BLOG
The Thirsty Dragon: China-Backed Dams Escalating Ethnic Tension In Myanmar
March 26th, 2013
Via China Dialogue, a look at the impact that China-backed dams are having in Myanmar: One month after the Chinese government lifted its ban on dams on the upper Salween River (known as the Nu in China), the Burmese government confirmed that it too will allow the construction of Chinese-backed hydropower projects along the lower […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: Chinese Fracking Plans Prompt “Water-Grabbing†Fears
March 15th, 2013
Via China Dialogue, a report on China’s nascent fracking industry and concerns regarding the impact it could have upon the nation’s water supplies: China has become one of Asia’s leaders in expanding unconventional shale-gas extraction in the name of energy self-sufficiency and national autonomy. Experiences of “fracking†worldwide, however, suggest the costs to China of […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: Map Of China’s Provincial Water Resources and Use (2002-2010)
February 22nd, 2013
Via Circle of Blue, an interesting mapping tool on China’s water: Nearly 70 percent of water withdrawn in China is for agriculture, while 20 percent is withdrawn to mine, process, and consume coal. By 2020, China’s water use — driven in large part by the 30 percent expected increase in coal-fired power production — will […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: China’s West-East Electricity Transfer Project
February 19th, 2013
Via The Wilson Center’s China Environmental Forum, an interesting report on China’s energy and water imbalances, and the looming choke point China faces in terms of water, food and energy security: Mammoth infrastructure development is keeping China’s economic engine running at a fast clip. Nevertheless, China’s urban and industrial centers on the east coast still […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: Low Salt Diet And Costly Drips
February 19th, 2013
Via The Economist, an interesting article on China’s desalination efforts: CHINESE officials are fond of grandiose engineering projects. After more than a decade of toil, one of the biggest since the construction of the Great Wall is close to achieving what they like to call a “decisive victoryâ€. In coming months, canals and pipelines hundreds […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: Growing Demand For Water In China And Uzbekistan Could Lead To Crisis In Kazakhstan
February 17th, 2013
Via Ooska News, a look at how a thirsty China and Uzbekistan could lead to a crisis in Kazakhstan: Growing demand for water in China and Uzbekistan could lead to a water supply crisis in Kazakhstan, according to Ainur Kuatova, an adviser to the Environmental Protection Minister. Water inflows to the country are decreasing by […]
Read more »