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Newsletter
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Extreme weather is worsening Africa's cholera crisis
Relentless extreme weather in Africa has led to severe cholera outbreaks, killing thousands and affecting hundreds of thousands more.
Sebabatso Mosamo, Farai Mutsaka, and Gerald Imray report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Since late 2021, more than 6,000 people have died and nearly 350,000 have been infected with cholera in southern and East Africa.
- Extreme weather, including cyclones, floods, and droughts, has increased the incidence of cholera by contaminating water sources.
- A global shortage of cholera vaccines has exacerbated the crisis, particularly in poorer countries that are most affected.
Key quote:
"The outbreaks are getting much larger because the extreme climate events are getting much more common."
— Tulio de Oliveira, South Africa-based disease scientist
Why this matters:
Floods not only spread cholera but also destroy crops, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition, which weakens immune systems and makes populations more vulnerable to diseases. Conversely, droughts deplete water sources, pushing people to use contaminated water for drinking and cooking.
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Credit: Justin Wilkens/Unsplash
Mississippi floodplains losing trees to increasing floods
Worsening floods are leading to extensive tree loss and habitat changes along the upper Mississippi River.
In short:
- Intensified flooding along the upper Mississippi is killing off significant numbers of floodplain forests, including various species such as silver maple and elm.
- The Army Corps of Engineers is working on a restoration project to combat tree loss and invasive species, aiming to enhance biodiversity and habitat for wildlife.
- While certain bird species benefit from the changes, overall forest health is declining, affecting ecological diversity and regional water management.
Key quote:
“The magnitude of this is kind of mind-blowing. You just don’t see hundreds of acres of dead trees.”
— Andy Meier, forester, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Why this matters:
The loss of floodplain forests due to climate-induced flooding is alarming because these ecosystems play a crucial role in biodiversity, flood mitigation, and climate regulation.
Be sure to read: Severe flooding increasingly cutting people off from health care.
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Credit: Pablo García Saldaña/Unsplash
Alabama's Shiloh community struggles with floods and racism
In Alabama's Shiloh community, residents grapple with persistent flooding exacerbated by a highway expansion, highlighting issues of environmental injustice.
In short:
- The expansion of Highway 84 in Alabama has led to severe flooding in the historically Black Shiloh community, causing significant distress among residents.
- Robert Bullard, an environmental justice advocate, is bringing the community's plight to the White House, emphasizing the racial undertones of the neglect.
- The flooding has damaged homes and infrastructure, with residents attributing the issue to structural racism and poor engineering decisions.
Key quote:
“This was done on purpose. This wasn’t an accidental ‘oops.’ ALDOT cared more about not flooding the highway than they did about flooding the community. That is unacceptable.”
— Robert Bullard, environmental justice advocate.
Why this matters:
The situation in Shiloh is a stark example of how environmental issues can intersect with racial injustice, impacting health and living conditions. It underscores the need for equitable infrastructure planning and highlights the broader national issue of environmental racism.
LISTEN: Environmental justice researchers on what it means to be biracial.
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Worsening floods may force some Mainers to flee their homes
Areas that have been developed in Maine over the past 20 years that were considered safe are now seeing the effects of climate change and increased flooding risk.
Snakes, spores and sewage: Life in the N.Y.C. neighborhood ‘the Hole’
The small neighborhood on the border of Brooklyn and Queens has a colorful history but an uncertain future because of climate change.
Photo by Alexis Mette on Unsplash
Climate change report highlights impacts to Alaska infrastructure, security, health, livelihoods
Alaska is warming at two or three times the U.S. rate, with impacts ranging from individuals’ health and safety to the military security of the nation, according to a new federal report.
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Photo by Wes Warren on Unsplash
Flood threats are rising. Here’s where people are moving into harm’s way
Worldwide, humans now occupy more than twice as much land in flood-prone areas as they did four decades ago, according to a new study in the journal Nature.
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