A Public-Health Crisis Looms
  No. 183, May 6, 2021
Hello Revelator readers,
A public-health crisis is looming in California, where a new report identifies more than 325 communities whose water systems consistently fail to provide affordable, safe drinking water. Even worse, it finds another 617 public water systems at risk of failing, especially in rural areas. Will the state take action?
Drinking water is also at the heart of efforts to protect páramo ecosystems in the High Andes. These sponge-like moorlands absorb water and store it for later release, providing protection against droughts and most of the water for many communities. But these high-altitude evolutionary hotspots face interconnected threats from climate change, mining and agriculture, putting people and unique species at risk.
Last Friday was Arbor Day, the holiday that encourages people to plant trees. But every day is an opportunity to protect an existing tree or help one grow.
Roaring Good Update:
South Africa has announced plans to finally end its cruel captive-lion-breeding industry.
Subscriber bonus: The Wild 5
Here are five more stories we’re watching this week.
1. “America’s New Normal: A Degree Hotter Than Two Decades Ago” (AP)
2. “The Climate Solution Actually Adding Millions of Tons of CO2 Into the Atmosphere” (Inside Climate News)
3. “Streams and Lakes Have Rights, a U.S. County Decided. Now They’re Suing Florida” (The Guardian)
4. “U.S. Approves Massive Solar Project in California Desert” (Reuters)
5. “Scientists Are Breeding Sea Stars in a Lab to Rehabilitate Warming Oceans” (Bloomberg Green)
What should we cover next?
Our stories rely on insight from experts, frontline activists and readers around the world — especially these days, when so much damage is being done behind the scenes, out of the public eye. We want to hear from you, so please drop us a line anytime.
Coming up:
Our next Species Spotlight will look at the mystery of a disappearing duck. Also coming soon: spiders.
Look for our latest links in next Thursday’s newsletter — or follow us on Twitter and Facebook for headlines as they go live.
As always, thank you for reading. Stay safe and connected. 
John R. Platt This message was sent to eamessages@biologicaldiversity.org. |