Tag: Groundwater

Facing the Food and Water Challenges of the Future

by | 3.13.2012 at 2:40pm | 3 Comments
Rice terraces in North Vietnam. Photo credit: IRRI Images

The global population, now 7 billion, is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050 and will require 70 percent more food than we are producing today, and much more water for agriculture, drinking and industry. Will we have enough water to meet the demand?

The Groundwater Crisis and the “Grass that Grows in the Water”

by | 3.7.2012 at 5:48pm
pump

Rice is the world’s third-largest crop after wheat and corn; by some estimates it accounts for fully one-fifth of the total calories consumed by the human race. Given these facts, it’s not surprising that countries that have historically struggled with devastating famine would do whatever it takes to ensure strong production of the grain, even if it meant promoting growing practices that would ultimately prove unsustainable.

One Planet, Too Many People?

by | 3.7.2012 at 2:05pm
Mumbai, India. (Photo: Deepak Gupta)

Can we manage the needs of 9 billion people for water, food and energy without depleting our resources and ruining the environment? “The solutions,” says Tim Fox, “are all within the capability of existing technology.”

What are the Keystone XL Pipeline Risks to Water Resources?

by | 10.10.2011 at 9:20am | 6 Comments
The existing Keystone pipeline, vulnerable to flooding at river crossings.  Source: North American Pipelines

One of the issues most passionately discussed now in the media and blogosphere is the KeystoneXL Pipeline proposal, to allow Canadian oil and gas company TransCanada to build a pipeline to transfer tar sands oil from Alberta to Texas. So what are the arguments?

In Dry Texas, Recycled Water Looks Better and Better

by | 10.4.2011 at 9:15am | 1 Comment
San Antonio River Walk

As the drought in Texas continues with no end in sight, some cities are turning to innovative water alternatives in an attempt to maintain quality of life as they know it. The new mindset includes viewing waste water as an asset.

Water Problems Are Solvable: The International Water Forum at the UN

by | 9.22.2011 at 9:20am | 5 Comments
More than 500 people attended the International Water Forum at the United Nations

Water problems are solvable. None of the many challenges are outside of the ability of human-kind to respond and resolve. As with so many things, political will and money are needed, but the International Water Forum at the UN took it further; the general public has to understand and care before the political will and money will materialize. And the way to the general public’s heart is through effective communication.

Water, Oil, Food – A Crisis for Saudi Arabia and the World

by | 9.14.2011 at 9:30am | 2 Comments
drywell

A water crisis is unfolding in Saudi Arabia that could have profound implications for both the Saudi people and for the rest of the world.

Bottled Water – Big Business in Indonesia

by | 9.12.2011 at 9:30am
Aqua Gallons

The movement to challenge the bottled water industry has come a pretty long way in countries like the USA, Australia and Canada. Public education campaigns by organizations like the Council of Canadians, Pacific Institute and Corporate Accountability International, have debunked the myth that bottled water is necessarily cleaner or healthier than tap water, and emphasized [...]

Western Water Woes – Is Big Infrastructure the Way to Go?

by | 9.6.2011 at 9:45am | 1 Comment
Pat Mulroy, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, has a grand plan.  Photo: Las Vegas Sun

Guest Blog by Michael Clark Pat Mulroy, the general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, spoke on July 20 at a US Chamber of Commerce conference, as part of its Invest in Water Initiative, and proposed a bold idea: build a pipeline to divert Mississippi River flood waters to the West. This, she said, [...]

Walking the Tightrope of Groundwater Management

by | 8.29.2011 at 11:39am
USGS image, 2005.

As climate changes and supplying water becomes more challenging, one company says it has a better management strategy.