Myth and realities about dams and droughts
June 26, 2017
Much has been written about the building of hydropower dams in the upper reaches of the Mekong River, especially Lancang River in China, and their role in causing droughts in the Mekong delta region in Vietnam. Many environmental and social activists claim Chinese dams have reduced the water flowing in the delta, seriously harming rice cultivation and allowing saltwater to flow into the delta.… Read More
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t: Myth-busting on the Mekong’s hydropower dams
June 26, 2017
The countries of the Mekong Basin need to stop blaming each other for water woes and get on with creating a sustainable and coordinated plan for the region.… Read More
The smart city-state: Why smart city initiatives must go beyond just technology
June 23, 2017
As countries around the world seek innovative solutions to urban challenges, Cecilia Tortajada and Cheryl Wong take a look at Singapore’s efforts to build a sustainable city through public engagement.… Read More
China’s groundwater crisis: Will policy come to the rescue?
June 20, 2017
In China, significant efforts have been made to address water shortages in scarcity-prone regions, including pipeline transfers, desalination, and stronger urban design standards. Nevertheless, depletion of groundwater continues and the impacts are dire, both for individual users and for urban health and safety in general.
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India’s wells are running dry, fast
June 16, 2017
Over the past three years, the monsoon – the rainy season that runs from June through September, depending on the region – has been weak or delayed across much of India, causing widespread water shortages.… Read More
Trump’s trade tactics will hurt American agriculture
June 8, 2017
US Corn Belt economies may nosedive as Mexican farmers are incentivised to produce more even as the country is forced to mull food diversification.… Read More
Food Policy in Singapore
By Cecilia Tortajada and Zhang Hongzhou, 2017. Article published in Reference Module in Food Science, pages 1-7.… Read More
Without conservation there is no option (in Hindi)
May 21, 2017
This article is the main editorial piece in the special weekend edition of Dainik Jagran (in Hindi) entitled, “The Story of Water.”… Read More
Water as a Human Right
By Cecilia Tortajada and Asit K. Biswas, 2017. Article published in International Journal of Water Resources Development, Volume 37, Issue 4, pages 509-511.… Read More