The Stream, November 25: $16 Billion Plan For Africa Climate Adaptation Proposed

The Global Rundown

The World Bank announced a $US 16 billion plan to invest in climate adaptation projects in Africa, and a new report warned that current carbon reduction pledges are too weak and will be costly for developing countries. South Africa’s economy nearly went into recession this year as major industries declined and drought took a toll on agriculture. Traditional land owners in Australia asked the government to protect a national park and its water resources from mining and fracking, and communities in Colorado agreed to pursue a Superfund designation for the Gold King mine. Rapid development has strained groundwater in the United Arab Emirates, which is now focused on improving its desalination technology.

“In our region, water is more important than oil. We’re trying to find solutions to address that.”–Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of clean energy company Masdar, on efforts to make desalination plants in the United Arab Emirates cheaper and smaller. Development and low water prices in the country are depleting groundwater reserves. (Associated Press)

By The Numbers

$16 billion Amount of the World Bank’s new Africa Climate Business Plan, which seeks to improve the continent’s resiliency to climate change. Reuters

12.6 percent Drop in South Africa’s farm output during the third quarter due to drought. The country’s economy as a whole just barely avoided a recession this year. Bloomberg

Science, Studies, And Reports

The plans so far submitted by the world’s countries to cut carbon emissions would lead to a global temperature increase between 2.7 and 3 degrees Celsius. An increase of that magnitude would cost developing countries $US 270 billion more each year for adaptation measures than if temperatures only increased 2 degrees Celsius, according to a report released by Oxfam. Guardian

On The Radar

The traditional owners of Australia’s Watarrka national park have filed a petition with the federal government to protect the area from hydraulic fracturing and mining. The petition cites concerns about the potential negative effects of mining on the region’s water quantity and quality. Guardian

Communities near the site of Colorado’s Gold King mine voted to pursue a Superfund designation for the site and other abandoned mines. In August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency accidentally released millions of liters of wastewater from the mine into the Animas River. Associated Press

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek