The Stream, June 10, 2020: Demographics Shift in Coastal Florida as Sea Levels Rise

The Global Rundown

Rising sea levels close in on Miami and other parts of coastal Florida. A recent fuel spill in Norilsk, Russia, allegedly reaches the pristine Lake Pyasino. Thailand unveils a $319 million aid package for the drought-hit sugarcane industry. The city of Waukesha, Wisconsin, moves closer to drawing its water supply from Lake Michigan. Water stress increases for families in West Bengal, India, in the wake of Cyclone Amphan.

“You can fight one problem. But now they are multiple – no drinking water, no food, no roof over our heads or earnings.” –Radha Naskar, a resident of India’s Sundarbans delta region, in reference to the devastation caused by Cyclone Amphan, which hit West Bengal, India, on May 20. Naskar and many others have been forced to travel long distances to fetch water in the wake of the storm, which washed away homes and infrastructure. The cyclone also contaminated groundwater, ponds, and crops with saltwater. Reuters

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By The Numbers

2.8 feet Amount that sea levels could rise in Miami, Florida, by 2060. Miami, as well as other coastal cities, are at increasing risk for inundation and saltwater intrusion, and many areas will likely be underwater by the end of the century. The situation is beginning to cause a demographic shift in certain areas, as the value of homes in flood zones dips, and some developers try to convince residents in lower-income inland areas to sell. The Nation

In context: Tracking the Atlantic Ocean’s Inland Creep in Miami-Dade County. 

$319 million Size of an aid package that the Thai government will distribute to drought-stricken sugarcane farmers. Thailand’s sugarcane production is currently down by 40 percent due to dry conditions. Reuters 

Science, Studies, and Reports

A regional official announced that a diesel spill originating in Norilsk, Russia, has reached Lake Pyasino, a pristine waterbody that feeds the Pyasina River and ultimately the Arctic Ocean. Norilsk Nickel, the company behind the spill, denies that the contamination reached Lake Pyasino, claiming that the spill has been contained. Reuters

On the Radar

The city of Waukesha, Wisconsin, is moving closer to using Lake Michigan as a water source. Earlier this month, the city awarded $97 million in construction contracts, with building expected to start later this summer. Connection to Lake Michigan, which requires 35 miles of pipelines roundtrip, is expected to be completed by 2023. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 

In context: Waukesha Great Lakes Diversion Approved. 

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