Entries by Codi Kozacek

The Stream, May 21: Hydropower Project to Displace Thousands in Guatemala

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Energy & Natural Resources As many as 15,000 people, many of them Q’eqchi Mayans, will be displaced by the construction of a $US 337 million hydropower project in Guatemala, the Guardian reported. The Xalalá dam would be the second largest in the country, and the government has has vowed to build the project despite local […]

Report: Syria’s Food Security Worsens Due to Drought and Conflict

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Food prices set to climb as production of wheat and other staple crops is cut. Image courtesy of Hovic via Flickr Creative Commons A lack of rain during important phases of crop growth has significantly reduced the outlook for Syria’s wheat production, which has already been compromised by three years of conflict. By Codi Kozacek […]

The Stream, May 20: Mongolia’s Shrinking Tuul River Poses Risks for Water Supplies

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Average water flows in Mongolia’s Tuul River have been declining, dropping to 10 cubic meters per second between 1996 and 2012 compared to its historical average of 25 cubic meters per second, The Diplomat reported, citing government meteorological data. The river is important for recharging aquifers that supply water to Mongolia’s capital, Ulan Bator, raising […]

The Stream, May 19: Concerns Grow Over Use of Water as a Weapon

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Water Scarcity Water supplies are increasingly being used as a weapon in conflicts, especially in the Middle East and Africa, Inter Press Service reported. The United Nations has recently expressed concerns about forces in Syria deliberately cutting off supplies to civilians, which it called a violation of international humanitarian and human rights law. Water shortages […]

Australia Disbands National Water Commission

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The water advisory group is a casualty of sharp cuts to the Commonwealth’s budget. Image courtesy of Michael Storer via Flickr Creative Commons The National Water Commission tracks the progress of water policy reform across Australia, including areas like the Murray Darling River Basin.Click image to enlarge. By Codi Kozacek Circle of Blue The commission […]

The Stream, May 16: Study Links El Niño to Global Crop Production

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Water Scarcity The El Niño weather phenomenon, predicted to occur later this year, leads to an average 1.4 percent drop in global wheat yields and a 2.3 percent drop in corn yields, while soybean yields increase an average 3.5 percent, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, Bloomberg News reported. El […]

The Stream, May 15: Record Rainfall and Floods Inundate Bosnia and Serbia

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Extreme Weather Regions of Bosnia and Serbia experienced the heaviest rainfall event in 120 years of records this week, with more rain falling in one day than in several months, Reuters reported. The rain led to widespread flooding that has killed three people and cut electricity to at least 100,000 households. Tropical cyclones are moving […]

The Stream, May 14: Syrian City Faces Extreme Water Shortage After Supplies Cut

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Water Shortages A severe water shortage caused by the shutdown of two water pumping stations is threatening supplies for more than 2 million people in the Syrian city of Aleppo, the Los Angeles Times reported. It is believed that the shutdown was an intentional attack by an antigovernment Islamist group, but some think government bombing […]

The Stream, May 9: Water Suspended in Chinese City Due to Quality Concerns

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Water Quality The water supply for approximately 680,000 was shut off in Jingjiang City, China today due to concerns about its quality, Reuters reported. Supplies, which came from the Yangtze River and were flagged because of a strange smell, were later turned back on using an alternative source, according to Bloomberg News. Proposed regulations in […]

The Stream, May 7: California May Reverse Water Flows in Aqueduct

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Water Supply Several California water districts that provide water to farms have proposed a plan to reverse water flows in portions of the California Aqueduct later this summer, the Associated Press reported. The plan is expected to cost between $US 1.5 million and $US 9.5 million and would be paid for by the water districts. […]

National Climate Assessment: Climate Change Pushing U.S. Toward Water Extremes

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The Southwest is drying out, while the Northeast is becoming wetter. Image courtesy of NOAA Climate.gov This map shows changes in the number of extreme rainfall events expected annually by the second half of the century. The Northeastern U.S. will become wetter, while the Southwestern U.S. becomes drier. Click image to enlarge. By Codi Kozacek […]

The Stream, May 6: U.S. Releases Report on National Effects of Climate Change

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Climate Change Water issues figure prominently in the new National Climate Assessment released by the Obama administration today, which details how climate change is affecting regions across the United States, Reuters reported. Sea level rise, flooding, droughts, and changes to snowpack and water supply are already taking place in many areas of the country. The […]