The Stream, October 12: Biofuels Spur Hunger

U.S. government support for biofuels and inaction on climate change are creating food price spikes and hunger in other countries, the Guardian reported, citing a new study by the Global Hunger Index. Twenty-six countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, are at extreme risk of hunger.

Yemen could face a humanitarian crisis on a par with that of Somalia if the international community fails to act, according to the U.N. aid chief, AlertNet reported. Conflict, poverty, drought and food prices are pushing the Arab country to the edge.

A fight over hydraulic fracturing is brewing in North Carolina as the state’s public hearings on oil and gas exploration began Monday. Geologists found promising natural gas deposits along a 150-mile stretch in the state, the Associated Press reported.

Twenty-five American states are pressuring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to delay finalizing new rules on air and water pollution from power plants, according to Reuters. The states say the rules would shut down a number of coal-fired plants and increase unemployment.

A massive cholera outbreak in central and western Africa has claimed 2,466 lives so far this year, Times Live reported, citing the the United Nations. The outbreak is “one of the worst ever” in the region, according to the UN Children’s Fund.

Researchers have discovered plumes of fresh water at the bottom of the Dead Sea, deeper than any previous plumes found, according to Grist.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek