The Stream, December 8: Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Expected to Fall in 2015

The Global Rundown

Emissions of climate-warming gases globally are expected to decline this year, the first time they have done so without an economic downturn. Drought and saltwater intrusion could cause water shortages in Bangkok during the dry season, while flooding in England could cost insurance companies hundreds of millions of dollars. Ghana is raising its water prices by as much as 89 percent. Rainfall is refilling reservoirs in Sao Paulo, and the Sierra Nevada snowpack is now above average.

“We have reason to be optimistic now. We’re better prepared.”–Jerson Kelman, CEO of Sao Paulo water utility Sabesp, on higher rainfall this season that is refilling reservoirs and giving the city time to update water infrastructure. Consecutive years of drought left the megacity scrambling to provide citizens with water earlier this year. (Bloomberg)

By The Numbers

69 to 89 percent Increase in water prices in Ghana announced by the country’s utility regulator. Electricity prices increased by nearly 60 percent. Reuters

$375 million Insurance payments that could be made in the aftermath of extensive flooding in England. Extreme floods are becoming a more regular occurrence in the United Kingdom, where flood defenses are tackling the wrong end of the problem, some critics say. Reuters; Guardian

60 liters Amount of water Bangkok’s Metropolitan Waterworks Authority is asking residents to keep on hand until the end of the dry season in May. Saltwater intrusion and a drought are expected to reduce water supplies from the Chao Phraya River. Bangkok Post

Science, Studies, And Reports

Global greenhouse gas emissions are expected to decline 0.6 percent in 2015, primarily due to reduced coal consumption in China, according to a study in the journal Nature Climate Change. It is the first decrease in emissions that is not linked to an economic downturn. Guardian

On The Radar

Amid expectations and hopes that a strong El Nino will significantly relieve the severe drought in California, precipitation results are so far mixed. Rainfall in the state in November was below average, but snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains is above average. Reuters

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