The Stream, November 22: Portugal Considers Water Rationing Amid Worst Drought on Record
The Global Rundown
Portugal contemplates nighttime water rationing amid the country’s worst drought on record. Fear of a cholera outbreak at the Manus Island Detention Center grows as sanitation and water supplies deteriorate. A record number of Americans are worried about climate change following months of hurricanes, drought, and other extreme weather events, a survey reveals. Nebraska regulators approve a route for the Keystone XL pipeline. The number of people in Yemen without clean water jumps to 2.5 million as an import blockade cuts off the fuel needed for pumping.
“The situation in Manus is critical. We are thirsty and have been waiting for rain…Hygiene conditions are worsening day by day.” -Behrouz Boochani, an Iranian refugee, in reference to the grim state of Australia’s Manus Island Detention Center, located on Papua New Guinea. Authorities officially closed the camp on October 31, but 400 refugees refuse to leave out of fear of being attacked outside the Center. Food, medicine, and water rations have mostly run out, and Papua New Guinea officials routinely poison the camp’s wells, raising concerns of a cholera outbreak. The Guardian
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By The Numbers
2.5 million Number of Yemenis without clean water after five cities, including the capital Sanaa, ran out of the fuel needed for pumping due to a Saudi-led import blockade. The water crisis puts Yemen at risk for another major outbreak of waterborne disease. Reuters
94 Percent of the Portuguese mainland that is gripped by “extreme” drought, according to government authorities. Nighttime water rationing may soon be introduced to help reduce the amount of water lost through broken pipes. ABC News
Science, Studies, And Reports
A record number of U.S. citizens are concerned about climate change, according to the latest climate survey by Yale and George Mason Universities. After months of extreme weather, including catastrophic, floods, droughts, and hurricanes, 63 percent of Americans are at least somewhat worried about climate change. A record 22 percent report being “very worried,” twice as many as in March 2015. The Guardian
On The Radar
Nebraska regulators approved a route for the Keystone XL oil pipeline, removing another major hurdle for the delayed project. Activists say they will continue to fight against the pipeline, which they fear could cause environmental damage and pollute critical water sources in the event of a spill. Reuters
In context: Water and climate safety, finance security, drive Keystone XL conflict.
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
