Switzerland Pledges 50 Percent Emissions Cut by 2030

The Global Rundown

Switzerland pledged emission cuts for a global climate deal in Paris, India’s groundwater is declining, and Sao Paulo mineral water deliveries are on the rise. Water infrastructure inefficiencies are losing billions of gallons globally. A deadly fungus was discovered in Madagascar’s frog populations, and a new iron mine is off the table in northern Wisconsin. Light bulbs and boats are just some of the new uses people are finding for old water bottles.

“This objective of a 50% reduction in emissions reflects Switzerland’s responsibility for climate warming and the potential cost of emissions reduction measures in Switzerland and abroad over the 2020-2030 period.” –Swiss government in a statement pledging its contribution to a global climate change deal to be signed in Paris this December. Switzerland is the first country to formally pledge emission reductions for the deal. (Guardian)

By The Numbers

46 billion liters Amount of drinking water lost globally each day before it reaches consumers due to leaky systems, theft, and other inefficiencies. Guardian

54 percent Amount of groundwater wells surveyed in India where water levels declined over the past seven years. Sixteen percent of those wells decreased by more than 1 meter each year. Bloomberg

10 percent Average recovery rate globally of the plastic that makes up plastic water bottles. This slideshow details some innovative ways that the world is reusing its plastic water bottles. Bloomberg

Science, Studies, And Reports

Scientists found frogs in Madagascar infected with the Bd chytrid fungus that has pushed many global frog populations to the brink of extinction. The researchers worry that the fungus could decimate populations of the 500 endemic frog species in Madagascar. Guardian

On The Radar

Plans for a major new iron mine in northern Wisconsin stopped Friday following an announcement by the company that wetlands in the area made the mine unfeasible. The mine was sharply contested in the state due to concerns over water pollution and the destruction of wild rice beds. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Demand for mineral water delivers has more than doubled in Sao Paulo in the past few months, according to the city’s deliverymen. The water is brought in large jugs from outside of the city’s water system, which is running dry due to drought and mismanagement. Los Angeles Times

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