The Stream, September 8, 2021: Climate Change Poses The Biggest Threat to Public Health, Experts Say

YOUR GLOBAL RUNDOWN

• President Biden visited communities along the U.S. East Coast that were devastated by the remnants of Hurricane Ida.
• Nearly 30 counties and districts in northwest China are experiencing drought amid high temperatures and low levels of rainfall.
• Mining projects in Mexico are being delayed by issues obtaining water permits.
• In an unprecedented joint statement, hundreds of medical journals said climate change is the biggest threat to global public health.

The UK Environment Agency told water firms to temporarily reduce the amount of chemicals used to treat wastewater amid distribution issues.

“Inevitably these issues are now beginning to impact our water supply. As such we’re now calling on government for urgent and increased action to help tackle these issues.” – Tim Doggett, chief executive of the CBA. Amid a shortage of truck drivers, the UK Environment Agency has temporarily given water firms permissions to reduce the amount of chemicals used for wastewater treatment. The BBC reports Water UK said there was no shortage of chemicals, just issues with distribution.

President Biden Visits East Coast Communities Devastated By Hurricane Ida

President Joe Biden visited communities in New York and New Jersey that were devastated by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. The trip, The New York Times reports, aimed to build support for an infrastructure package Biden has promised would help safeguard against future storms. The governors of both New York and New Jersey announced the Biden administration had declared areas in both states major disaster zones and they had been granted federal aid money.

TODAY’S TOP WATER STORIES, TOLD IN NUMBERS

27 COUNTIES

In the Chinese province of Gansu, more than 27 counties and districts are experiencing drought due to high temperatures and low precipitation. ANI News reports that the drought conditions are expected to continue, affecting more than 1.51 million people and tens-of-thousands of hectares of crops.

$2.8 BILLION  

Mining projects in Mexico are being delayed by issues with obtaining environmental and water permits, Reuters reports. According to the sector chamber Camimex, 18 project permits worth nearly $2.8 billion are still waiting approval.

ON THE RADAR

In an unprecedented joint statement, over 200 medical journals warned that climate change poses the biggest threat to global public health, NPR reports. The editors of the statement urge wealthier countries to take the lead on climate adaptation measures by cutting emissions beyond what is currently promised. In the United States, public health systems are already under strain from a climate catastrophes like flooding and heatwaves.

Jane Johnston

Jane is a Communications Associate for Circle of Blue. She writes The Stream and has covered domestic and international water issues for Circle of Blue. She is a recent graduate of Grand Valley State University, where she studied Multimedia Journalism and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. During her time at Grand Valley, she was the host of the Community Service Learning Center podcast Be the Change. Currently based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jane enjoys listening to music, reading and spending time outdoors.