The Stream, June 15: Pope Francis Expected to Speak Out on Climate Change

The Global Rundown

The Pope is expected to draw attention to climate change in a letter to be released this week. India’s monsoon rainfall is so far above average, and a tropical storm could bring more flooding to Texas. A group of migrants died of dehydration in the Sahara Desert on their way to Europe. Exxon Mobil must pay a fine for its Yellowstone River oil spill, and the Great Lakes Water Authority voted to lease Detroit’s water utilities.

“It will address the issue of inequality in the distribution of resources and topics such as the wasting of food and the irresponsible exploitation of nature and the consequences for people’s life and health.”–Archbishop Pedro Barreto Jimeno, on a letter to be released by Pope Francis this week in which he his expected to bring attention to climate change. (Guardian)

By The Numbers

$1 million Fine that Exxon Mobil must pay within 20 days for an oil spill in the Yellowstone River in Montana. Guardian

18 migrants Died of dehydration while crossing the Sahara Desert on their way to Libya, where it is thought they would try to get a boat to Europe. Reuters

5 to 1 Vote by the Great Lakes Water Authority board in favor of a 40-year lease of Detroit’s water and sewer utilities. Reuters

Science, Studies, And Reports

India’s monsoon rains have been 11 percent above average this month, easing some concerns about water shortages this monsoon season. The country’s weather bureau forecasts that this year’s monsoon rains will be 88 percent of a 50-year average by the end of the season in September. Bloomberg

On The Radar

Houston, Texas, could be in for more flooding early this week. A tropical storm is forming along the eastern coastline of Mexico, and could hit Texas and Louisiana on Monday and Tuesday. Bloomberg

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek