There is something inherently fascinating about maps. They invite the eye to roam free and resonate perhaps with our ancient hunter-gatherer instincts. Maps tell stories of what was and what could be.
Threading its way from the semi-arid scrub of the Sahel, through the lush tropical farmlands of Southern Ghana, the Volta River supports the livelihoods of millions of West Africans.
Fred Pearce, a noted writer on water, describes climate change as “the joker in the pack” for promoters of hydroelectric schemes. Different scientists in WLE play the joker at different stages in their research.
While other countries often have mixed priorities for their water, Pakistan has always been clear. The Indus is for irrigation. Hydropower is a secondary concern. And yet, Pakistan could also use more energy, because almost one in four households (24%) has electricity for less than six hours a day...
One cannot talk about water security in Asia without addressing the water energy food nexus. But if the links between water, food and energy are so strong, why are decision makers having such a difficult time addressing them together?
The water energy food nexus sounds less complicated than it is. At its heart it is the interdependence of each on the others. The five countries of Central Asia may be linked by the rivers that flow through them, but at present their governments and water management policies could scarcely be more different.
Many large river basins support both—energy production from hydropower and withdrawals for irrigated food production (in addition to many other uses, such as for households and industries, fisheries and the environment).
WLE participats in Water in the Anthropocene conference: The famous quote, “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink”, may become a quote of past, at least for the coastal cities, if desalination by renewable energy takes off.
Today, the International Day for Biological Diversity, is the ideal day to spend the coffee break mulling over the relationship between water, biodiversity, and agriculture in some of the world’s most critical life raft ecosystems
Whatever happened to jatropha? Is the wonder biofuel that crashed back on the up? And should we care? Last July, while visiting Liberia, I met a local man who said he was a “recruiter” of smallholder farmers to grow jatropha, the bush that could, if you believe the hype, deliver cheap biodiesel to the world.
Cotton, sugar, palm oil... you name it. Most governments in the developing world believe such plantation cash crops must be a better use of land, and must deliver greater economic returns, than cattle pastures.
