The world’s fresh water supplies are almost fully exploited.Almost al, 97 per cent, of the world’s water is salt. Of the fresh water in the world, two thirds is locked up as ice and snow (the cryosphere – to you and me, kid!). Globally, three quarters of the water that is used is used by agriculture. India, China and the United States, use more fresh water than is available. The water level in those nation’s aquifers is falling as a result.The current food crisis has come about largely as a result as the shortfall in available water begins to impact on the cost of irrigation.Â
Apocalypse sow … 16,000 dead pigs have been recovered from rivers supplying water to Shanghai, China’s most populous city. Photograph: AP Not a very happy World Water Day for the people of Shanghai. In the past two weeks, the number of dead pigs recovered from rivers that supply water to the great financial centre has risen to more than Continue Reading →
Urgent flood prevention measures needed for Warragamba Dam Date November 3, 2012 – 5:55PM 41 reading now Read later Tim Barlass inSh A one in 1000 flood around the Hawkesbury Nepean, such as that in Queensland early last year, would cause up to $8 billion in total damages affecting 14,000 homes and requires urgent preventative Continue Reading →
Water Matters Distribution List watermatters@ris.environment.gov.au 11:59 AM (27 minutes ago) to watermatters Dear subscriber, Please find the link to issue 22 of Water Matters below. This issue of Water Matters features articles about the Australian Government’s announcement to deliver up to an additional 450GL of water to the Murray-Darling Basin to restore Murray-Darling Basin rivers Continue Reading →
SA ‘delighted’ by extra water for Murray AAPUpdated October 26, 2012, 9:24 am The federal government is to unveil ambitious plans to find billions of litres of extra water to restore health to the Murray-Darling Basin and appease a disgruntled South Australia. Prime Minister Julia Gillard will be in the state on Friday, where she Continue Reading →
Flow modelling released for Murray plan Updated 57 minutes ago Video: Murray plan proposes 2,750 gigalitres annual flow(7pm TV News ACT) Related Story: Murray showing signs of recovery Related Story: Irrigators under pressure over Murray legal action Related Story: Report sends ‘clear message’ for better basin plan Map: SA The Federal Government has released the Continue Reading →
Murray showing signs of recovery PM By Nicola Gage Updated 3 hours 41 minutes ago Photo: The purple-spotted gudgeon has been in decline during drought years (supplied) Related Story: Irrigators under pressure over Murray legal action Map: Goolwa 5214 Scientists say salinity levels are falling in the lower reaches of the Murray and many bird Continue Reading →