Entries by Circle of Blue

Western States Consider New Dams

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SPOKANE, WA — The Western states’ booming population and growing fears about climate change have governments studying construction of new dams to capture more winter rain and spring snowmelt for use in dry summer months. Ironically, consideration of new dams comes even as older ones are being torn down across the country because of environmental […]

Rising above the Floods in Malawi

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MALAWI — With support from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Water Division has initiated projects in Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia whose aim is to demonstrate that water – including “problem water” – can be managed and developed in a manner that maximizes economic and social welfare without […]

“Reign of Sand” featured in China Environment Series

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Furious dust and sandstorms from Inner Mongolia cripple airports, darken skies, and choke millions of people across East Asia every spring, reports the China Environment Forum at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.According to “Reign of Sand,” the new multimedia report from Circle of Blue done in partnership with the China Environment Forum, the storms are growing in intensity […]

Alternatives proposed for Nevada pipeline

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Commentary in Salt Lake Tribune by Mark BirdWestern Utah may have multidecade negative impacts from the water pipeline proposed by the Southern Nevada Water Authority.  Following are 17 other solutions for southern Nevada. Most of these options also have potential benefits for Lake Powell and Utah. All of these options can be less expensive and/or […]

Zimbabwe: Water Pollution is Ticking Time Bomb

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ZIMBABWE – According to All Africa Global Media, animal waste, fertilizers, municipal, industrial and mining wastewater, urban storm water and runoff from agricultural, livestock and poultry operations have impaired the Zimbabwe National Water Authority’s capacity to meet the growing demand of water in Harare and surrounding towns. Unusual outbreaks of bloody diarrhea are killing young […]

Dry Debris, Not Water, Caused Recent Flows on Mars

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A dry landslide—not liquid water—is the most likely explanation for at least one of the bright streaks seen recently on Mars, a new study concludes, according to National Geographic News Service. The streaks first made waves in 2006, when scientists reported them in pictures of Martian gullies taken in 2005. According to Reuters, the scientists […]

Melbourne residents face long-term water restrictions

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Melbourne, Australia is likely to stay on water restrictions for another three years. Water Minister Tim Holding said it was “highly probable” the city would be on water restrictions until the Government’s major water projects came on line.With the north-south pipeline not due to be operational until the end of 2010, and the massive desalination […]

Children search for water in Accra, Ghana

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ACCRA, GHANA – Over the past few months the water shortage and resultant rationing has reached alarming levels that have seen even children as young as five on the streets of Accra carrying yellow gallons in search of water, reports the Public Agenda in Accra. Separate reports from some schools in the Accra Metropolis indicate […]

Books: Our Changing Planet – The View From Space

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For over 40 years, satellites have been orbiting the Earth quietly monitoring the state of our planet. Unseen by most of us, they are providing information on the many changes taking place, from movements in the land and volcanic eruptions, to human-caused changes such as the growth of cities, deforestation and the spread of pollutants […]

Film: “For Love of Water” screened at Sundance

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FLOW: For Love Of Water, a new film by Irena Salina, highlights the local intimacies of an emerging global catastrophe: African plumbers reconnect shantytown water pipes under cover of darkness to ensure a community’s survival; a Californian scientist forces awareness of shockingly toxic public water sources; a ‘Big Water’ CEO argues privatization is the wave of […]

The End for the Mekong Delta?

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MEKONG DELTA, Vietnam — Climate change could submerge the Mekong Delta, threatening food and water supplies in Vietnam. Read more here. Source: Thanh Nien Daily Circle of BlueCircle of Blue provides relevant, reliable, and actionable on-the-ground information about the world’s resource crises. www.circleofblue.org/about/

Study: Less Water for Seattle and Surrounding Communities

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The Seattle Times reports that warmer weather and smaller Cascade snowpacks will shrink water supplies by as much as a quarter for Seattle and surrounding areas in the future, according to new studies. Studies by the University of Washington and the water utilities of Seattle, Everett, and Tacoma foreshadow a future of dwindling supplies of […]