Below is a sample of news articles on the topic of water published in the last month. Good news, bad news, out of this world news (like the fact that they found water on the moon).
Whatever the news, may the Holy Spirit help us discern if the news story is also a call to prayer. Our planet needs all the help it can get.
MOON
Scientists Have Discovered That There is Water Under the Moon’s Surface: New research from Brown University suggests that huge amounts of water may be found under the surface of the Moon. The presence of water in the Moon’s mantle could provide insight to how water got to Earth and help sustain future deep space missions.
VENUZUELA
Venezuelans Stockpile Food and Water Ahead of Maduro Power Grab: Venezuelans are stockpiling scarce food and water as tensions mount ahead of a widely criticized Sunday vote that President Nicolas Maduro has called to elect an assembly of supporters to rewrite the constitution and strengthen his grip on power.
USA
The Trump administration is ramping up its war on clean water: There is a serious, concerted effort going on to undermine clean water.
FUTURE
Why Some Western Water Agencies Are Writing 100-Year Water Plans: Climate change is causing water managers to think long term about their resources. Several western agencies are planning a century in advance, but that’s not without its headaches.
ROME
‘Drastic’ water rationing looms for Rome as drought blights Italy: Some of the driest weather to affect Italy’s in 60 years and Rome’s notoriously leaky pipes has left the city’s residents fearing water rationing.
INDIA
India’s Water-Energy Nexus: India’s water crisis is impacting its energy supply. What can be done?
PROGRESS
New, reusable filter cleans heavy metals from water: A chemist from Rice University and a high school student have developed a filter that can remove toxic heavy metals from the water.
HEAVY
Women carry more than their fair share of the world’s water: The task of providing water for households falls disproportionately to women and girls.
AUSTRALIA
Murray-Darling Basin Plan: SA Water Minister ‘shocked’ by upstream revelations: SA’s Water Minister has launched a scathing attack of the New South Wales Government’s conduct of Murray-Darling Basin water management and repeated calls for a judicial inquiry.
KENYA
Thirsty city: after months of water rationing Nairobi may run dry: The rains have been poor while demand for water grows along with the city – there are solutions but they will mean radical action
SWEDEN
Sweden’s water shortage: What you need to know: It may not be something commonly associated with a northern European nation, but Sweden is currently fretting over water shortages in several parts of the country, and there are already visible consequences. Here’s everything you need to know about the situation.
BEST PRACTICE
How Conservation Helps Keep Water Costs Down: Water rates may be rising in some places, but new research shows that they don’t rise as much with conservation, says Mary Ann Dickinson of the Alliance for Water Efficiency.
ISRAEL/PALESTINE
Israel, Palestinian Authority reach water-sharing deal: Israel and the Palestinian Authority have reached a water-sharing deal to bring relief to parched Palestinian communities, in a breakthrough announced during the latest visit to the region by the US Middle East envoy.
HOT SPOTS
Global hotspots for potential water conflict identified: More than 1,400 new dams or water diversion projects are planned or already under construction and many of them are on rivers flowing through multiple nations, fueling the potential for increased water conflict between some countries.
NATURE
Forget Sharks: 7 Things in the Water Swimmers Should Actually Fear: Shark attacks are rare, but watch out for these nasty parasites
How then shall we live?
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (New Living Translation)
All month I’ve been publishing posts on the theme of water.
Here’s an overview.