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A Grand Dam That Felled Morsi: The Ecological Roots Of Egypt’s Current Strife
August 29th, 2013
Via Down To Earth, an interesting look at the ecological/water roots of Egypt’s current strife: The bloodletting in Egypt, which was triggered by the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi on July 3, has foreshadowed its deeper ecological roots. Egypt cannot get past its present turmoil, at least in the long run, without spotlighting and comprehending […]
Read more »Geopolitical Risk Of Transboundary Rivers In Asia
August 24th, 2013
Courtesy of China Water Risk, an interesting review of transboundary rivers is Asia: The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, extends an impressive 2.5 million km2 constituting what is euphemistically known as the roof of the world. Â Often referred to as the Third Pole, the Plateau is home to the largest freshwater reserves outside the north and south poles. […]
Read more »The Parched Tiger: Water Wars In India’s South
August 12th, 2013
Via The New York Times, an article on India’s internal water tensions: The “temples of modern India†was how an enamored Jawaharlal Nehru described the country’s dams. Today, the sentiment rings true insofar as these behemoths, much like India’s ancient temples, remain a source of never-ending wrangling. The Mullaperiyar Dam, a 112-year-old reservoir located on […]
Read more »Peak Water: What Happens When The Wells Go Dry?
August 7th, 2013
Via Future Directions International, a recap of Lester Brown’s article: Key Points Peak water poses a greater threat to our future than peak oil. We can produce food without oil but not without water. Overpumping of aquifers has created water-based food bubbles, which will burst once aquifers are depleted. Among the countries currently overpumping their […]
Read more »The Battle For Water: Why Water Is The New Oil
August 7th, 2013
Via Project Syndicate, a look at the world’s water crisis: The sharpening international geopolitical competition over natural resources has turned some strategic resources into engines of power struggle. Transnational water resources have become an especially active source of competition and conflict, triggering a dam-building race and prompting growing calls for the United Nations to recognize […]
Read more »Himalayan Water Supply: An Improved Outlook
August 7th, 2013
Via Ars Technica, an article on glacial melt’s impact on Asia’s water supply: Meltwater pond on Lirung Glacier. Glaciers are very sensitive to changes in climate, making them clear (even visually striking) indicators of the recent warming trend. Apart from raising sea levels and threatening to turn the name of Glacier National Park in […]
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