This Summer, the American Water Crisis Becomes Real
Quick Look
Multiple articles highlight environmental and resource challenges: US water crises loom, Mexico City sinks, Iran's war impacts the environment, new data centers pose emission risks, and old oil wells could produce clean energy.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
This collection of articles highlights various environmental and resource-related challenges facing different parts of the world. From impending water crises in the US and Mexico City's sinking to the unseen environmental costs of war and the growing energy demands of data centers, these issues underscore the complex interplay between human activity and the planet.
This Summer, the American Water Crisis Becomes Real
Concern over water access are poised to consume summer in the US, as crises in Corpus Christi and across the Colorado River threaten to boil over.
Mexico City Is Sinking. A Powerful NASA Satellite Just Revealed How Fast
A new NASA map shows how the sinking of Mexico City is uneven, with areas registering up to 2 centimeters per month.
The Iran War Is Impacting the Environment in Unseen Ways
From toxic smoke and oil spills to rising emissions, poisoned soil, and damaged ecosystems, war can reshape the environment long after the fighting stops.
New Gas-Powered Data Centers Could Emit More Greenhouse Gases Than Entire Nations
A WIRED review of permits for data center projects using natural gas and linked to OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and xAI shows they could emit more than 129 million tons of greenhouse gases per year.
Chevron Wants a School District Tax Break for a Data Center Power Plant in Texas
The move could save the oil company hundreds of millions, even as Texas lawmakers start looking at reining in incentives for data centers.
Old Oil and Gas Wells Could Find Second Life Producing Clean Energy
States across the US are looking to take major sources of pollution and use them to generate much-needed power.
Meet Rassvet, Russia’s Answer to Starlink
With the launch of the first 16 satellites, Russia begins construction of a network for satellite internet that aims to cover the entire country by 2030. But getting there won’t be easy.
The US Built a Site to Ensure Fair Access to Public Lands. Then Everything Went Wrong
Recreation.gov was supposed to make access to public lands more equitable and streamlined. Instead, it’s rife with bots and inequality, while a government contractor benefits.
Scientists Gave Cocaine to Salmon and You Will Absolutely Believe What Happened Next
After scientists exposed wild fish to cocaine and a cocaine metabolite, they observed that, as in the lab, fish on cocaine do not act like normal fish.
Asteroid 2026 JH2 Is About to Fly Right Past Earth—Relatively Speaking
On May 18, an asteroid about the size of Chicago’s Cloud Gate will fly four times closer to Earth than the moon.
Spencer Pratt Is Creating Panic Over ‘Super Meth.’ It’s Not Even Real
The LA mayoral candidate and former reality TV star is fueling his campaign with fears about an ultra-potent meth. Experts say it’s drug war propaganda.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Water access issues will be a major topic of public concern and political debate throughout the summer in the US.
Very likely · Within days
Increased regulatory scrutiny and potential limitations on data center construction and operation due to environmental concerns.
Likely · Within months
Efforts to repurpose old oil and gas wells for clean energy production will gain momentum and potentially lead to pilot projects.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific measures are being taken to address the water crises in Corpus Christi and the Colorado River basin?
- What are the long-term environmental consequences of Mexico City's uneven sinking?
- How will the environmental impact of the Iran war be mitigated or monitored?
- What are the specific regulatory hurdles for old oil and gas wells being repurposed for clean energy?
