Water

Global water woes mix with trickle of good news

23 Mar 2015

The planet faces a 40 pct H2O deficit by 2030 as rising populations require more food and energy. Droughts in Sao Paulo and California may become harbingers of doom. But progress on everything from data to usage to business awareness to international agreements offers some hope.

Brazil water crisis heats up climate tail risks

2 Mar 2015

Sao Paulo’s drought stems from statistical hubris similar to the Wall Street models that failed to predict the 2008 financial crash. Decisions to prop up banks and markets had near immediate effect, though. Climate-related black swans are likely to prove more pernicious.

Water woes could open taps on corporate risk

5 Jan 2015

Two-thirds of the world’s biggest companies are worried about access to water. But few are well prepared for problems. That should change as ways to track and address concerns grow. And if bosses don’t take the initiative, activist investors may force them to.

California’s water fix a drop in proverbial bucket

12 Aug 2014

The drought-hit state is close to recommending a $7 bln bond to help upgrade its aging pipes and reservoirs. But famously reluctant voters still have to approve the measure. And the sum may not cover even 15 pct of what’s needed to bolster California’s water infrastructure by 2022.

U.S. drought could spark economic water warfare

26 Jun 2014

Scarce rains have left California and the U.S. Southwest dry just as industries from beverages to semiconductors grow concerned about the availability of H20. That presents a flood of opportunity for water tech firms and Great Lakes states like Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

China’s water crisis to test “decisive” markets

11 Apr 2014

China’s urban water bills are rising. It’s a nod towards curbing overuse, but too little to defuse a brewing crisis. A real fix requires market prices for thirsty industrials and agriculture. This will be a trial by water for the country’s supposed market reforms.

Two cheers for Israel’s tri-state water deal

27 Dec 2013

Tel Aviv will share more with Jordan and Palestine. Such regional agreements are crucial where water is scarce. Properly irrigated farmland could boost Palestine’s economy by a fifth. Israel, though, is only giving up a token amount and remains in control. At least it’s a start.

Ethiopia’s Nile plan emblem of global water woes

9 Jul 2013

A dam to export hydroelectric power looks at odds with IMF hopes for more competition. Egypt’s bellicose threats are wrongheaded, too. Obscured by the rhetoric are longer-term concerns about how nations can sensibly grow their economies when water’s a scarce or shared resource.

NIMBYs are China’s new neighbours from hell

31 Jul 2012

Communities protesting about dirty chemical plants or waste treatment are a rich-country problem come early. Their gripes may be understandable: China faces hefty environmental risks. But appeasing rattled townsfolk drags on growth by lowering the returns from building.