The Stream, October 7: Haiti Cholera Cases May Spike

The Global Rundown

The number of cholera cases in Haiti is expected to rise steeply through the end of the year in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. As the storm moves up the coast of the southeastern United States, flooding and storm surge could cause billions of dollars in damage. Switching to low-carbon infrastructure within the next 15 years is key to stopping the most severe effects of climate change, according to a new report. Aerial water pipes may be one solution to limited and expensive water access in Africa’s informal settlements. The bottled water industry continues to expand around the world, and the market could be worth nearly $300 billion by 2020.

“Because Kibera is so crowded, underground piping would have provided many logistical issues, such as finding the space to lay the pipes, as well as dealing with issues of underground seepage.” –Kenneth Owalo, a community health worker in Kibera, a slum home to 250,000 people in Nairobi, Kenya. An NGO working in the slum has developed a system of aerial pipes to deliver clean water to residents, cutting out cartels that sell water at high prices and making it difficult for vandals to illegally tap pipes. (Guardian)

By The Numbers

$200 billion Potential cost of the damage to homes in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina from Hurricane Matthew’s storm surge and related flooding. CNBC

$280 billion Expected value of the global bottled water market by 2020, as companies create and market a rapidly expanding array of water products. Guardian

Science, Studies, And Reports

In order to meet goals to reduce the effects of climate change, it is critical that the world’s cities invest in infrastructure that incorporates low-carbon designs, according to a report by the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate. The report warns that $90 trillion is set to be spent on buildings, energy plants, and public transportation systems over the next 15 years, meaning the decisions cities make now will have long-term ramifications for carbon emissions. Guardian

On The Radar

Flooding and damage from Hurricane Matthew will likely create a “surge” of cholera cases in Haiti, where more than 27,000 suspected cases have already been reported this year, according to aid organizations. The United Nations called for humanitarian assistance for 350,000 Haitians in the storm’s aftermath. Reuters