The Stream, November 24: Weather Disasters Increased 14 Percent In Last Decade

The Global Rundown

The number of natural disasters occurring each year has increased, according to a new report from the United Nations. Floods could put thousands at risk in Ethiopia, while China is pursuing a project to guard its cities against flooding. Newly installed sensors aim to protect Paris’ water supply from a terrorist attack. Farmers and herders are competing for scarcer land and water resources in Kenya. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are asking Congress not to fund the new clean water rule.

“We can’t let our animals die, yet there are plenty of pastures and water in these farms. When hungry, the cows leave the manyattas (the pastoralists’ homesteads) in the middle of the night. We find them in other people’s farms in the morning.”–William Ekidor, a pastoralist in Kenya, on the increasing struggle between farmers and herders for land and water resources. (Reuters)

By The Numbers

210,600 people Number expected to be affected by floods in Ethiopia, with more than 100,000 of those at risk of displacement. Reliefweb

16 pilot cities Number included in China’s “sponge city” project, which aims to incorporate green infrastructure to reduce flooding. Grist

88 U.S. lawmakers Number who are asking the U.S. House Appropriations Committee not to fund the Environmental Protection Agency’s new clean water rule, which has been opposed by more than half the states. The Hill

Science, Studies, And Reports

The annual average number of weather-related disasters like floods and droughts increased 14 percent over the past 10 years when compared to the previous decade, according to a report released by the United Nations. The report did not conclude that climate change caused the increase, but predicted that it would lead to more extreme weather in the future. Reuters

On The Radar

Utilities in Paris have installed sensors in the city’s water network to detect any contaminants in the water supply ahead of the United Nations climate talks next week. The actions are in response to concerns about a terrorist attack during the major international summit. Reuters

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