Representing Nature in Jeddah city - Term Paper Example

In January 2011 torrential rains caused destructive floods. Massive rescue operations were quite successful and many people were evacuated from the areas exposed to the disaster (Byron, 2011). Reportedly, the damage caused by the flood “was attributed to the lack of a drainage system for flooding and rain water” (Byron, 2011). Insufficient drainage system led to spread of sewage. Admittedly, the sewage and contaminated water can cause proliferation of numerous diseases in people and animals.

Apart from this sewage and contaminated water leads to numerous environmental problems. For instance, it negatively influences ground waters leading to “salinization of the water affecting vegetation in the areas” (Magram, 2009, p.125). It goes without saying that this environmental issue has been considered politically. At this point it is worth mentioning that the majority of environmental issues should be (and usually are) regarded politically, due to the nature of these questions which are “inherently subjective” (Norheim, 2004, p.48). .

Notably, Jeddah is “the most significant city” in Saudi Arabia and its growth “has been rapid and diverse” (Magram, 2009, p.120). Rapid growth of population and industrial development of the city which was accompanied by the development of recreation infrastructure and the lack of attention to environmental issues led to environmental degradation. Such problems as sewage capacity issues, desalinization of water which threatens marine ecosystem, ground water contamination, which is the source of numerous diseases (and can even cause epidemic) have not attract much attention until floods caused serious problems.

It is important to note that floods are recurrent phenomena in Jeddah. In 2009 there was a flood which also caused numerous victims and money losses. Reportedly, the government tried to solve these problems, but this year flood proved that these measures were insufficient. More so, people argued that “hundreds of millions of dollars spent on upgrading the preparedness after last year’s flood were allegedly riddled with corruption deals” (Nuseibeh, 2011, p.7). Ineffective policy of those in power led to numerous riots.

Reportedly, the flood in Jeddah took place “at a time of unprecedented unrest” in Saudi Arabia. Admittedly, environmental issues aggravated the situation. At this point it is possible to point out that environmental issues, viewed politically, can be used by different people differently. In the first place, they have already caused social and political protests. On the other hand, those who want to gain people’s trust can use (and do exploit) these issues promising to solve environmental problems caused by floods, or prevent the floods.

Thus, these problems can lead to political changes. It goes