Water is Life

Women, children and men in a dry area filling up their bottles from a well. — Water is Life

Water is one of the most important elements of our planet. As a source of life, it is also one of the most threatened commons by the way we use it, pollution and climate change. But how can water resources and coasts be protected and preserved?

Water is Life3 min
Skyscrapers in the Desert: The UAE Tries to Defy Its Water Scarcity

The UAE is a country built within a hostile environment of soaring temperatures and scarce water desert. To allay the thirst of its population, the Gulf State has so far relied on the desalination of seawater. However, in the face of climate change and rapid population growth, it knows, it cannot get away with this forever and explores more sustainable solutions.

United Arab Emirates

A woman and a man inspecting seedlings planted using hydroponics in a greenhouse.

Water is Life5 min
Initiatives that Challenge the Blockade in Gaza

As he sees the first of his successes making its way towards local markets, Azem Abu Daqqa feels very positive. The launch of an agricultural project in the south of the Gaza Strip, which challenges the reality of the Israeli blockade and the scarcity of job opportunities for the thousands of university graduates, is promising.

Palestinian territories

A woman and a man in the water by a coast in rubbish filled water.

Water is Life4 min
Promoting Sustainable Fishing: The Case of Tipaza

Among the greatest threats to Algeria’s 1,622 km long coastline are irresponsible fishing practices and a complacency about marine pollution, especially plastic waste. HOME Environmental Association in Tipaza is trying to change that.

Algeria

A group of people on the beach, holding up posters for environmental protection, in front of them bags filled with rubbish.

Water is Life6 min
Did You Enjoy Your Plastic Meal Today?

Has it ever crossed your mind that you are eating plastic on a daily basis? That you are drinking it? Apart from the thousands of trending pictures and videos on social media of animals and fish tangled in plastic, or even filled with plastic, are you aware that 83 % of our tap water contains microplastics?

Egypt

Image of a nearly dried out river filled with industrial water pollution.

Water is Life5 min
Water Scarcity: The Way Forward in the 21st Century

Water is life – and the motor of development. Since gaining independence in 1956, Tunisia has gone to great lengths to mobilise its water resources in order to meet the country's demand for drinking water and to protect the environment by improving sanitation. But has it done enough?

Tunisia

Close-up of a group of people holding a sign with images of people and arabic writing, protesting for their right to water.

Water is Life5 min
Water shortage in the Maghreb: Morocco’s thirst revolution

When residents of Zagora in southern Morocco protested in 2017, demanding the right to safe drinking water, the authorities arrested 23 of them in what became known as the “thirst revolution”. The residents of Zagora and its environs, however, continue to suffer from a water shortage.