qz.com
17 August 2018
Border water is the biggest climate change issue no one's talking about
Border water will be at the center of climate change diplomacy. It may pull nations together, or lead them into war.
qz.com
Border water will be at the center of climate change diplomacy. It may pull nations together, or lead them into war.
Tim Dunn, a Texas pastor and fracking billionaire, is funding efforts to rewrite the U.S. Constitution to promote climate denial and conservative Christian values, surpassing the goals of Project 2025.
In short:
Key quote:
“They’re spending a lot of money organizing in states and they’ve got a long-term plan. They are deadly serious.”
— Peter Montgomery, research director at People for the American Way
Why this matters:
Dunn's influence could reshape U.S. governance, weaken environmental protections and impose far-right Christian views on federal policy. His wealth and network position him as a key figure in advancing these goals, with national and global implications.
Learn more: Tim Dunn, evangelical oil magnate, aims to boost Trump’s campaign
A new study shows biodiversity is declining more rapidly within key protected areas than outside them, challenging the effectiveness of global conservation targets discussed at the UN's Cop16 summit in Colombia.
In short:
Key quote:
“We urgently need to move beyond the current approach of simply designating more protected areas to 30x30. Our analysis reinforces the view that this will not automatically result in better outcomes for biodiversity and ecosystems.”
— Emma Woods, director of policy at the Natural History Museum
Why this matters:
Conservation efforts risk being ineffective without stronger protections and management. Industrial activity and climate change continue to threaten even those areas designated for preservation, complicating global efforts to curb biodiversity loss.
Related coverage: Human activity is pushing ecosystems toward collapse, experts warn
As the Arctic warms rapidly, polar bears are encountering new pathogens, posing health risks to these animals and potentially altering the ecosystem.
In short:
Key quote:
"Warmer temperatures accelerate the growth rates of pathogens and vectors, such as ticks and mosquitoes."
— Khaled Abass, toxicologist at Finland’s University of Oulu
Why this matters:
As the Arctic ecosystem shifts due to climate change, animals like polar bears face increased exposure to diseases that could weaken their populations. These changes may have cascading effects on the environment and human health as well.
Related EHN coverage: WATCH: The economics of biodiversity
The Java stingaree has become the first marine fish declared extinct due to human activity, raising concerns about the future of vulnerable species in our oceans.
In short:
Key quote:
"I think, overwhelmingly, it was us."
— Julia Constance, PhD candidate, Charles Darwin University
Why this matters:
The Java stingaree wasn’t flashy or famous, yet its disappearance represents a bigger crisis in our oceans—one that's largely silent but deadly. For a planet that relies on ocean health—whether we’re talking about food security, climate regulation, or biodiversity—this loss signals deeper environmental and health consequences. The extinction of the Java stingaree isn’t just a tragedy of the past; it’s a warning about the future. Read more: The muddy waters of US ocean protection.
Cuba’s recent large-scale blackouts highlight the country’s failure to expand its solar power infrastructure, despite its commitments under the Paris Agreement and ongoing energy shortages.
Alexa St. John, Ingrid Lobet, and Andrea Rodriguez report for The Associated Press.
In short:
Key quote:
“If you had extensive buildout of solar, solar farms, residential solar and storage, for the most part, you could avoid the problems they have."
— Dan Whittle, associate vice president of the resilient Caribbean practice at the Environmental Defense Fund
Why this matters:
Despite plentiful sunshine, Cuba's energy policies lag behind, prolonging reliance on fossil fuels and worsening blackouts. Building out solar power could stabilize Cuba’s grid and reduce its climate impact.
Residents of the Chesapeake Bay area may see electricity bills jump by as much as 24% due to delays in incorporating renewable energy sources into the regional power grid.
In short:
Key quote:
“PJM fell behind on interconnection and long-term transmission planning years ago, and now the problems are just cascading and piling up.”
— Jon Gordon, director of Advanced Energy United
Why this matters:
Consumers are facing steep electric bill increases due to reliance on fossil fuels and the slow integration of renewable energy sources. Addressing these delays is critical to prevent future rate hikes and promote a cleaner, more reliable energy grid.
Facing increasingly severe weather, Americans are modifying their homes to cope with heat, wildfires and hurricanes, but many worry that personal efforts alone won’t solve the crisis.
In short:
Key quote:
“It’s frustrating because like, I can’t control what my neighbors do.”
— Shannon Tucker, homeowner in Denver
Why this matters:
Climate change is making extreme weather more common, forcing people to protect their homes. However, these measures are often expensive, leaving lower-income families more vulnerable to disasters.
Just three facilities near Pittsburgh cost the state $16 million in lost economic activity annually, according to a new report.
“Chemicals are really at the center of this triple planetary crisis of pollution, biodiversity and climate change.”
“Las sustancias químicas están realmente en el centro de esta triple crisis planetaria de contaminación, biodiversidad y cambio climático”.
Groups are choosing to repair broken lines of communication and visualize the transition for its true potential to mitigate climate change – the common enemy.
Environmental activists are struggling with paranoia, panic attacks, and depression. Now, a growing network of mental health shelters in South America hopes to fill a void in care.
"At some point, they will kill you and kill all of us," environmental leader Yuvelis Natalia Morales Blanco was told.