The Stream, February 11: Pakistan Takes Conflict Over India’s Hydropower Plans to International Court

The Global Rundown

Pakistan will bring its dispute with India over hydropower development to the International Court of Justice. Melbourne, Australia, will use water and trees to protect itself against rising temperatures associated with climate change, and a new study quantifies increases in irrigation demand due to climate change in the western United States. Water supplies are dangerously low in Sao Paulo, rising sea levels threaten drinking water in Florida, and a new device created in Chile can cheaply pull water from relatively dry air. A photo essay explores the Jebel Ali desalination plant in the United Arab Emirates.

“India is using delaying tactics in the name of talks and at the same time it has started construction work on the projects. We cannot wait further and are likely to file the case against India by the end of this month after completing initial procedure.”–Anonymous official with the Indus Water Commission of Pakistan, on the country’s decision to oppose five of India’s hydropower projects in Kashmir by going to the United Nations International Court of Justice. (The Nation)

By The Numbers

4 degrees Celsius Amount Melbourne, Australia, plans to reduce its average temperature by 2030 by using captured rainwater to sustain more trees. Citiscope

$300 Cost of the FreshWater device, a water capture system created by engineers in Chile that can pull between nine and 28 liters from the air each day. EFE

2.13 billion liters Daily capacity of the Jebel Ali desalination plant in the United Arab Emirates, detailed in this photo essay. Time

Science, Studies, And Reports

Irrigation demands in the American West could be six percent higher in the second half of the 21st century than in the second half of the 20th century, while annual evaporation in the region’s reservoirs could increase 5 to 15 centimeters by 2080, according to a new study from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Bureau of Reclamation

On The Radar

At current levels of consumption and rainfall, reservoirs systems supplying Sao Paulo will last just four to six more months, meaning that water supplies could run out before the next rainy season, write Marussia Whately and Rebeca Lerer of the Alliance for Water. Guardian

Rising sea levels are an increasing threat to freshwater drinking supplies in South Florida, where salty water has already contaminated some wells in the area. Rising seas could also increase the occurrence of freshwater floods, which are currently alleviated by opening dams out to the ocean. Marketplace

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