The Stream, May 30: Groundwater Depletion Threatens U.S. Food Security

Agriculture
Groundwater depletion in major food-producing areas of the United States could threaten food security, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that maps where and when groundwater is being used, PhysOrg reported.

A new, interactive data portal released by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis shows where global agricultural production could be increased sustainably, The Development Newswire reported.

Australia needs to develop more information about its land, enabling it to identify high quality agricultural land and better manage competition from mining and energy interests, Bloomberg News reported, citing a report from the Australian Farm Institute.

Asia
Water scarcity and other climate change impacts will likely increase malnutrition in the Asian countries of Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Pakistan, AlertNet reported.

Planting fruit trees has enabled some Pakistani farmers to recoup financial losses from the country’s increasingly frequent floods, and may be a way to build resilience to climate change, according to AlertNet.

Europe and Energy
Money from a European Union program for renewable energy development could end up going to gas power stations, which the EU labeled as a low-carbon energy source, the Guardian reported, citing a secret document.

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