Floods devastate countries across multiple continents as climate change intensifies

Extreme rainfall has recently caused deadly floods and landslides in countries across four continents, with scientists linking the worsening events to climate change and inadequate infrastructure.

Austyn Gaffney and Somini Sengupta report for The New York Times.

In short:

Flooding in countries like Vietnam, Chad, and the United States has killed thousands and displaced millions.
Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of floods by warming the atmosphere, which holds more moisture.
Poor infrastructure and deforestation worsen flood impacts, especially in low-income nations already facing conflict and poverty.

Key quote:

“Extreme events are getting stronger everywhere, so we should expect floods to be bigger regardless of where we are.”

— Michael Wehner, scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Why this matters:

Floods driven by climate change are happening more frequently and across diverse regions. Rich and poor countries alike will need to invest in stronger infrastructure and early-warning systems to mitigate the damage caused by extreme weather.

www.nytimes.com

a bridge that is lit up at night with wave breaking on a nearby lake shore in foreground.

Credit: Brad Switzer/Unsplash

Tribes exit pipeline negotiations in Michigan over lack of consultation

Seven Indigenous nations in Michigan have walked away from federal talks over a proposed oil pipeline tunnel, citing a lack of meaningful engagement and treaty violations.

Izzy Ross reports for Grist and Interlochen Public Radio.

In short:

The tribes oppose Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel project, which would replace part of a 72-year-old pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac, a critical freshwater corridor between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
Their withdrawal follows the Army Corps of Engineers’ move to fast-track permitting under President Trump’s energy emergency order, which tribes say dismisses their environmental and legal concerns.
Tribal leaders and legal advocates argue that the project threatens water resources and violates both U.S. treaty obligations and international law requiring Indigenous consent.

Key quote:

“Tribal Nations are no longer willing to expend their time and resources as Cooperating Agencies just so their participation may be used by the Corps to lend credibility to a flawed [Environmental Impact Statement] process and document.”

— Letter from seven Indigenous nations to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Why this matters:

Buried beneath the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron converge, Line 5 has become a flashpoint in the battle over fossil fuel infrastructure, Indigenous sovereignty, and environmental protection. The aging oil and gas pipeline — operated by Canadian energy giant Enbridge — moves millions of gallons of crude and natural gas liquids daily through a region that holds 20% of the planet’s surface freshwater. A proposed tunnel to house a replacement segment beneath the lakebed has drawn fierce opposition from tribal nations, who warn it risks catastrophic spills and continued desecration of sacred territory.

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grist.org

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