Drink up while you can, Turkey. I was reading an article about the return of the balık-ekmek boats to Istanbul's Eminönü district when I saw this headline: Rivers to be privatized as a solution to water crisis. I am not a supporter of privatized, corporatized water and certainly not privatization of whole rivers and lakes. The article says 12-13 rivers are to be SOLD for a period of 49 years, including the Tigris ($650 m. for 29 year rights) and Euphrates ($950 m. for 29 year rights). There is no explanation of how this strategy will solve the stated water crisis. Also, no word on potential reactions from Syria and Iraq, which lay downstream. Also according to the article, the transfer of water resources to the private sector may require a constitutional amendment. It sounds like a bad idea to me....
While climate change is certainly making life harder in Turkey, things aren't much better in Egypt or the rest of the Mediterranean, either. And if you think it's hot and dry now, just wait...
Salaam.
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