Climate-driven changes in the water cycle will affect large regions of the world. Credit: Friedrich Böhringer/creative commons license

By Stephen Leahy

CANCÚN, Dec 8, 2010 (IPS/TerraViva) – As the world heats up, continents are drying up, with severe droughts forecast in the future. But negotiators at the climate summit here seem to have forgotten about water in their endless discussions over forests, carbon trading and finances. Continue Reading

Irrigation near Kakamas, South Africa: sustainable use of water is especially critical in a warming world. Credit: Patrick Burnett/IPS

By Stephen Leahy

MEXICO CITY, Dec 7, 2010 (IPS/TerraViva) Africa will be amongst the hardest hit regions of the world as the climate heats up, threatening the continent’s food security, experts agree. If global temperatures rise 2.0 degrees C, southern Africa will warm an additional 1.5 degrees to a 3.5-degree increase on average. Continue Reading

Mokoro canoes on the Okavango Delta. Credit: Wikicommons

By Mantoe Phakathi

CANCÚN, Dec 7, 2010, (IPS/TerraViva) – One more thing to add to the checklist of requirement for a sound global agreement on climate change: water. Continue Reading

Maize is a food staple in Guatemala's "Dry Corridor," which has been hit by both drought and flood. Credit:Danilo Valladares/IPS.

By Danilo Valladares*

GUATEMALA CITY, Nov 23, 2010 (Tierramérica/TerraViva) – “Many people still believe that water is a gift from God.” This statement from a Guatemalan scientist alludes to Central America’s neglect of its water resources – and the subsequent impact on agriculture. Continue Reading

An irrigation pond in rural Chiapas, Mexico. Credit:Mauricio Ramos/IPS.

By Emilio Godoy*

MEXICO CITY, Nov 17, 2010 (Tierramérica/TerraViva) – Without financing, many Mexican farmers cannot improve their ageing irrigation systems, which are essential if Mexico is to withstand the effects of climate change and reduce its emissions of greenhouse-effect gases.
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