The Stream, December 7: Heat and Drought in UK Made 30 Times More Likely by Manmade Climate Change, Study Claims

The Global Rundown

The United Kingdom’s scorching summer was made 30 times more likely by human-driven global warming, a government report claims. Heavy rains cause flash floods in recently-burned areas of southern California. A 2015 Colorado mine spill did not cause long-lasting impacts on fish and other aquatic life, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says. Thames Water, Britain’s largest water utility, blames lingering leakage issues on extreme temperatures. Restaurants in Pune, India, conserve resources by only serving half-full glasses of water.

“We serve only half glasses of water and we don’t refill unless asked, the leftover water is recycled and used for watering plants and cleaning the floor.” –Ganesh Shetty, president of the Pune Restaurant and Hoteliers’ Association, in reference to water-saving measures undertaken by nearly 400 restaurants in the Indian city. According to one restaurant owner, serving half-full glasses of water allows the restaurant to save nearly 800 liters (211 gallons) of water per day. BBC

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By The Numbers

683 million liters (180 million gallons) Total water lost to leakages between March and September 2018 by Thames Water, Britain’s largest water company. Thames Water blames the ongoing leakage issues on volatile temperatures in the UK this year, including last winter’s cold snap and this summer’s heatwave. The Guardian

11.4 million liters (3 million gallons) Wastewater that was accidentally released from Colorado’s inactive Gold King Mine in 2015. The spill polluted waterways in Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah with iron, aluminum, and other metals. A new report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that fish and other aquatic life did not suffer severe or long-term harm from the spill. AP

Science, Studies, And Reports

The stifling heatwave that struck the United Kingdom this summer was made 30 times more likely by manmade global warming, claims a report from the country’s Meteorological Office. The hot weather caused several deaths and left farmers without adequate water supplies. Researchers warn that similar heatwaves could occur every other year by 2050 unless cuts to greenhouse gas emissions are made. The Guardian

On The Radar

Just weeks after the worst wildfires in California history, the state is experiencing torrential rainfall. Flash floods have struck parts of southern California and washed debris onto the Pacific Coast Highway. The National Weather Service has advised residents to be aware of potential moving-flows and debris in burn scar areas. Los Angeles Times

Kayla Ritter

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