The Stream, December 22: Floods, Droughts, and Other Disasters Could Drive One Million Migrants to Europe Each Year by 2100
The Global Rundown
A United States federal judge rules that groups can continue their lawsuit with the EPA over drinking water fluoridation. California regulators claim that Nestle lacks the valid permits to withdraw spring water from the San Bernardino National Forest. India introduces an anti-smog water cannon to help fight pollution in New Delhi. Heavy rainfall drenches Hawaii for several days, causing flash floods and landslides. Up to one million migrants a year could enter the European Union by 2100 if the frequency of droughts, floods, and heatwaves continues to increase.
“This is definitely not the solution. You can use it occasionally at sensitive locations but the solution to pollution lies in controlling it at the source rather than spraying water on it.” –Sunil Dahiya, a Greenpeace spokesperson, in reference to a newly-engineered water cannon that India hopes will combat New Delhi’s smog. The cannon can reportedly blast up to 100 liters of water per minute and clear 95 percent of airborne particles, but environmentalists have criticized the project’s for not addressing the primary causes of pollution. The Guardian
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By The Numbers
8.5 million gallons Amount of water that Nestle is drawing from the San Bernardino National Forest without valid permits, according to a recent review by California state regulators. Nestle, which sells Arrowhead bottled water, claims that it inherited the forest rights more than a century ago. ABC News
1 to 2 inches Amount of rain that fell per hour in parts of Hawaii on Wednesday night. Heavy showers continued into Thursday, causing flash floods, landslides, and damaged roads. Honolulu Star Advertiser
Science, Studies, And Reports
Climate change could cause an enormous influx of migrants seeking asylum in Europe, according to a new study. Researchers predict that the amount of people entering the EU could reach 1 million per year by 2100 if drought, floods, and other natural disasters continue to devastate Asia, Africa, and other parts of the globe. The Guardian
On The Radar
Opponents of fluoridated drinking water can move forward with a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Toxic Substances Control Act, a federal judge ruled on Thursday. The EPA had been attempting to dismiss a lawsuit by several groups who claim fluoride can cause neurological damage. Reuters
Kayla Ritter is a recent graduate of Michigan State University, where she studied International Relations and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She is currently based in Manton, Michigan. Kayla enjoys running, writing, and traveling. Contact Kayla Ritter
