The Stream, December 7: The Shale Gas Boom

Global carbon emissions are likely to continue increasing at a rate of 3 percent each year, EurActiv reported, citing a new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change. Emissions from burning fossil fuels rose by 5.9 percent in 2010.

The booming shale gas industry could create 870,000 jobs and $118 billion in economic growth in the United States by 2015, according to a study by IHS Global Insight, Bloomberg News reported.

On the other end of the spectrum, a Wall Street Journal infographic shows how much water is being consumed by shale gas operations in Texas, and how much may be used in the future.

Energy company Shell hit shale gas at two test wells in China, PetroChina officials told Reuters. There is currently no commercial shale gas production in China, but the country could hold the world’s largest recoverable shale gas reserves, according to estimates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand are meeting Wednesday to decide whether to allow a large hydropower dam on the Mekong River, The New York Times reported.

Chinese and Canadian mining companies are looking to involve Canada’s aboriginal First Nations in their operations, Xinhua reported. The Gitxsan First Nation of British Columbia already accepted a deal to become an ownership partner in the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline, which would carry crude oil from Alberta’s tar sands to Canada’s west coast to be exported to Asia.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek