The Stream, March 28: Diminishing Water Could Slow Clean Energy Development

Diminishing supplies of water, metals and biomass could slow the deployment of clean energy technologies by 2035, Reuters reported, citing a new study by the Stockholm Environment Institute and by business initiative 3C. Some low-carbon technologies use more water than conventional fuels. Read the policy brief to find out why cutting carbon emissions and saving water are not always compatible.

Water Security
Drought, declining water supplies and uprisings are threatening to undermine the Middle East’s economy, according to officials at the Arab League’s annual summit in Baghdad.

Water expert Geoff Dabelko offers four takeaways from the newly released unclassified National Intelligence Council report on water and security.

India and Pakistan have resumed talks to resolve a dispute over India’s plans to build a dam on River Jhelum in Kashmir, Asian News International reported.

Energy
Coal seam gas, which many consider to be a greener fuel than coal, could have just as high greenhouse emissions as coal unless world-class standards are used to extract the gas from the ground, according to a new report published in the journal Energies, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

One of Fukushima’s crippled nuclear reactors still has extremely high radiation levels and hardly any water to cool it, Associated Press reported, citing an internal examination at the damaged Japanese nuclear power plant.

Water Pollution & Law
A Venezuelan court has ordered news media in the country to back up with hard data any reports on an alleged water pollution case that has recently ruffled feathers in the state, Associated Press reported. The court decision came as a response to public warnings by critics of the government about possible contamination of aquifers and streams supplying drinking water to parts of central Venezuela and the capital Caracas.

Asian Carp
Chicago Tribune reports on the limited success of years-long efforts to prevent Asian carp from advancing to the Great Lakes region.

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.