With all the craziness in this world, and so much news being focused on the situation in Europe and the Middle East or the presidential race some important things have been put in the background of the news. However, these are some important things going on.
The Great Barrier Reef is in serious danger
The Great Barrier Reef is undergoing a complete ecosystem collapse. The once vibrant reef, full of life and color is turning desolate. Coral reefs are undergoing coral bleaching in the winter and fish populations have declined greatly. 93 percent of the reef has undergone bleaching, which is when warm water that is just too warm moves in and causes coral to expel algae living in their tissue making the coral turn white. Marine life thrives around coral reefs with a quarter of the world's marine life living around reefs. There is hope, as reefs can recover extremely quickly. The leading causes of the reef's collapse are humans and climate change.
Israel confirms desalination of water
Israel is a country that had a severe drought which lead to not having enough fresh water for its population. However, it now produces more freshwater than it needs through desalination of Meditteranean water. Water stress has been a factor in the turmoil in the middle east and Israel is hoping its neighbors can come together in a common cause to provide a neccesity of life to its populations. However, the problems in Israel were only part of the reasons a solution was sought after. Israel and Syria fared terribly after decade long droughts. Syria was drilling wells up to 1600 meters deeps, but still millions of farmers relagated to shantytowns in an attempt to find work. The droughts have been a driving force behing desperate acts and Israel is hoping that this new process can help out.
Chernobyl has plans for the future
Chernobyl was the worst nuclear disaster of all time and one of the leading arguments against nuclear energy, however it could be re-purposed as the world's largest solar farm according to the Ukrainian government. With about 6,000 hectares in the exclusion zone the Ukrainian government said they could generate about 1,400 MW or renewable energy. Ukraine presented this plan to banks after much support behind the industrialization of the exclusion zone. Ukraine's ecology minister was also in talks with two US investment firms and four Canadian energy companies which have expressed interest in the solar capabilities of Chernobyl.
