The following words come to mind as I think of the Middle East – oil, Iraq, war, Palestine, Israel, and desert. Many of the words on my list are mere impressions of media-induced messages, but one word on my list is somewhat realistic – desert. The Middle East is an arid region known the world-over […]
Barcelona Imports Water from France
May 17, 2008 By 1 Comment
This ship, docked in Barcelona, Catalonia, is carrying 5.3 million gallons of water in 20 storage tanks. This water will serve up to 180,000 people for one day in the capital city. Photo courtesy AP/Manu Fernandez Spain is enduring a drought. Reservoirs in Barcelona are at 20 percent capacity, and rainfall has been minimal over the […]
Will water supply concerns overshadow the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing?
February 27, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Over two million people are expected to visit Beijing this year for the Summer Olympic Games. In August, the population of the metropolis will crest 19 million souls. The arrival of so many visitors to China’s capital will result in exaggerated water use of 2.75 million cubic meters (2,229 acre-feet) a day or, in layman’s terms, enough […]
Island Dilemma = Dry Times Ahead
February 15, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Drought and dry weather are seemingly the norm recently on two island nations nearly 10,291 miles (16,562 km) apart. Cyprus and New Zealand have been dealing with shortages of water continuing into 2008. Cyprus As highlighted previously on this blog, a dry winter with little rain in Cyprus has diminished water supplies on the island. Reservoirs, now at less than 9% capacity, […]
Drought and the Yangtze
January 21, 2008 By Leave a Comment
A short video clip from the BBC on the current drought occurring around the Yangtze River in China. River levels are at record lows, and Chinese officials are discharging extra water from the Three Gorges Dam. Scientists indicate climate change will increase the frequency of such droughts. Will the Three Gorges Dam still be relevant […]
Coca-Cola Encouraged to Close Plant in India
January 20, 2008 By 4 Comments
Research has just been released that suggests Coca-Cola should close a bottling plant in water scarce Rajasthan, India. The Energy and Resources Institute of New Delhi issued the report on January 14, 2008. This report was completed in response to research last year showing high pesticide levels in Coca-cola drinks in India. The assessment looked […]
Cyprus and Water Imports from Greece, Egypt, and Lebanon
January 10, 2008 By 1 Comment
The small island country of Cyprus may soon be shipping water on tankers from Greece, Egypt and Lebanon to supplement current dwindling water supplies. As previously on my water web-log, Cyprus has been facing drier than normal conditions for four consecutive years. Winter in Cyprus, November through March, usually serves to fill reservoirs for the coming season. […]
Drought Continues in Kashmir
December 26, 2007 By Leave a Comment
The Kashmir region (India, China, and Pakistan) is hoping for additional precipitation in form of snow. The region, while traditionally arid, has received little snow or rain over the past several months to replenish waterways. December 22nd commenced an annual season of 40-days known as “Chillai Kalan”, characterized with heavy snowfall and blustery temperatures. However, as of yet, this “Chillai Kalan” […]
Peter Gleick and Water for the Future (NPR Interview)
November 28, 2007 By 2 Comments
Kashmir Region Prepares for Harsh, Dry Winter
November 26, 2007 By 1 Comment
The region known as Kashmir is experiencing water shortages, as there has been little rainfall over the past three months. Weather outlooks for the coming weeks expect more dry weather, and main rivers and lakes in the region have water levels that are decreasing. In Srinagar, the summer capital of Jummu and Kashmir, the central […]
Water Crisis in Cyprus and Climate Change
November 19, 2007 By Leave a Comment
The small island of Cyprus is facing a fourth year of drought, with water reservoirs dwindling dry at less than 9% of original capacity. As a recent article on Reuters indicates, climate change is thought to be linked to the continued parched conditions. Cyprus maintains a Mediterranean climate, with a rainy season between November and […]
Northeast Brazil: Lasting Drought Conditions
November 10, 2007 By Leave a Comment
Northeast Brazil (while typically drought-prone) endured an unusually long dry season and water shortages in Piauí, with the effects reaching as far south as São Paulo. As Latin America Press indicates, water supply reservoirs for São Paulo are at 30% capacity, when this time last year they were at 40% capacity. Climate change is thought to be a factor in the warming trends, as ocean […]
Southeast US: Exceptional Drought
October 20, 2007 By 1 Comment
Generally, my posts are related to water issues in countries abroad, but this topic hits close-to-home. My home-state of Tennessee is experiencing the driest year on-record (18 inches less precipitation than normal) and the southeast US is experiencing a Class D4 or exceptional drought. Officials estimate a large reservoir serving Atalanta, as well as northern […]
