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The Thirsty Dragon: Shale Development Threatens China’s Water
November 30th, 2012
Via Energy Daily, a look at the watergy challenge facing China’s planned shale oil development: disclaimer: image is for illustration purposes only As China readies for the water-intensive process of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to tap into massive reserves of shale natural gas, concerns are rising regarding the country’s already limited water supply. China has […]
Read more »Laos: We Are In Compliance With Mekong Pact
November 26th, 2012
Via Asia News Network, a report that Laos feels it is in compliance regarding its dam building activities on the Mekong: Laos has complied with the procedures for notification, prior consultation and agreement under the 1995 Mekong Agreement before starting construction of the Xayaboury dam on the mainstream of the Mekong River, according to a […]
Read more »No Wars for Water: Why Climate Change Has Not Led to Conflict…Yet
November 26th, 2012
Via Foreign Affairs (subscription required), a look at why climate change has not yet led to conflict: The world economic downturn and upheaval in the Arab world might grab headlines, but another big problem looms: environmental change. Along with extreme weather patterns, rising sea levels, and other natural hazards, global warming disrupts freshwater resource availability […]
Read more »Irrigation (Irritation?) In Central Asia
November 23rd, 2012
Courtesy of STRATFOR (subscription required), an interesting graphic on irrigation in Central Asia which contributes to part of the growing issue of water competition in Central Asia: Even before Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan began their recent push to build hydroelectric dams along Central Asia’s two main rivers, downriver countries were coping with water scarcity challenges caused […]
Read more »Trickle-Down Diplomacy: South American Style
November 22nd, 2012
Via The Economist, an interesting report on Evo Morales efforts to swap a stream for a piece of Chilean seafront: THE Silala (known as the Siloli in Chile) trickles down from Bolivia’s unpopulated Andean plateau to the Chilean border. Little more than a ditch in places, the stream is nevertheless the cause of renewed tension […]
Read more »Water Tensions Overflow In Ex-Soviet Central Asia
November 21st, 2012
Via Terra Daily, a report on the water tensions of Central Asia: The ex-Soviet states of Central Asia are engaged in an increasingly bitter standoff over water resources, adding another element of instability to the volatile region neighbouring Afghanistan. Plans in mountainous but energy-poor Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan for two of the world’s biggest hydro-electric power […]
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