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Newsletter
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Israel's Gaza war disrupts climate cooperation with Jordan
An ambitious climate deal between Israel and Jordan, known as Project Prosperity, has collapsed due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
In short:
- Project Prosperity aimed to exchange Israel's water surplus for electricity from Jordan's solar farms, but the October 7 Hamas attack halted progress.
- Jordan, heavily affected by regional instability, canceled the deal and is accelerating its own desalination project to ensure water security.
- The collapse of the deal highlights the broader impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on regional cooperation and climate initiatives.
Key quote:
“Why would we collaborate with someone killing us and controlling our resources? How can I collaborate with someone occupying me? Controlling me?”
— Anonymous Palestinian official
Why this matters:
The conflict disrupts not only political relations but also crucial climate cooperation in a region severely affected by water scarcity and climate change. Without such collaborations, effective climate adaptation in the Middle East becomes even more challenging.
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The US funds lithium mining, risking water supplies
Federal funding for lithium mining under the Inflation Reduction Act is raising concerns about environmental impacts on water supplies.
In short:
- The Inflation Reduction Act and other federal programs provide significant funding for lithium mining to meet the demand for electric vehicle batteries.
- Lithium mining methods, such as brine evaporation and hard rock mining, pose substantial risks to groundwater supplies and biodiversity.
- Local communities and environmentalists are opposing new mining projects, fearing long-term ecological damage and threats to sacred Indigenous sites.
Key quote:
"We need lithium as a part of our transition off of fossil fuels, but it can’t come at the expense of biodiversity or our most precious protected areas."
— Patrick Donnelly, Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
Increased lithium mining is critical for the energy transition, but it threatens water resources and ecosystems, especially in arid regions. Effective regulations and alternative battery technologies are needed to balance environmental concerns with energy needs.
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South Texas cities seek new water sources as Rio Grande dries up
Faced with severe drought, South Texas cities are exploring costly but innovative methods to secure their water supply.
In short:
- The Rio Grande's water levels are critically low, pushing South Texas cities to find alternative water sources.
- Edinburg plans a new water treatment facility to extract water from underground aquifers and reuse wastewater.
- Reverse osmosis is gaining popularity in the region despite high costs and environmental concerns.
Key quote:
"We see the future and we've got to find different water alternatives, sources. You know how they used to say water is gold? Now it's platinum."
— Tom Reyna, Edinburg assistant city manager
Why this matters:
With the Rio Grande no longer reliable, South Texas faces water scarcity that threatens both residential and agricultural needs. Innovative solutions are essential but may be financially unattainable for smaller communities without state support.
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Heavier flooding puts many small businesses at risk
The increasing frequency and severity of floods across the US are pushing small businesses to the brink, with many one disaster away from closure.
In short:
- Root Hill Cafe in Brooklyn faces frequent flood damage, losing about $3,500 in sales and employee pay for each day closed.
- Small businesses nationwide struggle with high flood insurance costs and insufficient coverage, as seen in Vermont's $300 million flood damage last summer.
- Experts urge infrastructure upgrades and better flood risk transparency to support small businesses.
Key quote:
“We are constantly checking the weather... If we see that there’s a hurricane in Florida, it’s like, oh my God, please let it not come here.”
— Alejandra Palma, co-owner of Root Hill Cafe
Why this matters:
Flooding threatens the survival of small businesses, which employ nearly half of US workers and contribute significantly to the economy. Communities are calling for greater support from both state and federal governments, emphasizing the need for improved flood defenses, better urban planning, and more accessible disaster relief funds. Advocates argue that proactive measures, such as investing in green infrastructure and restoring natural floodplains, could mitigate future risks.
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Decades of water mismanagement threaten Yaqui culture in Mexico
The Yaqui tribe in Sonora, Mexico faces cultural and environmental devastation as the Yaqui River dries up due to overuse, drought, and dam construction.
In short:
- The Yaqui River, crucial for cultural ceremonies and subsistence, has dried up, impacting plant and animal species central to Yaqui traditions.
- Traditional structures and ceremonial instruments, dependent on riverbank flora and endemic species like the four-mirror butterfly, are endangered.
- The tribe now relies on purchased water and faces health issues from dietary changes due to the loss of their natural resources.
Key quote:
“We are facing a very critical situation of loss of many aspects that have to do with culture. In the way they work the land, the way they eat and also in the way they carry out their rituals.”
— José Luis Moctezuma, National Institute of Anthropology and History
Why this matters:
The loss of the Yaqui River disrupts not only the tribe's daily life but also their cultural heritage, leading to health and ecological consequences. Immediate attention to water management and conservation is important to preserve the Yaqui way of life.
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Credit: Susan Montgomery/Big Stock Photo
Hot weather poses new threat to salmon migration
Record-high temperatures in Washington state threaten the migration of sockeye salmon in the Columbia River Basin, raising concerns among fisheries managers about the future of these fish.
In short:
- A heat wave has pushed water temperatures in the Columbia River Basin above the 68-degree threshold preferred by sockeye salmon.
- The Okanogan River, a critical path for migrating sockeye, has seen temperatures near 83 degrees, risking the fish's journey to spawning grounds.
- Fisheries managers are considering interventions like trucking fish upstream to help them bypass dangerous thermal barriers.
Key quote:
“Those water temperatures are warmer than ever this year. Literally, they’re almost too warm to swim in.”
— Tom Iverson, regional coordinator for the Yakama Nation Fisheries
Why this matters:
Warmer water can severely impede salmon migration, threatening the species' survival and impacting ecosystems. Long-term climate trends could make these heatwaves more frequent, challenging conservation efforts.
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Climate change leads to unexpected greening in drylands
Increased CO2 levels are causing vegetation growth in drylands despite predictions of widespread desertification.
In short:
- Rising CO2 levels are enhancing photosynthesis, helping plants in arid regions use water more efficiently.
- This "CO2 fertilization effect" is leading to increased vegetation in drylands, including areas in Africa, Australia, and India.
- However, this greening may deplete scarce water supplies and disrupt local ecosystems.
Key quote:
“Greening is happening in most of the drylands globally, despite increasing aridity.”
— Jason Evans, water-cycle researcher at the Climate Change Research Centre of the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia
Why this matters:
While this greening effect may seem beneficial, it's crucial to understand the broader implications. Enhanced vegetation can temporarily stabilize soils, reducing dust storms and providing habitat for wildlife. However, this could be a double-edged sword. The types of plants thriving may not be the native species but rather opportunistic, invasive plants that could alter the local biodiversity and disrupt existing ecosystems.
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