The Stream, March 11: Japan Earthquake

An earthquake of 8.9. magnitude has hit Japan, triggering devastating tsunami that has swept over the northern part of the country and sent out tsunami alerts in coastal areas throughout the Pacific.

Reuters draws parallels between Egypt and Syria, where a water crisis has parched farmlands and plunged 800,000 people into extreme poverty. What else is connecting or setting the two countries apart?

Colombia is weighing the pros and cons of a big gold-mining project. The plan, which has divided local communities between those seeing job opportunities and environment critics, might pose a risk to rivers and streams that supply water to 2.2 million Colombians.

Reuters details the biggest and most controversial coal-fired power plant projects in Germany. Meanwhile, Der Spiegel reports on the increasingly sophisticated technology to tap the world’s new sources of natural gas and oil.

Why are the Chinese getting unhappier as they are getting wealthier? Isabel Hilton explains how the fear of popular discontent, as well as energy, resources, water and market concerns are influencing China’s upcoming 12th Five-Year Plan.

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.

1 reply
  1. Bonus Pariuri says:

    Blessings to the people of Japan. I am more in awe of these people and their culture today than ever before. They value education, families taking care of families, helping neighbors and demonstrated extreem ORDER in the face of this tremendous catastrophy

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