You are here

Home > water risk

water risk

Displaying 11 - 20 of 57

Pages

Water Risks on the Rise for Three Global Energy Production Hot Spots

by Tianyi Luo, Paul Reig, Andrew Maddocks and Tara Schmidt - November 07, 2013
A ship transports coal in China. Photo credit: foxxyz, Flickr

Energy and consulting firm Wood Mackenzie, supported by data and analysis from WRI’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas, surveyed water risks among the world’s top energy-producing regions. They found that three energy sectors face particularly high water risks: shale gas in the United States, coal production and coal-fired power in China, and crude oil in the Middle East.

Read more

Share

One-Quarter of World’s Agriculture Grows in Highly Water-Stressed Areas

by Francis Gassert - October 31, 2013
New WRI analysis shows that 57 percent of the world's cotton is grown in water-stressed areas. Photo credit: Stephen Morton, Flickr

A new interactive map from WRI’s Aqueduct project reveals that more than 25 percent of the world’s agriculture is grown in areas of high water stress. This figure doubles when looking at irrigated cropland, which produces 40 percent of global food supply.

This analysis highlights the tension between water availability and agricultural production. Finding a balance between these two critical resources will be essential—especially as the global population expands.

Read more

Share

Agricultural Exposure to Water Stress

This data set shows the percentage of total crop production in areas facing different levels water stress. Crop production data is overlaid on Aqueduct's baseline water stress indicator, a measure of demand and supply for water in a given area.

China’s Response to Air Pollution Poses Threat to Water

by William Hua Wen, Tianyi Luo and Tien Shiao - October 23, 2013
China's persistent smog prompted the State Council to announce an Air Pollution Control Action Plan. Photo credit: sheilaz413, Flickr

Record-setting levels of smog this week shut down Harbin, a city of 11 million people in northeast China. Officials blamed increased coal consumption during the first days of winter heating, underscoring the urgency of the China State Council’s recently announced initiative to address persistent smog in major cities.

But while the Air Pollution Control Action Plan has ambitious goals—cutting air particulates and coal consumption—it may create unintended problems for the country’s water supply.

Read more

Share

Pages

Stay Connected

Sign up for our newsletters

Get the latest commentary, upcoming events, publications, maps and data. Sign up for the biweekly WRI Digest .

Donate to WRI