Problems in any country in Africa except Aids ( article review ) - Essay Example

Water Shortage in Africa The of the article: “A Potential Underground Solution to Africas Water Shortage”.
2. The author of the article: Michael Dolgow.
3. Where and when the article was written: August 1, 2012 in New York City.
4. Source of the article: The Global Economics section of the Bloomberg Businessweek.
5. Brief summary
The article was about the “discovery of a 10,000-year-old supply of water in an underground aquifer in northern Namibia, near the border with Angola, (which) could potentially reshape the developing nation’s ability to cope with the effects of climate change and rising population” (Dolgow par. 1). As disclosed, the discovery was made in July allegedly by German scientists and was reported to cover a land area with the following specifications: 43 miles by 25 miles. As revealed, various groups and government officials were optimistic that the freshwater resource from the discovered groundwater would be the opportune solution to water shortage and could augment the current sources of water for drinking, irrigation, and other agricultural use.
6. Outline main points of the article
Introduction: discovery of the groundwater
Effects of the discovery:
potentials for greater water supply;
access to fresh drinking water;
improve health; and
help people move out of poverty
Explanation of aquafiers
Conflicts seen:
control of water sources;
overuse and careful abstraction process
Other potential uses: for export to other African countries
Conclusion
7. Discuss and analyze these points in detail
Introduction discussed the overview of the discovery of the groundwater and asserted that “according to geologists, it could satisfy northern Namibia’s basic drinking and irrigation needs for 400 years” (Dolgow par. 1). The second point emphasized that discoveries of groundwater usually have potential effects such as greater actual underground volume than on the surface (Dolgow par. 2); providing sources of fresh drinking water, as well as improving health and assisting in relieving people from poverty (Dolgow par. 3). The third point expounded in the discovery of aquafiers where locations affect consumption and the cost of drilling affects access to the public (Dolgow par. 4). Futher, there were conflicts that were seen including control of water sources, overuse, and the need for careful abstraction to enable preservation and conservation of its effective use (Dolgow par. 6). As noted, the water supply has potentials to be transported to other African countries, as deemed possible (Dolgow par. 7).
8. What have you learned from it
One therefore learned that discoveries of aquafier or underground water have potentials for solving the water shortage in African countries. This is an informative article that provides uplifting news as potentials for improving the welfare of men have been identified through the discovery enabling access to drinking water and potentials for irrigation of land and other human activities.
9. What are strengths and weaknesses of the article
The strengths of the article include the use of clear and straightforward language that is easy to understand; as well as citing credible and authoritative sources within the discourse. On the other hand, the sources of secondary information were not appropriately referenced so that readers could validate the information that was disclosed.
10. Conclusion
Overall, the contents of the article were illuminating as new underground water sources could be potential reservoirs which people could tap for much needed use and would definitely be a solution to the water shortage problem in Africa. Other authoritative sources could be sought from the internet or from journal articles to validate the veracity of this information and to finally confirm that the discovery could indeed solve the problem that was presented herewith.
Work Cited
Dolgow, Michael. "A Potential Underground Solution to Africas Water Shortage." 1 August 2012. Bloomberg Businessweek. 25 November 2012 . Read More