Latest news with #natural disaster
CBC
22-07-2025
- Climate
- CBC
South Australia algal bloom a 'natural disaster,' state's premier says, as species wiped out
Social Sharing A massive outbreak of toxic algae off South Australia, which has devastated hundreds of species of marine life and disrupted local tourism and fishing, is a "natural disaster," state Premier Peter Malinauskas said on Tuesday. "I want to be really clear about this. This is a natural disaster," Malinauskas said. "I think politicians can do themselves a disservice when they get caught up in technicalities. This is a natural disaster. It should be acknowledged as such." The algal bloom, first detected in March, spans an area 4,500 square kilometres in size and has been aggravated by rising ocean temperatures, environment officials say. More than 400 different species of marine life have been killed off or died as a result of the algal bloom, Malinauskas said. "It's important to recognize that this is an unprecedented event," he said. "We've never seen an algal bloom of this size and this scale in the history of our country's coastline." Malinauskas announced a $12.5 million Cdn support package to tackle the outbreak, matching a package by the federal government. The combined $25 million would assist with cleanup efforts, research, and business support. The toxic bloom has been caused by overgrowth of the Karenia mikimotoi algal species, which affects fish gills and sucks oxygen out of the water as it decomposes, the state's Environment Department said. Contributing to its growth was a marine heat wave that started in 2024, when sea temperatures were about 2.5 C warmer than usual. Michael Parsons, a marine science professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, said these blooms could get more common as climate change makes waters more hospitable to the toxic algae. "One concern is that many of these harmful algal bloom species — especially in the temperate and subtropical waters — they really cannot handle the cold water temperatures of winter time as well," Parsons said. "And so if we have milder autumn water temperatures, milder winter temperatures, we can see that these species can continue to bloom and continue to thrive into the winter months." Patrick Martone, a botany professor at the University of British Columbia, said increased rainfall from climate change also washes more land-based nutrients into the water, fuelling the growth of more blooms. Once a bloom has flourished, he said, all that can really be done is to leave it to die on its own. "There's no way for people to go in and filter out all of the water of all the algae that are living there," Martone said. "So there's just not a good solution, unfortunately." More than 13,850 dead animals, including sharks, rays and invertebrates, have been recorded by the public on the iNaturalist app. The bloom has impacted tourism and forced oyster and mussel farms to temporarily shut down due to a waterborne toxin caused by the algae, local media said. Parsons said the bloom could have prolonged effects on the local ecosystem, as toxins from the algae make their way up the food chain. Further, the bacteria required to break down this much dead sea life can drain oxygen from the surrounding waters, causing further deaths. "We see this with other harmful algal bloom species where the impacts may last for years as the fish populations recover from those impacts," he said. Murray Watt, Australia's environment minister, said on Monday the algal bloom was a "very serious environmental event," but he stopped short of declaring it a national disaster, which would allow for greater federal support.
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
‘Devastating' toxic algal bloom declared natural disaster in Australia amid warnings Bondi beach could be next
South Australia has declared its toxic algal bloom a natural disaster following weeks of pressure from scientists, local officials and community members over what has been called an 'unprecedented' marine crisis. The bloom – fuelled by the toxic algae Karenia mikimotoi – has devastated marine life along more than 500km of the coastline since March, killing thousands of fish, rays, sharks, and dolphins, and threatening local fisheries and coastal livelihoods. South Australia premier Peter Malinauskas described the bloom as a natural disaster that 'should be acknowledged as such' and urged leaders not to get 'caught up in technicalities'. 'This is so entirely unprecedented we don't really know how it's going to play out over coming weeks and months ahead,' he told ABC's News Breakfast, noting over 400 marine species had been impacted. Federal environment minister Murray Watt visited some of the affected areas this week and pledged a $14m assistance package but said the event did not yet meet the criteria for formal natural disaster status. South Australia, however, invoked state authority to make its own declaration, unlocking additional emergency support. Marine experts have been sounding the alarm over the crisis for months. In May, conservationists said the boom had already killed over 200 marine species. 'It's hard to overstate the extreme severity of the algal bloom environmental crisis in South Australia,' Adriana Vergés, a marine ecologist at the University of New South Wales, said. 'We are talking about extensive mortality of nearly 500 different marine species, including key habitat-forming sponges and other invertebrates, as well as fish over more than 500 km of coastline. It's completely devastating.' Described as a 'toxic blanket', the bloom suffocates fish by damaging their gills and attacking their red blood cells and the nervous system. It can lead to haemorrhaging and erratic behaviour in the affected animals. Photos from beaches around Adelaide show carcasses of snapper, stingrays and other dead sea creatures lining the shore. According to local records cited by The Guardian, over 13,800 animals are confirmed dead but the real toll is likely far higher. Professor Shauna Murray, a harmful algal bloom expert at the University of Technology Sydney, said the bloom had impacted several hundred square kilometres of coastline since mid-March and was now impacting Adelaide, a city of 1.5 million. She warned that brevetoxins – neurotoxins produced by the algae – had already been detected in some seafood. 'It's not just having an ecologically disastrous effect, it's now severely impacting fishing and aquaculture industries as well as tourism. We need regular monitoring and financial support for all affected,' she said. The crisis has already led to the closure of Coorong's pipi fishery and parts of the state's oyster aquaculture due to health concerns. Scientists warn that less mobile species, like seahorses, flatheads and leatherjackets, may take years to recover. John Morrongiello, associate professor at the University of Melbourne, described it as 'an ecological catastrophe' that could have long-term consequences for marine food webs and coastal economies. Climate and nutrient pollution are believed to have played a role in the crisis. Scientists say it is being fuelled by an ongoing marine heatwave, with sea temperatures 2.5C above average, and calm conditions that allow it to thrive. 'This is climate change in real time,' Dr Nina Wootton from the University of Adelaide said. 'The consequences of years of inaction are now unfolding before our eyes.' The algae species behind the toxic bloom has traits that may explain its unusual scale and persistence, according to scientists. 'This species of algae has several adaptations that may have enhanced its ability to grow in the context of the South Australian blooms,' professor Perran Cook from the School of Chemistry at Monash University said. 'It can 'swim' up and down in the water column, which allows it to take up nutrients from the deeper layers of water when there is little mixing, as has been the case in the waters off South Australia this year,' he explained. 'The warmer conditions typically favour most algal growth, and this species is no exception. It also has a wide temperature tolerance, which might help explain its persistence into winter.' Dr Cook noted the algae's ability to 'assimilate the 'remains' of other algal blooms' could link it to the 2023 Murray River floods, which 'released vast amounts of nutrients that stimulated algal growth then, and it is possible that these nutrients are still rippling through the food web.' Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the $14m assistance announced by the federal minister was just a 'downpayment' and criticised the government for failing to declare the crisis a federal emergency. Speaking in the parliament, she warned that such events were becoming more likely due to the climate crisis. 'It's Adelaide beaches today but it could be Bondi tomorrow,' she said, calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the bloom and the introduction of a 'climate trigger' in Australia's environmental laws. In response, prime minister Anthony Albanese said the government's support was timed 'appropriately' given the event was unfolding primarily in state waters. 'What is important is that there be a response,' he told ABC's 7.30 show. 'We are responding, giving support to the South Australian government.' Dr Christopher Keneally from the University of Adelaide said the toxic bloom's scale, potential to cross state boundaries and long-term ecological legacy placed it 'on par with the bushfires and floods that routinely trigger federal interventions'. 'This is not just an environmental event – it's an ecological disaster,' added Dr Lucille Chapuis, a marine biologist at La Trobe University. 'Like a bushfire or floodwater, a toxic bloom can sweep through an ecosystem, and we must treat it with the same urgency.' Scientists are calling for a national response strategy and long-term investments in monitoring and early warning systems for such events. 'We cannot just treat this as a one-off event that should be monitored. This is a complex problem and we need a coordinated science–industry–governance response,' professor Martina Doblin, director of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, said.
CNN
11-07-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Live updates: Texas flooding death toll, Trump visit and latest on Camp Mystic
Update: Date: Title: Kerr County officials warned of flood risk and need for alarm system months before tragedy struck Content: Kerr County officials warned 'it is likely' that the county 'will experience a flood event in the next year' in a hazard mitigation report submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last October. The 220-page report, which addressed a range of natural threats, emphasized that such a flood event could be especially dangerous for residents living in 'substandard structures' and may result in 'increased damage, injuries, or loss of life.' One of the solutions outlined was to have a local flood warning system that could alert residents to rising waters. The report estimates a cost of less than $1 million for a system that would include precipitation sensors, automatic crossing barriers and a web-based alert platform. Implementing the plan would take three to five years, according to the report, which also identifies FEMA programs for possible funding. The plan also listed a goal in the next two to five years of expanding warning systems with possible sirens. Other recommendations include possible new restrictions on development in areas at high risk of flooding and educating the public about floods and other hazards. Last week's catastrophic flooding has put fresh scrutiny on the systems in place to keep Kerr County residents safe in the event of flooding. In recent years, multiple efforts in Kerr County to build a more substantial flood warning system have failed or been abandoned due to budget concerns or noise complaints. Update: Date: Title: Start here: The latest in Central Texas as Trump is expected to visit flood-damaged areas Content: As the urgent search of at least 160 missing people continues in the aftermath of the devastating flooding in Central Texas, concerns are growing over the systems meant to notify residents in emergency situations. It comes as President Donald Trump will visit the region today. Here's what we learned yesterday: CNN's Ollie Leltsov, Danya Gainor, Casey Tolan, Curt Devine, Andrew Freedman, Melanie Hicken, Pamela Brown, Shoshana Dubnow, Karina Tsui, Tristen Rouse, Christine Server, Kathleen Magramo, Leigh Waldman and Joel Williams contributed reporting. Update: Date: Title: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott requests federal disaster assistance for more counties Content: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to request additional counties be added to President Donald Trump's major disaster declaration following the flooding in central Texas. 'Five counties – Burnet, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson – are requested to be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance programs, and four counties – Kendall, Kimble, Menard, and San Saba – are requested to be eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program,' the governor's office said in a statement yesterday. On Sunday, Trump approved the governor's request for a major disaster declaration for Kerr County. The approval allows qualifying Texans who sustained damage to apply for grant funding to assist with repair and recovery expenses.
Associated Press
18-06-2025
- Climate
- Associated Press
Heavy rains in southern Brazil leave at least 2 dead and 2,000 displaced
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Heavy rains have killed at least two people in Brazil 's southern region Rio Grande do Sul, the state's civil defense agency said on Wednesday, just over a year after the region was hit by record-breaking floods. A 65-year-old man is also missing and more than 2,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, the agency added. The rains have caused blackouts, landslides, washed-out roads and collapsed bridges across the state. Many of the areas affected were damaged during the floods in May last year, which killed more than 100 people and prompted promises to take measures to avoid a repeat of the dramatic events. 'The state is better prepared,' Gov. Eduardo Leite said Wednesday on X, pointing to strengthened response teams and investments in river dredging to reduce the risk of flooding. Some regions have been hit by more than 350 millimetres (14 inches) of rain since the weekend, Leite said. One of the confirmed deaths is that of a 54-year-old woman in the municipality of Candelaria. Her husband is missing. Preliminary reports indicate that the couple attempted to cross a flooded area in a vehicle in the and were swept away, the civil defense agency said. The agency advised people not to leave their homes, close windows and doors and remove electronic devices from sockets. Scientists say extreme weather is happening more frequently due to human-caused climate change. ____ Follow AP's coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
