Headline RoundupJune 9th, 2022

Record-Breaking Droughts, Heat Waves and Famines Hit Countries Worldwide

Summary from the AllSides News Team

The U.S. and countries around the world are facing droughts and heat waves — threatening ecosystems, economies and even people’s lives.

On Thursday, several outlets reported a looming heat wave that would “bring triple-digit heat to 45 million Americans in the coming week.” Several lakes in the western U.S. — including Lake Mead, Lake Powell and the Great Salt Lake — fell to record lows in 2022. While drought was quelled in Idaho by recent rains, officials in Hawaii called on residents to conserve water. 

This phenomenon is not unique to the U.S.; wheat crops around the world are threatened by dry weather, driving up global food prices. Iraqi officials responded to water shortages by draining part of the Mosul Dam reservoir, uncovering ruins of a 3,400 year-old Mittani Empire city. Drought-spurred famine has killed hundreds of people, including children, in Ethiopia and other eastern African countries. Portugal experienced its hottest May in 92 years, leaving 97% of the country in “severe drought.”

Coverage was widespread across the spectrum, often focusing on California’s water restrictions. Compared to left-rated outlets, coverage from right-rated outlets was more likely to focus solely on U.S. drought conditions and less likely to list climate change as a contributing factor. 

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