The Stream, September 5: Malaria Risk From African Dams Will Increase Under Climate Change

The Global Rundown

Living near dams will become riskier for many people in Africa as climate change expands the area vulnerable to malaria, a study found. China and the United States announced their commitment to ratifying the Paris climate agreement. Indigenous communities in Peru are raising concerns about a proposed electrical transmission line that would cross the largest Ramsar wetland in Latin America. A dispute over Cauvery River water continues between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Developers in Sydney say a new business and residential complex will produce more water than it uses.

“Despite our differences on other issues, we hope our willingness to work together on this issue will inspire further ambition and further action around the world.” –U.S. President Barack Obama, after he and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced over the weekend that their two countries would ratify the Paris climate agreement to cut carbon emissions. Together, the United States and China account for almost 40 percent of emissions worldwide. (The New York Times)

By The Numbers

1 million liters Amount of recycled water developers expect Sydney’s Barangaroo South commercial and residential complex to produce each day. That number is double the amount of fresh water the complex is expected to use, making it “net positive” for water. Guardian

8 percent Proportion of paddy fields that have been planted in the Cauvery River Basin of India’s Karnataka state due to low water availability. Officials in the state cite the number as a reason they cannot release more water downstream to Tamil Nadu. Times of India

Science, Studies, And Reports

Rising temperatures due to climate change will expand the areas vulnerable to malaria transmission, increasing the health risk to people living near dams, according to a study led by researchers at the University of California. By 2080, 25 million people living near dams in Africa will be at risk and there could be 3 million dam-related malaria cases each year. Reuters

On The Radar

A proposed 586-kilometer electrical transmission line in Peru would cut through the Abanico del Rio Pastaza, the largest Ramsar wetland in Latin America. Indigenous communities that live in the region warn that the project would destroy forests and biodiversity, as well as open the remote area to the logging and mining industries. Guardian