The Stream, June 23: Caribbean Crops Wither in Drought

The Global Rundown

A severe drought grips the Caribbean, and the death toll from a heat wave in Pakistan continues to rise. Australia could get most of its electricity from renewable sources by 2040, while a federal judge in the western United States stalled the implementation of new fracking regulations. Liquid water flowed on Mars in relatively recent history.

“We are pleased the court agreed that the new BLM regulations present serious and difficult questions that justified a stay of these rules’ effective date.”–Cynthia Coffman, Colorado’s attorney general, regarding a decision by a U.S. federal judge to block the implementation of new federal rules that require the disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations on public land. (Reuters)

By The Numbers

780 people Death toll from a severe heat wave in Karachi, Pakistan. Many of the victims died of dehydration. Reuters

59 percent Share of Australia’s electricity supply that will be generated by renewable energy sources by 2040, according to a study from Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Guardian

Science, Studies, And Reports

Large quantities of liquid water were flowing on Mars as recently as 500,000 years ago, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Communications. Scientists discovered evidence of the water by looking at sediments and gullies in a Martian crater. Popular Mechanics

On The Radar

A severe drought is killing crops and livestock across the Caribbean and may continue well into next year, forecasters said. The drought is due in part to an El Nino weather pattern and a mild hurricane season. Associated Press

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