BLOG
Is Ulaanbataar Running Out of Water?
May 20th, 2014
Via The Diplomat, a look at Mongolia’s water scarcity problems which are expected to emerge in 2015, and intensify from 2020 onwards: Once known for its abundant and immaculate waters, the Tuul River flowing through Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbataar is rapidly shrinking. The Tuul has historically swung from high-flow cycles to low-flow cycles, but it had […]
Read more »Egypt’s al-Sisi Ready To Visit Ethiopia For Water Talks
May 18th, 2014
According to the Ethiopian Times, Egypt’s presidential frontrunner is prepared to visit Ethiopia to discuss the Nile dispute: Egypt’s presidential frontrunner has said that he is ready to visit Ethiopia for talks on resolving their Nile water dispute. “Dialogue and understanding are the best way to resolve the crisis,” al-Sisi said in an interview with […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: China’s Water Crisis
May 13th, 2014
Via Metro News, some commentary on the severity of the water issues facing China: One day in late February last year, Ma Jun’s home phone started ringing and didn’t stop. The director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs in Beijing had yet to have breakfast, so he ignored it. When he finally answered, […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: China’s Water-Energy Nexus Challenge
May 6th, 2014
Via Future Directions International, a detailed report on China’s watergy challenge: Key Points China faces an intractable water crisis by 2030 under a business-as-usual scenario. Crippling water pollution, disparities in supply and demand and predicted growth in both energy and water requirements, have created insurmountable challenges for China’s central government. The historic focus has […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: China’s Coal Industry Guzzles Precious Water
May 5th, 2014
Via the Seattle Times, a report on China’s watergy crisis as plants turning coal into gas, chemicals and electricity are sucking up vast amounts of water in a nation already struggling with serious shortages: Steaming water, discharged from a coal-to-gas plant in Inner Mongolia, spreads out over the landscape. On a bitter cold day in […]
Read more »Ravenous Russia = Thirsty Crimea
May 4th, 2014
Via The Daily Beast, a detailed look at water related implications of Russia’s annexation of Crimea: As violence rages in Odessa and eastern Ukraine, with buildings burning, helicopters downed, urban combat and hostage taking, chaos may soon solidify into a concerted Russian military campaign. But if Moscow’s tanks and thousands of troops cross Ukraine’s eastern […]
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