Engine explodes on migrant boat
The U.N. broke news of a migrant boat capsizing off of the coast of Libya on Aug. 19, according to The New York Times. The Europe-bound boat was carrying at least 82 migrants when the engine exploded on Aug. 17. At least 45 people, including five children, drowned or were presumed dead, while the survivors were assisted by fishermen and detained onshore in Libya. This single wreck has the largest number of recorded deaths off of the coast of a country in North Africa in 2020.
Tensions and water levels rise around China’s Three Gorges dam
The Three Gorges dam, the world’s largest hydro-electric dam, recorded the “largest inflow of water in its history,” according to The Guardian. Central and southwest regions of China have been experiencing heavy flooding for the past two months, resulting in rising water levels. The dam, which sits on the Yangtze River, is expected to near its capacity over the next period of flooding, although officials have assured the public that the facilities are able to handle the situation. A fault in the dam could displace millions.
Scientists take steps to avoid rhino subspecies extinction
Scientists were able to harvest eggs from the last two remaining female northern white rhinos at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, extracting a total of ten eggs, according to Associated Press. The eggs were flown to Italy where there are plans to create embryos and later select female southern white rhinos to act as surrogates in order to successfully carry a pregnancy to term, scientists said last week. After the last male northern white rhino died in 2018, conserving the subspecies has been reliant on in vitro fertilization.
Young climate activists meet German Chancellor
Several high-profile activists and protesters met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Aug. 20 to discuss actions to prevent climate change, according to Associated Press. Germany is the current president of the European Union, which rotates every six months, and Merkel has previously shown support for the activists. The country’s government also supports making Europe the first “climate neutral” continent by 2050, according to Ulrike Demmer, a spokeswoman for Merkel. Activists, such as Greta Thunberg, Luisa Neubauer, Anuna de Wever van der Heyden and Adélaïde Charlier, argue that the world’s governments are not doing enough to stop climate change and lower emissions.
