Entries by Nadya Ivanova

The Stream, September 19: Hydropower and Climate Change

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The world’s dams are unprepared for climate change conditions, ClimateWire reported, citing a recent study published in the journal PLoS Biology. Over the last few decades, hydropower facilities in the West have become more mismatched with their ambient environment. How can East and South Asian dam builders adapt to a changing climate? The water level […]

The Stream, September 16: Corporate Sustainability Ranking

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What are the largest additions and deletions in the 2011 Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes? The Obama administration should reject the false division between environmental protection and the economy, according to this editorial in the journal Nature. A new online database tracks the “anti-environment” votes by the current U.S. Congress, The New York Times Green blog […]

China Turns Profit From Coal-to-liquid Fuels Production, May Expand Controversial Program

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Though China suspended most of its coal-to-liquid fuels refineries in 2008 due to concerns for scarce water resources and high production costs, recent financial gains may lead it to reconsider its policy.

The Stream, September 15: Business and the Environment

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U.S. coal companies have donated $1.5 million to House Speaker John Boehner’s political operation this year, The Wall Street Journal reported. Is this going to play a role in new and proposed environmental regulations? California’s Central Basin Municipal Water District is paying nearly $200,000 in taxpayer money for favorable online articles “written in the image […]

The Stream, September 13: Renewable Energy in Africa

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After financing about $9.3 billion of hydropower in Africa, China is now heavily investing in other renewable technologies on the continent, according to Bloomberg and International Rivers. Meanwhile, Grist reported that hefty loans from the Chinese Development Bank are helping Chinese solar companies push U.S. solar firms out of the market. How did China come […]

The Stream, September 12: Botswana Bushmen Revive Crucial Water Source

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Botswana Bushmen in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve have re-opened a crucial water supply for their village, eight months after winning a painful legal battle against the Botswana government for access to water wells closed nine years ago, AFP reported. Countries should “connect the dots” between climate change, food insecurity and water scarcity, United Nations […]

The Stream, September 8: Peak Water in Saudi Arabia

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Peak water looms more ominously than peak oil for Saudi Arabia, as water use in the desert kingdom is rapidly growing while available supplies are steadily diminishing, Reuters reported. The looming water crisis is also forcing the country into drastic measures in its agriculture sector. Blue-green algae and invasive species are choking Lake Erie and […]

The Stream, September 6: Sixth Famine Zone in Somalia

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The United Nations has declared a sixth famine zone in Somalia, the Guardian reported. About 4 million Somalis – more than half of the population – are now in crisis in the drought-stricken country, and 750,000 people are at risk of death in the next four months if there is no adequate response, according to […]

The Stream, September 5: Floods in India

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Floods caused by monsoon rains have affected millions of people in northern and eastern India, forcing many out of their homes as swollen rivers wash away roads and hinder the rescue work, Reuters reported, citing government and aid officials. The Rio+20 global development summit co-ordinator is looking to make agriculture the highlight of the event […]

The Stream, September 2: U.S. Insurers Slow to Recognize Climate Change Threat

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Only 11 out of 88 major U.S. insurers surveyed recently have formal policies in place to deal with growing climate change risks, according to a new report by the non-profit network Ceres. China is in the process of building more than 50 new nuclear plants by 2020 based on unsafe 60’s era Westinghouse technology that […]

Watered Down: Hurricane Irene Renews Debates About U.S. Budget and Climate Change

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Hurricane Irene killed at least 40 people, caused billions of dollars in damages, and cut power to nearly 8 million homes and businesses as the storm moved from the Caribbean through the East Coast of the United States last week. But while financial analysts and members of Congress focus on who and how much to pay for recovery, climate experts are pointing out holes in the system.

The Stream, September 1: Chinese NGOs Urge Apple to Clean Its Supply Chain

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An investigation by a group of Chinese green NGOs reveals that Apple has not addressed pollution problems in its supply chain and ignored an expanding environmental footprint in China – with grave consequences, Chinadialogue reported. Foreign Policy highlights the good and bad of Apple in China. A new map of food security risk by Maplecroft […]