The Stream, January 22: California Drought Unlikely to Break This Rainy Season

The Global Rundown

After some promising rainstorms to close out 2014, California has returned to dry weather. One of the state’s fiercest water wars, however, may be coming to an end. China says Beijing’s tap water is safe following the arrival of supplies from the South-North transfer project, and the China Development Bank is planning to spend billions on water infrastructure this year. India is unlikely to commit to greenhouse gas emission cuts when Prime Minister Modi and U.S. President Obama meet, while Australia was ranked second to last on environmental policies in an index of wealthy nations.

“We’ve had four weeks of a very minimal amount of rain in the northern part of the state, which is where our key reservoirs lie.”–Pete Fickenscher, senior hydrologist at the California Nevada River Forecast Center, on the return of dry weather to California that likely means the state’s drought will continue into its fourth year. (Bloomberg)

By The Numbers

$14.4 billion Amount the China Development Bank plans to dedicate to water infrastructure projects this year. Reuters

159 Sites across Beijing where tap water is being tested twice daily. The city’s water has met national standards for the past month since it began receiving supplies from the central line of China’s South-North Water Transfer. Xinhua

Science, Studies, And Reports

Australia ranked 12th overall, but second to last in the environmental category, of the newly released 2014 Commitment to Development Index. The index, released by the Center for Global Development, measures 27 wealthy countries on an array of policies that affect poor countries. Guardian

On The Radar

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to announce commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions during U.S. President Obama’s upcoming visit, but he may increase targets for renewable energy. Bloomberg

An agreement between Los Angeles and Owens Valley to control dust from a dried-up lake bed may bring one of California’s most notorious water wars to a close. The New York Times

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