Water, a sea of challenges

Water covers almost three quarters of the earth’s surface. The average person uses 125 litres of drinkable water a day. On a yearly basis, more than 7 billion products are transported over water. Hydropower is the most used form of alternative energy. More than one billion people don’t have access to drinkable water.

It is clear that water has a lot of different aspects. It is a basic element in our lives and is used in more ways than we usually think of at first sight. Therefore, we are convinced that water is an ideal topic for this session. The topics of debate will be built around the main theme, so water can be discussed in various ways.

First off, there is the environmental aspect. Only 3% of the water on earth is fresh water. In many countries, mainly on the African continent, only few people have access to drinkable water. Polluted water helps the spreading of diseases like cholera and tuberculosis, which cost many lives every single day. Building infrastructures to bring drinkable water anywhere around the world should be a priority since water is a primary need and a basic right for every
human being is this world.

Another issue is the sea level rise. Global warming has effects not to be ignored: because of the melting ice capes, the overall sea level rises and low-lying coastal areas are threatened by floods. What steps should be taken to counter global warming –and more pragmatic: how can we protect ourselves against the water rise?

Water is a powerful energy source. In some countries with a suitable relief like Switzerland and Austria, it is a very important energy source. As a renewable and clean source, we should be glad that hydropower is getting more widespread around the world. However, the dams being built for the hydropower also drastically change the environment of the area. There should be found a balance between preserving nature and choosing for this alternative energy.

Other than environmental, water also has an economical purpose. Water is the most important transport mode existing. Since centuries, cities close to ports have been booming and growing more important. Being cheap, relatively clean and easy, shipping is the ideal way of transporting goods such as raw materials and oil.

The port of Antwerp is the most important port of Belgium and, after Rotterdam, the second most important in Europe. In 2010, the port shipped around 178 million tons of products. The central location in North-west Europe makes Antwerp an attractive place because of its excellent connection with the most important European industrial and consumer centers, so this seaport plays a key role in international trade.

The port is an economical blessing for the city. It has made Antwerp grow ever since the 12th century. Many companies have gathered around the port because of its good location, next to the transport routes for their products. It has become a hotspot for mainly chemical industries: petrochemical companies and oil refinery companies are located near the Antwerp port. The infrastructure of the port is modern and technologically outstanding. The freight volume has grown steadily over the past 30 years, thanks in particular to the versatility of the port: Antwerp offers not only transshipment but also a wide range of related services that create added value throughout the logistics chain.

The importance of water and the port for Antwerp is clear; it speaks for itself that we feel strongly about giving this topic a main role in our session.

Water is a theme that can never be discussed upon enough: it just has too many aspects to become trivial. Water is certainly something to give some thought to. Only then, we can see past water as something we take for granted every day, and see the real challenges water holds.

Water, it really is, a sea of challenges…