Entries by Kayla Ritter

The Stream, June 8: Researchers Find Plastic Pollution in Antarctic Snow and Ice Samples

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The Global Rundown Researchers find microplastics and hazardous chemicals in snow and ice samples taken from Antarctica. The Red Cross pulls 71 staff members out of Yemen amid security concerns, disrupting water, food, and surgical aid. Thames Water plans to pay £65 million ($87 million) to customers after failing to curb excessive leakage. Phoenix, Arizona, […]

The Stream, June 7: High-Tide Flooding in the U.S. Doubled In Last 30 Years, Study Finds

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The Global Rundown A new report reveals that high-tide flooding in the United States has doubled in the past 30 years. Wales offers 200 million pounds ($268 million) in funding toward the world’s first tidal lagoon project. Tasmania earmarks 14 possible hydropower sites in an aim to double its renewable energy capacity. Data shows that […]

Tehran Faces Crisis As Iran’s Water Supply Runs Low

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Tehran, the capital and largest city, could soon be the epicenter of Iran’s water crisis.

The Stream, June 6: As Tigris River Falls, Turkey Assures Iraq That Ilisu Dam Won’t Cut Off Water Supply

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The Global Rundown As Turkey begins filling an upstream reservoir, the country assures Iraq that it will not cut off water supplies to the Tigris River. India aims to cut heat wave deaths with “common sense” policies, including free water. Pumping groundwater can lead to heightened arsenic levels in irrigation and drinking water, a new […]

The Stream, June 5: Egypt Raises Water Prices By Up to 46.5 Percent

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The Global Rundown Prices of piped drinking water in Egypt spike by up to 46.5 percent. Plastic chokes beaches and waterways in coastal Vietnam. As the 2018 hurricane season begins, thousands in Houston, Texas, are still displaced from 2017’s Hurricane Harvey. Schools shut down in Shimla, India, as the city’s water crisis persists. Rainfall in […]

HotSpots H2O, June 4: Thousands Go Thirsty as Fighting Halts Desalination in Derna, Libya

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The Rundown Fighting in Derna, Libya, reached “unprecedented levels” in recent weeks, leaving thousands of residents without water, food, and medicine. The city, on Libya’s eastern coast, has been encircled by the Libyan National Army (LNA) since July 2017. The LNA is trying to take Derna from a coalition of local fighters and Islamist militants. […]

The Stream, June 1: Water Use Soars As Pakistan Experiences World Record Heat

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The Global Rundown Water use spikes in Pakistan amid sweltering heat. China struggles to enforce countrywide water quality standards. India shuts down a water-polluting copper plant but makes no plans for groundwater cleanup. Fighting intensifies in Derna, Libya, cutting off the water supply of thousands. Tourists are warned to stay away from Shimla, India, a […]

The Stream, May 31: Puerto Rico’s Hurricane Maria Death Toll is 70 Times Higher than Official Figures, Researchers Say

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The Global Rundown Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine determines the Puerto Rico death toll from Hurricane Maria is likely 70 times higher than official figures. Monsoon rains arrive early in South Asia. China calls on local governments to evaluate environmental damages from small-scale hydropower plants on the Yangtze River. Flooding from […]

The Stream, May 30: Taps Run Dry in Shimla, India, After Months of Negligible Rainfall

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The Global Rundown All water sources in the town of Shimla, India, have run dry, leaving the town without water for more than a week. A recent study finds that taller, older forests in the Amazon are better at withstanding dry spells. New research shows that mosquitoes bite more during droughts, heightening the spread of […]

The Stream, May 29: Millions Hungry as Afghanistan Drought Spreads

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The Global Rundown The United Nations warns that 2 million people in Afghanistan face severe food shortages because of a harsh drought. Thousands evacuate as Storm Alberto speeds toward the Florida Panhandle. Soaring temperatures in northern India worsen water shortages. Flint, Michigan estimates that 14,000 damaged lead water lines remain in the city’s pipe network. […]

HotSpots H2O, May 29: Year After Siege, Water Shortages Linger in Philippines City

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The Rundown In May 2017, a battle between Islamic State-linked militants and the Filipino government broke out in Marawi City, Philippines. The siege lasted for five months and displaced 360,000 people. A year later, many returnees and evacuees are still without basic amenities, including water and sanitation. Much of the city’s infrastructure is damaged or […]

The Stream, May 25: Amid Deadly Protests, India Seeks Shutdown of Water-Polluting Copper Plant

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The Global Rundown Tamil Nadu, India, seeks permanent closure of a controversial copper smelter causing air and water pollution. Deadly monsoon rains swamp Sri Lanka, displacing thousands of people. Changes in insurance policies could leave some flood victims without coverage in British Columbia. Climatologists warn that there may be little summertime relief from “alarming” drought […]