Core Insights - The report from Morgan Stanley reveals that the water consumption of AI data centers is expected to exceed 100 billion liters by 2028, highlighting a significant risk due to the inability to transport water across regions like electricity [1][9][10] - The focus on energy consumption overlooks the critical issue of water scarcity, which is becoming a local project killer for data centers [6][12] Water Consumption Projections - By 2028, the direct cooling and electricity production consumption of AI data centers is projected to reach 106.8 billion liters [9] - In an optimistic scenario, this figure could rise to 148.5 billion liters, while even in a pessimistic scenario, it would still be 63.7 billion liters [10][11] Localized Water Resource Risks - The real bottleneck is not the total water consumption but the localized availability of water resources, which cannot be easily transported [12][14] - Recent examples include Amazon's "Project Blue" being rejected in Tucson, Arizona, due to high water and electricity demands, and opposition to AI data center plans in North Lincolnshire, UK, due to existing water supply issues [14][15] Technological Adaptation - Tech giants are being forced to innovate to survive in a water-scarce environment, focusing on technologies that significantly reduce Water Usage Efficiency (WUE) [16] - Examples of emerging technologies include microchannel cooling plates and the use of natural cooling sources, such as Google's project in Finland utilizing seawater [17][18] Regulatory Landscape - Regulatory bodies are increasingly focused on water usage standards for data centers, with regions like Singapore and Malaysia setting strict WUE targets, and the EU planning mandatory minimum performance standards by 2026 [19][20][21] Beneficiaries of Water Solutions - Companies specializing in water treatment solutions, such as Ecolab, Toray Industries, Veolia, and DuPont, are expected to benefit from the rising demand for water resource management as data center operators strive for water sustainability [22]

Core Points - Iraq's Foreign Minister Hussein signed a water resource cooperation framework agreement with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan to address Iraq's severe water crisis [1] - The agreement aims to provide sustainable solutions through large-scale cooperative projects [1] - Iraqi President Rashid called for fair water distribution policies from Turkey to ensure adequate water allocation for the Tigris and Euphrates rivers [1] Water Resource Crisis - Iraq is experiencing its most severe water crisis since 1933 due to insufficient rainfall and reduced upstream water flow [1] - Water shortages have led to a reduction in arable land and increased soil salinization, posing significant challenges to agricultural development [1]

近日，江西第三大水库南城县洪门水库水面承包经营权的拍卖成交，引起了大量的关注和担忧。一家成立仅6天、注册资本1500万元且采用认缴制的公 司，以每年1300万元的价格获得了面积5.5万余亩的水库水面20年承包经营权。网友们的担忧不只是因为此次交易的过程有可疑之处，更重要的是，此次 交易触动了大家对公共资产变相私有化趋势的忧虑。 近年来，全球范围内的水资源危机也引发了多国民众的抗议。水资源危机与金融资本主导下的工业化农业扩张直接相关。在金融投资者看来，水资源危机 正是攫取高额利润的契机。在当前水资源变得愈发稀缺的情况下，他们加紧了全球范围的圈地和水资源掠夺，用以生产高经济价值作物。这些农业公司圈 地的区域往往位于水资源已经稀缺或枯竭的地方，其所发展的耗水农业很难持续几十年，但这些金融公司通常计划在10到15年内退出，只要能在此期间获 利，他们并不关心当地水资源的枯竭问题。 金融资本和大型农业公司对水资源的攫取，直接影响了当地的小规模粮食生产者、地方社区的用水，一些地区甚至连饮用水都受到了影响。因此，农业企 业与当地社区居民和小生产者之间的水资源冲突在各地都在爆发。抗议者反对水资源私有化，并提出了"集体控制水资源 ...