Entries by Kayla Ritter

The Stream, March 14: China’s New Environment Ministry Takes Responsibility for South-to-North Water Diversion Project

/in /by

The Global Rundown China restructures its environmental ministry, giving it control over the South-to-North water diversion project. South Africa’s drought is reclassified as a state of national disaster, allowing the government to utilize additional funding. Argentina plans to provide debt relief to drought-stricken farmers. The shortest La Niña in a decade comes to an end […]

The Stream, March 13: U.S. Mining Industry Seeks Reversal of Uranium Mining Ban Near Tribal Water Supply

/in /by

The Global Rundown The U.S. mining industry hopes to reverse a uranium mining ban near the Grand Canyon, which currently protects the public lands that the Havasupai tribe relies on for water. Chinese environmentalists file suit against a proposed hydropower plant in Yunnan province.  Researchers find evidence of water and soil contamination at an alumina […]

HotSpots H2O, March 12: Spotlight on Recent Unrest in Syria

/in /by

Violence is escalating across war-torn Syria, leading to civilian deaths, devastated infrastructure, and severe water shortages.

The Stream, March 9: Australia’s NSW Plans to Prosecute Murray-Darling Water Theft

/in /by

The Global Rundown New South Wales plans to prosecute several landowners for water theft from the Murray-Darling river system. Chile’s state-owned mining company Codelco receives approval to build a $1bn desalination plant. Pastoralists fight over fertile land in parched Somalia. Thawing permafrost “browns” lakes and upsets ecosystems in Arctic and subarctic regions across the word. […]

The Stream, March 8: Cape Town Says Day Zero Will Likely Be Avoided In 2018

/in /by

The Global Rundown Cape Town officials say taps likely won’t run dry in 2018. A study finds that millions of Brazilians have been driven from their homes by natural disasters and large-scale construction since 2000. Experts say that Japan must do more to reduce the amount of radioactive water at the Fukushima nuclear plant. The […]

São Paulo Heading To Another Dry Spell

/in , , , , /by

Three years after the megacity nearly ran out of water, signs of a new crisis emerge.

The Stream, March 7: U.S. Supreme Court Rules That the Federal Government Can Intervene in Rio Grande Water Dispute

/in /by

The Global Rundown The U.S. Supreme Court issues an opinion on the Rio Grande water-sharing dispute. After months of drought, March rains should enable Argentinian farmers to plant a normal wheat crop. Illinois plans to raze residence halls at the Quincy veterans’ facility, where dozens have fallen ill with Legionnaires’ disease since 2015. A new […]

The Stream, March 6: Indonesia Bans Toxic Factory Waste from “World’s Most Polluted River”

/in /by

The Global Rundown Indonesia moves to ban toxic waste as part of the Citarum River clean-up initiative. Drought-stricken South Africa starts an investigation of its water ministry. A thaw in the United Kingdom leaves thousands without water as pipes burst. Australia’s wheat output is expected to jump by 11.8 percent as La Niña brings increased […]

HotSpots H2O, March 5: Spotlight on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

/in /by

Ethiopia is building a mega-dam along the Nile River, and the ambitious project is straining relations with downstream Egypt.

The Stream, March 2: California Residents Urged to Evacuate As Powerful Storms Bring Risk of Mudslides

/in /by

The Global Rundown Thousands of California residents are encouraged to evacuate as torrential rains heighten the risk of mudslides. Intense drought in South Africa’s Western Cape is expected to cut agricultural output by 20 percent. Sri Lanka begins constructing a system of pumps and canals to help alleviate severe flooding in the capital Colombo. The […]

The Stream, March 1: Papua New Guinea Earthquake Flattens Villages, Dirties Water Sources

/in /by

The Global Rundown A magnitude 7.5 earthquake flattens villages and spoils water sources in Papua New Guinea. A delayed disaster relief loan threatens to disrupt essential services in hurricane-hit Puerto Rico. Cape Town’s homeless population struggles to find water amid tightening usage restrictions. Mexico City works to improve its water supply, air quality, and earthquake […]

The Stream, February 28: Yemen’s Cholera Outbreak Likely to Intensify as Rainy Season Begins, WHO Warns

/in /by

The Global Rundown The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that Yemen’s cholera epidemic could intensify during the upcoming rainy season. A recent study suggests that swimming in the sea increases the risk of illness, possibly due to coastal pollution. A U.S. federal judge halts the construction of Louisiana’s controversial Bayou Bridge pipeline. Environmental scientists warn […]