Entries by Codi Kozacek

The Stream, November 6: U.S. Water Withdrawals Reach Lowest Level In 40 Years

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The Global Rundown Water withdrawals in the United States are leveling off even as the economy continues to grow. Businesses say water risks are growing. California voters are spending more money to combat drought, as will the hydraulic fracturing industry in the United States. Thailand faces water shortages, late rains are exacerbating food insecurity in […]

The Stream, November 4: Second Stage of China’s South-North Water Diversion Opens

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The Global Rundown China opened the second section of its massive South-North water diversion, while desalination is being considered to save the Middle East’s Jordan River from water diversions. California will need to spend millions just to maintain its current water infrastructure, and India is spending millions to irrigate sugarcane farms. Meanwhile, public opposition is […]

Sao Paulo’s Water Waiting Game Avoided Rationing But Produced Huge Risk of Severe Shortage

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Desire to protect the poor left Brazil’s driest city few options other than new pipes and prayers for rain. Photo courtesy of heleniandrade via Flickr Creative Commons Sao Paulo’s Cantareira reservoirs, which supply half of the city’s 20 million people, are just 12 percent full.Click image to enlarge. By Codi Kozacek Circle of Blue In […]

The Stream, November 3: IPCC Report Urges Climate Change Action Now

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The Global Rundown The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is urging the world to take action now. Climate change is being linked to floods and water scarcity in Pakistan, sinking cities in Southeast Asia, and pushing back progress on waterborne diseases in China. A lack of clean water and sanitation is threatening babies in Tanzania, […]

The Stream, October 30: U.S. Losing Trillions of Gallons to Aging Infrastructure

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The Global Rundown Aging infrastructure is wasting huge amounts of water in the United States, where San Antonio is eying a major water pipeline deal. A new report values water infrastructure in New Zealand. Also Down Under: threats to Sydney’s drinking water and plans to dump dredged soil onto Australia’s wetlands. Heavy rains threaten life […]

Hawaii River Restorations Reflect National Desire to Protect Water for Public Benefit

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Using public trust doctrine, communities restore streams diverted for more than 100 years. Photo courtesy Jan Arendtsz via Flickr Creative Commons Water restored to natural rivers will help support fields of Hawaii’s traditional and culturally important taro crop, like these on the island of Kauai.Click image to enlarge. By Codi Kozacek Circle of Blue Streams […]

The Stream, October 28: Water Access Critical to Ebola Fight in Africa

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Health Africa Access to clean water is crucial for both treating Ebola patients in Africa and preventing the spread of the disease, according to the aid agency UNICEF, RT reported. One patient needs an estimated 150 liters of clean water a day, approximately 10 times the amount typically available per capita in Liberia. Water Supply […]

The Stream, October 27: Ecosystem Shift in Tibet Threatens Asia’s Water

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Climate Change Asia, Pacific Climate change, population growth and the intensification of industry and agriculture are threatening important ecosystems on the Tibetan plateau, according to a study by the Kunming Institute of Botany, China Dialogue reported. One of the most important functions of these ecosystems—a function that will likely be diminished by the changes— is […]

The Stream, October 23: 500,000 People Endangered by Honduras Drought

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Water & Food Central America, Africa, Pacific More than half a million people in Honduras and 3 million people in Central America are facing hunger due to a drought that has destroyed crops and caused food prices to spike, according to the Red Cross, Reuters reported. The conditions are forcing more people to migrate or […]

The Stream, October 21: UN Experts Say Detroit Shutoffs Against Human Rights

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Water Access North America, Middle East, Africa Two experts from the United Nations found that water shutoffs to Detroit residents unable to pay their water bills are a violation of human rights, the U.N. News Centre reported. The experts visited the city over the weekend, where as many as 3,000 water customers are being disconnected […]

The Stream, October 20: Australia Fends Off Agricultural Water Scarcity by Expanding Dams and Irrigation

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Water Infrastructure Australia, Asia, Africa, Middle East Australia is planning to build more dams and invest in as many as 30 irrigation schemes to provide more water for agricultural production, Reuters reported, citing a new government paper. Per capita water availability from the country’s existing dams has declined more than 20 percent since 1980. As […]

The Stream, October 17: Peru’s Glaciers Shrank 40 Percent in 40 Years

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Climate Change Nearly 1,000 high-altitude lakes have been formed in Peru over the past 40 years as the country’s glaciers have melted 40 percent, Reuters reported. The glaciers are the source of much of the drinking water in Peru but are disappearing due to climate change, the Peruvian government said. Declining Arctic sea ice is […]