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Amman Faces Water Squeeze
May 3rd, 2018
Courtesy of Circle of Blue, a report on water shortages in Amman, home to more than 40 percent of Jordan’s people: In Amman, the arid capital of Jordan, water conservation is so essential to the country’s survival that it has a place in the school curriculum, same as maths and chemistry. “It’s something that’s […]
Read more »Laos: New Hydropower Dams, Old Mekong Worries
April 21st, 2018
Via The Diplomat, a report on growing concerns around the future of the Mekong River as Laos continues its hydropower ambitions: Laos has not been reluctant to let the world know about its ambition to become the largest energy exporter in the region, or the “Battery of Asia.” As of part of efforts to realize its […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: China and the Mekong River – Dominance or Collaboration?
April 4th, 2018
Via Future Directions International, a report on the Mekong River: The Prime Ministers of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam are meeting for the third Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The MRC was established in 1995 to strengthen joint efforts and partnerships for the sustainable management and development of water resources in […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: Climate Change and Economic Growth Drive Water Scarcity On Tibetan Plateau
February 9th, 2018
Via the Woodrow Wilson Centre’s New Security Beat, an interesting look at the impact of climate change and cconomic growth on water scarcity on the Tibetan Plateau: I pulled my horse to a stop along the banks of a little stream, which was wedged between two grassy hills speckled with wildflowers and pika holes, to admire the […]
Read more »Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: Search for Resolution Continues despite Increased Geopolitical Competition
January 24th, 2018
Via Future Directions International, a report on growing tensions arising from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: Egypt and Sudan raised concerns about the development of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) when plans were unveiled in 2011. A conciliatory tone was adopted between all three states in March 2015 when the Khartoum declaration was signed. […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon and Parched Tiger: Asia’s Dangerous Thirst
January 24th, 2018
Via the Nikkei Asian Review, commentary on how rapidly growing demand for water is stoking tensions in Asia: In recent weeks, one of the most pristine Himalayan rivers has mysteriously turned black when entering India from Tibet, highlighting how China’s upstream tunneling, damming and mining activities might be causing major environmental contamination. The plight of […]
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