Special Coverage: Water

Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica. November 10, 2009.
In a state hardly equipped to deal with such materials, drilling advocates have yet to explain where the water will go.

Why Natural Gas Is Not a Clean Energy Panacea

Stan Cox, AlterNet. November 5, 2009.
Natural gas is "clean" only in contrast to coal -- just as a bacon cheeseburger can only be regarded as healthful compared with a double bacon cheeseburger.

Three Gorges Dam: The World's Largest Boondoggle to Be Completed

Peter Bosshard, Huffington Post. November 5, 2009.
After 27 million cubic meters of concrete have been poured, 1.3 million people have been displaced and up to $88 billion have been spent, it is now time to take stock.

New Remarkable Numbers Released: Water Use in the US Has Dropped Per Person by 30 Percent Since 1975

Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute. November 4, 2009.
It is possible to improve the efficiency of water use and such improvements eliminate the need for expensive and environmentally damaging new supply.

Who Is Stealing California's Water?

Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute. November 4, 2009.
We must stop pretending that water is free and unlimited, available to anyone who can put a siphon in a river or drill another groundwater well.

Water, Forests and Farms in New York State Threatened by Oil and Gas Drilling

Adam Federman, Earth Island Journal. November 3, 2009.
The future of this ecologically rich area is now in the hands of oil and gas companies that have leased thousands of acres to drill in the Marcellus Shale.

The Man Who Has Been Giving a Boost to the Greywater Movement

Ben Preston, Miller-McCune.com. October 30, 2009.
As Californians start looking seriously at using greywater for home irrigation, all roads -- or pipes -- lead to Art Ludwig.

Environmental Groups Across California Oppose Legislative Water Package

Dan Bacher, AlterNet. October 30, 2009.
Today environmental groups from around California weighed in with their opposition to the dangerous proposed water legislation.

Reducing Mercury Emissions From Coal-Fired Power Plants: Yes We Can (And Could Have, Years Ago)

Catherine O'Neill, Center for Progressive Reform. October 30, 2009.
There are three recent developments in the saga of efforts to regulate mercury emissions from coal-fired utilities that are significant.

Company Says NYC Watershed More Important Than Profit From a Gas Well

Sabrina Shankman, ProPublica. October 28, 2009.
The company's announcement takes many of NYC's concerns off the table, but others, including what will happen with the wastewater from drilling across the state, remain.

'Savior Bud' Sucks Moisture From Trees for Drinking Water

Jaymi Heimbuch, TreeHugger. October 28, 2009.
This concept design, modestly called the Savior Bud, is one idea to help gather up moisture from a tree's respiratory process and create drinking water.

Musician Jackson Browne Passionately Declines Bottled Water

David DeFranza, Planet Green. October 28, 2009.
In an industry that uses disposable products without a second thought, Jackson Browne's efforts to reduce packaged water waste are inspiring.

Southeast Water Scarcity Blamed on Overpopulation

Environment News Service. October 23, 2009.
The population is still growing with many people migrating into the region, but little has been done to increase water storage or reduce consumption.

A New Lawsuit May Hold the Key to Keeping Polluting Animal Waste Out of Waterways

Yee Huang, Center for Progressive Reform. October 23, 2009.
The implications could be hugely significant, not just for the Illinois River Basin but for other waterways polluted by animal waste.

Toxic Waters: Regulatory Absence Allows Chemical, Coal and Farm Industries to Pollute US Water Supplies

Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!. October 23, 2009.
No federal regulations specifically govern the disposal of power plant discharges into waterways or landfills.

Three Solutions to Our Water and Population Problems

Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute. October 23, 2009.
We must implement all three solutions in the right way to be effective.

Finding Water from Space: How One Geologist Is Using Satellite Technology to Help in Drought-Striken Areas

Miller-McCune.com. October 23, 2009.
A globe-trotting geologist uses satellites and other remote-sensing platforms to find water under some of the world's thirstiest places.

Groups Rally to Stop Nestlé's Raid on Sacramento Water

Dan Bacher, AlterNet. October 20, 2009.
Grassroots community activists are mobilizing against the internationally boycotted corporation that is planning to bottle water in an already parched state.

A Victory for the 'Water Underground': California Eases Restrictions on Greywater Use

Melinda Burns, Miller-McCune.com. October 16, 2009.
Bone-dry California eases restrictions on greywater use, allowing wastewater from washing machines and bathtubs to spill onto the state's lawns and lemon trees.

UN: Water Shortages Cause 100,000 to Flee Homes in Iraq

AFP. October 15, 2009.
Water stress and over-extraction of groundwater caused the collapse of an ancient water system.

Lester Brown: How to Mobilize to Save Civilization

Lester R. Brown, Climate Progress. October 14, 2009.
The world renown environmentalist writes about his new book and lays out the devastating impacts unrestricted emissions of greenhouse gases will have on food and water.

We Must Stop Ignoring the Role of Population in Our Water Problems

Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute. October 14, 2009.
Addressing water problems comes down to three choices: increase the water supply, decrease the water demand per person, or change the number of people.

10 Amazing Facts About Worldwide Water Use

Tina McCarthy, EcoSalon. October 14, 2009.
Find out facts like how many million gallons per day the Tiger Woods Golf Course uses or the amount of water you can save by cutting your shower just one minute.

US Coal Plants Dump Thousands of Gallons of Waste Into Drinking Water Supplies a Day

Brian Merchant, TreeHugger. October 13, 2009.
Millions of people get their drinking water from rivers and lakes polluted by the coal industry.

Governor Schwarzenegger Holds California Hostage to Peripheral Canal Water Bond

Dan Bacher, AlterNet. October 9, 2009.
Schwarzenegger said he wants a water bill package including a peripheral canal and dams on his desk by Friday night before he will act on 700 bills awaiting his signature.

Next Up for EPA: Ensuring Clean Drinking Water on Airline Flights

Environment News Service. October 8, 2009.
Action was prompted by an EPA inspection that found all aircraft public water systems were out of compliance with the national primary drinking water regulations.

Here's How to Stop Using Toilet Paper and Save Water, Trees and Energy

Lloyd Alter, TreeHugger. October 7, 2009.
Making a roll of toilet paper uses 1.5 pounds of wood, 37 gallons of water and 1.3 KWh of electricity.

Countries Are Preparing for Rising Seas But the U.S. Is Far Behind

Orrin Pilkey, Rob Young, Island Press. October 7, 2009.
By 2100, a projected sea level rise of up to seven feet will have tremendous impact around the world.

Dammed Crazy: What Do California's Water Woes Teach Us?

Lori Pottinger, Huffington Post. October 7, 2009.
The world has long looked to California's massively engineered water system as "advanced" and worth emulating. It may be time to rethink that.

Our Love Affair With Our Lawns Is Hurling the U.S. Toward Water Crisis

Dara Colwell, AlterNet. October 2, 2009.
We spend $40 billion annually on our lawns and spend $10 billion more on pesticides and fertilizers keeping them green. But worse, they're draining diminishing water resources.

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Coverage concerning the global water crisis, including public water protection, conservation, pollution, bottled water, drought and dams.

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Learn more about the Polaris Institute's work on water issues, including the privatization of water services, bulk water exports, water takings, water security and their bottled water campaign.

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