The Stream, November 1: Coal Plant Threatens Water and Mangroves in Bangladesh

Conservation
A new coal plant planned by Bangladesh and India could harm the ecologically sensitive Sundarbans—the world’s largest mangrove forest, Yale Environment 360 reported. While Bangladesh’s government argues that the plant will generate much needed electricity, conservations worry that the vast amounts of water it would withdraw and release could destroy the mangroves and the biodiversity they support.

Despite revisions to initial plans for a copper and gold mine in British Columbia, a Canadian federal review panel found that fish populations and wetlands near the mine would still be at risk, Reuters reported. The federal government still has final say on whether or not the mine is constructed, and is expected to decide within 120 days.

A drought in central Texas is putting increasing pressure on the state’s Colorado River, which provides water to growing population hubs like Austin as well as downstream farmers, and is bringing up debate about who should conserve their supplies, The New York Times reported. See Circle of Blue’s newly released report on the issue here.

Water and Business
A failure of businesses to address and manage water risk could affect investment returns, according to the Norway Sovereign Wealth Fund, Bloomberg News reported. A new report released by the Carbon Disclosure Project found that, although companies are more aware of direct water risks, they are not doing enough to address risks in their supply chains.

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