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Talk about unexpected negative impacts of climate change: Extreme weather is threatening the country’s medical blood supply.
The American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage as its national inventory dropped more than 25% in July, with continued heat making it harder to replenish the supply. Nationally, more than 100 blood drives have been impacted, including in nearly every state, according to the organization. Since the beginning of August, another 60 blood drives across the U.S. were canceled due to heat and extreme weather, according to The Guardian, citing a Red Cross spokesperson.
America’s Blood Centers, a national association of community blood centers, noting a “critical shortage,” urged eligible people, especially those with types O-positive and O-negative, to donate blood to meet demand. And with the effects of the climate crisis – including hurricanes, storms, heat and flooding – continuing to limit turnout, the American Red Cross offered $20 Amazon gift cards to donors who give blood before August 31.
Children line up to get water at a well to get water near a makeshift camp for internally displaced Yemenis.
The number of violent incidents linked to water resources around the world has increased dramatically in recent years, with a particularly big rise last year, according to a new study. The Pacific Institute’s annual Water Conflict Chronology report shows there were 347 instances of water-related armed conflict in 2023, up from 231 in 2022. These include attacks on water systems, disputes over access........