The Stream, March 16: Emissions On The Rise

Climate Change
Fossil fuels will supply 85 percent of the world’s energy in 2050 if current trends persist, creating a 50 percent increase in greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new environmental outlook released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reuters reported.

A report from the Union of Concerned Scientists identifies the top five health risks associated with extreme precipitation and flooding events, which it argues are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

The decline of the Limpopo River, brought on by erratic rainfall and drought as temperatures rise, is harming agriculture and tourism in Zimbabwe, according to Inter Press Service.

United States
Environmental groups in the U.S. filed a lawsuit against the federal Environmental Protection Agency, saying it has not done enough to stop water pollution from agricultural runoff and wastewater treatment plants in the Mississippi River Basin, Reuters reported.

Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River Basin Commission approved 48 applications for water withdrawals from natural gas drilling companies, despite the action of demonstrators concerned with the impact on the basin’s water quality, according to Associated Press.

Asia
China, Japan and the Republic of Korea have agreed to expand cooperation on water management and water disasters, China Daily reported.

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