The Stream, June 9: World Demands Climate Change Action, Survey Shows

The Global Rundown

A global survey found that more than 60 percent of people want countries to reach a climate change deal this year. Mine tailings dams threaten rivers and communities in British Columbia and Alaska, while water is a central concern for those protesting Peru’s Tia Maria copper mine. Flash floods hit central Switzerland, and May was the wettest month on record in the contiguous United States. California is considering a ban on plastic microbeads.

“Like all the valleys along Peru’s coast, water is not abundant. People fear the mine will impact the amount of available water. While the new EIA states desalinized sea-water will be used, the concern is the impact on underground water reserves, which constitute 50 percent of the flow of the main river in the region.”–José de Echave, of the Peru-based nongovernmental organization CooperAccion, on protests against the country’s Tia Maria copper mining project. The project is currently Peru’s “biggest environmental conflict,” according to reporter David Hill. (Guardian)

By The Numbers

63 percent People globally who believe countries should do “whatever it takes” to reach a climate change deal this year limiting temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius, according to an extensive survey by the Worldwide Views on Climate and Energy project. Guardian

2 people Died in flash floods in central Switzerland following heavy rain storms Monday. The Local

11.07 centimeters Precipitation total in the contiguous United States for the month of May, making it the wettest month in 121 years of record keeping. NOAA

Science, Studies, And Reports

Tailings dam failures in British Columbia and southern Alaska could potentially harm more than 200 communities, according to a report released by the B.C. First Nations Energy and Mining Council. The report comes after the failure of the Mount Polley mine tailings dam in British Columbia spilled mine waste into nearby rivers last year. Alaska Public Media

On The Radar

California may pass a law banning the sale of personal care products containing plastic microbeads, including those that claim to be biodegradable. Microbeads can pass through wastewater treatment systems, polluting rivers, lakes, and oceans. Guardian

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