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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 […]
Read more »Global Water Shortages Grow Worse But Nations Have Few Answers
August 2nd, 2013
Via Scientific American, some sobering thoughts on the global water crisis: As we have been hearing, global water shortages are poised to exacerbate regional conflict and hobble economic growth. Yet the problem is growing worse, and is threatening to deal devastating blows to health, according to top water officials from the U.S. State Department and […]
Read more »Securing The Himalayas As The Water Tower Of Asia
July 26th, 2013
As reported in the July 2013 issue of Asia Policy, a look at the critical environmental importance of the Himalayas: The crucial role of mountains as the creators and providers of large volumes of freshwater and as the natural storage site of this vital ecosystem service attracted the special attention of world leaders after the […]
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