The Stream, July 28: Major U.S. Cities At Greater Risk From Floods

The Global Rundown

Large cities across the United States face compounding flood threats under climate change, a study found, while U.S. companies pledged to fight climate change by reducing emissions and water use. Three more cities are rationing water in Puerto Rico, and half of the sockeye salmon spawning in the Columbia River are dying from warm water. The United Nations hopes to restore aid and water services to Aden, Yemen, and the Netherlands will consider resuming aid to Benin following a scandal involving drinking water projects.

“Voluntary commitments alone will not get us the meaningful reductions we need. Strong carbon-reducing policies are hugely important.”–Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres, on a new pledge by major U.S. companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, invest in clean energy, and reduce water-use intensity by 15 percent. (Reuters)

By The Numbers

50 percent Proportion of sockeye salmon dying in the Columbia River watershed as they move upstream to spawn. Warm water temperatures in the river are killing the fish. Associated Press

3 cities Number in eastern Puerto Rico placed under water rationing Monday. More than a third of the island’s residents are affected by water rationing due to a drought. EFE

Science, Studies, And Reports

The risk of flooding in New York City has doubled over the past 60 years due to the combined threat of heavy rainfall and storm surge, according to a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change. Other major cities in the United States are also at greater risk due to the combination of these factors and sea-level rise, all of which could become more severe with climate change, researchers found. Guardian

On The Radar

The Netherlands will decide whether or not to resume aid to Benin after receiving anti-corruption proposals. Aid was cut after $US 4.4 million earmarked for drinking water projects went missing. Bloomberg

United Nations officials hope that humanitarian supplies will flow again to Aden, Yemen, as the fighting moves away from the city. One of the main priorities is restarting water and sewage services. Reuters

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