WATER AND ITS SECURITY INSEMI-ARID ENVIRONMENTS

Úrsula Oswald SpringCRIM/UNAM

El Colegio de TlaxcalaJuly, 2004

WATER IS LIFEWATER IS LIFE

•• Satisfy the thirstSatisfy the thirst•• Produce foodProduce food•• Sustain ecosystemsSustain ecosystems•• Embellish landscapeEmbellish landscape•• Support productive processesSupport productive processes•• Generate a human cosmovisionGenerate a human cosmovision•• Is necessary for any life and life supportIs necessary for any life and life support

processesprocesses

WORLD’S DISPOSAL OF WATERWORLD’S DISPOSAL OF WATER

Blue WaterBlue Water:: 40 mil km 40 mil km33: aquifers: aquifers70% agriculture70% agriculture20% industry20% industry10% domestic use10% domestic use

Green WaterGreen Water:: Drain of naturally inside Drain of naturally insideecosystemsecosystems60% of production of food60% of production of food40% of fishes in sweet water40% of fishes in sweet water25% of molluscs25% of molluscs

2.97 5.32

14.1 18.1

4 17.7

8.18 10.1

12.2 16.2

2.51 4.57

2.31

0 10 20 30 40

Europa

Asia

Africa

America del norte

América del sur

Oceania

Antartida

DRAININGOFFEVAPORATION

Figura 4. Precipitation, Evaporation and Raining of by Regions

Source: GEO-3, 2002

WORLD’S WATER DEMANDWORLD’S WATER DEMAND During the XX century, world population During the XX century, world population

increased three times and water demand sixincreased three times and water demand sixtimes. More than half of the population livestimes. More than half of the population liveswithin hydric stress conditions. Every year 3 to 4within hydric stress conditions. Every year 3 to 4millions of personas -2 millions are children- diemillions of personas -2 millions are children- diebecause of water born illnesses.because of water born illnesses.

- physical stress: without access to the resource- physical stress: without access to the resource-- economic stress: lack of money to createeconomic stress: lack of money to create

infrastructure for safe water supply and servicesinfrastructure for safe water supply and services

Figure 6

Figure 8

MAIN URBANMAIN URBAN AGGLOMERATIONSAGGLOMERATIONS

Source: UNO, 1999, World Urbanization Prospects

Figure9

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.6

10.8

11

11.4

11.4

11.7

12.4

12.7

12.8

12.9

16.6

17.5

17.5

17.9

26.4

13

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Cairo

Rio de Janeiro

Metro Manila

Jakarta

Beijing

Osaka

Delhi

Karachi

Dhakar

Buenos Aires

Calcutta

Lagos

Sanghai

Los Angeles

New York

Sao Paulo

Bombay

Mexico

TokioMillion People

Growing Urban PopulationGrowing Urban Population

0.830%

1.1

35%

1.5

37%

1.8

40%

2.3

43%

2.8

47%

3.3

50%

4.9

60%

00.5

11.5

22.5

33.5

44.5

5

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 1999 2005* 2030*

billion %

Source: UN 1999, World Perspectives of Urbanization

* estimate

Non-Rural25%

Asia50%

Sub.Sahara17%

Northern Africa2%

Latin America6%

Total poor: 1.2 billionRural Poor: 900 millonUrban Poor: 300 millon

Source: UNDP, 2002

Poors in the World

Figure 11

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Damage Evacuated persons Loss of drinking water Diseases Destruction ofagricultural crops

Effects of Hurricane Mitch in Honduras

Source: Goverment of Honduras (2002)

Figure 12

WORLD’S CATASTROPHESWORLD’S CATASTROPHES1973-1993:1973-1993:-66 millions of affected persons-66 millions of affected persons- 19 millions of dead- 19 millions of dead1994-1997:-113 millions of dead1998 (Niño Year): Mitch Honduras-30 thousand dead-1/3 of GNP of Honduras in damages-85% of agriculture destroyed, hunger1990-2000: ten times more damagesthan a decade before-70 billions of economic loss

LAND AND SUSTAINABILITYLAND AND SUSTAINABILITY

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

CONTINENTS

MIL

LON

S O

F H

A

ASIAOCCIDENTAL

AMÉRICA LATINAY EL CARIBE

ÁFRICA

AMÉRICA DELNORTE

EUROPA

ASÍA Y ELPACÍFICO

Use of land for agiruclture and permanent crops

Fuente: GEO-3, 2002

Source Strahm and Oswald, 1991

DEFORESTATION PROCESS DEFORESTATION PROCESSPERCENTUAL CHANGE BETWEEN 1990-2000

0.84%

-2.43%

-1.04%

-1.85%

-4.19%

-8.01%

-0.67%

-13.00% -8.00% -3.00% 2.00%

EUROPE

ASIA

NORTH AND CENT.AMERICA

OCEANIA

TOTAL WORLD

SOUTH AMERICA

AFRICA

Source: FAO and GEO-3, 2003

UNSUSTAINABLE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENTUNSUSTAINABLE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

11%

12.50%

20%

25%

25%

34%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

BIRDS

VASCULAR PLANTS

REPTILES

MAMMALS

AMPHIBIANS

FISH

Source: FAO, IUCN/World Conservation Union, 2000

OIL

CO

AL

GA

S

WA

ST

E

HY

DR

O

NU

CLE

AR

OTH

ER 1973

1999

35%

23,50%

20,70%

11,10%

2,30% 6,80%

0,50%

45%

24.90%

16.20%

11.10%

1.80%0.90%

0.10%

0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%

Sources of Energy Suppy

1973 1999

Source: Worldwatch Institute, 2002

Figure 18Figure 18

Medium and poor developed countries

43.5%Industrialized countries

55.8%

EMISSION OF CARBON BIOXYDE IN THE WORLD

EUAJapónUnión Europea

40%

UNSTAT, 1999

Poorest countries 0.07%

Figure 20Figure 20

FOUR CONFLICTIVE PROCESSESFOUR CONFLICTIVE PROCESSES•• The mortgage of an economic model of late capitalism,The mortgage of an economic model of late capitalism,

concentrates income and wealth through unemployment, andconcentrates income and wealth through unemployment, andexpulses youth and elders from the labor market. It is managedexpulses youth and elders from the labor market. It is managedby a superpower who bases its force on military superiority, andby a superpower who bases its force on military superiority, andpromotes a homogenizing culture through consumerism andpromotes a homogenizing culture through consumerism andmass media. This increases world instability through four mainmass media. This increases world instability through four mainprocesses:processes:

•• 1. 1. Poverty, Poverty, misery and inequality generates human insecurity.misery and inequality generates human insecurity.•• 2.2.Physical violencePhysical violence, wars, armed conflicts, genocide, ethnocide,, wars, armed conflicts, genocide, ethnocide,

drug and arm traffic, illegal migrants, refugees and creates publicdrug and arm traffic, illegal migrants, refugees and creates publicinsecurity.insecurity.

•• 3. 3. Discrimination of gender, Discrimination of gender, women, youth, elders, indigenous,women, youth, elders, indigenous,religious, ideological and other minorities produces genderreligious, ideological and other minorities produces genderinsecurity.insecurity.

•• 4. 4. Environmental destructionEnvironmental destruction, loss of biodiversity, urbanization,, loss of biodiversity, urbanization,hazardous waste increase, irrational management of naturalhazardous waste increase, irrational management of naturalresources, climatic changes and urbanization createsresources, climatic changes and urbanization createsenvironmental insecurity.environmental insecurity.

3.51.2

15090

1146

73250

200146

400

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

HIV Deaths of children

HIV Sick children

Street children

Poverty Risk

Preventable Deaths

Sexual Abuse

Children Labor

Children Explotation

Malnutrition

Deaths Caused by Hunger

Misstreated Children

Without birth certificate

Million childrenSource: UNICEF and ILO, 1999

30%

Malnutrition 30%Without PrimarySchool Acces

Life Conditions of Children and Youth in the WorldFigure 21

Figure 22Figure 22

CHILDREN’S POVERTY IN MEXICOCHILDREN’S POVERTY IN MEXICO•• Children suffer more from poverty, becauseChildren suffer more from poverty, because

from 10.5 millions of kids in México:from 10.5 millions of kids in México:•• 2 millions have low stature2 millions have low stature•• 800 thousands low weight800 thousands low weight•• 214 thousands severe malnutrition214 thousands severe malnutrition•• 28% of children are malnourished (only 2%28% of children are malnourished (only 2%

in USA) and 44% of indigenous childrenin USA) and 44% of indigenous children•• 32.2% of children malnourished lives in rural32.2% of children malnourished lives in rural

areasareas•• Source: ENN, 1999Source: ENN, 1999

Figure 23Figure 23

WATER AND POPULATION IN MEXICOWATER AND POPULATION IN MEXICO

•• 84% of Mexico has a semi-arid clima and receive84% of Mexico has a semi-arid clima and receive28% of precipitation, but 77% of population28% of precipitation, but 77% of populationlives there, produces 84% of GDP and disposeslives there, produces 84% of GDP and disposesof 92% of irrigated land.of 92% of irrigated land.

•• South-East receive 78% of precipitation, has 23%South-East receive 78% of precipitation, has 23%of population and only 8% of irrigated land. Theof population and only 8% of irrigated land. Thehighest levels of poverty is located in this area.highest levels of poverty is located in this area.

•• Irrigation uses between 78 to 82% of water andIrrigation uses between 78 to 82% of water andproduce between 5-7% of GDP of Mexico.produce between 5-7% of GDP of Mexico.

Figure 24Figure 24

TROPICAL AND TEMPLATE FORESTSTROPICAL AND TEMPLATE FORESTS

•• Only 55 millions of hectares of forests are left inOnly 55 millions of hectares of forests are left inMexicoMexico

•• 1.1 million hectares are disappearing per year1.1 million hectares are disappearing per yeardue to fire, illegal exploitation, irrationaldue to fire, illegal exploitation, irrationalmanagement and pestsmanagement and pests

•• 80% of the forest is in hand of ejidatarios, only80% of the forest is in hand of ejidatarios, only0.2% shows a certified sustainable exploitation0.2% shows a certified sustainable exploitation

•• There is no integration of mixed agriculture,There is no integration of mixed agriculture,forests, environmental services and ecotourismforests, environmental services and ecotourism

•• The Mexican government impulse an agribusinessThe Mexican government impulse an agribusinessmodel of agriculture, destroying resources andmodel of agriculture, destroying resources andcreating poverty within the peasantry.creating poverty within the peasantry.

Figure 25Figure 25

FOOD SOVEREIGNITY IN MEXICOFOOD SOVEREIGNITY IN MEXICO•• Importation of corn before NAFTA: 2.5 million tonsImportation of corn before NAFTA: 2.5 million tons

(mt); in 2002: 6.148 mt(mt); in 2002: 6.148 mt•• Importation of basic grains: before 8.7 mt todayImportation of basic grains: before 8.7 mt today

more than 18.7 mtmore than 18.7 mt•• Subsidies per farmer in USA 21,000US$, in MexicoSubsidies per farmer in USA 21,000US$, in Mexico

700 US$700 US$•• 25 million of peasants and its families lives from25 million of peasants and its families lives from

agriculture, only 5 millions can compete within theagriculture, only 5 millions can compete within therules of NAFTA. ¿Where are going 20 millions ofrules of NAFTA. ¿Where are going 20 millions ofpeasants? Basically to the USApeasants? Basically to the USA

•• 3.9 million ejidatarios produce basic grains at all3.9 million ejidatarios produce basic grains at allfor their self-sufficiencyfor their self-sufficiency

Figure 26Figure 26

ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS IN MEXICOENVIRONMENTAL COSTS IN MEXICO

•• Average of environmental destruction: 10%Average of environmental destruction: 10%GDP (INGEI-SNCEYE, 1988-1999); 11.8% inGDP (INGEI-SNCEYE, 1988-1999); 11.8% in2003 and only 6% of redemption2003 and only 6% of redemption

•• 12 years of free-market : only 3% of12 years of free-market : only 3% ofenvironmental costs were internalizedenvironmental costs were internalized(Villamar, 2002)(Villamar, 2002)

•• 9.2 years of GDP of the country are required,9.2 years of GDP of the country are required,in order to mitigate environmental damagesin order to mitigate environmental damagesand irrational resource exploitation (INEGI,and irrational resource exploitation (INEGI,1999)1999)

Figure 27Figure 27 WOMEN’S SITUATION IN MEXICO WOMEN’S SITUATION IN MEXICO•• Labor market: 2 millions of women work (5x more inLabor market: 2 millions of women work (5x more in

60 years) and 1.9 millions are responsible of a60 years) and 1.9 millions are responsible of ahousehold (each third household)household (each third household)

•• Work per week: 5-11 hours more than a manWork per week: 5-11 hours more than a man•• Analphabets: man 8.4%; women 12.7%Analphabets: man 8.4%; women 12.7%•• Women in labor market show 1.3 years more ofWomen in labor market show 1.3 years more of

education, work 118% more than men and receiveeducation, work 118% more than men and receive10.14 pesos (75.3%) compared with 13.46 pesos10.14 pesos (75.3%) compared with 13.46 pesosgiven to men.given to men.

•• 85.3% of women and children suffer from intrafamiliar85.3% of women and children suffer from intrafamiliarviolence, in families where a man is the chief andviolence, in families where a man is the chief and14.7%, when a women is in front of a household.14.7%, when a women is in front of a household.

•• Work hours of women: 74.9% household; 18.3%Work hours of women: 74.9% household; 18.3%other activities, 6.82% studies; of men: 18.4%other activities, 6.82% studies; of men: 18.4%

TERRITORIAL REGULATIONS IN MEXICO FOR THE XXI CENTURY

Territorial,socioeconomic-cultural andenvironmentalintegral regulations

• General Law of HumanCommunities

• General Law of Population

• General Law of Planning

• General Law of EnvironmentalDevelopment and Protection

• General Law of Information,Statistics y Geography

• General Law of NationalWaters

• General Law of Ways ofCommunication

• Federal Law of Housing

• Forestry Law

• Law of Wildlife

Regional development, sustainable,prospective, environmental diverse,with equity and care about thevulnerables

• Regional

• Social

• Economic

• Environmental

• Legal

• Population

• Cultural

• Urban

• Rural

• Housing

• Communications

• Science andtechnology

• Participativedemocracy

Socio-political management:

Physical and Natural SpaceResources Risks and Dangers

Commodities: water, air, land,subsoil,energetic, flora, fauna,food

Services: Photosynthesis, Biomass,Cycle of Carbon and Sulfur, BiologicRedemption

Informática: Genes, Proteins

Foods, drought

Pollution

Land slice

Volcanic eruption

Frost, Hailstorm, Water Ice

Global warming

Desertification

Earthquake

Natural Ecosystems Urban Ecosystems Rural Ecosystems

Rate of Conservation

Capacity of Resiliency

Diversity of Resources

Rate of Sustainable Management ofNatural Resources

Environmental Services

Rate of Waste and WastewaterRecycling

Progress in Environmental Culture

Degree of Urbanization

Rate of Marginalization and Violence

Brut Rate of Economic Activities

Coefficient of Economic Dependency

Density of Paved Roads

Food and Resource Dependency

Degree of Pollution

Rate of Dignified Employment and SocialSecurity

Rate of Marginality

Rate of Technology in Agriculture

Regional Integration

Food Sovereignty

Sustainable Integrated Agriculture

Holistic Management ofEnvironmental Services

Rate of Rururbanization

CRITERIAS FOR A NEW CULTURECRITERIAS FOR A NEW CULTUREOF WATEROF WATER

••EnvironmentalEnvironmental•• SocialSocial••RegionalRegional••CulturalCultural•• LegalLegal••Humanized and nonviolent livingHumanized and nonviolent living

together with nature and othertogether with nature and otherhuman beingshuman beings

RELATIONS BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Development of Human CapacitiesLive a long and healthy life

Acquire knowledge and creative believesEnjoy a decent style of life

Participate in social, economic and political life inside of communities

Economic Growth

Technological Advances

Improvements in medicine,communications, agriculture,

energy, manufacture, lifequality, nonviolence, HUGE

KnowledgeCreativity

Living peacefultogether

Budget for education, health,food, communications,

employment, leisure and socialsecurities

Increase of productivityResources for technological

development

Source: PNUD, 2001, p. 30

SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES OF WATERSUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES OF WATERMANAGEMENT AT LOCAL LEVELMANAGEMENT AT LOCAL LEVEL::- - Decentralization of water and wastewater servicesDecentralization of water and wastewater servicesthrough a concession systems to municipal, social orthrough a concession systems to municipal, social orprivate organizations, but regulated by local lawsprivate organizations, but regulated by local laws- Decentralization of functions for operation and- Decentralization of functions for operation andcontrol of water and sewage systems to organizedcontrol of water and sewage systems to organizedand trained citizensand trained citizens- Training of local technicians for administrating water- Training of local technicians for administrating waterand sewage systems at municipal leveland sewage systems at municipal level- Training of public functionaries and honest- Training of public functionaries and honestprofessionals for local management of water andprofessionals for local management of water andsewage systems, including sensibility for publicsewage systems, including sensibility for publicdemands, conciliation processesdemands, conciliation processes and honestand honestadministration of public funds.administration of public funds.

ALTERNATIVES:ALTERNATIVES: WaterWater SavingSaving•• Repair damages in tubes and system, and optimize use ofRepair damages in tubes and system, and optimize use of

drinking water; avoid excess in creation of infrastructuredrinking water; avoid excess in creation of infrastructureand imported, expensive technology with difficult repairingand imported, expensive technology with difficult repairing

•• Little sewage plants reduce costs of collectors and avoidLittle sewage plants reduce costs of collectors and avoidpollution during the transportation of sewage waterpollution during the transportation of sewage water

•• Separation Separation in situ in situ of grey and sewage water, treatment atof grey and sewage water, treatment athome and recycling in sanitary system and gardens giveshome and recycling in sanitary system and gardens givesoptimum water management resultsoptimum water management results

•• Periodical maintenance of the local and regional systemsPeriodical maintenance of the local and regional systems•• Mexican technology has a good level and reach norms: NOMMexican technology has a good level and reach norms: NOM•• Water saving disposals reduce sewage waterWater saving disposals reduce sewage water•• Recollection of raining water and building of Recollection of raining water and building of ferroferro-cement-cement

cistern for conservation increase local water supplycistern for conservation increase local water supply•• Holistic management of water is necessary together with aHolistic management of water is necessary together with a

new water culture of reduce-recycle and reuse the water.new water culture of reduce-recycle and reuse the water.

FINANCINGFINANCING

•• Integral budgeting, including drinking water andIntegral budgeting, including drinking water andsewage systems: avoids water born illnesses, dead,sewage systems: avoids water born illnesses, dead,loss of labor hours, and creates healthy populationloss of labor hours, and creates healthy population

•• Priorities in investments to improve life quality forPriorities in investments to improve life quality formarginal, instead of external and internal debtmarginal, instead of external and internal debtpayment: water is a basic human rightpayment: water is a basic human right

•• Reduction of private subsidies for banks andReduction of private subsidies for banks andenterprises (FOBAPROA/IBAP); savings in publicenterprises (FOBAPROA/IBAP); savings in publicadministration; honest governmental administrationadministration; honest governmental administrationincrease budget for public investments in basicincrease budget for public investments in basicservices.services.

•• Decentralization and citizen's watching reducesDecentralization and citizen's watching reducescorruption in public services and buildings andcorruption in public services and buildings andreorient the investment to the popular reorient the investment to the popular necesitiesnecesities..

Financial AlternativesFinancial Alternatives•• Establishment of public-private associations forEstablishment of public-private associations for

creating and maintaining infrastructure of drinkingcreating and maintaining infrastructure of drinkingwater, sewage, conservation and recycling ofwater, sewage, conservation and recycling ofwater (in the Morelos state i.e. CECOMOC and notwater (in the Morelos state i.e. CECOMOC and notWorld Bank’s Private Public Partnerships).World Bank’s Private Public Partnerships).

•• Collaboration with universities and researchCollaboration with universities and researchcenters to create adapted technology in a cheapercenters to create adapted technology in a cheaperway, but fully award of norms and water qualityway, but fully award of norms and water qualityrequirements.requirements.

•• Guarantee to dispose of spare parts at cheapGuarantee to dispose of spare parts at cheapprices for immediate reparationsprices for immediate reparations

•• Campaign to save water and to do investments forCampaign to save water and to do investments forgreen water management in each housegreen water management in each house

DEMOCRATIZATION OF WATER MANAGEMENTDEMOCRATIZATION OF WATER MANAGEMENT

•• Diagnostics together with citizensDiagnostics together with citizens•• Establishment of social priorities for communitiesEstablishment of social priorities for communities•• Sustainable management of the resourceSustainable management of the resource•• Rational investment with further possibilities ofRational investment with further possibilities of

amplificationamplification•• Water saving techniquesWater saving techniques•• Sewage Sewage in situin situ•• Decentralization of water managementDecentralization of water management

controlled by a law and citizenscontrolled by a law and citizens

ALTERNATIVES: WOMEN MAIN GUARDIANS OFSUSTAINABILITY AND SOLIDARITY ECONOMOMY

• Socialization of values at home• Guardians of local knowledge• Users of tradition medicine and health

practices• Planner of survival strategies• Care about biodiversity• Reminder of cultural memory, traditional

believes and transmitter of myths

GS

ES HS

Ecofeminism

Ecoindigenism

Equity with

Life Quality andPeace-Building

Social andCulturalDiversity

DescentralizedMulticulturalSustainableDevelopment

System of Sustainable Cultures of Peace

HUGE: HUMAN, GENDER ANDENVIRONMENTAL SECURITYGS – Gender Security

ES – Environmental SecurityHS – Human Security

MulticulturalismSelf-Organized Dissipate SystemTechnological DiversityJoy of Creative EffortsAgathos & KalosLocal Self-Sufficiency

Civilizatorian ProcessesMultiplicityRelationessEthics of CarePluralityPolitically Transversal

Democratic Practices from BelowBio-Socio Cultural ColaborationProtection of VulnerablesPermanent EvaluationRegional PeacebuildingSustainable Food Sovereignty

Figure 38