Entries by Sarah Haughn

Extra credit: Sale of ecosystems a trade-off says eco-investment firm

/in , /by

SINGAPORE — Money does not grow on trees, but it could play a role in saving them suggests international investment firm New Forests. The Sydney-based company believes that nature is “saleable” — citing water, carbon and biodiversity as the three primary commodities. New Forests managing director David Brand told Reuters that “if the remaining ecosystems […]

Nuts over water: Poor pistachio crop drives Iran-U.S. competition

/in , , , , /by

An April frost and drought conditions in Iran have significantly damaged the Islamic nation’s pistachio crop — their second export behind oil. Now they face pressure from California, also a major pistachio producer, reports Reuters. Although U.S. efforts to market the nut are strong, dry conditions in the American West also mean that neither country […]

Tech-savvy Australia computes drought solutions

/in , , /by

Could technology help alleviate the dilemma facing the Murray-Darling River Basin? Professor Gary Jones of eWater Cooperative Research Centre thinks it can and now he has six million dollars to prove it. RiverManager, a forecasting tool that connects groundwater data with surface water science, allows those in charge to allocate diversions and monitor the health […]

U.S. Army says water fuels war in Iraq

/in , , , , /by

WASHINGTON — While experts warn of impending water wars, the U.S. Army confronts another worry. Water is a crucial resource for war itself, they recognize. If not carefully managed, diminishing supplies could very well obstruct their ability to sustain efforts in Iraq and elsewhere, as well as expand domestic bases to accommodate growing troops. “You […]

Bush Signs Great Lakes Compact Into Law

/in , /by

President Bush added the final signatory touch to the long awaited Great Lakes Compact on Friday. Now it is up to the Great Lakes states to begin implementing the legislation. “Together, we have taken a major step to protect the Great Lakes. I am hopeful that this historic cooperation will enable us to accelerate our […]

Clinton Global Initiative commits millions to water and sanitation

/in , , , , , , , , /by

Safe water equals better health. Members at the recent annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) have taken this equation seriously, announcing their aspirations to improve access to quality water and health care for 8.5 million people across the world. The commitments in sum totaled over $400 million and extend over the next five […]

Great Lakes Compact: Nestle Joins Bottled Water Exemption Debate

/in , , /by

CHICAGO — The bottled water loophole in the Great Lakes Compact — an opening that initially worried lawyers, conservationists and concerned citizens — is inspiring corporations like Nestle to respond. “How do you define a product?” Nestle spokesperson Brian Flaherty asked the Washington Post. “Water goes into beer in Wisconsin and radiators in Detroit. Why […]

India and Nepal approach the water table for talks over recent flooding

/in , , , /by

Months of flooding, ravaged villages, and a destitute populous have inspired India and Nepal to try again. This week they meet in Kathmandu to resume talks over water sharing, after a four-year delay. Gathering to discuss the Kosi river breach and a possible joint ministerial committee to deal with water resources and cross-border policy, 14 […]

Great Lakes Compact flows through U.S. House On its Way to the President

/in , , /by

Representatives remain worried about exemptions Sarah Haughn Circle of Blue As of Tuesday, grandiose visions of Lake Michigan pipelines pumping water to parched Arizona began withering in the wake of the congressionally approved Great Lakes Compact. With the Compact ratified, the Great Lakes Basin is one executive signature away from legislation that would prohibit outside […]