Water Protests Erupt in the Middle East

Droughts have caused agricultural collapse and water shortages across several Middle Eastern countries, with recent protests erupting, calling for governments to take action.

Lut Desert, Iran. Ninara. CC BY 2.0.

The recent  protests in Iran over water scarcity were a part of unrest and rebellion across the entire Middle East after droughts caused agricultural collapse and water shortages in several countries.

The protests began in the oil-rich southwestern province of Khuzestan after accusations that the Iranian government is diverting water to drill for oil. At least eight protestors were killed in different cities.

Climate change is partly responsible for the protests, due to droughts and sandstorms but years of government inefficiency have also largely contributed to the problem. Many development projects put forth in Khuzestan over the years have caused environmental damage and water shortages, including the construction of hydroelectric dams, water transfers to neighboring provinces and irrigation schemes that have only fed agriculture.

According to Khuzestan lawmaker Mojtaba Youssefi, more than 700 villages in the province do not have drinking water and many farmers’ livestock have died of thirst.

Authorities in the area have reacted to the water protests with violence and have cut internet access.

Drought is one of the most significant drivers of conflict not just in Iran, but also everywhere in the Middle East. For example, agricultural collapse and droughts caused many rural Syrian families to migrate to cities and fight for resources and jobs.

The northern Syrian countryside in high summer. Charles Roffey. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Droughts have been a historical constant in the Middle East, but water shortages are becoming even more intense and are present for greater lengths of time due to longer dry seasons and higher temperatures which are driven by global warming.

Yet, politicians and government corruption are also to blame for the droughts. Water shortages only continue to point toward unrest and rebellion, prolonging the social and political trouble that climate change has already caused. Also, the ineffectiveness of water dams in Iraq have caused acute and chronic water shortages there as well.

To make up for these water shortages, farmers and governments are pumping huge amounts of groundwater, which risks turning fertile land into deserts. In 2015, NASA satellites mapped water losses in the region since 2002 and found that parts of Iran and Iraq had lost from 6 to 10 inches of groundwater due to human activity.

As the conflict progresses in Iran, there are risks of violence between neighboring states competing over water resources.

GET INVOLVED

The Borgen Project is a nonprofit that addresses global poverty and hunger and works towards ending them. With their project on the water crisis in the Middle East, they offer internships and volunteering opportunities as well as accept donations. 

Water for People is another organization which brings water, sanitation and hygiene services to those in need. People can get involved with this nonprofit by fundraising, partnering with the company and volunteering.

Isabelle Durso

Isabelle is an undergraduate student at Boston University currently on campus in Boston. She is double majoring in Journalism and Film & Television, and she is interested in being a travel writer and writing human-interest stories around the world. Isabelle loves to explore and experience new cultures, and she hopes to share other people's stories through her writing. In the future, she intends to keep writing journalistic articles as well as creative screenplays.

Climate Change is Shrinking Italy’s Lake Como

Many major landmarks are now visibly facing the consequences of climate change. Because there is no water from rainfall, ice, or melted snow, water levels in Lake Como are now lower than ever recorded before.

Lake Como, Italy. Harshil Shah. CC BY-ND 2.0.

Lake Como is an extremely popular destination for travelers due to its natural beauty and stunning landscape. However, climate change is threatening its future and hurting the local economy.

The water level in Lake Como is unprecedentedly low due to lack of rainfall and melted ice or snow. There is even a gap of more than three feet between the old waterline and where the water currently sits.

Lake Como has an area of  56 square miles, which means that this low water level is due to the loss of 4.6 billion gallons of water. According to local geologists, the rapidly-shrinking Fellaria glacier is the largest contributing factor to the decreased water levels.

Climate change has greatly affected the glacier, as  not much of it remains. Since the late 1800s, the Fellaria glacier has lost two-thirds of its total mass, which translates into an average of more than 20 feet per year.

The lake’s lack of water is enough to cause dangerous erosion and even rockslides. When water recedes, the base of the mountain starts to collapse because the water along the shore can no longer help the rocks stay in place.

Varenna, Lake Como, Italy. Harshil Shah. CC BY-ND 2.0.

Yet another detrimental effect of climate change is that the lack of water in the lake has begun to kill off fish. Many locals rely on fishing for their livelihoods, and they say that the fish level is already 50 percent less than it was 10 years ago.

As one of Europe’s deepest lakes at 1,345 feet deep, Lake Como is not in danger of drying up anytime soon. However, losing its most consistent water source—the Fellaria glacier—will place new pressure  on those who rely on the lake. This will have widespread effects, from affecting hydropower reservoirs located upstream to irrigated farms located downstream.Roads and walls that border the lake are also at risk of fracturing or collapsing due to low water levels.

GET INVOLVED

Nonprofits like the Environmental Defense Fund are dedicated to solving environmental challenges from many different angles with the help of scientists and experts. They offer opportunities to make donations, take action, sign petitions and even ways for companies to get involved. Anything helps. 

Another nonprofit is Conservation International, which works to protect the land and sea in over 70 countries. They combine fieldwork with innovations in science, policy and finance to secure the benefits that nature provides us with. Conservation International encourages people to donate, fundraise, or become a member.

Isabelle Durso

Isabelle is an undergraduate student at Boston University currently on campus in Boston. She is double majoring in Journalism and Film & Television, and she is interested in being a travel writer and writing human-interest stories around the world. Isabelle loves to explore and experience new cultures, and she hopes to share other people's stories through her writing. In the future, she intends to keep writing journalistic articles as well as creative screenplays.

Study Predicts African Great Apes Will Lose 94% of Their Territory 

A new study about  the effects of climate change, land use and human population growth on African great apes found that they may lose up to 94% of their habitat by 2050. 

A mountain gorilla in Uganda. Rod Waddington. CC BY-SA 2.0 

Great apes are humanity’s closest relatives. They are also a highly endangered group of animals, and experts believe that this status will likely worsen in the coming years. A new study published in the journal Diversity and Distributions predicts that the combined pressures of climate change, human land use and human population growth will lead to immense territory losses for African great apes in the next 30 years. 

There are four types of great apes: gorillas, bonobos, orangutans, and chimpanzees. Africa is home to a number of species of great apes, including Cross River and Eastern and Western gorillas, as well as bonobos and chimpanzees. The situation for these species is already critical. All are listed as either endangered or critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List of Threatened Species, a comprehensive list detailing the conservation status of animals around the world. And, as wild areas are destroyed for timber, minerals and food; the human population expands; and climate change alters the land where great apes can comfortably live, experts warn that African great apes could lose a devastating portion of their range by 2050. 

The study was conducted by nearly 60 scientists from different research institutions, universities and conservation organizations. The scientists used data about African great ape populations from the IUCN database and then modelled the future effects of climate change, land use and human population growth. Using this data, the scientists analysed a best case scenario, where action is taken to protect the environment , and a worst case scenario where nothing is done. There is little difference in the two outcomes. Both result in massive range loss for African great apes, with 85% range loss by 2050 in the “best case” scenario and 94% by 2050 in the “worst case”. 

Half of this lost range will be territory inside national parks and other protected areas, the study predicts. Although these areas are safe from human land use, they will still be affected by climate change, which will make the habitat unsuitable for great apes. Most great ape species prefer to live in lowland habitats, but climate change will make them hotter and drier. In areas where there is no higher lands, apes will be left with nowhere to live. In areas where there are uplands, however, experts suggest that great apes will attempt to migrate upward, following the climate and vegetation they prefer. 

Yet, even apes that have the ability to migrate as their range decreases may not have enough time to do so. Apes reproduce slowly, have a low population density and require a very specific diet. All of these factors mean that apes are generally not efficient migrators compared to other species; to fully acclimate to a new habitat would take great ape species longer than the 30 years the study predicts they have left. 

The authors of the study urge that their findings be used to guide conservation efforts for African great apes in order to prevent irreversible population losses. Their findings suggest that the range loss can be mitigated through specific conservation efforts that focus on new and existing protected areas, as well as connecting habitats that are predicted to still be suitable for great apes in the future.

Rachel Lynch

Rachel is a student at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY currently taking a semester off. She plans to study Writing and Child Development. Rachel loves to travel and is inspired by the places she’s been and everywhere she wants to go. She hopes to educate people on social justice issues and the history and culture of travel destinations through her writing.

Global Warming Blankets Turkey’s Waters in “Sea Snot”

Turkey’s Sea of Marmara is covered in a thick blanket of mucus that is suffocating marine life. Global warming is likely the reason. 

An aerial view of phytoplankton blooming in the Sea of Marmara in 2015. Right now, the sea is covered with a layer of “sea snot” that is harming marine life. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. CC BY 2.0  

Turkey’s Sea of Marmara is covered in a thick layer of a beige, viscous substance known as “sea snot” that is clogging fishing nets, killing corals and disrupting the breeding grounds of fish. 

Sea snot—officially known as marine mucilage—comes from phytoplankton, with high levels occurring as a result of prolonged warm temperatures, calm weather and abundant nutrients in the water. An abundance of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus lead to a boom in the phytoplankton population. In normal amounts, phytoplankton are an important part of the ocean’s ecosystem; they are microscopic organisms that exude oxygen. During a population boom, however, phytoplankton can become harmful; under conditions of stress they expel mucus that can accumulate on the surface, creating sea snot that can grow to cover many square miles of ocean. 

Typically, sea snot on its own is not harmful. In fact, research shows that some deep-sea organisms depend on sea snot to stay alive. It only becomes dangerous when sea snot of large amounts begins to host E. coli and other bacteria and viruses, or forms a layer that covers the surface of the ocean, as in Turkey. 

When the sea snot is thick enough to cover the water’s surface, it can act as a blanket, suffocating the marine life below. Immobile organisms like corals are especially vulnerable to damage from sea snot because it can wrap around them, cutting off their ability to breathe or feed. Blankets of sea snot such as the one in Turkey can set off a cyclical chain of events wherein the sea snot suffocates sea creatures, leading to mass die-offs. This in turn leads to mass decomposition, a process that sucks even more oxygen out of the already depleted water, making it more inhospitable for marine life. 

Sea snot is not a new phenomenon; it has been periodically blooming in the Mediterranean Sea since the 18th century. However,  the frequency and extent of sea snot occurrences along Turkey’s coast since 2007 are unusual, and scientists suggest that global warming may be to blame. Phytoplankton thrive in warmer waters. The average seawater temperature in the Sea of Marmara has increased by 2-3 degrees C since preindustrial times. While that may not seem like a lot, the warmer waters are enough to make a major difference in the phytoplankton populations of the sea, which is already rife with nutrients from wastewater. The higher temperatures make the sea even more hospitable to phytoplankton, which leads to disruptive sea snot events like the one Turkey is currently experiencing. 

While the sea snot problem has recently gotten international attention, it has been negatively impacting Turkey’s fishing industry since December, when the bloom began. Fishers have been unable to cast their nets without them getting caught in the sticky mucus, and many of the creatures they do manage to catch are dead, their gills clogged with sea snot. 

Dr Neslihan Özdelice, a marine biologist at Istanbul University, urged for a  focus on preventing overfishing and limiting waste water discharges into the sea, two factors that scientists have identified as contributing to the sea snot phenomenon. Ultimately, the layer of sea snot that is currently covering the Sea of Marmara, disrupting fishing and threatening biodiversity, is a symptom of a problem that needs to be addressed globally. Major sea snot blooms are an easily visible example of climate change. Global cooperation is necessary to address the root of the problem by working towards mitigating climate change and global warming. 

Rachel Lynch

Rachel is a student at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY currently taking a semester off. She plans to study Writing and Child Development. Rachel loves to travel and is inspired by the places she’s been and everywhere she wants to go. She hopes to educate people on social justice issues and the history and culture of travel destinations through her writing.

Greenland’s Hot Springs Affecting Glacier Melting

The heat from the Earth’s crust that leads to the creation of hot springs, such as those on the island of Uunartoq in Greenland, may be contributing to sea level rise.

Glacier in Greenland. Ville Miettinen. CC BY-NC 2.0.

Over 1,000 years ago, Southern Greenland’s crystal-clear hot springs were discovered by the Norsemen, who were members of the Scandinavian seafaring warriors—also known as Vikings— who raided and colonized areas of Europe from the 9th to 11th centuries.

Hot springs are pools of naturally heated water that have the same temperature all year and are warmer than the average temperature of the location.

In Greenland, natural hot springs are very common, but the island of Uunartoq is the only place where the hot springs are warm enough to bathe in. There are three naturally-heated springs that run together into a small pool between the land of Alluitsup Paa and Nanortalik. In this pool, people can lie in the water and enjoy the mountains and icebergs around the spring.

The water in the hot spring is heated by deep layers in the Earth’s crust rubbing against each other, as opposed to being created by volcanic activity like the hot springs in Iceland. Uunartoq’s hot springs are a perfectly warm 98 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37 to 38 degrees Celsius).

Uunartoq’s hot springs also act as the only heated outdoor spa in Greenland. People can visit the springs all year round and in any weather because the water temperature is always suitable to soak in. Natural hot springs are also high in minerals, including calcium, magnesium, silica and lithium, which help to soothe muscles and promote healing.

Greenland fjord. Tearbringer. CC BY-NC 2.0.

However, the heat from the friction of Earth’s crust is possibly contributing to Greenland’s glacier retreat. Greenland’s melting glaciers are a large reason why global sea levels are rising in response to climate change.

According to researchers, a significant amount of geothermal activity is bubbling in Greenland beneath the Earth’s surface. The heat radiating from within Earth’s interior—which warms the hot springs—is melting the glaciers above, making it easier for them to slide into the sea and contribute to rising sea levels.

In addition, the Earth’s interior heat flowing outward (in scientific terms, geothermal heat flux) is causing deep-sea temperatures in the fjords to rise significantly, which also results in melting glaciers. It is important to understand the processes by which polar ice is melting in order to predict how soon, and how much, sea levels will rise in the future.

Isabelle Durso

Isabelle is an undergraduate student at Boston University currently on campus in Boston. She is double majoring in Journalism and Film & Television, and she is interested in being a travel writer and writing human-interest stories around the world. Isabelle loves to explore and experience new cultures, and she hopes to share other people's stories through her writing. In the future, she intends to keep writing journalistic articles as well as creative screenplays.

Australia’s Underground Town

In the 100-year-old mining town of Coober Pedy, Australia, more than half of the population lives underground, escaping the heat. 

An underground bookstore in Coober Pedy, Australia. Smart Encyclopedia. CC BY-NC 2.0 

Over half of the few thousand residents of Coober Pedy, Australia, live underground. The town was founded over 100 years ago, in 1915, when a teenage boy out prospecting for gold discovered opals. A settlement was quickly established and miners began to flock to the area. Coober Pedy became one of the largest opal mining operations in the world, producing around 70% of the world’s opal and earning the title “Opal Capital of the World.” 

But the settlers of Coober Pedy had a problem: Coober Pedy is hot, with temperatures in the summer rising to over 113 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade. The opposite extreme is true during winter nights when the desert becomes very cold—considering this, life aboveground is greatly impacted by the weather. Rather than moving to a more temperate climate where opportunities for mining work would be more difficult to find, the settlers took inspiration from the mining industry itself, carving underground and hillside dugouts. In these cooler dugouts, the temperature stays at 75 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. 

Chimneys rise from underground homes in Coober Pedy. Nicholas Jones. CC BY 2.0

The inhabitants’ subterranean lifestyle earned Coober Pedy its name, a corruption of the Aboriginal phrase “kupa piti,” which is often translated as “white man in a hole.” The name Coober Pedy was made official in 1920, but the settlement was not declared a town until the 1960s, after which it underwent another population boom and further development. 

Today, the underground residences have all the amenities that a regular home would on the surface, such as internet, water and electricity, as well as multiple bedrooms, bathrooms and living areas. Some homes, like the one carved by Faye Nayler and two of her friends, even have a swimming pool and bar. A large portion of the population live most of their life underground, and it is a comfortable and relatively normal lifestyle—aside from the lack of sunlight. There are stores, churches and museums underground alongside the residences; the town truly is an underground community. Coober Pedy’s inhabitants do have to venture aboveground for food, however, because both of the town’s grocery stores are located on the surface. 

An underground church in Coober Pedy. Werner Bayer. CC BY 2.0 

Coober Pedy is still a worldwide hub for precious opal, but mining is no longer its only major industry. The town has become a popular attraction for visitors hoping to experience subterranean life. Visitors can stay in hotels with underground accommodations, like the Desert Cave Hotel. Another lodging option is a homestay in family-operated underground apartment-style accommodations like Di’s Dugouts or the Underground B&B. There are also underground campgrounds available to book. 

A hotel in Coober Pedy. Smart Encyclopedia. CC BY-NC 2.0 

While the underground lifestyle is Coober Pedy’s main draw, visitors can also explore other attractions such as the Centenary Mosaic Garden; Kanku Breakaways Conservation Park, which is an Aboriginal heritage site; and can even try their hand at mining for opal using a digging technique called noodling. Faye Nayler’s house is now open to visitors as Faye’s Underground Home, where visitors can pay a small entrance fee to receive a guided tour of the house. There are a number of other tours available around Coober Pedy for visitors to learn more about the town’s unique history.  

Rachel Lynch

Rachel is a student at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY currently taking a semester off. She plans to study Writing and Child Development. Rachel loves to travel and is inspired by the places she’s been and everywhere she wants to go. She hopes to educate people on social justice issues and the history and culture of travel destinations through her writing.

Major Win in German Youth’s Fight for Climate Justice

Spurred on by youth climate activism, German courts rule that the 2019 Climate Protection Act does not adequately protect the futures of its youth.

Climate change protesters in Berlin, Germany. 350 Action Fund. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

On April 29, 2021, Germany’s highest court ruled that the 2019 Climate Protection Act does not go far enough to protect the country’s youth. When it was created, the act stated that intensified climate action was needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent additional strains on the federal budget. The act required energy, transportation, industry, building, waste and agriculture sectors to collectively reduce carbon emission levels by 55% from 1990 levels.

However, the plans to reduce carbon emission under this act were set to stop by the year 2030. A group of nine young German protestors filed a lawsuit against the act for not containing explicit targets to fight climate change during the 20 years after 2030 and up until the country’s 2050 goal of reaching greenhouse gas neutrality. Young protestors fought for additional measures to be put in place from 2031 to 2050 to effectively reach the law’s goals.

In a significant climate case decision, the German court sided with youth climate activists and ordered the government to expand carbon emission mitigation measures to reach greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050. This new legislation hopes to protect future generations by taking action against climate change. 

This decision came just in time for a warning report from Bavaria that the region’s five alpine glaciers are melting quickly and are projected to be gone in a decade. According to Thorsten Glauber, the state’s environment minister, a glacier on the northern side of the country’s highest peak, the Zugspitze, is losing 250 liters (66 gallons) of water every 30 seconds. In the past decade, the glaciers in Bavaria have lost two-thirds of their ice.

Eibsee Lake in Bavaria, Germany. Barnyz. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Germany’s glaciers are essential to their landscape and society, providing water for rivers and streams during droughts, stabilizing mountain rocks, and hosting popular ski resorts. The glaciers are also indicators of global climate temperatures, serving as further proof that climate action needs to be taken immediately.

Germany’s recent court decision on the 2019 Climate Protection Act is more important now than ever. Not only does it come in time to help the country’s beautiful glaciers, but it also serves as an example of young people’s power to influence legislative decisions. Similar court cases filed by youth were attempted in other countries, but not many have been as successful as this one in Germany. Hopefully this case will pave the way for t many similar victories in the future.

Isabelle Durso

Isabelle is an undergraduate student at Boston University currently on campus in Boston. She is double majoring in Journalism and Film & Television, and she is interested in being a travel writer and writing human-interest stories around the world. Isabelle loves to explore and experience new cultures, and she hopes to share other people's stories through her writing. In the future, she intends to keep writing journalistic articles as well as creative screenplays.

Africa Faces Higher Food Insecurity Due to COVID-19

Africa experiences food insecurity due to poverty, conflict, climate change and a lack of access to food. When COVID-19 hit, it made all of these matters much worse.

A man inspects failed corn crops in Mauritania. Oxfam International. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Although made significantly more severe by COVID-19, food insecurity has been a serious concern worldwide for decades, mostly caused by economic shocks, climate change and conflict. According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, 239 million people in sub-Saharan Africa were undernourished as of 2018.

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened food insecurity across the world by reducing incomes and disrupting food supply chains. The United Nations warns that about three dozen countries—Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Sudan included—could experience major famines this year, pushing 130 million more people to starvation. East Africa’s biggest locust invasion in 70 years combined with the impact of COVID-19 threatens to drive 25 million people into hunger. Research from a series of high-frequency phone surveys shows that over 105 million adults have been affected by some degree of food insecurity across Uganda, Nigeria, Malawi, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso following the onset of the pandemic. Devastated food sources and billions of dollars in crop damage may push residents over the edge.

In addition, preventive measures like border closures, lockdowns and curfews intended to slow the spread of COVID-19 are disrupting supply chains that struggled to keep markets well-stocked even before the pandemic. At least 60% of the African population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods and access to food, and disruptions to this system caused by COVID-19 are threatening this group’s food security.

A man tending to his crops in Uganda. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. CC BY 2.0.

Most African countries rely heavily on food imports; between 2016 and 2018, Africa imported about 85% of its food from outside the continent. Heavy reliance on world markets is extremely detrimental to food security, and export bans imposed by major food exporters due to COVID-19 made the region even more vulnerable. If trade blockages persist, agricultural production in Africa could decrease by between 2.6% and 7%.

African countries are also reporting shortages and price spikes for some domestic food crops, such as millet, sorghum and maize. In addition, the disruption of marketing and trade activities, combined with panic-buying during the pandemic, intensified food price increases and caused both rural and urban consumers to lose purchasing power.

As a direct result of rising food prices, the availability and affordability of nutritious food has plummeted. Nutrient-rich foods like eggs, fruit and vegetables are 10 times more expensive than staple foods like rice or wheat in sub-Saharan Africa, so vulnerable families were forced to buy cheaper and less nutritious food to survive, adding to a rise in malnutrition and obesity.

In addition, school closures in South Africa have stopped a national feeding program that provides nutritious meals to 9 million poorer children.

Restrictions imposed by governments—lockdowns, travel bans and social distancing measures included—have increased the risk of food insecurity, and many low-income households have lost their livelihoods and ability to access markets.

A fruit and vegetable stand in Kampala, Uganda. World Bank Photo Collection. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

COVID-19 has clearly had a detrimental effect on food security in Africa, with 43% of households that were not severely food insecure in 2018 estimated to be severely food insecure as of June 2020.

However, there are ways to help, and many government programs have already started to alleviate some of the hunger in Africa. In Chad, a government project is providing food kits, establishing cereal banks and distributing seeds for future harvests so that households can survive the rest of the pandemic. In East Africa, the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Feed the Future program is supporting measures to keep food and agricultural inputs moving across borders and from ports to inland countries.

Although many efforts to help Africa are already in place, it is imperative that African countries take the necessary steps to build resilient, climate-friendly and competitive food systems so that they can survive COVID-19 and any future challenges.

To Get Involved:

Donating to Oxfam South Africa or Action Against Hunger will help to provide essential care to hungry families in Africa. Additionally, the U.N. World Food Program uses donations to deliver lifesaving food to those in need, wherever they may be located.

Another great way to help is by giving to The Hunger Project, which uses donations to implement programs that mobilize rural communities to achieve sustainable progress against hunger. These are just a few of the many ways to get involved to help end the crisis. To learn more, visit the United Nations’ website on hunger in Africa.

Isabelle Durso

Isabelle is an undergraduate student at Boston University currently on campus in Boston. She is double majoring in Journalism and Film & Television, and she is interested in being a travel writer and writing human-interest stories around the world. Isabelle loves to explore and experience new cultures, and she hopes to share other people's stories through her writing. In the future, she intends to keep writing journalistic articles as well as creative screenplays.

On the Rocks, Please: Exploring Spain’s Setenil de las Bodegas

Spain’s cliffside town of Setenil de las Bodegas stands as a prime example of how humans can dance harmoniously with the rugged wonders of Mother Nature. 

Rocks on top of the Spanish town of Setenil de las Bodegas. maesejose. CC BY 2.0.

Often the media finds itself focusing on hot-topic debate frenzies; climate change is a primary theme. . Usually hidden, though, are the situations in which humans and nature work together. Spain’s southern region of Andalusia houses one such place, a town known as Setenil de las Bodegas. 

View of the rocky hillside. manuelfloresv. CC BY 2.0. 

At first glance, photos of the town communicate quaint and quiet living—whitewashed buildings sit nestled within rocky hillsides. Upon closer inspection, however, it becomes apparent that the construction of Setenil de las Bodegas is unique. The town is not built on the rocks of the mountain, but rather among the gargantuan boulders themselves. The large stones sit atop the buildings, acting as roofs and providing massive cooling canopies to the streets below. The small town of about 3,000 residents has found a peculiar haven, believing that the practicality of construction that nature provided makes it worth settling in the region.

Although Setenil de las Bodegas’ population is small, the town possesses a deep history and equally rich cultural activities. The town’s name itself holds a fascinating story; the word “setenil” meaning “seven times nothing” refers to the seven times it took for Spain to recapture this area from the Moors. The other part of the name, “de las bodegas,” refers to the way the boulders acted as a reliable cooling function for the town’s early wineries. Now, the town holds some of the best wine in Andalusia, alongside other rich delicacies of the region such as honey and chorizo. A few times a year, visitors can expect lively street parades filled with local cuisine, concerts and flamenco dancing. 

Setenil de las Bodegas endures blisteringly hot summers but enjoys moderate winters, providing most visitors with a relatively pleasurable climate to enjoy the town. 

Every once in a while, humans find a way to become one with nature instead of fighting against it. In Setenil de las Bodegas, this idea is not just a reason to visit, but rather plays a major role in the very lifeblood of the town. 

Ella Nguyen

Ella is an undergraduate student at Vassar College pursuing a degree in Hispanic Studies. She wants to assist in the field of immigration law and hopes to utilize Spanish in her future projects. In her free time she enjoys cooking, writing poetry, and learning about cosmetics.

8 Destinations at Risk From Climate Change

Stunning destinations around the world are at risk from climate change. We have all heard about Venice, but did you know the Rhone Valley, France, Glacier National Park in Montana, even NYC’s Statue of Liberty are in jeopardy—the Great Barrier Reef and the Amazon as well? Learn more about how long each of these 7 spots have.

Read More

The World’s Newest Type of Migrants: Climate Refugees

With climate change rendering entire countries uninhabitable, people are forced to leave their homes and seek refuge elsewhere. 

Flooding in Kiribati. AusAID. CC BY 2.0. 

In recent years, there have been growing concerns and conversations about climate change’s effects on the Earth. With warmer summers, retreating coastlines and record-breaking natural disasters, it is clear that the Earth is changing, and quickly. However, one aspect of the issue that is often overlooked is the displacement it causes among residents in climate change hot spots. As climate crises happen all over the world, more and more people—often called climate refugees—are forced to leave their homes to find a safe living environment elsewhere. 

In 2019, around 8.5 million people fled their homes for another part of their country because of violence and conflict. That same year, almost 25 million were internally displaced due to extreme weather and natural disasters caused by climate change. People are not only being internally displaced, however. In some cases, it is necessary for them to cross borders. 

One country facing drastic climate change problems is Kiribati, an island nation in the Pacific. Since the islands are extremely low-lying, rising sea levels are a major concern. So far, the elevated sea levels have caused coastal erosion, flooding and freshwater contamination. Because of this, one native, Ioane Teitiota, gathered his family and moved to New Zealand for a better life. 

Once climate refugees are forced to leave their countries, they face one main obstacle: legally, they are not “refugees” at all. Under the 1951 Refugee Convention, a refugee is a person who has fled their country due to persecution. Under international law, those migrating due to weather and climate change do not meet this criteria. Therefore, when people leave their country for climate reasons, they find themselves legally vulnerable and unable to claim the rights and protections provided to refugees. In most cases, their only option is to apply for some sort of temporary protection. 

In Teitiota’s case, he and his wife only received work visas, which expired in four years. Facing deportation, Teitiota applied for protection in New Zealand, arguing that his family was at risk back home in Kiribati due to the destruction climate change had caused to the islands. New Zealand rejected his plea and, in January 2020, the United Nations backed the decision.

The number of climate refugees is increasing, and there are projected to be 200 million displaced due to climate change by 2050. With this urgency, human rights activists are fighting for some sort of policy on the rights and protections of climate refugees, especially because countries that contribute the least to global climate change are often the ones hit hardest by its effects. 

Climate change sign in South Tarawa, Kiribati. DFAT. CC BY 2.0.

Teitiota was eventually deported to Kiribati. Still, experts still see a silver lining in his case. When reviewing New Zealand’s decision to reject Teitiota’s appeal, the U.N. reasoned that although the rising sea levels will “render Kiribati uninhabitable … the time frame of 10 to 15 years could allow for intervening acts by Kiribati, with the assistance of the international community, to take affirmative measures to protect and relocate its population.” 

The reason the U.N. committee provided for the rejection is that climate change’s threat to Teitiota’s life is not imminent enough—there is still time to help Kiribati. For the first time, the U.N. also declared that in life-threatening situations, countries should not send climate refugees back home. Although the ruling denied Teitiota’s claim to protection in New Zealand, it paves the way for other climate refugees to receive it. The ruling is not internationally binding, but is a step toward bettering the situations of climate refugees.

While governments and international organizations are making strides to put adequate structures in place, many think much more work needs to be done. There are people like Teitiota fleeing their climate change-ravaged countries every single day.

Mahlia Neely

Mahlia was born and raised on the island of New Providence in The Bahamas. She attends Vassar College, where she is studying English with a minor in Hispanic Studies. She enjoys reading books of all genres and learning about new places. When she isn’t doing either of those things, she is working on articles for her school newspaper or eyeing the chocolate desserts in the dining hall.

Glacial Avalanche in Himalayas Draws Attention to Climate Change

The topic of climate change is widely discussed in political and scientific circles; while many wholly deny the concept, others experience its consequences firsthand. In the most recent example of climate change’s widespread impacts, natives of the Himalayas have taken a firm stand in protecting their homes. 

Pristine Himalayas—for now. David Zanchettine. CC BY-NC 2.0. 

Just over a month into 2021, the climate crisis struck the Indian Himalayas when a portion of a massive glacier in Uttarakhand state broke off. The incident occurred at the base of Nanda Devi, India’s second-tallest mountain; the gargantuan mountain’s lower slopes are peppered with villages where locals raise cattle. The incident was exacerbated by a snowball event: the avalanche struck construction sites, pushing more deadly debris toward locals. Villages were obliterated by the falling debris, while a raging river of melted ice shot down rocky hillsides. Officials claim that over 200 are missing, many of whom were workers on construction sites; 30 people have been declared dead. The cause of the slide has not been fully determined, but officials suspect that warming of the ice due to climate change caused the rocks to slide off with greater ease. 

As tragic as this recent incident was, it was not the first episode of the Himalayan climate crisis and certainly will not be the last. The Himalayas are already vulnerable to catastrophic weather changes, especially during the monsoon season. However, it is the human-caused damage that locals are imploring the government to prevent. 

India faces a daunting dilemma with the Himalayan climate crisis. Many residents of the hilly landscape live in poverty, so the government has jump-started many development projects to help the local population. However, as well-intentioned as this work may have been, it has proven deadly to the area’s residents. Many argue that the ecosystem of the Himalayas is simply too fragile to sustain such heavy construction. Locals explain that the rocky area is prone to landslides, and the ever-rising temperatures leave glaciers closer to their melting point. In addition, climate change has contributed to unpredictable weather patterns in the area, which further adds to the locals’ anxiety of potential catastrophes. Yet, the government has chosen to continue the projects anyway. As a result, human interference with the landscape compounded with rising temperatures due to climate change leave residents constantly teetering on the edge of disaster. 

Little can be said at the moment of what kind of change lies ahead for India’s Himalayan population. However, what can be said is that failure to act swiftly will guarantee a deadly future for the area’s residents. 

To Get Involved:

To learn more about how the India Development and Relief Fund approaches disaster relief in the region, click here. 

To look into ways to help with disaster relief through volunteering for the India Development and Relief Fund, click here. Telecommuting is available for most positions.

Ella Nguyen

Ella is an undergraduate student at Vassar College pursuing a degree in Hispanic Studies. She wants to assist in the field of immigration law and hopes to utilize Spanish in her future projects. In her free time she enjoys cooking, writing poetry, and learning about cosmetics.

Poverty-Stricken Yemen Faces Climate Change Consequences

Yemen, the most impoverished and water insecure country in the Middle East, faces serious risks from climate change, including unpredictable rainfall patterns amid a hot and dry climate.

Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. Hiro Otake. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Climate change poses a serious threat to countries all across the world, but Yemen in particular is extremely vulnerable. According to the United Nations Development Program, three main sectors of Yemen are especially at risk: water resources, agriculture and coastal zones.

Water Resources

Yemen’s natural sources of clean freshwater are drying up, and its reservoirs are nearly drained. Yemenis say that rising average temperatures, which could increase by 2.2 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit, are causing 10 future generations’ worth of water to be used up now. In addition, Yemen’s rapidly growing population—currently at 29 million—means less water per person.

Water shortages are also leading to social tensions and local conflicts in Yemen’s poor cities. The impacts of climate change—increased temperatures, drought and rising sea levels—will continue to remove access to safe drinking water, spark conflict over water, and cause saltwater intrusion of groundwater sources.

Village well in Yemen. Ahron de Leeuw. CC BY 2.0

Since the Yemeni government has struggled to establish a modern water governance framework, the water shortage is being met by modern tube wells and boreholes, which drain reserves of underground water. Many independent households are also piping and fetching their own water.

Further depletion of water resources is expected to reduce agricultural productivity by 40%. Yemen’s agricultural sector is another that will face the harsh impact of climate change.

Agriculture

The agricultural sector employs the majority of Yemen’s workforce, cultivating crops of fruit, vegetables, fodder and more. Due to climate change, rainfall on these farms often leads to floods that cause soil erosion and loss of land. In other months, dry periods and droughts lead to desertification, accounting for an estimated 3-5% annual loss in fertile land.

In addition, the cultivation of qat—a shrub whose leaves have a narcotic effect—has worsened Yemen’s water problems, covering 38% of Yemen’s irrigated areas and consuming 40% of available water resources. Sea levels are also expected to increase by 1 to 1.75 feet by 2100, which could cause water to leak into coastal freshwater aquifers and make soil brackish.

Not only could Yemen’s economy considerably decline due to a lack of natural rural resources, but food insecurity will also skyrocket and increase the country’s need for imported grains. Moreover, 75% of the population is rural and engaged in farming. Therefore, Yemenis are highly dependent on a good climate for their livelihoods, something that climate change is making almost impossible.

Coastal Zones

Due to increased storm surges and sea level rise, Yemen is extremely susceptible to coastal zone damage. As one of the top 10 low-income countries most vulnerable to coastal damage, Yemen’s ecosystems and communities are threatened by rising sea levels, erosion, floods, mass displacement and economic disorder. For example, in 2008, floods in southeastern Yemen caused $1.6 billion in damages and losses, which was the equivalent of 6% of the country’s gross domestic product.

Storm clouds on the southwestern coast of Yemen. NASA Johnson. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The projected impacts of climate change in Yemen will intensify the social, economic and political issues that its citizens already face from the country’s ongoing civil war. In order to help Yemenis, world leaders say it is imperative to pursue viable environmental solutions, such as carbon pricing, clean public transport, renewable energy, sustainable agricultural programs and efficient workspaces. Without transformative change, countries such as Yemen face potentially catastrophic consequences.

Isabelle Durso

Isabelle is an undergraduate student at Boston University currently on campus in Boston. She is double majoring in Journalism and Film & Television, and she is interested in being a travel writer and writing human-interest stories around the world. Isabelle loves to explore and experience new cultures, and she hopes to share other people's stories through her writing. In the future, she intends to keep writing journalistic articles as well as creative screenplays.

50 Countries Vow to Protect 30% of Earth’s Land and Water by 2030

Research shows that half of the planet must be protected to stop climate crises and the loss of biodiversity. Over 50 countries have pledged to protect 30% of the land and oceans by 2030, a major milestone in the ultimate goal of conservation. 

Protecting 30% of Earth’s land and oceans by 2030 is necessary to sustain human well-being. Barnyz. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

A coalition of over 50 countries, chaired by France, Costa Rica and the United Kingdom, have pledged to conserve 30% of Earth’s land and oceans by the end of the decade. Known as 30x30, the plan was established in order to stop the loss of biodiversity and to protect essential resources. The agreement is ambitious, but studies show that protecting at least 30% of the planet is necessary to stimulate the economy and retain the current quality of life. 

Current estimates suggest that only 15% of the world’s land and 7% of the ocean has some degree of protection.

On Jan. 11, over 50 countries entered the agreement, championed by the High Ambition Coalition (HAC), at the One Planet Summit for Biodiversity in Paris. The summit was organized by France in cooperation with the United Nations and World Bank and aimed to “advance the protection of nature,” with a focus on preserving biodiversity and key ecosystems. The summit was sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic, which the One Planet statement says serves as a reminder of how important nature is to daily life and to the world economy. A variety of world leaders, including heads of state, financial institutions, NGOs, companies and international organizations, gathered via videoconference to discuss protecting land and the oceans, promoting agroecology, mobilizing financial resources to promote biodiversity and protecting human health. 

Though the summit as a whole focused on broader topics, the HAC presented specific goals, backed by research, to “ignite transformative change for the future of all life on Earth.”  The HAC existed prior to the One Planet Summit, but was officially launched during the event. The HAC advocates for: 

  • The effective conservation of at least 30% of Earth’s land and oceans by 2030.

  • Effective management of protected and conserved areas.

  • Increased financing to ensure effective management long term.

  • Implementation mechanisms to put nature on a path to recovery, also by 2030. 

Human well-being depends on protecting natural systems, which provide resources such as clean water and help to stabilize the climate. These natural systems are threatened by biodiversity loss and climate change. Research has shown that to successfully address the Earth’s environmental crises, half of the planet must be kept in a natural state. Thus, the HAC’s 30x30 plan is just the beginning of stopping environmental degradation. Research has also shown that conserving 30% of the Earth by 2030 is a necessary interim goal on the path to ultimately protecting the planet and maintaining human life.  

Protecting 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030 is no small task. Current estimates suggest that only 15% of the world’s land and 7% of the ocean has some degree of protection. To achieve the 30x30 goal, the HAC intends to promote Indigenous-led conservation, emphasize environmentally critical areas and prioritize intact ecosystems. In addition to the areas that are already protected, the HAC has identified areas that should be conserved moving forward. The HAC is working to create a new global framework for conservation, which will include the 30x30 goal. This framework is set to be finalized and put into action in May 2021, at a U.N. summit in China. 

Rachel Lynch

Rachel is a student at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY currently taking a semester off. She plans to study Writing and Child Development. Rachel loves to travel and is inspired by the places she’s been and everywhere she wants to go. She hopes to educate people on social justice issues and the history and culture of travel destinations through her writing.