There is a growing global movement to recognise the rights of rivers, writes Debadityo Sinha. But rights alone are not enough. We must love and respect rivers, and even think like rivers to understand the vital functions they perform within landscapes and ecosystems, and so discover where their 'best interests' truly lie. And then we must be willing to act: protecting rivers and restoring them to health and wholeness.
… To discover the 'rights of a river', first think like a river Debadityo Sinha | 22nd May 2017 Comment … global movement to recognise the rights of rivers, writes Debadityo Sinha. But rights …
Auctioning-off rivers for private gain has severe social and environmental impacts. But there is a better way.
… The privatization of rivers in Chile Andrés Kogan Valderrama | 22nd January 2020 News Rivers Hydro Power Environmental Rights Rights … Editor’s Picks rio_maipo.jpg Auctioning-off rivers for private gain has severe social and …
With some climate predictions warning that river water temperatures will exceed safe thresholds for river fish, the Keep Rivers Cool (KRC) campaign is calling for more riverside tree planting.
… Why we need to keep rivers cool with riverside tree planting The Ecologist | 10th August 2016 News Rivers Fish Campaigning Climate Change keeping …
A new 'State of the World's Rivers' database shows how the world's rivers have been impoverished by dams and their ecosystems devastated - and provides a valuable resource to help save river basins that remain in good health.
… Dams versus rivers - the global battle The Ecologist | 26th August 2014 News Water rivers-atlas.jpg A new 'State of the World's Rivers' database shows how the world's rivers …
Cities all over Britain are threaded by 'lost rivers' that have been hidden away in tunnels and culverts. Jenny Jones argues that it's time to restore them to a more natural state - improving habitats for wildlife and people, and reducing flood risk.
… New life for our lost urban rivers! Jenny Jones | 24th March 2014 Comment … Cities all over Britain are threaded by 'lost rivers' that have been hidden away in tunnels … breached the weaknesses in our coastal and river defences causing widespread disruption …
Should rivers be given legal rights like humans? A Bristol campaigner is testing the waters of British law in an effort to protect the Avon from further pollution.
… The rights of rivers Billy Stockwell | 9th August 2022 | News Rivers Pollution Ecocide Law Bristol Bristol … Should rivers be given legal rights like humans? A … pollution. Perched on the dusty bank of the River Avon at Conham River Park just a few …
So much methane is bubbling into a river surrounded by hundreds of fracking wells that it's a fire hazard! Local campaigners blame the coal seam gas industry for the gas releases which are spreading along Queensland's river Condamine and gaining in intensity.
… Australian river on fire with fracked coal seam gas The … Gas Climate Change Energy jeremy buckingham river fire and boat-cut.jpg So much methane is bubbling into a river surrounded by hundreds of fracking wells …
Large scale salmon deaths are imminent on the Klamath River and its tributaries in northern California due to low flows and high temperatures. Native American tribes are protesting in the state capital as federal agencies illegally prioritize water for large scale agribusiness over fish and indigenous people.
… Fish before agribusiness! California river tribes demand water Oliver Tickell | … salmon deaths are imminent on the Klamath River and its tributaries in northern … and supporters from the Trinity and Klamath Rivers are protesting this week at the Bureau …
The Amazon forest both depends on, and sustains, vast 'flying rivers' that carry humid air and clouds deep into the continental interior, writes Jan Rocha. But scientists fear the flying rivers are failing due to deforestation, fire and climate change.
… Drought bites as the Amazon's 'flying rivers' fail Jan Rocha | 20th September 2014 … Forests Water Farming Science amazon-flying-river-cut.jpg The Amazon forest both depends on, and sustains, vast 'flying rivers' that carry humid air and clouds deep …
Humans are to blame for the drastic declines in river dolphin populations around the world, writes Rachel Nuwer. But what exactly are we doing wrong? Mainly, scientists have found, it's building dams - and so destroying and fragmenting their habitat.
… are to blame for the drastic declines in river dolphin populations around the world, … exist outside of salty waters. They are the river dolphins, comprised of several species … Ganges, Brahmaputra , Mekong and Irrawaddy rivers in Asia, as well as South America's …
Household sewage waste rather than farm slurry should be the target of tough pollution measures to reduce phosphorus levels in English rivers, says study
… Water companies, not farmers, to blame for river pollution The Ecologist | 15th April … per cent of the total phosphorus entering rivers in England and Wales Household sewage … to reduce phosphorus levels in English rivers, says study Phosphorus from human and …
In California, water no longer runs to the sea - it runs towards money, writes Will Parrish. Most of the state's water is already controlled by agribusiness elites. Now, backed by politicians, they are planning to grab the little that's left, leaving nature and indigenous communities high and dry.
… Stealing the Sacramento River - California agro-barons' last huge … th century. The Hoover Dam (on the Colorado River), which began operation in 1936, was the … With regard to the world's biggest concrete river plugs, Shasta Dam (upper Sacramento …
ELISA HORNETT and RITA MENDONCA report on a life-affirming canoe expedition along Brazil’s Xingu River to visit communities who say their land and livelihoods have been violated by the building of a hydroelectric plant
… Mendonça | 24th August 2018 Comment Xingu River Brazil Indigenous Peoples … canoe expedition along Brazil’s Xingu River to visit communities who say their land … when we arrived at the shores of the Xingu River. Artificial lights were shining on the …
The free-flowing Salween is the last big undammed river in Southeast Asia, home to a flurry of endangered species including tigers and clouded leopards, writes Tom Fawthrop in Hpa-an, Karen State, Myanmar. And thanks to support from both the indigenous Karen people, and senior officials in China who see the huge ecotourism potential of the river and its dramatic gorge, it could just stay that way.
… Salween: Southeast Asia's last major undammed river Tom Fawthorp | 13th June 2016 News Burma … free-flowing Salween is the last big undammed river in Southeast Asia, home to a flurry of … who see the huge ecotourism potential of the river and its dramatic gorge, it could just …
Hormone-disrupting pollutants in the urban rivers of South Wales are having adverse effects on the health and development of wild birds such as dippers, writes Steve Ormerod. Could this humble bird be the 'new canary' for environmental toxins?
… - our canary in the coal mine for polluted rivers Steve Ormerod | 21st May 2014 Comment … Hormone-disrupting pollutants in the urban rivers of South Wales are having adverse … the chicks of dippers feeding along urban rivers have depressed thyroid hormone activity …
While households and small feel the brunt of California's drought, it's business as usual for agribusiness, writes Will Parrish. And despite the 'first user' principle that determines water rights, the state's indigenous tribes and the wild salmon on which they depend, have been left high and dry. The Public Trust Doctrine could change that - but only if the people demand it.
… by September 30. Lake Folsom on the American River - the main water source for Roseville, … year. New Melones Reservoir on the Stanislaus River in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, … of water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta into California's southern canals …
Efforts to clean up the Jukskei River are to be applauded but fall far short of what's really needed to return it to the former glory so many Johannesburg residents still remember writes LELYZAVETA IVANOVA
… up the iconic but highly polluted Jukskei River Ielyzaveta Ivanova South Africa | 27th October 2016 Comment Pollution Sewerage Rivers South Africa E.coli Townships jukskei river.jpg Efforts to clean up the Jukskei …
Plans for the future of the canalised Los Angeles River have brought both praise and protest. But mostly it is ignored and unloved by the city population. Urban geographer BRADLEY GARRETT walked its length and met the people closest to its banks
… is causing waves on the Los Angeles River Bradley Garrett | 24th April 2018 … Redevelopment Gentrification los_angeles_river_through_downtown_evening.jpg Plans for the future of the canalised Los Angeles River have brought both praise and protest. …
Changes to natural drainage processes in headwaters, rivers, floodplains and river channels has increased the UK's vulnerability to heavy rainfall, write Neil Entwistle & George Heritage. And to put things right, we must first gather the detailed evidence of what took place in recent floods. The Environment Agency must publish all its data, maps and images - now!
… Changes to our rivers and floodplains have exacerbated … Water The Land Science Flooding Politics UK river-eden-cut.jpg Changes to natural drainage processes in headwaters, rivers, floodplains and river channels has …
Although flowing water is fundamental to river ecosystems, temporary streams are distinctive landscape features that support surprisingly diverse communities, writes Rachel Stubbington. However, the biodiversity of these dynamic ecosystems needs greater recognition and protection.
… Dry rivers are living rivers - with our care and protection Rachel … Water Natural World Ecology Conservation Rivers UK Science temporary streams are … Although flowing water is fundamental to river ecosystems, temporary streams are …
Since colonising Tibet in 1959, China has ripped out virgin forests, dug up minerals and metals, and dumped nuclear waste with little regard for the fragile ecology of the Tibetan plateau.
… | 1st June 2004 News World Bank International Rivers Dams Water Tibet China Dams … any water that is left in the mostly dried-up river beds is black and deadly. There are … – the Tibetan plateau, where 10 of the great rivers of Asia begin their journey through 11 …
Bangladesh's Sundarbans forest, home of incredibly rich biodiversity, is under unprecedented threat, writes ASMG Kibria. The recent oil tanker capsize on the Shela river puts the forest at risk of widespread biodiversity loss, but just this week, the authorities re-opened the Shela river to shipping with no restrictions on hazardous cargoes.
… As rivers re-open to shipping, oil threat to … The recent oil tanker capsize on the Shela river puts the forest at risk of widespread … week, the authorities re-opened the Shela river to shipping with no restrictions on …
Findings have important implications for management of urban rivers - including how river clean-ups are conducted.
… | News Biodiversity University Of Nottingham Rivers river_otter_devon.jpg Findings have important … implications for management of urban rivers - including how river clean-ups are …