Environment Agency celebrates water and culture at the Cultural Foundation

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More on Water

Some Important Numbers You Need to Know

• 60 to 70% - the percentage of the rural population in developing countries that doesn't have access to a safe or convenient source of water.
• 1 Billion - the number of people around the world suffering from water shortage or from health problems related to dirty and contaminated water.
• 200 Million hours - the time spent each day by women and girls to collect water from distant, often polluted sources.
• 2 - the number of natural flowing Aflaj systems left in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
• 5 % - the overall increase recorded from 2002 to 2003 in the total water resource consumption for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

What is the Current State of Water in Abu Dhabi Emirate?
We are facing declining water levels and a general deterioration in groundwater quality.

Which Sector in the UAE Consumes the Most Water?
Agriculture (58 %)
Forestry (18 %)
Domestic (15.5 %)
Parks, golf courses, etc. (7 %)
Industrial/Commercial (1.5 %)

How Can You Help?
We all need to rethink and modify our behavior to become a more water-conscious society.

How is Water Related to Religion and Culture?
• Throughout history, water has been represented in Literature and Cinema.
• Water is at the heart of many different religions and religion can influence people's awareness on water issues. For example: In Islam, water represents purification.
• Our culture and tradition determines how we perceive and manage water.

How is Water Related to Art?
• Leonardo Da Vinci often painted terrible floods. Claude Monet, in his Water lilies series, depicted water and his obsession with reflection and refraction of light on the surface of water.
• In the traditional Madhubani paintings of Bihar, India, women have often been depicted carrying water.

How is Water Related to Music?
• In Pakistan, Matkas, or clay water holders, were used to store water. When people wanted to protest over shortage of water, they demonstrated with empty matkas which make a distinct sound. The matkas also serve as musical instruments at special occasions.
• Debussy's most popular and groundbreaking work, La Mer, was inspired by water.

How is Water Related to Cultural Landscape?
• Nearly all great civilizations developed around water.
• The construction of spectacular public baths, by successive Roman emperors, was a way of impressing citizens with the power and prestige of their rulers.
• Venice has a whole lagoon-oriented way of life.
• In ancient Egypt, the Nile was the main source of agricultural wealth and the sole means of communication and travel.
• The arid lands of Syria and Iraq, which were once a part of the Umayyad dynasty, survived due to their ability to collect and store water. The Aleppo water towers and the baths in Ancient Samaraa (Iraq today) bear testimony to this fact.

(Information compiled courtesy of Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi)

For Further Information, Please Contact:
Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi
Environmental Education and Awareness Division
Laila Y. Al-Hassan or Sobhia El Masri
Tel: +9712 693-4442; Fax: +9712 681-7359