Unintended Consequences of the Solution



In efforts to solve the water crisis of the Nile region, focusing on the country of Sudan, we created a multi-dimensional solution implementation plan. Our solutions to the water scarcity problem begin with educational programs to increase Peace Corps volunteer numbers in the region to inform the general population of efficient and sustainable water management practices. Once these educational programs are implemented in the region, legislation to enforce crop rotations on larger scale farms will be implemented to further the sustainability of the region. Since agriculture is such a huge part of this region, crop rotations will allow relief to the land by decreasing salinity levels and the replenishment of soil nutrients. For the residential sector, Eco-Sanitization Flush Toilets and other small scale water purification technologies will be used to help families to have safer drinking water.

 

Within 10-15 years our plan aims to renegotiate the treaties with Egypt which will allocate the water better between the entire region based on; population, average annual rainfall levels, and climate change. We plan to reduce pollution levels in the Nile through legislation that bans the practice of dumping untreated water into the Nile and prevents the further construction of dams. The prevention of dam creation will prevent increased salinity and siltation levels. Also, bioremediation practices will be implemented to reduce nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorous levels in the river. Lastly, water infrastructure will be improved by developing small scale water treatment facilities and rain water capture systems. 

 

If these solutions are implemented they will inevitably be followed by various unintended consequences. There are several possible unintended consequences that may unravel during the implementation of the solution. These consequences include: falling further into debt, war between Nile Basin countries, increased water pollution due to industrial growth, amplified civil unrest, and the creation of a more uneven distribution of wealth in the Sudan.

 

In order for this implementation plan to have the possibility of success, funding from outside NGO's and other sources will be necessary. An unintended consequence of this funding could be that the region could not pay back these funds to their respective contributors.  This could occur if the deficit from implementation of these solutions outweighed the development that resulted from them. 

 

If the outdated treaties of the region are violated or there is a disagreement when going to renegotiate the treaties could result in war breaking out among the Nile countries. War is a possibility because at this time the region is already undergoing a time of civil unrest. 

 

As our solution plan is implemented, Sudan will inevitably become more developed as a country, which could be counterproductive to our plan. This is because Sudan's industrial growth could lead to more pollution flowing into the Nile. Even if legislation is passed that will ban the dumping of untreated water into the Nile, Sudan's regulation of these laws would not be able to keep up with the rate of development. 

 

Lastly, our solution plan was made without actually visiting the Nile region. Solutions that we perceive will work, may work in a more sustainable climate than the Nile region. However, these same solutions may turn out to destroy ecological conditions in a region like the Nile. Since we do not know the region and the natural fluctuations, cultural acceptance will be very difficult to overcome. It will be difficult to get the citizens of the Sudan to adopt our recommendations. 

 

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