The Stream, December 10: U.S. Intelligence Analysts: Water, Food, Energy Shortages Will Transform World by 2030

Shortages in water, food, and energy comprise one of four “megatrends” that U.S. government intelligence analysts said would cause radical economic and political changes in the next 18 years. The other trends, Bloomberg reported, include the United States’ fade from dominance, the rising power of individuals over the state, and a booming middle class.

U.S. Infrastructure Challenges
A Bureau of Reclamation report proposed a 600-mile pipeline to link the Missouri River to Denver — an extreme measure to help mitigate the region’s water challenges, The New York Times reported. The report, leaked this week, also proposed dozens of other more traditional measures to replenish the Colorado River, which is straining to hydrate seven states and approximately 25 million people, including conservation and supply boosts through reuse or desalination.

While a 200-mile Mississippi River closure was expected this week, USA Today reported, the water-level decrease might not halt barge traffic completely until January. Roughly $US 7 billion in commodities could freeze if Mississippi River levels continue to drop.

This week, a California state agency will begin to sell the bonds needed to finance a major desalination plant, Forbes reported. The facility, scheduled for completion in 2016, would be the largest in the Western hemisphere.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

2 replies
  1. subash reddy says:

    We are an NPO(NGO) called SMARAN working towards Soil and Water conservation. We promote soil and water conservation in Rural areas, renovating water bodies or tanks which supports farmers for irrigation, drinking water, cattle, birds, flora and fauna, increase in ground water etc.

    We also promote Rain water harvesting in Urban areas for gated communities, parks, corporate offices, schools, apartments, industries etc for more than a decade mainly to improve ground water recharge.

    We would like to learn more from similar organisation as well share our expertise in doing more community works as the availability of ground water is diminishing and crisis is increasing year by year.

    With regards

    SUBHASH REDDY
    http://www.smaran.org
    0091-9440055253

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