The Clim8
06.20.21-06.26.21
Native Americans hit especially hard by climate change (NY Times)
After decades of discrimination and dislocation, Native Americans from Florida to Alaska are facing a new crisis: climate change. Erosion, storms, and floods plague tribal lands across the country, threatening to destroy homes, schools, and other community infrastructure. Droughts bring a massive loss for water, and some traditional crops no longer grow in today’s harsh climates.
Scottish report detailing potential climate change solutions released (BBC)
Scotland’s Climate Assembly came together to draft a list of 80 recommended actions their government could take to combat climate change. Among these solutions are a proposed ban on all single-use plastics unless absolutely necessary, cheaper (or even free) public transport systems, and taxes on high carbon emissions. In an attempt to represent an accurate demographic of the country, the assembly was made up of 100 randomly chosen Scottish citizens.
Check it out: Read the report for yourself here.
Cutting edge gardening center opens in Great Britain (BBC)
The center -- or, "centre," as they would say across the pond -- is located in Woking, Surrey, England, and allows scientists to examine how certain species of plants can positively impact the environment. The center took eight years and $35 million to build.
The link between zoonotic diseases and climate change (NPR)
After a trip to the beach in Florida, Laura Gaither and her family noticed that they had been bitten by what appeared to be sandflies; when these bites began to get worse, Gaither decided to do her own research and found that her family may have been infected by the leishmania parasite. Leishmaniasis is the disease caused by the leishmania parasite and is common in tropical regions. As this disease only populates under specific environmental conditions, climate change is strongly connected with the emergence of the disease.
The lasting effects of forest fires (NY Times)
Even after a forest fire has been controlled, surrounding cities continue to be impacted. As watersheds are often contaminated with sediment erosion, water supplies are also affected. Water supplies are at further risk as climate change causes wildfires to burn hotter. Efforts to reduce the contamination of water supplies have included spreading mulch and seed from helicopters.
Can’t find the keys: The Florida Keys could be lost under waters as sea levels rise due to climate change (The Guardian)
Florida officials get ready to elevate streets to protect homes from being submerged in water. Over the next 25 years, $1.8 billion will be spent to lift 150 miles of roads in the Keys. One example of homes in danger is in Monroe county where an expected 17-inch rise in sea levels are to occur within the next 20 years.
Indigenous communities could hold the insight to successfully battling the climate crisis (UN News)
The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) released a new study in which indigenous peoples across the globe are described as being self-sufficient and resilient with a strong adaptability to climate change. The study features 11 indigenous groups who are said to create hundreds of food items from the environment around them, while still maintaining natural resources and not using in excess. The FAO shared that the Inari Sámi people of Finland’s Arctic region can produce 75 per cent of their necessary protein to survive solely by fishing, hunting and herding.
The Pacific Northwest to experience intense heating from global warming most often, though climate experts warn the region is ill-equipped (CNN)
In the next week, Washington and Oregon will experience temperatures that are 20 to 30 degrees higher than its late-June average. On Friday, the National Weather Service issued a warning that it will be one of the more dangerous heat ways in the region’s history. Officials fear that people are unprepared for the rising temperatures, as evidenced by data showing that Seattle and Portland, respectively, rank first and third among cities with the largest proportion of homes without air conditioning.