Mulday Mondays: Iceberg Towing as a Solution for South Africa’s Water Shortage??

South Africa

To recap from last year…..

Three S’s in Water: Security, Scarcity and Stress 

“Lack of fresh water resources to meet water demand. ”

— Water Scarcity

“Difficulty of obtaining sources of fresh water for use during a period of time and may result in further depletion and deterioration of available water resources. ”

— Water Stress

In water related topics, it is the norm to use all three words interchangeably. It is best to have an exact understanding on the terminology to appreciate the gravity of the problem.

GODFATHER OF TOWING ICEBERGS

Mr. John Issacs- His solution to the California Drought in the 40’s ….Tow an Iceberg to San Diego

While he is credited as the modern day godfather, he was not the first to appreciate the utilization of Icebergs.

“August 22, 1863- A genius in New Bedford is fitting up a steamer for the purpose of towing icebergs to India, where they sell for six cents a pound..”

— 1863-Scientific American, Volume 9, pg 114

Mid 1800’s - Iceberg Utilization

“A Chilean researcher said, The icebergs were towed by ships of the conventional type. Sometimes the icebergs were supplied with sails to utilize the prevailing winds. The ice was used for refrigerating purposes in the breweries and was generally substituted for artificial ice.”

— Encyclopedia of the Antarctic, Volume 1- Beau Riffenburgh

June 1977- New York Times Article about Prince Mohamed Al-Faisal of Saudi Arabia’s consideration to tow 100 million tons of Iceberg to Jeddah. The return for such an investment back then was 25 million gallons of fresh water. A grand total cost of a cool $1-$2 billion dollars.

One thing about the sons of the Royal Saudi Family, they do know how to put on a show. Is it always effective or productive, I don’t know. However, it always ends with one scratching their head, while either screaming or mummering

“The Prince had a two-tonne Alaskan berg hoisted by helicopter to a conference in Iowa, where some of it found its way into delegates’ drinks. ”

Needless to say that was the end of that project or so…..

Introducing South African Zambian marine salvage expert… We so often advocate for Africans providing solutions for African problems

IAN SLOANE- TOWING ICEBERGS TO SOLVE SOUTH AFRICA WATER CONCERNS

A marine salvage expert says he has the solution to Cape Town's water shortage problems. He wants to tow a 100 million tonne iceberg from Antarctica to the city in South Africa. Usmaan Lone has more.

QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

• What could possibly go wrong with TOWING an iceberg for about 1,200 miles?
  Minus the strong currents and the unclear logistics. How do you preserve and break apart the Iceberg? How do you mine the water out without any ecological damages?

• How much will this cost?
  Fiscally: It is estimated that a single trip will cost $100 million. This does not include the process of removing the salt from the melted Iceberg. Our African brother says private investors are willing to invest without government assistance.
  
  Environmentally: This completely contradicts the Antarctic Treaty which prohibits such ventures because of the harm that it would cause to the environment and the ecological system.

• Who is paying for this?

  As mentioned the Government has declined this has a solution. However, It has not firmly stated that the private sector of South Africa may not consider this a solution.

• Do we really want private investors playing monopoly on water supply?

“Blue Wars... Research that Term. ”

— You are welcome

“ At this stage it appears to us that in fact the groundwater or desalination options are cheaper or at least equal cost price”

— Capetown Deputy Mayor Ian Neilson

  THE ANTARCTIC TREATY

Antarctica is the only continent without a government. The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 by the twelve countries whose scientist had maintained a base from 1957-1958. Those countries include: Argentina,Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa,United Kingdom, United States and then former USSR.

“HOWEVER...
The United States and Russia maintain a “basis of claim”. ”

The United States and Russia have enough hard power to discourage anyone or government wanting to use this space for “free water”. Rest assure with a expanding population, unpredictable weather and good ‘ol capitalism… The United States and Russia will determine the Iceberg Water Market.

To know more about the Antarctic Treaty

Saudi Arabia is also considering this an option

 See you next Mulday,

Friday Ramblings: Gratitude… Heartbreak

Long Time!!

Much later on Seoul -Houston to Paris….

My new spot for now is the 10th district. Vegan options and pleasant staff.

“Romantic heartbreak is a bi$%^ but betrayal from blood will have your head spinning”

I got sick after my arrival to paris and stayed in a hostel for 11 days. Nothing will turn you to an aggressive parisian like having no voice for 5 days while trying to look for an apartment in Paris. Did I mention my French is trash???

“Je ne comprends pas”

— My response to everything in Paris

I can curse in French now. Perhaps not at the level of English, Spanish and Pidgin. I have noticed some of the males that hang around the station, have no energy to even whistle around me. It is quite strange, I mean not a cough or a whistle.

It also allows males to feel empowered that catcalling is the norm.

“Man may not survive on bread alone

But damn it, man will survive and thrive on coffee alone”

— Coffee Addict

PhD - Cassava Diplomacy from Startup concept to Academia

It still hasn’t sinked in my coconut head that I am in a PhD program. I worked ass, blood and sweat to get here. I will explain this later on and much more but for now…

I am grateful for Heartbreak, Real Mates, Auntie Susan, Uncle Richard and again

Besides…

I am giraffe

I am
Elephant

I am Octopus

Until next Friday Ramblings

We will return on September 21st

We will return on September 21st with updates on: International Relations & Global Health from Africa and Asia. 

So many updates and changes. 

See you next Friday Ramblings,

Public Health Wednesdays (PHW): Africa & Asia Health Check

We will catch up more on Friday Ramblings. 

AFRICA

LIBERIA

Liberia and Central Africa Republic have issued health alerts on Monkey Pox outbreaks. Last year we discussed the zoonotic disease Monkey Pox, so if you need to catch up and learn more. 

PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE

Majority of African countries do a very poor job towards investments in health infrastructure. The consequences towards this lack of investment contributes to the exhausting inefficiency of countries providing overall public health services to the public.

There always seems to be an excuse for holding “leaders” accountable towards investing in their country’s public health.
International Non-Governmental Organizations that provide “aide” fuel this destructive attitude and ideology that African leaders ought not to be held accountable because of (Fill in the blank) towards their own public health. You often find such excuses come from those that hail from global north spaces that cannot even grasp the health security issues facing Africa.

It also comes from privileged people that hold roles in leadership within these African states that fear accountability. 

You cannot actively exploit “aide” that cripples your country while concurrently complain on former colonial masters exploiting your space.

At some point in time, African leaders must admit their failure towards building and investing towards their own public health.

COOL INVESTMENT FROM JAPAN 

Read here to understand the role of TICAD as a soft power tool from Japan towards Africa Public Health.

“Do you know by 2022, Africa will need $25billion-$30billion in healthcare investment? Hospitals, Clinics, HealthCare Assets, etc ”

SOUTH AFRICA: UPDATE ON LISTERIA

The cause of Listeria for our South African friends can blamed on bolony/polony.

Source of Listeria for our friends in South Africa

CHINA & BOTSWANA- PUBLIC HEALTH AS A SOFT POWER TOOL

Last year, we touched on Botswana as a country that had so much potential with branding and “soft tools” but the government chooses not to actively invest in such public diplomacy. 


Brush up on Botswana and those soft tools

We touched on 4 neglected pieces that could build a powerful brand for the country. It appears China will apply number 2 as a soft power tool.  

ASIA

JAPAN "Let's talk about Sex"

While Japan has no problem investing in the public health infrastructure of Africa, it is failing miserably in teaching the Japanese youth on sex education.

In discussing Sexual Health Education or (Reproductive Health Education), it is absolutely forbidden for teachers to mention the following: Intercourse, Birth Control and Abortion. 

Catch up more on the dilemma of talking about sex in Japan. 

THAILAND: SUPER GONORRHEA "THE CLAP"

“If you spread the Clap....is it called the applause?”

— Public Health Wednesdays bringing the humor in Sex

Public health officials say the world's first confirmed case of multi-drug resistant gonorrhea has been reported in the U.K. Health experts have expressed concern for some time about the rise of drug-resistant strains of the sexually transmitted infection (STI).

“Do you know that a person can contract Neisseria gonorrhoeae AKA gonorrhea outside of sexual contact (Vaginal, Oral, or Anal Intercourse)?

Skin to skin contact (with no sexual activity) can also pass the clap....”

Our Advice: Always use your umbrella no matter the enviroment. 

See you next PHW!

Until Further Notice

Unfortunately, this blog will be on hiatus indefinitely.  Our Friday Ramblings touched on this as a possibility but as soon as thing settle, the blog will be back.

 Thank you