Climate change is only part of the story, but humans have left a detectable footprint on the distribution of the global water supply.
Eric Holthaus shares news of a new study that analyzes data from groundwater-detecting satellites. The results of the study, published in the journal Nature, are "equal parts terrifying and long-expected," according to Holthaus.
The authors used the satellite data to construct a map of 34 rapidly changing regions around the world, painting a unified picture of current hot spots of water scarcity and excess. Nearly every activity that involves people requires water — rice farming, nuclear power, aluminum smelting, you name it — so the lives of people living where reserves are being rapidly depleted are under grave threat.
According to Holthaus, the study makes the future threat of water scarcity abundantly clear.
FULL STORY: We can now see how humans have altered Earth’s water resources
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Drought Contingency Plan Triggered for the Colorado River
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
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City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions