The Stream, August 23: River Pollution Turns Dogs Blue in Mumbai
The Global Rundown
A manufacturing company in Mumbai, India is accused of dumping untreated industrial waste and dyes into a river, which turned local dogs blue. More than 100 people are rescued in Kansas City, Missouri after ten inches of rain deluge the city. Tourism and development threaten the regrowth of Belize’s coral reefs. If water temperatures continue to rise, fish could shrink in size by up to 30 percent. A restoration project in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region wins gold in a UN competition for the best way to improve fertility of drylands.
“Ethiopia’s Tigray region shows that restoration of degraded land can be a reality … The model provides hope for other African countries to follow suit.” –Alexandra Wandel, director of the World Future Council, in reference to a restoration project that transformed drylands in northern Ethiopia. The award-winning project led to higher groundwater levels, less soil erosion, and a greater ability to grow food. Reuters
By The Numbers
11 Number of dogs in Mumbai, India that reportedly turned blue after swimming in the Kasadi River, where dyes and industrial waste had been dumped. The strange event prompted locals to complain about river pollution, and authorities subsequently linked the contamination to a manufacturing company, which is now shut down. The Guardian
160 Number of water rescues in Kansas City, Missouri after torrential rains flooded the city. At least one death was caused by the flooding. The rain has now subsided. ABC News
Science, Studies, And Reports
If climate change continues to warm waters, fish could dramatically decrease in size, according to a study by the University of British Columbia. Warmer temperatures accelerate fish metabolism, meaning the fish need more oxygen. Eventually, the gills cannot supply enough oxygen for the fish to continue growing, which researchers theorize could cause a 20 to 30 percent decrease in size. Science Daily
On The Radar
A conservation project is helping regrow Belize’s coral, but tourism is threatening parts of the reef. Visitors produce litter, and many new tourism developments are in conflict with environmental regulations. In order to maintain coral reef health, future tourism practices must become more sustainable. The Guardian
Kayla Ritter is a recent graduate of Michigan State University, where she studied International Relations and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She is currently based in Manton, Michigan. Kayla enjoys running, writing, and traveling. Contact Kayla Ritter
