Energy
Hydropower is the most important and widely used renewable source of energy, providing 19 per cent of total electricity production in 2001. Industrialized countries are exploiting about 70 per cent of their electricity potential, compared to 15 per cent in developing countries, according to the report. Canada is the largest producer, followed by the United States and Brazil. Untapped hydro-resources are still abundant in Latin America, India and China.
“By developing half of this potential, we could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 13 per cent”, says the report. However, it also points to the many negative impacts of dam construction, including displacement of local populations and environmental damage (like loss of biodiversity and wetlands).
World Water Portal
The World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP), together with other partners, is developing the World Water Portal, to provide seamless access to a wide body of water information to decision-makers, water managers, technicians and the public at large. Before going global, a prototype water portal has been developed for the Americas to test ways of sharing information among local, national and regional water organizations.
http://www.waterportal-americas.org
Hydropower is the most important and widely used renewable source of energy, providing 19 per cent of total electricity production in 2001. Industrialized countries are exploiting about 70 per cent of their electricity potential, compared to 15 per cent in developing countries, according to the report. Canada is the largest producer, followed by the United States and Brazil. Untapped hydro-resources are still abundant in Latin America, India and China.
“By developing half of this potential, we could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 13 per cent”, says the report. However, it also points to the many negative impacts of dam construction, including displacement of local populations and environmental damage (like loss of biodiversity and wetlands).
World Water Portal
The World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP), together with other partners, is developing the World Water Portal, to provide seamless access to a wide body of water information to decision-makers, water managers, technicians and the public at large. Before going global, a prototype water portal has been developed for the Americas to test ways of sharing information among local, national and regional water organizations.
http://www.waterportal-americas.org