This Week on Earth: Sept 24-30

New Orleans, LA

On Wednesday, September 27th, President Biden declared a federal emergency because of a saltwater intrusion threatening New Orleans from the Mississippi River. Massive droughts have been hitting much of the United States and as the water levels in the Mississippi River run at record lows, saltwater coming in from the Gulf of Mexico threatens resident safety as it pollutes drinking water. 

The Mississippi River generally has enough water due to its high flow rate, but when the water level is declining, it becomes easier for water from the Gulf to creep in. Currently, the water remains safe to drink, but the Army Corps expects the water safety to be more at risk during mid-October. To combat the situation, the Army Corps is making the current levee, which was constructed in July of this year at 1,500 feet tall, 25 feet taller. This measure will take about two weeks to complete, which they hope will slow the advances of the saltwater. 

Zurich, Switzerland

Switzerland’s glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates, losing almost 10% of their original volume within the last two years. This year was the country’s third-hottest summer on record, which meant very little snow in the winter, and record heat in the summer. Switzerland is one of the countries affected most by climate change, where the temperature is rising at twice the global average.

Britain, UK

This past Wednesday, the British government approved the development of an oil and gas field in the North Sea. Named the Rosebank field, it is set to be the largest oil and gas field in the North Sea, producing up to 500 million barrels of oil. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak argued that adding these reserves will provide greater energy security and help lower electricity costs, although skeptics are worried about the impact it may have on the UK’s pledge to reduce its net carbon emissions to zero by 2050. 

The approval of the field came just a week after Sunik announced that Britain was pushing back a ban on the sale of gas and diesel-powered cars, as well as delaying plans to phase out gas boilers. Both of these were critical commitments made by the British government to reduce the effects of climate change.