On AlterNet: water

Stories, blog posts, and videos tagged as "water"

EPA Launches Investigation: Is the Controversial Gas Drilling Practice 'Fracking' Polluting Waterways?

Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica. March 19, 2010.

The EPA first undertook this investigation in 2004, but strangely failed to test any actual water samples before reaching their conclusion. This time looks to be different.

Water Wars: Pitting Salmon Against Agribusiness

Jaymi Heimbuch, TreeHugger. March 18, 2010.

Agribusiness is sucking up water from the Sacramento/ San Joaquin Delta in order to irrigate crops and it's caused the local salmon population to crash.

The Best Argument Against Global Warming ... Oh Right, There Isn't One

Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute. March 18, 2010.

Deniers have never, ever produced an alternative scientific argument that comes close to explaining the evidence we see around the world that the climate is changing.

The Bluefin Tuna Tragedy: Why the Fish May Go From Endangered to Extinct

Barry Estabrook, The Atlantic. March 18, 2010.

Thanks to lobbying pressure from Japan, the fish will not be banned from international trade, which means it's likely headed toward extinction.

Smart Toilets? A Revolution May Be Coming to Your Bathroom

Michael Graham Richard, TreeHugger. March 12, 2010.

It turns out that there's a double-win in most bathrooms around the world with "NoMix" toilets that separate urine from solid waste.

Want to Be Sustainable? Ditch the Bottled Water

Robin Madel, Green Fork Blog. March 10, 2010.

Bottled water has become so ubiquitous that even a notable critic of bottled water found one on his podium at a recent lecture at Columbia University.

Why Availability of Freshwater Is a Huge Factor in the 'War on Terror'

Steven Solomon, Grist.org. March 4, 2010.

Water and national security may not seem at first to be interconnected. But they are-increasingly so as the global freshwater scarcity crisis deepens.

Water Footprint Labels to Become as Important as Energy Star

Jaymi Heimbuch, TreeHugger. March 3, 2010.

A water footprint label may soon be as prominent on product packaging as an Energy Star label, and with an equal amount of clout among consumers.

Water Scofflaws: Go Soak Your Heads (Under a Low-flow Showerhead)

Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute. March 2, 2010.

The DOE has announced that they intend to pursue enforcement actions against the manufacturers of water-using appliances that violate national water and energy savings laws.

We May Lose the World's Coral Reefs

Steve Connor, Independent UK. February 26, 2010.

Rising acidity of the oceans is threat to marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, new research shows.

Klamath Water Wars Settled With Agreements to Remove Four Dams

Environment News ServiceFebruary 26, 2010.

Two agreements signed would provide a framework for removal of four dams beginning in 2020, provided that Congress approves.

Can a Funding Boost From the Obama Administration Save the Great Lakes?

Daniel Kessler, TreeHugger. February 24, 2010.

A $2.2 billion plan calls for adopting a zero-tolerance policy toward invasive species, and addressing polluted areas, wetland restoration, and water quality improvements.

Turf Wars

Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute. February 23, 2010.

Today, more than half of all urban water use in most western states goes to landscaping, and most of that goes to trying to maintain green turf.

Gas Drillers Plead Guilty to Felony Dumping Violations

Sabrina Shankman, ProPublica. February 23, 2010.

This latest incident highlights one of the biggest concerns with drilling in Marcellus Shale -- disposal of wastewater, which can be up to 1.2 million gallons per well.

U.S. Navy Finally Agrees to Study Health Effects of 30 Years of Potentially Deadly Water Contamination at a Marine Corps Base

Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!. February 22, 2010.

Documents recently reviewed by the press revealed the contamination at Camp Lejeune was far more extensive and deadly than previously assumed.

Sanaa, Yemen to Become World's First Capital City to Run Out of Water

Brian Merchant, TreeHugger. February 19, 2010.

Sanaa is home to 2 million people, and is growing fast -- but experts say that if trends continue, it could be a ghost town in 20 years.

New Signs the Tide May Be Shifting Against Water Privatization

Jeff Conant, AlterNet. February 19, 2010.

Despite a widespread crisis of confidence inspired by the failures of privatization and the global economic crisis, the private water industry is far from giving up the ghost.

The Resnicks Manipulate Water Policy with Big Campaign Contributions

Dan Bacher, AlterNet. February 17, 2010.

Expect the influence by corporate giants like the Resnicks to increase even more due to the recent Supreme Court decisions that blocks bans on corporate spending for candidates.

Too Much Pavement, Too Little Oversight: Why Stormwater Is a Leading Water Pollution Problem

Sarah Coefield, Environmental Health News. February 17, 2010.

Across the country, stormwater runoff hammers thousands of rivers, streams and lakes. Now the EPA is gearing up to tighten federal stormwater rules that have come under fire.

Dem Sell-out Dianne Feinstein Attempts End-Run to Hand California Water to Billionaire Farmers

Yasha Levine, AlterNet. February 13, 2010.

Feinstein is trying to ram through a massive transfer of public water into the private pockets of a clique of billionaire corporate farmers.

38 Percent of World's Land in Danger of Turning into Desert

Brian Merchant, TreeHugger. February 12, 2010.

What are the culprits? Overgrazing, extracting too much water from aquifers, rerouting of water from its natural sources to population centers, and a warming climate.

Chinese Government Lies About Water Pollution -- Levels Are Twice What's Officially Listed

Brian Merchant, TreeHugger. February 10, 2010.

It appears that the Chinese government has been saying they were cleaning up water sources when in fact the pollution levels were rising.

Will More Enforcement Staff Overseeing Gas Drilling in Pennsylvania Be Enough to Ensure Safety?

Sabrina Shankman, ProPublica. February 9, 2010.

Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection will double its enforcement staff, open a new office closer to the drilling action and release new drilling regulations.

The War on Tap: Stadium Where Cleveland Cavaliers Play Has Removed Water Fountains

Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute. February 8, 2010.

The only way for thirsty fans to get water now is to wait in line at the concessions counter for a free small cup or pay $4 for bottled water.

Coca-Cola Puts on Green Guise for the Winter Olympics

Stephanie Rogers, EcoSalon. February 5, 2010.

Critics point out inconsistencies in Coke’s approach to the environment including its opposition to city efforts to support public water and to bottle recycling bills.