Sea level rise may put millions of U.S. coastal homes underwater by 21 century

Storm surges and higher tidal flows caused by climate change could gobble almost 1.9 million houses in hundreds of cities, according to a report by the real estate company Zillow. In total, homeowners could lose some $882 billion by 2100.

Scarcer water creates new challenges for energy

Water scarcity challenges industries around the world. The report Water-Energy Nexus: Business Risks and Rewards looks at three regions where industries that face risks related to water and energy supply are finding emerging solutions to address their reliance on scarce resources - the Middle East and North Africa, China and the United States.

The water footprint of energy

Water and energy are connected and highly interdependent - we need water for our energy systems and we need energy systems for our water. For example, in the United States, more freshwater (41 percent) is used to cool power plants than for any other use. From other side, about 8 percent of global energy generation is used for pumping, treating, and transporting water.

Chocolate lovers beware - its production requires over 17000 liters of freshwater per kilogram!

Global warming and quickly growing water use for human life and activity needs are the major risks leading to depletion of Earth's freshwater resources. Only 8% of water is used for domestic needs, while 70% - for irrigation, and 22% - for industry.

Greenpeace: 8,359 installed coal-fired power plant units consume as much water as one billion people

Coal power generation is one of the thirstiest industries, for example, a 500 MW coal-fired power plant needs to suck dry an Olympic-sized swimming pool of fresh water every three minutes for cooling purposes. Still, there are now 2,668 proposed coal power units all over the world with total capacity of 1300 GW.

Most exposed countries to sea level rise

Analysis of worldwide exposure to sea level rise and coastal flooding,  conducted by Climate Central,  relied on global data on elevation and population. Study showed that 147 to 216 million people live on land that will be below sea level or regular flood levels by the end of the century, assuming GHG emissions continue on their current trend. Read more at www.climatecentral.org

World Bank approved financing for the first phase of the Climate Resilience Program in Central Asia

WB's Board of Executive Directors recently approved an allocation of US$38 million from the International Development Association to finance the first phase of the Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for Aral Sea Basin (CAMP4ASB). The program includes US$9 million for Tajikistan, US$14 million for Uzbekistan, and US$15 million for regional  activities.

Water and climate change adaptation pact launched in Paris

A broad coalition of nations, river basin organizations, business and civil society announced US $1 billion to support the agreement which goal is to make water systems more resilient to climate impacts. Almost 290 water basin organisations are engaged under the Paris Pact to protect most climate change vulnerable water basins, including Niger Basin (9 African countries involved), Mediterranean Water Platform (7 countries), Mexico Valley, Hai river basin in China, Ecocuencas program (4 countries), and others.

Héla Cheikhrouhou: the Green Climate Fund goal is to support low-emission, climate-resilient development

This statement was made by Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund in her speech, given on the occasion of World Water Week held in Stockholm, Sweden at the end of last month. GCF is the only international financing institution set up with the sole goal of supporting the UNFCCC’s objective of keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.

GRACE satellites: humankind is running out of water

Twin GRACE satellites, launched by NASA in 2002, provided data for a study of the world's 37 largest aquifers, which  found that more than a third of them are being used at unsustainable rates — they are being drained far faster than natural processes can restore them. 13 of the 37 aquifers, from California to the Middle East to China, are running out of water.

Scientist from Columbia University about climate change in Central Asia

Climate change may promote cooperation in Central Asia because it will pressure countries to find solutions.  Central Asian republics differ from each other not only in adaptation techniques but also in mitigation issues.

Сlimate change and dams are among biggest threats facing Himalayan rivers in India

Himalayan rivers account for nearly two-thirds of India's national river flows, and 43 per cent of India's population depends on just the Ganga for their water needs. India has 4,857 large dams (more than 15 m in height or 10-15 m if it fulfills some other conditions) in operation and 314 under construction. While nine out of 10 dams in India have irrigation as their main purpose, in the Himalayan region, which accounts for 70 per cent of hydro power potential. 

Top Chinese Meteorologist Warns Climate Change Will Have 'Huge Impact' On Country

"As the world warms, risks of climate change and climate disasters to China could become more grave," said  Zheng Guoguang, China Meteorological Administration (CMA) chief.
The CMA chief said climate change would seriously threaten big projects in the country, such as the Three Gorges Dam and a massive scheme geared toward diverting water from southern portions of China to areas north of the country to address water problems. Zheng called on China to take a development path that accommodates the aim of lowering carbon emissions, but he also pointed out that the use of solar and wind energy in the country has limited potential.
Along with the United States, China accounts for about 45 percent of total carbon dioxide emissions in the world.  Read more at http://www.techtimes.com/

Your shower is wasting huge amounts of energy and water. Here’s what you can do about it.

For a standard shower head, every minute wasted equates to 2.5 gallons of water — and insofar as some of it is warm, “that’s energy-rich water that we’re running down the drain.” And research conducted by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has suggested that the waste levels may be even higher — 30 percent of shower water overall and 41 percent of “hot water energy.” Showering drives almost 17 percent of water use in homes, and an average American family uses some 40 gallons of water per day in the shower.