Nitrogen pollution threatens US drinking water

Nitrogen pollution threatens US drinking water

A new study warns that nitrogen pollution is increasingly jeopardizing the quality and availability of drinking water in the United States.

Robyn White reports for Newsweek.


In short:

  • Scientists predict that nitrogen pollution could contaminate a third of the world's drinking water by 2025, affecting up to 3 billion people.
  • The U.S., South China, Central Europe, and Africa are identified as potential hotspots for water scarcity due to nitrogen pollution.
  • The study emphasizes the need for urgent action in water resource management, considering both water quantity and quality.

Key quote:

"We are surprised that water pollution by nitrogen aggravates water scarcity in more than one-fifth of the sub-basins worldwide."

— Mengru Wang, assistant professor at Wageningen University & Research.

Why this matters:

This issue highlights a critical environmental challenge, where water scarcity and pollution intersect, potentially impacting billions. It underscores the importance of addressing water quality in policy decisions, especially in the context of climate change and urbanization.

In one Montana ag basin, drinking wells test at twice the federal health standard for nitrate pollution. That's a problem on many levels.

Las Vegas buildings lit up
Credit: Keith Burton/Flickr

Las Vegas makes shift toward sustainability

Las Vegas, long known for its excess, is now emerging as a leader in sustainability through massive investments in solar power, water conservation, and energy-efficient resort operations.

Lucy Sherriff reports for the BBC.

Keep reading...Show less
Senator Whitehouse & climate change

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.
Danger  Thing Ice sign near frozen lake
Credit: Rob Swystun/Flickr

As ice cover declines, scientists uncover lake secrets hidden in winter

Winter may be critical to lake ecosystems, with scientists now rushing to study under-ice processes as climate change shortens ice cover, altering fish, algae, and nutrient cycles.

Lydia Larsen reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
Donald Trump
Credit: Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Trump’s plan to reshape US energy and environmental policy could redefine climate response

President-elect Donald Trump aims to overhaul energy and environmental policies, from boosting fossil fuels to dismantling Biden-era regulations, signaling a major shift in America’s approach to climate action.

Robin Bravender reports for E&E News.

Keep reading...Show less
dry, cracked soil

Droughts hit 48 US states, straining resources and crops

Nearly all U.S. states are experiencing drought conditions, affecting over 150 million people and severely impacting agricultural productivity.

Marina Dunbar reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
small garden in a backyard
Credit: woodleywonderworks/Flickr

Turning lawns into microfarms helps Los Angeles families conserve water and grow fresh food

As Los Angeles faces water scarcity, some residents are swapping grass lawns for front yard farms, creating lush mini-oases that provide fresh produce to local families.

Cara Buckley reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
US revises its stance on plastic production limits ahead of UN treaty discussions

US revises its stance on plastic production limits ahead of UN treaty discussions

The U.S. has shifted from supporting voluntary plastics regulation to backing global limits on production, a change that may influence other major producers ahead of the U.N. plastic pollution treaty summit later this month.

Charles Pekow reports for Mongabay.

Keep reading...Show less
animated gas nozzle in vehicle

China pushes back against Europe’s climate-focused trade rules at UN climate summit

China is challenging European climate-related trade restrictions, calling for their discussion at the upcoming COP29 summit, where global leaders will debate climate policy.

Max Bearak reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
Donald Trump

Donald Trump wins US presidency. What that could mean for the environment.

His first term and recent campaigns signal massive deregulation and a reshaping of agencies.

Donald Trump (left) and Kamala Harris (right) on a split screen

2024 election: Two radically different visions for environment, health

Americans’ choice will have immediate and lasting effects on our planet. Here’s how.

Residents from Pennsylvania's Mon Valley region listen to local and national candidates speak about environmental issues

Pennsylvania voters press local, national candidates on fracking just days before election

Environmental justice communities near fracking want more answers — less political football.

U.S. Steel Pennsylvania pollution

Coal-based steelmaking in Pennsylvania causes up to 92 premature deaths and $1.4 billion in health costs every year: Report

Just three facilities near Pittsburgh cost the state $16 million in lost economic activity annually, according to a new report.

COP16 UN biodiversity

Pollution is one of the top drivers of biodiversity loss. Why is no one talking about it at COP16?

“Chemicals are really at the center of this triple planetary crisis of pollution, biodiversity and climate change.”

COP16 UN biodiversity

La contaminación es una de las principales amenazas de la biodiversidad. ¿Por qué nadie habla de ella en la COP16?

“Las sustancias químicas están realmente en el centro de esta triple crisis planetaria de contaminación, biodiversidad y cambio climático”.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.