s been amazing for keeping me busy during what I’m calling my “gap year” between Year 2 and 3. I want to give a big thank you to my co-editor, Josie, and I cannot wait to see what the new editors have in store for the next year, and I’ll be around in Cardiff if you ever miss me!
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Contents: 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21
Contents and Editors’ Note Alternatives to Plastics Staying Hydrated Disney/Pixar Water Films 1 Disney/Pixar Water Films 2 Mermaid 101 Weird and Wonderful Water Myths Hydroelectric Energy What fish are you? quiz
SAVING OUR
How to cut down
Words by: Sophie King Design and Illustrations by: Sarah Thompson
R OCEANS:
5
n on plastics It’s not new to us that the excessive use of plastic is damaging
our oceans. The threat to marine wildlife is only increasing and shock, it is all our fault. Statistics show that plastic waste falling into our oceans is only going to get worse. Surfers Against Sewage (SWS) found there is approximately 269,000 tonnes of plastic in our oceans. That’s the equivalent of 1345 adult blue whales or 500 times the number of starts currently in our galaxy. I know what I’d rather be seeing. For sea life and marine animals, one of the biggest threats is becoming tangled up in plastic bags, getting plastic caught in their body or mistaking it for food. For example, turtles can’t tell the different between a plastic bag or one of their food sources, jellyfish. Thankfully, some action is beginning to take place. UK festivals have promised that by 2021 they will have banned all plastic bottles. Action is also being taken to ban plastic straw use within the UK. This will go across festivals, coffee shops and other stores where you can purchase them. *yay* It will be a while until these rules kick in but at least it’s a good start. So, for now, here are some tactics you could take in order to reduce your plastic intake as well as your plastic and really get on that recycling hype. While cutting down on clothing containing plastic seems impressively arduous, us humans have a number of options that can drastically improve what I’m calling the ‘plastic plight’. B.Y.O.M (Bring Your Own Mug) Always get a coffee on your morning commute or in-between lectures? Bring your own coffee or buy a reusable coffee mug to use in the shop. Some coffee shops even offer a drink discount if you bring in your own mug. Starbucks, along with other coffee retailers have promised a discount on drinks if you bring your own cup and what’s better for students than money off eh? Also, you don’t need to worry about crossing brands as they will allow you to bring your Costa mug to a Starbucks café.
B.Y.O.B (Bring Your Own Bottle) There’s definitely a theme going on with these headings. BBC research found that around one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute in the UK and less than 50% of those are collected for recycling. Only 7% of those bottles were turned into new ones. So, when you go to purchase a bottle of water from the shop, think twice. Hope over to Amazon or ASOS or anywhere really and buy a bottle that you can reuse over and over again. If you have bought a plastic bottle form the supermarket, then use it for as long as you can before washing it thoroughly and then recycling it. Maybe you could make something crafty from it? Got a themed social coming up? B.Y.O.B (Bring Your Own Bag) Last one of those headings, I promise. Unless you have a car at uni, then the Lidl weekly shop doesn’t come easily. Gaining war wounds on your palms because you’ve had to sacrifice your hands in order to carry your shopping home in plastic bags. But fear not, make the unbearable pain less unbearable with your own hessian tote bag!
Say bye to the straws
At a pre-drinks or party we do love our straws. They prevent lipstick marks and can indicate whose drink is whose. But, they are SO damaging to the environment. Use paper straws if you must or buy reusable ones and make sure they are reused. The UK uses over 8.5 billion straws a year. May sound like a great night, but they really aren’t party essentials.
Recycle your rags One shocker in the plastic plight, is how much of it is in our clothes. It is literally everywhere. A part of what makes it worse is that we live in a ‘throw-away’ culture. Hole in our shirt? Throw it away. Ripped our jeans? Throw it away. Here’s a question, ever heard of darning socks? It’s what our parents and their parents would have done, had the occasion occurred where socks had holes in them. Instead of buying new clothes right away, do your best to fix them. Yes, it might take time, but it will definitely give you some eco-friendly points. But, it’s not our fault that we’re surrounded by such cheap retailers like Primark or H & M right? I probably can speak for the majority of us when I say that rather than having one good black tee, I instead have about 31 cheap ones. Yet in fact, it would probably be a lot better for us and the environment if we invested in one better but a little but more expensive tee. It takes 25 two litre pop bottles to make one adult size fleece jacket. I’m aware everyone loves a good North Face fleece, but next time you buy one for the umpteenth time, think to yourself how much wear you will get out of it, how many you already have and what you will do with it once you’re time with it comes to an end. If you sell it on, then great. Depop or Ebay are perfect tools to recycle old clothes (and to make a bit of cash). Better yet, to save waste of plastic used to transport your old fleece to its new owner, have clothes swap parties with your friends. It’s amazing what old gems you can find, and there’ll be no cost in postage or packaging. Pick your own food There’s no need for fruit and vegetables to be wrapped up in all the plastic. When you buy your produce, purchase it from a market or in shops where the fruit is ‘free’. Firstly, it doesn’t do the food any good when it’s suffocating in all that plastic and secondly, it doesn’t do the environment any good, so what’s the point?
Stop chewing Did you know that gum is made up of a synthetic rubber which is a type of plastic? Now that we know we’re actually chewing plastic, maybe we should re think the whole gum idea. If this still hasn’t put you off, then make sure you don’t spit it on the floor as public waste is more likely to end up in the ocean. Box it up Instead of using plastic bags every time you make your lunch, which will only end up in the ocean and most likely confuse many turtles, get a lunch box that you can reuse. There are plenty of cheap ones out there, and you can even get cute ones with little sections for your different foods.
A Tall Glass
Why it’s important
Words by: Josie Howie Design and Illustration by: Sarah Thomp
“ Drink more water!” You see exclaimed on those #MondayMotiavtion Instagram posts. You acknowledge it, and promise yourself that today, for once, you’ll drink your full 2 litres. Yeah right. We’re all more than familiar with the fact that water is essential to the survival of everything in the Animal Kingdom, and the… plant kingdom too. Fauna and flora alike, we all need the sweet natural nectar of our planet in order to thrive. But a 2014 study uncovered that the majority of Brits only drink 1 single glass of pure water per day, despite the recommended 8 (!) glasses. There’s not a lot of science behind the 8-glasses-a-day rule but staying hydrated is more important than many of us remember. We’re a thoroughly dehydrated nation, and it affects our health in more ways that we probably realise. So, why should we really drink enough water? Well, the benefits of hydrating yourself go on and on. I’ve picked my faves, so grab a glass from the tap and listen up… Benefit number one: drinking water boosts your immune system. We are a notoriously ill country – with most adults catching a common cold or flu 2-4 times per year (multiply that by about 17 if you’re a student), and these colds being caused by over 200 different viruses. We’ve all heard of the idea of ‘flushing out’ an illness with fluids but drinking more water can prevent you from getting ill in the first place. That’s because the water helps to transport oxygen to cells around the body, which helps your immune system to function more efficiently, and fight off viruses that you might encounter.
That’s definitely one to remember next September to avoid the dreaded Freshers’ flu. Benefit #2: Drinking more H2O increases your energy and relieves fatigue! Especially when exam season rolls around, everyone the right side of Cathays train station gain a collective sense of can’t-be-arsed-ness. Whilst a lot of that is the lack of inspiration from a large portion of lecturers, some of it is probably be caused by the decline in effort we all have to look after ourselves - which includes water intake. Believe it or not, drinking 3 glasses of water when you wake up really does make you feel more awake. Tried and tested by myself (the most anti-morning person in Wales – ask my housemates). At number 3, it’s the benefits for your skin. It’s no great secret that drinking water helps to keep you clear and spot-free due to detoxing the body. But keeping hydrated has more benefits for your skin than just anti-acne powers. Human bodies are about 60% water in total, with the heart and brain being made up of around 73% H2O. Though perhaps more surprisingly to learn is the fact that human skin is 64% water! It is the largest organ after all. So not only does water clear spots, it also hydrates and softens the skin from the inside (so you can ditch the moisturiser), brightens the complexion (natural highlighter? Hello) and stops your lips from chapping. Perhaps tap water is about to be the new in vogue skincare product… My 4th fave benefit is that water is great for those who work out and like to stay fit. Drinking water can maximise physical performance, and that’s because sweating is very dehydrating. Losing just 2% of bodily water can affect your performance whether it’s on the field, in the pool or at the gym.
s of Water:
t to stay hydrated
pson
Dehydration equals increased fatigue and makes it harder to concentrate. It’s also great for weight loss, if that’s your thing, as drinking one glass before a meal makes you feel fuller so you’re likely to eat less. And as if that wasn’t enough, it also ‘keeps muscular contraction normal and helps prevent muscle cramps’, so ensure you get enough of the stuff before hitting the weights or the yoga mat. And last but not least, number five: water is great for your hair! Drinking more water can help your hair to grow faster and stronger, as well as helping to heal dandruff and scalp dryness. The more hydrated the skin on your scalp is, the better foundation your hair has to grow thick and healthy. Water also promotes the function of the circulatory system, which feeds the hair follicles and in turn makes your hair grow at a faster and possibly thicker rate. Shiny, thick hair ready for Summer? Yes please. Long locks in preparation to cut and donate? Easy. Bad hair cut that urgently needs growing out…? Yeah you get the idea. So, I think we can all agree that we should probably listen to those “drink more water!” posts that roll around every New Year, Every first day of the month, and every Monday. It really does do you a heap of good. So now you’ve read this, go and grab a glass of water, and thank me later.
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Disney Water
Which film comes out o
Lilo and Stitch:
Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. That scene alone is enough to make me bawl my eyes out, let alone the movie’s other overarching themes of love, sisterhood and redemption. Being one of my favourite Disney films, Lilo and Stitch is not short of humour or a feel good story line. Set on the coast of Hawaii, the protagonists’ love of the ocean evokes nostalgia of those family summer holidays in the sun. Lilo and Stitch really has it all. So what are you waiting for? Go blast Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride on full and sob at the overwhelming cuteness of the little blue guy who finally discovers where he belongs. - Humour - Cuteness - Cry Factor
- Soundtrack
The
Darling it’s de Mermaid is th haven’t jamm so many reaso it I laugh, cry love with a pr carp playing a nostalgic fuzz
Comparisons:
on top?
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Words by: Ellie Ball, Hannah Stait, Sarah Thompson, and Natalya Sareen-Kadach Design by: Sarah Thompson
Little Mermaid:
efinitely better, down where it’s wetter! To me The Little he epitome of the best water based Disney movie, if you med to ‘Under the Sea’ then we can’t be friends! There’s ons why I love this movie but to this day when I watch y and dream of waking up with a mermaid tail, falling in rince and swishing my long red hair to the sounds of a a harp! This is a magical movie that fills me with warm ziness and it’s definitely the best sea based Disney movie! - Humour
- Cuteness
- Cry Factor
- Soundtrack
Atlantis:
Ah, Atlantis. Arguably one of the most underrated Disney films out there. To the point where most people won’t even remember the storyline! But if Cole Sprouse’s absolutely perfect cosplay of Milo isn’t compelling enough, perhaps the refreshing steer away from the typical Prince saves Princess story will draw you in? This is quite a fast-paced film, sure to catch you from the get-go, but make sure you’re settled in for the ride or you’ll miss something big! - Humour
- Cuteness
- Cry Factor
- Soundtrack
Moana:
Moana is an unparalleled tale, teaching unquestioned love, faith, and forgivene prohibited waters to magical lands of m watch the blossoming journey of Moan faith in all. Despite being animated, th film is undeniable and therapy in itself else and, for all musical lovers, is in itse Johnson) number ‘You’re Welcome’ rem inspirational adventure like no other a
- Humour - Cry Factor
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Finding Nemo:
The most typical “Fish out of Water” story to ever come out of a film company. I know many people will be thinking “THIS IS PIXAR, NOT DISNEY”. However I will still defend Finding Nemo; this film has a ridiculous number of relevant and quotable lines, with “TODAY’S THE DAAYY!!” being a personal favourite. Whilst this film doesn’t have the sing-along classics that many other animated films have, I feel we can at least relate to one of the characters somehow. (I am “he touched the butt!”).
g the values of community, family, ess. Follow Moana’s voyage across mysterious, yet lovable, monsters and na and Maui’s friendship that restores he spirituality and emotionality of this f. The soundtrack, however, exceeds all elf a reason to watch; Maui’s (Dwayne mains a popular favourite. This is an and a credit to Disney.
- Cuteness - Soundtrack
- Humour
- Cuteness
- Cry Factor
- Soundtrack
Mermaid
Everything you need to earn you Mermaids are an emblem of freedom, colour and delight. The care-free idyllic lifestyle they live, gliding amongst the waves, prompts a desire to become, or at least replicate as best humans can, the mermaid. Now, a childhood fantasy to become the half-fish half-human creature can be recreated in adulthood. Without the gills.
Just like the classic mermaid bralet, this top offers all
things sparkle, sequins and sass. Complete with tassels to add movement to the top for a mere £18 on Pretty Little Thing, your mermaid fantasy can now be reality.
To be a mermaid is to dress like a mermaid. With festival season coming up, shops are blossoming with glitter, sequins and sparkle. The shimmer and shine enables the recreation of glistening water and allows us to twirl as a mermaid would. The return of summer season also brings with it the likes of bralets, bandeaus and bikinis. Traditionally, whilst the lower half of a mermaid resembles a fish, a mermaid will normally be seen with a more skimpy and human-esque top half. By scouting the web, for the easiest access to purchase your own mermaid inspired outfit, we found the best gems with a student friendly price tag! This all in one jumpsuit screams both mermaid and festival season (the most common place to dress as a mermaid). With a consistent stream of sequins, this jumpsuit shimmers throughout, just like a mermaid would in the sea. For £40, browse the missguided website to find this beauty.
This scale-print bodysuit captures the essence of
the mermaid style. With the colouring flickering between shades of blue, green and turquoise it practically embodies the ocean. Not to mention the name of the piece also includes the word mermaid. Match-made. Being a bodysuit, this item also offers the diversity to be paired with numerous bottom halves so feel free to add more glitter! Again, from Pretty Little Thing, this bodysuit comes in at £28 so it won’t be drowning your bank account.
1 0 1 01 d
ur tail!
Words by: Bryony Stephens Design by: Sarah Thompson
13 A handy necessity for all students is a planner.
Keeping the mermaid theme going beyond quirky aesthetics, this memo board is both cute and useful. For £12.99 at Wayfair, it’s a small price to pay to keep your thoughts in order, or maybe plan your next beach trip?
For all the want to-be mermen out there, sequins are
available! These funky trousers glisten from start to finish, and as a statement leg piece, they perfectly resemble a tail. Swish through any event with sparkly legs and you’re guaranteed to give of those mermaid-vibes. Find these bold trousers on the ASOS website for £65.
The finale, the triumph, the centre piece. This
duvet set is the prefect completion of any mermaid bedroom. Allowing you to become the mermaid itself whilst dreaming sweetly of adventures in the sea. It may be advertised in the children’s section, but even grown-ups sometimes want an exciting bed. Whilst it only comes as a single bed set, it’s still perfect for those in halls or just those with a single bed that needs a bit of mermaid finesse. It comes as a little bit more of an investment, at £49 from John Lewis.
The perfect mermaid hideaway
The hidden cave amongst the coral reef is the typical dwelling
of a mermaid, however with the necessity of breathing and the fear of drowning, a mermaid inspired home is close enough. The bright summer days and light evenings make colourful rooms the desired resting spot after a hard day of swimming alongside those dolphins. Hidden in an unlikely shop, this shell cushion is both shiny and mermaid inspired. Placed amongst other cushions on the bed or the sofa, this will add just enough glimmer to replicate a treasured shell on the sea bed! For only £15 at Boots, this cushion can transport a room from bland to ocean inspired in seconds.
Whilst accessorising as a mermaid is fun and
enjoyable, there still lies the wish to swim and fully immerse in the mermaid lifestyle. Luckily for us, a new craze of mermaid swimming is entering our world! Allowing you to put on a completely kitted out mermaid tail in a swimming pool, this is the closest feeling to being a mermaid. Plus, Aquamarine found herself in a swimming pool at the beginning of the film. There are several classes dotted around the country so you may be lucky enough to have a local one. Slight warning that tail skins can be a bit more on the pricey side, but isn’t it maybe a little bit worth it to be a mermaid?
Weird and W
Strange Ocean creatures Do I really need to justify this one? The Angler-fish has a natural lure in the centre of its head to attract prey, and looks like something straight out of a science fiction movie! Fun fact, however, the “light” that the angler-fish is so famous for is only worn by females. Instead of using the light to search for a female, it has evolved into a parasite. When a young, male angler encounters a female, he latches onto her with his sharp teeth. Over time, the male physically merges with the female, connecting with her skin and blood, and losing his eyes and all organs except his testes. A female can hold over six males on her body. This fish lives in the depths of the ocean and is often considered the ugliest sea creature out there...yikes.
Weird appearance: 5/5
Pufferfish, also known as blowfish, are famous for their ability to inflate. Their elastic stomachs are able to ingest large amounts of water or air, allowing them to puff up to 3 times their normal size. Instead of scales they have complex spines visible only while puffing up. There are over 120 different species: with rough or spiky skin, ranging in size from 2.5cm to 90cm. Although they look cute, blowfish are among the most poisonous animals on earth. The concentration of Tetrodotoxin (poison) in the internal organs of one fish is high enough to kill 30 people. For humans, this substance is 1200 times more poisonous than cyanide. The meat of this fish is called ‘fugu’ and is regarded as a delicacy in Japan, and beside the fact that it is expensive, one wrongly prepared fugu meal can cost a life. Every year about half of dozen people die from the paralyzing effects of blowfish. The only creature immune to their toxin is the shark, but other species like dolphins have figured out how to make the fish produce a smaller dose, which in fact is responsible for producing a narcotic effect.
Weird appearance: 4/5
Wonderful:
s
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Words by: Sarah Thompson and Ula Rodakowska Design by: Sarah Thompson
Shockingly, the electric eel is not actually an eel, but more like a catfish! The eel is an air-breather, and needs to resurface from time to time to survive. Producing about 600 volts from its body cells, this is not a sea creature that we would want to encounter. However, the Tennessee Aquarium has a little eel called Miguel, who has a TWITTER ACCOUNT. Yes, you read correctly: if you follow @EelectricMiguel, you can see tweets that are posted whenever Miguel generates enough electricity. Suddenly I’m less afraid of them...
Weird appearance: 2/5
We couldn’t have a weird sea creatures article and not include the Blobfish; named the ugliest animal on the planet in 2013, this fish reminds me of Men in Black II. The beauty of this fish is that it lives almost 1000m under water, meaning that - when it surfaces whilst being caught up in crab catching traps - the lack of water pressure makes it deflate into a sad puddle of goo. The blobfish has no teeth, and eats by simply letting food drift into its mouth; sounds an awful lot like me on a tired Sunday morning! Just to add to the blobfish’s lazy nature, it hs a density slightly lower than water, allowing it to float along without expelling much energy (which sounds really useful after 9-5 day at university).
Weird appearance: 5/5
Water myths Words by: Natalya Sareen-Kadach and Sarah Thompson Design by: Sarah Thompson
Drinking 8 glasses of water a day: Everything you’ve ever been told is a lie. Well, okay, not quite. But the story drilled into us, by parents and the media, that we need eight glasses (eight lots of 8oz) of water a day is simply another old wives tale. Sorry folks but new research, such as that conducted by Dr Margaret Mccartney writing in the BMJ, has revealed there being no scientific evidence, whatsoever, that we require this much water per day. The process by which our bodies communicate to us our fluid deficiency, or the ‘thirst mechanism’, is our natural prompt. Likewise, our bodies, specifically our kidneys, are equipped to manage water levels; producing concentrated urine to save water. What’s more, our kidneys harvest the naturally-occurring water found in foods (particularly fruit and vegetables), from the blood. By no means does this undermine the necessity of consuming water, nor the physical benefits in it. However, research has demonstrated that it is not entirely necessary to drink a minimum amount in order to reap the benefits. So, you can all stop frantically sipping at your over-priced, newfangled water bottles trying to get down you your 8 glasses equivalent. Your kidneys have it all in hand!
Drinking water clears your skin: It was once commonly believed that staying hydrated gives young, bright skin. The reality is that the amount of water you drink probably doesn’t have much to do with what your skin looks like. “Unless the individual is severely dehydrated, drinking large quantities of water will not prevent dry skin,” Hess-Fischl says. The skin’s moisture is not determined by internal factors. Instead, external factors such as skin cleansing, the environment, the number of oil glands, and the functioning of these oil-producing glands determine how dry the skin is or will become.
Thirst means Dehydration: If you start to feel thirsty, then you are headed in the wrong direction and should get some water, but thirst doesn’t necessarily mean you’re already dehydrated. Thirst begins when the concentration of substances in the blood has risen by less than 2 percent, whereas most experts would define dehydration as beginning when that concentration has risen by at least 5 percent! That being said, there’s no reason to go through the discomfort of thirst if you can do something about it...
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hydro electric energy What’s in the water, and why aren’t we seeing it everywhere? Words by: Elly Savva Coyle Design by: Sarah Thompson
19 Although hydroelectric power isn’t the most visible source of renewable power and what would immediately come to mind when asked about the topic, it is actually ahead of both wind and solar power as the most widely-used source of clean energy. It is one of the cheapest, cleanest and most reliable sources currently available. However, it isn’t an energy source without controversy, both ... and on the international stage. The source of hydroelectric power is the energy from flowing water. In technical terms, the kinetic energy in the water is converted to mechanical energy using a hydraulic turbine, and then it is converted to electrical energy using a hydroelectric generator. Humans have a history of utilising the power of water, for example water wheels were in use over 2000 years ago to grind down substances such as grains. The first modern turbine was described by the French engineer Bernard Forest de Bélidor in the mid-1770s. The turbine went on to be used as a mechanism in hydroelectric dams that replaced or significantly modernised the concept of the water wheel. Inventors came up with the idea of harnessing the power of water by building a large dam on a river or body of water and using the force of gravity to allow the falling water to mobilise a turbine. There are a large amount of obvious benefits of hydroelectric power. Firstly, it is a relatively clean source of energy in the sense that the production process creates no waste and it doesn’t involve the burning of fossil fuels. It is a renewable resource that is emission free and doesn’t pollute or contribute towards the carbon crisis. Compared to the use of fossil fuels and nuclear energy, hydroelectricity is a much cleaner and safer system. Dams can be beneficial to the environment by improving water quality whilst potentially providing a habitat for aquatic life to flourish. Another selling point is that hydroelectric power is hugely reliable as the availability of the source is consistent and plentiful. Compared to wind and solar where the power sources can be fairly intermittent, the abundance of water makes it a reliable and constant source of energy. On top of all this, it is also the cheapest way to produce electricity out of all commonly used fossil fuel and renewable methods. Once a dam has been created and the hydroelectric system installed, they last for dozens of years. Although it requires a big investment at the beginning, the maintenance is inexpensive. The source of energy from flowing water is also free, overall making it a hugely cost-effective method. However, hydroelectric power doesn’t come without controversy. Despite all the positives there are a number of issues which make some people argue that it is simply not worth it, the most significant issue being the change that is caused to the environment. Building a dam effects water levels which can cause imbalances and flooding in certain places. The ecosystem and wildlife in the surrounding area are hugely impacted by the introduction of infrastructure and new power lines. Although the dam may provide a new habitat, it can cause a lot of damage to the ones that existed beforehand. As well as the consequences for wildlife, human life can also be hugely affected. Due to scale of the project of creating a hydroelectric plant, humans are sometimes forced to relocate their homes. This doesn’t just affect a small group of people, in some instances entire towns are told to find somewhere else to live. Dams can also be a source of tension in international relations. In 1995, the incumbent vice-president of the World Bank Ismail Serageldin stated that “if the wars of this century were fought over oil, the wars of the next century will be fought over water”. Although his prediction has not yet been proved true, there are multiple disagreements between nations over the rights to dam shared rivers. Diplomatic tensions have recently surfaced due to the dam-building at the Mekong basin as Laos and China in particular are expanding their hydroelectric power capacities. Countries situated downstream of the dams fear the consequences, which could involve a seasonal lack of water or worsened flooding for the region. In North-East Africa: there has been a deadlock over talks about the Grand Renaissance Dam which is currently 60% complete in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. Ethiopia is building the dam along its share of the Nile. Egypt worries that its creation will decrease the flow of water that runs from Ethiopia’s highlands into the nation. This pressure is significantly adding to their fears over water supply as they have suffered from a severe scarcity of the vital source in recent years. The issue is highly contentious as Ethiopia has hopes that the creation of the dam will allow the country to become the continent’s biggest power generator and exporter. They have dismissed Egypt’s claims and wish to continue the project that they have independently funded. Sudan is situated between the two countries and is also involved in the talks, but supports the dam project because of the provision of electricity, irrigation and potential to regulate floods. There are fears that the disputes could boil over into conflict if talks over the dam aren’t resolved, as tensions over rights to the Nile have long existed between Egypt and Ethiopia. So as well as the damaging ecological factors to consider, there are also diplomatic issues to consider when it comes to hydroelectric power. Continuing the use of the dams in existence makes a lot of sense due to the low cost and clean production process, however the creation of new dams is clearly such a contentious issue. Although some countries such as Ethiopia argue it is a reliable and cheap source of renewable energy that should be expanded, are the consequences of it worthwhile? The altering of water levels can result in a lack of water supply to countries that critically need it. When water is such an essential source required for human survival, is putting at risk its availability for the sake of electricity, a human creation, a hubris of mankind?
What type of fish are you? Take this quiz to find out!
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Which fish are you? TWEET US!
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