The Stream, April 10: Jerry Brown Defends Water for Agriculture

The Global Rundown

California Governor Jerry Brown is responding to criticism of the state’s water regulations on farmers, while Turkmenistan and Kathmandu also grapple with water crises. Global organizations are calling for better groundwater management. Thailand‘s annual New Years’ festival is pretty wet, and so is Mars (but the red planet is also very cold).

“Agriculture in California produces the food we all rely on. Folks want to point fingers, but we’re all in this together.” — John Laird, California Secretary for Natural Resources on public outrage over a perceived lack of regulation on agricultural water use. (Reuters)

By The Numbers

400,000 – Number of agricultural acres fallowed last year in California due to water cutbacks. Agriculture accounts for 80% of the state’s use, and this caused an outcry following an announcement of restrictions on urban water use because of drought. Jerry Brown has responded defending the farmers of California, saying more water cutbacks could hurt the state’s economy. Reuters

66 percent – Portion of households in Kathmandu that live with inadequate water supply. With the glaciated Himalayas nearby, the water problem is more of a structural one. Many residents rely on purchasing water trucked in from springs in the foothills. Guardian Sustainable Business

Science, Studies, And Reports

Scientists say glacial water on mars amounts to enough to cover the planet in a 1.1 meter layer of ice. According to a study published this week in Geophysical Research Letters, thousands of glaciers are buried beneath Mars’ dusty surface. NBC News

On The Radar

The FAO, UNESCO, World Bank, GEF and International Association of Hydrogeologists have released a document calling for better management of groundwater resources. The ‘2030 Vision for Global Framework and Action’ is a set of principles governments can use. World Bank News

Turkmenistan, like many former Soviet nations, is suffering from a water crisis borne of mismanagement. The desert nation is about to introduce its first-ever water restrictions. Silk Road Reporters

Thailand’s annual New Years’ festival, dubbed ‘Songkran’, kicks off on April 13th. The three-day celebration involves a lot of people splashing water on each other, and is also celebrated in other countries across Southeast Asia. CNN has some tips on making the most of the festival. CNN