Peter Gleick: Zombie Water Projects (Just when you thought they were really dead…)

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Not all zombies are fictional, and some are potentially really dangerous – at least to our pocketbooks and environment. These include zombie water projects: large, costly water projects that are proposed, killed for one reason or another, and are brought back to life, even if the project itself is socially, politically, economically, and environmentally unjustified.
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James Workman: Poetry, Slammed — Dambusting Celebratory Removals

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The most dramatic freshwater news stories of 2011 literally broke wide open in the Pacific Northwest's hydropowered region, as two major Washington currents were unplugged in in order to replenish an endangered, iconic, transrational species of fish. In that same spirit of silent wonder, and agape, the following 318 words began to arrange and then unglue themselves to honor these inspired, extraordinary events.

Peter Gleick: Transcending Old Thinking About California Agricultural Water Use

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The debate about water use in California agriculture is stuck in a 30-year-old rut; relying on outdated and technically-flawed thinking that is slowing statewide efforts to meet 21st century challenges.
Ned Breslin: Scratching the Surface — Retooling the WASH Model’s Indicators (Part III)

Ned Breslin: Scratching the Surface — Retooling the WASH Model’s Indicators (Part III)

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Sharing failures can be just as valuable as sharing successes. Yet, the development sector more often touts its successes as indicators to donors, who, in turn, are content to think short term and tend to not ask the tough questions.
Energy Water Graph

Peter Gleick: Energy, Water, and Climate Change in the Western U.S.

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A new analysis from the Pacific Institute evaluates the water…

Peter Gleick: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Water for Africa, and the Nobel Peace Prize

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The remarkable president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, has just been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman of Yemen for their work on women’s rights. This award is rightful recognition of the commitment and dedication of these women to strengthening the rights and dignity of women in Africa, and around the world.

Peter Gleick: Why Spend Public Money for Private Bottled Water?

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When I go to water meetings, there are serious scientific discussions about climate impacts on water systems, international conflicts over water, water quality and contamination threats, new technologies and strategies for providing basic water and sanitation for the world's poor, and much more. But in the hallways between meetings and sessions, the real arguments are about the conflicts between public and private control and management of water.

Peter Gleick and Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins: Jobs and Water for America

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Every year, our old water infrastructure spills 860 million gallons of untreated waste into America’s waterways, including raw or partially treated sewage, bacteria, parasites, synthetic hormones, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural wastes.

Peter Gleick: Water Emergencies — Time for New Plans and Technology

The world faces a wide range of serious, complex, and long-term water challenges, from shortages to contamination to local and regional disputes over water to long-term climate changes. But there are other challenges that are short-term, emergency situations that could also be addressed by some new thinking and new technology.

James Workman: My Local Wants vs. Their Global Needs — UN Water Forum Hints at Tensions of Competing Agendas

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Heavy hitters in the water world met at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on September 16 for a public-awareness marketing campaign. But who is the target audience? And what message do they need to hear?
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Peter Gleick: When Climate Changes Come and Water Policies Fail. Pray for Rain?

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Texans and the rest of the country are getting a preview of the future of water when national and local leadership on climate and water policies fails.

Ned Breslin: Building Momentum — Is Self-starter the New Self-sufficient?

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Every time I see Mayor Mendoza, I am greeted by his warm smile…