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China’s Dam Ambitions
April 2nd, 2010
Via International Rivers, a revised opinion on Chinese dam builders and financiers from Peter Brosshard. As the article notes: “…A few years ago, Chinese dam builders and financiers appeared on the global hydropower market with a bang. China Exim Bank and companies such as Sinohydro started to take on large, destructive projects in countries like […]
Read more »The Big Melt
March 31st, 2010
Courtesy of National Geographic, a detailed look at the “Big Melt” in the Himalayas and the real challenge of preventing water conflicts from spilling across borders, whether that be related to the growing sense of alarm in Central Asia over the prospect that poor but glacier-heavy nations (Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan) may one day restrict the flow […]
Read more »Reduced Mekong Flow = Increased Regional Concerns
March 31st, 2010
Via The Asia Foundation, a report examining the impact that the Mekong River – the longest in Southeast Asia and at its lowest reported water level in 20 years – is having upon Laos. As the article notes: “…The river runs through six countries – China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam – but the […]
Read more »Better Dead Than Red? Hydro Cooperation In The Middle East
March 22nd, 2010
Via The Global Post, a report on how an impending water crisis is forcing Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority to work together. As the article notes: “…Nothing accelerates the peace process between old foes like the threat of a common enemy. In the case of Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority that enemy is […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: Drought, Dams, and Border Tensions
March 17th, 2010
Via Science (subscription required), a report that – as drought grips the Lancang-Mekong basin in Asia – tensions are growing over Chinese dams. As the article notes: “…The drought’s effects have spilled across China’s borders, stoking tensions with neighbors and prompting scientific debate. Rice yields in Thailand are expected to take a big hit, and […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: A Scramble For Water Amongst North & South and Farmers & Factories
March 16th, 2010
Courtesy of The Washington Post, an updated look at the status of China’s massive North-South water diversion scheme. As the article notes, the project is hampered by acrimony between competing industrial interests (i.e. industry vs. agricultural), as well as, concerns over costs and ecological impacts, leading to a scramble for water that is pitting downstream […]
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