Clean water is fundamental to survival - a basic human right that is quickly vanishing despite its continuous rise in demand. The issue of clean water access and water scarcity is highly complex. Deeply rooted within public health and environmental degradation crises that affect millions globally, water is a powerful resource with the capability to shape societies, economies, and international relations. Growing concerns regarding water scarcity are highly warranted, especially in nations such as Egypt. A United Nations (UN) General Assembly Record from the Human Rights Council in 2010 discusses human rights obligations regarding safe drinking water access, specifically in Egypt. It is apparent this issue is not new but intensifying rapidly. The Nile River, which currently contributes to roughly 90% of Egypt’s water supply, is shrinking as a result of climate change, erosion, and misaligned multinational cooperation regarding the Nile Basin. Physically, it now barely reaches the Mediterranean Sea as a result of human intervention in the river system through dams and consequential landscape shifts. Roughly 95% of Egyptians live within a few miles of the Nile River, channeling water for local agricultural irrigation, drinking water, hydroelectric power, and water for hygienic practices in addition to opportunities for food security through fishing. Consequently, limitations to freshwater access in Egypt can be directly mapped to other sectors such as energy, public health, and food security that are critical for national and sustainable development, including economic productivity. Understanding water scarcity in the context of these impacted sectors within social, economic, and environmental lenses is critical to target solutions and policy approaches for mitigation. According to the UN, water availability within the Nile Basin will continue to decrease. Currently, the nation faces an annual deficit of roughly 7 billion cubic metres and in 2018, a per capita deficit of 570 cubic metres which is 50% less than the international water standard. This leads to ever increasing water scarcity risks with projected population growth and intensification of climate change impacts. With rising global temperatures, climate change impacts, and human development, Egypt is facing significant freshwater scarcity. Impacting environmental, social, and economic aspects of Egypt’s practices and people, the holistic study and documentation of declining freshwater access is urgent.

Project

Our project is unique in its approach to target the social, economic, and environmental impacts of Egyptian freshwater scarcity through the three central factors of agriculture, cultural and social preservation, and urbanization. These areas are critical to Egypt’s national development and economic productivity. Thus, increased water scarcity undermines growth opportunities. Previous work has focused specifically on water scarcity in relation to the Nile River, cultural and historical preservation, and climate induced environmental impacts. Unlike these studies, examining freshwater scarcity through our three targeted lenses, our work can identify interconnections between the three, important common trends, unique elements, and possible gaps in current solutions. Our approach will also incorporate significant storytelling aspects in addition to research, data collection, and mapping, which will illuminate the personal impacts water scarcity has had on Egyptian citizens and business owners through their own voices. This project aims to present both the story and research results in formats that can accurately represent the issue, while triggering self-interest and emotional empathy from the audience. Content will be disseminated using photography, videography, spoken word, data visualization, and written word, utilizing various learning techniques to increase information retention and evoke a holistic understanding for viewers.

Additional project details, including collaborators, will be updated as the project progresses.