crisis
Newsletter
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Biden's new border policy endangers climate migrants in severe heat
Amid extreme heat in the southwest, President Biden's recent border policy endangers asylum seekers fleeing climate disasters.
In short:
- Biden's order closes the southern border to most asylum seekers when daily crossings exceed 2,500, risking heat-related illnesses and deaths.
- The policy forces migrants to wait in extreme conditions, with limited exceptions for entry.
- Critics argue the directive undermines climate-driven migration relief and is politically motivated.
Key quote:
“This executive order being issued at this time is an additional cruelty that will force more people into dangerous conditions where they’re exposed to a really severe climate impact.”
— Ahmed Gaya, director of the Climate Justice Collaborative at the National Partnership for New Americans
Why this matters:
Biden's policy could worsen health risks for migrants as climate change increases global temperatures. It contradicts previous promises to prioritize climate-related migration, raising concerns about the administration's commitment to climate justice.
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Mexico City's water crisis deepens amid urban growth and climate change
A convergence of climate change, urban sprawl, and deteriorating infrastructure has intensified Mexico City's water crisis, pushing it toward a potential "Day Zero" this summer.
James Wagner, Emiliano Rodríguez Mega, and Somini Sengupta report for The New York Times.
In short:
- Groundwater levels are rapidly depleting, and a major reservoir has been taken offline due to low levels.
- The Cutzamala water system, supplying 27% of the city's water, is at a historically low 30% capacity.
- Some neighborhoods face unprecedented water rationing, with more affluent areas now affected.
Key quote:
"We’re suffering because the city is growing immeasurably and it cannot be stopped. There aren’t enough resources."
— Gabriel Martínez, Mexico City resident
Why this matters:
Water shortages in Mexico City, a metropolis of 23 million, threaten public health, economic stability, and social order. As the city's population expands, so does the demand for water, leading to over-extraction of groundwater and subsequent subsidence of the city’s foundation. For residents, this crisis is more than just an inconvenience; it’s a daily struggle. In many neighborhoods, water supply is intermittent at best, forcing families to rely on water trucks or storage tanks. The health implications are dire, as inconsistent water supply can lead to poor sanitation and the spread of diseases.
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Report proposes fossil fuel tax to fund climate crisis aid
A proposed tax on fossil fuel companies in wealthy nations could generate substantial funds to support countries hardest hit by climate change, a recent report suggests.
In short:
- The Climate Damages Tax, aimed at fossil fuel majors in OECD countries, is expected to collect $720 billion by 2030 for a global loss and damage fund.
- Proposed rates start at $5 per ton of CO2 equivalent, increasing annually, with potential to raise $900 billion in total.
- The tax is endorsed by several climate groups and aims to facilitate a fair transition away from fossil fuels.
Key quote:
“Extreme weather is claiming lives and causing catastrophic damage around the world. But while communities that have contributed least to the crisis find themselves on its frontlines, and households across Europe struggle with sky-high energy bills, the fossil fuel industry continues to rake in massive profits with no accountability for its historic and ongoing impact on our climate.”
— Areeba Hamid, joint director at Greenpeace UK
Why this matters:
The proposed tax on fossil fuel companies stands not only as a fiscal measure but as a moral statement, recognizing that while the benefits of fossil fuels have been largely enjoyed by the wealthier nations, the repercussions — erratic weather patterns, rising sea levels, and severe natural disasters — have disproportionately burdened the poorest.
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Credit: Candelario Gomez Lopez/Pixabay
Mexico City's water crisis intensifies amid heatwave and poor management
Mexico City, home to nearly 22 million people, faces an acute water shortage, with many residents going days to weeks without water. The situation is described as unprecedented by the city's water system director, Rafael Carmona.
In short:
- The Cutzamala System may fail by June 26, potentially leaving the city without water until September.
- High temperatures and diminished rainfall over the past years have exacerbated water storage issues, with local dams at critically low levels.
- Mismanagement, including widespread leaks and affluent areas retaining private water bodies, contributes significantly to the shortage.
Key quote:
"We understand that it is a global water crisis, but this is something that we are experiencing here, and we are living it up close. It is very, very worrying because hundreds of families are being affected."
— Michelle Nunez, Valle de Bravo municipal president
Why this matters:
The water crisis in Mexico City could force citizens to alter daily hygiene practices by limiting access to clean water. This local issue reflects a global water crisis, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable water management and climate action.
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Global hunger crisis deepens due to climate change and conflicts
The escalating global food crisis, fueled by climate change, extreme weather, and conflicts, is pushing millions into hunger and malnutrition, signaling an unprecedented challenge in global food security.
In short:
- The U.N. World Food Program describes the current situation as a hunger crisis of unprecedented proportions, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate shocks, and conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war.
- More than 3.1 billion people globally cannot afford a healthy diet, with the most alarming increases in hunger levels seen in the Caribbean, Western Asia and Africa.
- Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods, are significantly impacting food production, with 2023 being the hottest year on record and the return of El Niño causing further disruptions.
Key quote:
"If we do not redouble and better target our efforts, our goal of ending hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms by 2030 will remain out of reach."
— U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization
Why this matters:
This crisis underscores the need for targeted actions to address food insecurity, a challenge that intertwines with broader issues of climate change and global stability.
Read: Legendary scientists weigh in on converging crises threatening future food security.
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Photo by Tamara Gerwinat on Unsplash
The state of the climate crisis (and a dash of hope)
COP28 takes place against an apocalyptic backdrop. From Appalachia to Malawi, these communities offer a measure of hope.
Scientists: Time to treat the climate and nature crisis as one indivisible global health emergency
Over 200 health journals call on the United Nations, political leaders, and health professionals to recognize that climate change and biodiversity loss are one indivisible crisis and must be tackled together to preserve health and avoid catastrophe. This overall environmental crisis is now so severe as to be a global health emergency.
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