The Stream, February 22: Cholera and Climate

Investing 2 percent, or roughly $1.3 trillion, of the global gross domestic product in 10 sectors, including agriculture, energy, construction and fishing, could shift the world to a greener future while simultaneously expanding the global economy at its current rate, a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme says. The measures will reduce greenhouse emissions, save water and likely offset the job losses in traditional sectors by developing other areas such as renewable energy. Reuters breaks down the proposed annual investments.

Is cholera caused just as much by environment, hydrology and weather patterns as by poor sanitation? Yale Environment 360 explains how the scientific debate over the factors that shape cholera outbreaks is affecting our understanding of the disease and the ways to anticipate it.

The European Union’s plans to block imports of Canada’s highly polluting tar sands threatens to stall EU-Canada negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement. While the two sides are working to resolve the disagreements, a deepening of the issue might prompt Canada to take the EU to the World Trade Organization, Reuters reports.

Civil groups in Ethiopia have taken a petition to the Chinese Embassy in Addis Ababa against the construction of a hydropower dam in the country that they think poses risks to the environment. The Gilgel Gibe Dam, the biggest infrastructure project in Ethiopia to date, is primarily financed by Chinese firms.

Australia’s Environment Ministry gave the go ahead for a $35 billion coal seam-gas (also known as coal-bed methane) project in eastern Queensland with a total capacity of 18 million tons per annum of liquefied natural gas. While many believe that the process threatens surface and ground water, the industry is growing apace in Australia, which plans to expand its capacity in the next few years.

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.