Human Wrongs Watch

By Helena Meresman*, 1 September, 2014, Greenpeace — Safe, affordable and accessible water is one of our planet’s scarcest natural resources. Many people don’t have access to fresh water for sanitation, agriculture, or even to drink.

Photo: Umut Vedat | Greenpeace | Old cooling water area in south east Turkey. Local people claim that the ash produced dries up rivers and agricultural lands in the area.

Photo credit: Umut Vedat | Greenpeace | Old cooling water area in south east Turkey. Local people claim that the ash produced dries up rivers and agricultural lands in the area.

Yet, global water consumption by the power sector is growing; it’s expected to more than double by 2035, with coal projects accounting for 50% of increased water use. Vast quantities of water are used in coal mining, coal washing and for cooling coal-fired power plants.

We cannot allow coal interests to grab already scarce water resources and at the same time dramatically increase their carbon pollution. That will only accelerate climate change and make water shortages even more acute.

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