Latest news with #waterscarcity
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Needy data centres showing up in water-scarce areas
Photo: A joint investigation by UK media company, The Guardian, and a non-profit investigating organisation, Source Material, has found that big tech companies are operating data centres that use vast amounts of water in areas of the world where water is scarce. The companies are also reported to be building many more. The developments could potentially have a huge impact on populations already living with water shortages. In response to questions from the two media organisations, Amazon and Google defended their developments, saying they always take water scarcity into account. The reporters used local news reports and industry sources to compile a map of 632 datacentres - either built or under development. Kathryn speak to one of the reporters from Source Material involved in the investigation, Constanza Gambarini.
Times of Oman
25-05-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Tackling water scarcity requires speed, scale, determination, FAO says
Baghdad: The world needs to act with speed, scale and determination to tackle the growing threat of water scarcity and climate shocks, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, told the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference. Hosted by the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources, the conference offered FAO the chance to convene experts, policymakers, and partners to share knowledge and foster collaboration for sustainable water and agricultural development. Across the world, water is under growing pressure from rising demand, intensifying droughts and competing interests. The situation is particularly critical in Iraq, where water has an historical legacy. Mesopotamia - "the land between two rivers" - was the cradle of ancient civilisations like the Sumerians and the Babylonians. Today, water management systems like its canals and qanats underpin Iraq's identity, celebrated in art, literature, and religious texts. The country's agriculture sector - and its food security - rely heavily on water, with over 90 per cent of this precious resource used for irrigation, supporting staple crops like wheat, barley, rice, and date palms. Without sustainable water management, Iraq risks losing up to 50 per cent of its wheat and barley yields by 2050, increasing its reliance on volatile global markets. Moreover, disappearing water resources threaten to erase millennia-old traditions, displacing communities and cutting ties to historical landscapes. In the case of Iraq, preserving its water heritage means maintaining historical legacies and social cohesion. The challenges posed by water scarcity affect not just Iraq, but much of the Middle East and many other regions around the world. Tackling such challenges requires acting with "speed, scale and determination," Qu said. According to the FAO Director-General, priority should be placed on ensuring that water technologies are affordable and accessible. policymakers should also strengthen local capacity and empower farmers - especially youth and women. Finally, there's a need to scale-up what works, from smart irrigation to sustainable energy through knowledge and training programmes. In the meantime, FAO has been carrying out a series of initiatives in Iraq and the Middle East through its WaPOR programme - an open-access portal using remote sensing to help farmers use water more efficiently. Last year, for instance, FAO supported Iraq in securing a USD 39 million project co-financed by the Green Climate Fund to modernize irrigation, strengthen Water User Associations, promote climate-resilient agricultural practices and develop efficient and effective water and energy management policies. "Addressing water scarcity and droughts require science-based and integrated approaches," Qu said. "FAO is committed to continuing to provide reliable data, technical expertise and strategic partnerships," so that it may support those most in need to achieve the Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life - leaving no one behind.
South China Morning Post
24-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Why countries cannot afford to turn inward on climate security
In a time of growing fragmentation and scepticism towards multilateralism, it's tempting for nations to turn inward, prioritising short-term domestic concerns over shared global challenges. However, climate change leaves no room for retreat. Among its most urgent and overlooked consequences is the deepening crisis of water scarcity , which already affects more than 2 billion people worldwide. Water stress threatens food security, public health and economic stability while increasing the risk of migration and conflict. If left unchecked, it could shrink regional gross domestic products by up to 8 per cent by 2050 and fuel instability far beyond national borders. Yet climate cooperation is faltering. Economic pressures have led some countries to delay environmental action and adopt a go-it-alone approach. This is short-sighted. The economic impact of climate change is already significant. In 2023, climate-related disasters cost the US economy more than US$90 billion. Severe droughts in regions such as Central Asia, India and parts of Africa disrupt global supply chains and push up prices. Moreover, water stress drives instability and displacement. As vital sources dry up, migration rises. Stabilising vulnerable regions is therefore a global strategic necessity. As a landlocked country in the centre of Eurasia, Kazakhstan is acutely aware of the dangers posed by climate change. As a key producer of wheat, disruptions to our water supply would not only hurt Kazakhstan but also exacerbate global food insecurity Vehicles carrying a batch of components from Chinese green power developer Universal Energy across the Guozigou Bridge for the 50 megawatt wind power project in Kostanayn Kazakhstan, on September 14, 2023. Photo: Xinhua That's why Kazakhstan is taking proactive steps, both through domestic initiatives and by deepening multilateral cooperation with international partners. At the national level, we have committed to reducing our absolute emissions by 15 per cent from 1990 levels by 2030, with a conditional target of 25 per cent contingent on additional climate finance and technology transfer. We have also adopted a Carbon Neutrality Strategy that aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Scots cut water use in response to record dry spell
Scots have responded to warnings of water scarcity during the record dry spell by cutting the amount used by millions of litres a day. Customers were using an extra 150 million litres (34 million gallons) of water per day last week as the country faced the driest start to the year in six decades. But after a public appeal to use supplies sparingly, Scottish Water said daily demand had dropped by 60 million litres - enough to supply the whole of Fife for a day. Scarcity warnings issued by the environment agency Sepa last week remain in place. Scottish Water said the decrease was a result of the public reducing their use of garden sprinklers and hoses, taking shorter showers and turning taps off sooner. At its peak last week, water consumption across Scotland was at a daily 2,000 million litres. The supplier has asked the public for its continued efforts because the weather is forecast to be fairly dry for the rest of the of the east of Scotland - from Deveron in Moray to Eskdale in the Dumfries and Galloway - is listed by Sepa as having moderate water rest of the country is on alert, except the Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides which have an early warned last week that restrictions on water abstraction, which will impact farmers and businesses such as golf courses, could be implemented. The rainfall expected later this week is unlikely to make much of a difference to reservoir levels, which Scottish Water said had fallen from 91% last week to 77% this week, well below the average of 90% for this time of company has offered advice to customers including taking shorter showers and turning the tap off when brushing recommended using washing machines and dishwashers only when fully loaded and using a bucket and sponge rather than a hose to wash said a large part of additional water use was in were advised to use a watering can instead of a garden hose and avoid using last time a full hosepipe ban was implemented in Scotland was 1995. Water system under 'significant pressure' Kes Juskowiak, a Scottish Water director, offered a "massive thank you" to everyone who helped reduce water demand by using the "precious resource" efficiently. But he said they need customers to continue to restrict water use. "The system remains under significant pressure and so we'd like to encourage everyone to continue to use Scotland's water as efficiently as possible," he said. "Gardeners can have a particularly big impact by switching off sprinklers and using watering cans instead."But we can all play our part through simple steps like shorter showers and turning the tap off when we brush our teeth. It all adds up."Scottish Water said individuals use around 178 litres of water a day in Scotland, compared to an average 137 litres per day in England and corporation is launching its Water Is Always Worth Saving campaign next month, to show the public more ways to reduce water usage.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
South East water firms say 'use water wisely' to avoid hosepipe ban
Water companies in south-east England are advising customers to think about their water use after spells of dry Environment Agency warned in May that, although there was not currently a drought in England, there was a "medium risk of one this summer".Southern Water, SES Water, and Affinity Water told the BBC they do not expect to introduce water use restrictions, such as hosepipe bans, in Thames Water warned further dry weather "could be challenging" and South East Water said its supplies were "in a healthy position" but beginning to fall. The UK is on course for its driest spring in over a century and April 2025 was the sunniest on are warning they could see reduced yields at their next harvest due to exceptionally dry weather. Water demand at 'highest levels' ever Southern Water's managing director for water, Tim McMahon, said "drought conditions would be likely" unless there were "significant periods of rain over the next three months"."We have long-term plans for new sources of water to combat the significant challenge of water scarcity in the region," he said, "but right now, we must all work together to keep our taps running." South East Water's head of water resources, Nick Price, said recent warm and dry weather saw "demand for water increase to the highest levels we have ever seen for this time of year". According to Thames Water, its groundwater levels remain above average but river flow levels in its catchment area, which account for 70% of the company's supply, are below Water figures show its catchment area saw only 42% of the long-term average rainfall in resources are currently "healthy", the company was "encouraging customers to always use water wisely," its spokesperson said. SES Water said it was "ready for summer" and its resources were "in a very strong position"."The one thing none of us can control is the weather and we know demand for water rises in warmer months, so everyone should keep using water wisely," the company added. Affinity Water said: "We're not introducing any water restrictions right now, such as hosepipe bans, and based on current conditions, we don't expect to." The water companies said customers could save water by using watering cans instead of a hose and by taking shorter of the South East saw hosepipe bans in 2022 and in 2023.
