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Putin Approves Waste Discharges into Lake Baikal

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A decree signed last week by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will allow a paper mill on the shore of Lake Baikal to resume dumping sewage and waste water into the lake.

Israel Increases Rates to Pay for Desalinated Water

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On January 1 Israel’s national water company Mekorot raised water rates by 25 percent in order to pay for the incorporation of desalinated water into the national water system.

Q&A: Solomon’s Water

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Water weaves through history, giving rise to conflict, collapses and creation in civilizations. In his latest book, WATER: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power, and Civilization, economic journalist Steven Solomon examines the economic and social relationship between people and water.

Perspective: Sudan – Land of Water and Thirst; War and Peace

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Circle of Blue introduces the first contributing column from Dr. Paul J. Sullivan, an expert on resource conflict in the Middle East and parts of Africa. In his first piece, Sullivan discusses the water crisis in one of the world's most spotlighted failing states -- Sudan.

Epilogue from Steve Solomon’s Water The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power, and Civilization

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The close of economic journalist Steven Solomon's book is a reflection on the new meaning of water given today's scarcity crisis. Solomon connects freshwater's past and present to paint a future, and potentially very unstable picture of human civilization. By redefining facets of this precious resource, however, he presents the foundation of finding global solutions.

India Cities Focus on Rainwater Harvesting to Provide Clean Drinking Water

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Many Indian cities lack sufficient water supplies. Urban growth is making it difficult and expensive to build the dams, pipelines and canals used in the modern era to supply cities with water. In comparison, rainwater harvesting systems are a low-cost, low-impact way for cities to increase supplies.

Peter Gleick: Stealing Water from the Future – California’s Massive Groundwater Overdraft Newly Revealed

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A NASA report summarizing data collected from new satellites confirms what most water observers have known for a long time. Massive amounts of groundwater are being sucked out of California's Central Valley groundwater aquifers -- unreported, unmonitored, and unregulated.
Video: Copenhagen – Taking the Risk to Define a Zero Carbon, Clean Energy Future

Video: Copenhagen – Taking the Risk to Define a Zero Carbon, Clean Energy Future

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Copenhagen, host of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, claims to be one of the world's greenest cities. It has extensive public transportation, a strong bicycle culture and plans to be carbon neutral by 2025 through progressive blueprints that reduce carbon emissions 20 percent by 2015 compared to 2005.

Melting Glaciers, Drought Jeopardize Bolivian Capital’s Water

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Planned migrations to water-rich areas are being considered as an emergency option as La Paz's water supply hangs in the balance.

Climate Change Threatens China’s Crops, State Forecaster

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China’s chief meteorologist recommends adjusting to global warming over fighting it.

Drought Causes Record Low Water Allocations for California

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Climate conditions and regulations are causing California to reassess water allocation, potentially taking drastic conservation measures.

Peter Gleick: Prepare Now for Another Dry Year

The western United States is still in a drought. If you have any doubts, take a look at the latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Maybe we'll be lucky and the rains will start soon and be healthy. But California water agencies and users must begin planning for another dry year.