cities

For Water, Cities Look to Farms Conserving water on farms is the key to securing water for cities that face recurring shortages, according to a new study published in the journal Water Policy, National Geographic reported. The growth of both irrigated agriculture and cities in water-scarce regions has fueled these shortages, necessitating working relationships between [...]

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Scientists are beginning to study the ecological function of cities, tracking and measuring the flow of atmospheric gases, water, carbon, and pollutants through the urban ecosystem, Nature reported. The research could be essential for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and creating sustainable cities. Water Levels Global sea level rise is outpacing United Nations projections by 60 [...]

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An outbreak of Hepatitis E in South Sudan refugee camps has killed 26 people and infected more than 1,000, according to the United Nations News Centre. The virus is spread through contaminated food and water, and the problem could worsen with the rainy season and an influx of more refugees. China’s agriculture minister warned today [...]

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Electricity-producing coal, nuclear, and natural gas plants account for the fastest-growing use of fresh water in the United States, according to a report from Oregon-based River Network, Bloomberg News reported. The study found that electricity produced by hydropower dams has the largest water footprint. The amount of Arctic sea ice is at a record low [...]

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Maryland is sitting atop an aquifer containing water that is a million years old, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) found, according to USA Today. Water levels in the deep aquifer have been declining as water managers abandon younger, shallower aquifers due to saltwater intrusion. India’s Jindal Power plans to invest $7.7 billion in hydropower [...]

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Weather The crazy winter weather continued, as record low temperatures in Europe froze the Danube River from Austria to the Black Sea, AFP reported. Meanwhile, a mild winter in the United States saw January temperatures rise as much as eight degrees above normal, according to a map released by the National Climatic Data Center. The [...]

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The European Union’s environment committee voted to decrease the supply of emissions allowances in Europe’s emissions trading system in order to increase the price of carbon, EurActiv reported. The EU hopes the price hike will provide an incentive for investment in low-carbon technology. About 87 percent of the world’s population has access to improved drinking [...]

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Winner of 2011 Urban Water Design Challenge.

Three weeks, 36 entries: Global competition sponsored by Circle of Blue and Visualizing.org.

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Going the Distance for Water

In many cities, water travels far to reach the tap. Residents of the planet’s driest places rely on extensive waterways to deliver their supply. Click through the interactive infographic below to learn more about 10 cities that pipe water in from distant aquifers, plus additional plans to expand waterway networks even further.

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California is the first state to consider a limit on the “Erin Brockovich” chemical, which has been found in 31 of 35 U.S. cities recently surveyed.

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