The Stream, November 29: Water Supplies to Libya’s Capital Cut by Militants
The Global Rundown
A Libyan militant group cuts water supplies to the country’s capital for the second time in two months. Prolonged drought kills off many of Zimbabwe’s medicinal plants. A new report criticizes efforts by the U.S. and Canada to protect the Great Lakes. The United Kingdom’s largest water company halves planned price increases after failing to meet leakage targets. Deforestation in the Amazon threatens to starve São Paulo, Brazil, of its water.
“We should not transform the Amazon into pastureland. The Amazon creates a movement of water. If you could follow a molecule of water you would see that most of the clouds that are over São Paulo have passed across the Amazon. If the forest is cut, we’ll be in trouble.” –Jerson Kelman, president of water company Sabesp, in reference to the possibility that deforestation will cause another major drought in São Paulo. Two years ago, Kelman played an integral role in steering the city away from catastrophe during an unprecedented dry spell. Experts warn that another water shortage may develop in the near future if deforestation continues. The Guardian
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By The Numbers
£8 Amount that the average household will save on their annual bill after Thames Water announced it would halve planned price increases. The decision came after the water company, which serves 5 million households, failed to meet leakage targets. The Guardian
25 years Length of time since Zimbabwe’s devastating 1992 drought, after which the country’s supply of medicinal plants began to disappear. Dry spells have become increasingly frequent since then, and many plant species have disappeared entirely. Reuters
Science, Studies, And Reports
A new report by the International Joint Commission pinpoints a variety of improvements that the United States and Canada must make to rid the Great Lakes of dangerous pollution. Although parts of the Great Lakes have been restored in recent decades, the report declares that not enough has been done to make the lakes safe for drinking, swimming, and fishing. ABC News
On The Radar
Libyan authorities are attempting to negotiate with a militant group that cut Tripoli’s water supply for the second time in two months. According to officials, the water cuts are part of a strategy to pressure the government to free a jailed ally. 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
