Erik Buckingham                                                    approximately  200 words

SUNY Genseoo

INTD 105: Science Writing

ekb7@geneseo.edu

“Thoughts on ‘Land Divided, Coast United'”

By: Erik Buckingham

In “Land Divided, Coast United”, Josie Glausiusz describes the harsh conditions of those living in Gaza, an area facing a water and sewage crisis. She explains how Israel and Hama have been clash repeatedly over the water utility in Gaza.  Both Hama and Israel share the Gaza strip and the 90,000 cubic meters of raw or partially treated sewage, which is eventually emptied out into the Mediterranean Sea, affecting beaches that children play on (Glausiusz, 2).

Both countries are struggling to resolve these issues because of a blockade by Israeli forces, which prevents not only war materials but also water sanitation materials from being transported to Hama. Fortunately, an organization called Eco Peace has brought together environmental activists from Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories to work together to bring clean water to the Gaza strip.

I think that Eco Peace is an example as to how everyday people from differing countries can come together to rise above a government that is stubborn and uncompromising. This company is focusing on the people affecting by dirty water, who are being affecting by worms and protozoa, instead of focusing on the grudge that the Israeli government has with Hama.