The Stream, August 2: U.S. Drought Linked to Climate Change?

Scientists are trying to understand whether the drought that has scorched much of the United States this summer is a symptom of climate change.

Amid the severe drought, oil and gas companies in United States are trying to cut their water consumption, according to EnergyWire.

A new study reveals an astronomical increase in virtual water movement around the world over the last 30 years, environmentalresearchweb reported.

Climate change and a mining boom threaten to disrupt Mongolia’s economy, according to New Security Beat.

A long-awaited study of the cumulative impact of coal and coal seam gas development in Australia’s Namoi catchment has shown that there are too many gaps in the data to predict any changes to groundwater quality in the area, ABC Rural reported. Can agriculture and the energy industry co-exist? Read Circle of Blue‘s coverage of Australia’s resources boom here, here and here.

A U.S. federal judge has thrown out the tougher water-quality standards that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had issued to curb potential environmental damage from surface coal mines in Appalachia, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Look at this timelapse of the desiccating Aral Sea.

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.