With three-quarters of the rivers in the UK below normal levels, and nearly one in four now categorized as "exceptionally low,” the Telegraph reports that fragile ecosystems including cherished wildlife such as otters and kingfishers could suffer long-term damage.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/8552635/Wildlife-at-risk-as-rivers-fall-to-lowest-levels-recorded.html

As US scientists warn of an above-normal hurricane season this summer, with a higher number and more severe storms, US president Barack Obama urges the country toward increased emergency preparedness measures for greater public safety and  resiliency.  

http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2011/06/01/Wet-start-to-hurricane-season/
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/02/us/02hurricanes.html
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-06/02/c_13906242.htm

A United Nations report underscores the rising economic risk from natural disasters, saying that more than US$1.5 trillion of the world’s wealth is now vulnerable to dangers such as floods and tropical cyclones, nearly triple that of four decades ago.

http://www.france24.com/en/20110510-economic-risks-disasters-soar-over-15-trillion
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article
/ALeqM5hoHEEhztPpkXMcQtrJJQAETWV6aQ?docId=CNG.6ddcbc57a3d9d10ad0e2f7b757e9b37a.601