The Stream, November 6: Texas Votes to Release $US 2 Billion for Water

Average levels of global carbon dioxide reached another record high in 2012, according to results published Wednesday by the United Nations World Meteorological Organization, the Guardian reported. Climate change driven by rising CO2 levels is expected to create more frequent and severe droughts and storms around the world.

United States
Texas will now be able to take $US 2 billion from its rainy day fund to finance water projects after voters approved the plan Tuesday, the Star-Telegram reported. The money will support a number of projects aimed at securing the state’s water supply, including the construction of new reservoirs.

Tuesday marked 100 years since the Los Angeles Aqueduct project began supplying water to the city, allowing its population and economy to expand exponentially, the Los Angeles Times reported. The aqueduct, which transports water more than 320 kilometers (200 miles) from the Eastern Sierras, has long been a source of contention in mountain communities that lost water to the project.

Africa
Tanzania is the site of a raging debate over genetically modified crops, which the country has effectively banned through its strict liability regulations, the Guardian reported. Investment and advocacy groups from the United States argue that GM crops, like drought resistant corn, could drastically improve food security in Africa, while the same type of groups from Europe say GM crop companies could unfairly exploit farmers and decrease food security.

Egypt and Ethiopia are once again at odds over Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam project on the Blue Nile River, this time over the composition of a review panel, Bloomberg News reported. Egypt wants neutral international experts on a panel that would study the dam’s regional effects, while Ethiopia and Sudan want a panel from the three countries involved.

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