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The Thirsty Dragon: World’s Largest Water Diversion Plan Won’t Quench China’s Thirst
December 11th, 2017
Via Bloomberg, an article on China’s south-to-north diversion project: Autumn rains came too late to save the stunted stalks of Shu Xinguo’s corn crop, withered by a dry July growing season. “We rely on the weather for our living,” said Shu, weary and resigned, his tanned hands hoisting bundles of his remaining crop — green […]
Read more »Computer Models Indicate Water Problems In Asia’s Future
December 7th, 2017
Via China Daily, a slightly dated look at Asia’s impending water crisis: Water. Leonardo da Vinci called it “the elixir of life”. Yet worldwide, at least a billion people live with no nearby source, according to the World Health Organization, and of the remaining 6 billion people, only 42 percent have either running water in […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: China’s Belt and Road Initiative Suffers a Double-Blow from Hydropower Agreements
November 29th, 2017
Via Future Directions International, a report on the rejection of two Chinese hydropower projects in Asia: In May 2017, a number of memoranda of understanding were signed between China and Pakistan to construct several hydropower projects along the Indus River. The projects, known as the North Indus Cascade, include the development of five hydropower projects […]
Read more »Damming or Damning the Amazon: Assessing Ecuador / China Cooperation
November 24th, 2017
Via Mongabay, an article on Ecuador’s partnership with China and what it may mean for rivers in the Amazon: In 2008, Ecuador, led by President Rafael Correa, approved a new constitution based upon Buen Vivr (the ”Good Life”), committing the nation to indigenous rights, environmental sustainability and state sovereignty. However, Correa quickly aligned the nation […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: What ‘Xi’s Thought’ Means For Water
November 20th, 2017
Via China Water Risk, a report on what Xi’s speech at China’s 19th National Congress means for water & the environment: Highlights -Xi is determined to steward China’s environment; current resource & pollution intensive growth model has to change -With water use per unit GDP to fall by 23% in 2015-2020, new tech & industries […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon and Parched Tiger: Nepal Scraps Hydro Project With Chinese Company; Indian Company To Get It?
November 16th, 2017
Via the Times of India, an article on an interesting decision by Nepal to cancel a hydro project that had previously been given to a Chinese company: In a decision which could have far reaching consequences in the region and for China, Nepal cancelled the Budhi Gandaki hydropower project which had been contracted to a Chinese company. […]
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