Daily News March 26, 2014

Ongoing Problem on Coal

Greenpeace Report Predicts Widespread Water Crises Caused by China’s Northwestern Coal Power Bases, Green Peace

At least some 10 billion cubic meters of water – equivalent to about one sixth of the annual total water volume of the Yellow River – will be consumed by 16 new coal power bases in China in 2015, triggering severe water crises in the country’s arid Northwest, a new Greenpeace report claims.

Renewables Aren’t Enough. Clean Coal Is the Future

Coal supplies over 40 percent of global electricity needs, and that percentage is going up. The only real question is how to minimize the damage. 

Environment and Pollution

Pollution Killed 7 Million People Worldwide in 2012, Report Finds, NY Times

From taxi tailpipes in Paris to dung-fired stoves in New Delhi, air pollution claimed seven million lives around the world in 2012, according to figures released Tuesday by the World Health Organization. 

Smog continues in north China, China Daily

Smog will persist in north China, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC).

4 percent of Chinese cities report clean air, Xinhua Net

Only three out of the 74 Chinese cities that were monitored for air quality last year reported clean air, while the large majority suffered various degrees of pollution, the Ministry of Environmental Protection said on Tuesday.

Beijing budgets for weather modification toreduce smog, China Daily

Beijing has allocated 20 million yuan ($3.23 million) for weather modification aimed at smog reduction this year in the annual budget released by the capital's meteorological bureau on Monday.

How Increased Meat Consumption In China Changes Landscapes Across The Globe, Forbes

Americans eat 235 pounds of meat annually.  That’s the equivalent of roughly 470 big hamburgers a year – more than a burger a day.

Crops and Food Security

China seeks to shore-up food security, meet demands, Agriview

The dynamic of trade is changing in China as the country looks toward expanding sources of grain to supply chain, food security and meet a growing demand for high-protein products for its rapidly expanding middle class, according to the U.S. Grains Council.

Chinese concerns over WA wheat quality, ABC

WA wheat producers are being told to lift their game or risk losing customers.

Trade

WTO rules China's export measures on rare earth inconsistent with rules, Xinhua Net

The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled on Wednesday that China had acted inconsistently with WTO rules with regard to the export measures imposed on the rare earth materials.