“Shifts in El Niño May Be Driving Climates Extremes in Both Hemispheres.
“Global warming is shifting cyclical temperature swings in the Pacific Ocean, and that affects floods in Australia, fires in South America and even temperature in the polar regions.”
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/23032022/el-nino-hemispheres/
“How simultaneous record-smashing heatwaves hitting Antarctica and the Arctic will impact wildlife…
“If the warm conditions cause sea ice to break up earlier than normal, it could have dire impacts for many animals. For example, sea ice is a crucial habitat for polar bears, enabling them to hunt seals and travel long distances.”
https://phys.org/news/2022-03-simultaneous-record-smashing-heatwaves-antarctica-arctic.html
“New study says an earlier spring could jeopardize the Arctic tundra’s ability to store carbon.
“Because of climate change… the snowmelt now occurs earlier each year. This results in a longer growing season for tough tundra plants like shrubs and sedges: the so-called “greening” of the Arctic.”
https://phys.org/news/2022-03-earlier-jeopardize-arctic-tundra-ability.html
“How the Inuit are reshaping Arctic climate science…
“…2021 has been too wet and warm. All through October, Baffin Island languished beneath a heat dome. Children wore spring jackets with their Halloween costumes instead of parkas. The water stayed open around Pond Inlet. By mid-November people still can’t hunt or travel on the ice…”
https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2022-pond-inlet-arctic-inuit-climate-science/
“Permafrost thawing faster than expected due to extreme summer rainfall…
“As extreme rainfall events become more frequent thanks to a warmer climate, the permafrost may thaw even faster than under the influence of rising temperatures alone… An important finding was that the effect of an extremely wet summer lasted for several years.”
https://phys.org/news/2022-03-permafrost-faster-due-extreme-summer.html
“Firefighters spend second day at scene of Ben Lomond wildfire [Scotland]…
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was first alerted to the blaze at 2.15pm on Tuesday, March 22. Emergency services last night said they would return to the scene during daylight hours as firefighters has been working in “difficult terrain to extinguish the fire”.”
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/firefighters-spend-second-day-scene-26536434
“Huge wildfire spreads [Caernarfon, N Wales] and sees fire services urge people to close windows and doors…
“The North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents in Y Fron, Rhosgadfan and Rhostryfan to keep windows and doors closed. A spokesperson said: “We’re monitoring the fire but there remains considerable smoke in these areas”.”
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/live-huge-wildfire-spreads-sees-23482151
“Alpes-Maritimes [France] already on drought warning after unusually dry winter.
“Farmers are calling for authorities to take action, with one union boss saying: ‘We either continue to water roundabouts to please tourists or we prioritise the agriculture which feeds us’.”
More on this alarming situation: “Forest fires have erupted in the vicinity of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, with Ukraine claiming that Russian control of the abandoned power plant is hampering efforts to control the flames.
“At least seven fires have been spotted within Chernobyl’s exclusion zone via satellite imagery taken by the European Space Agency…”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/22/chernobyl-forest-fires-ukraine-nuclear-plant
“Heavy rain causes flooding and dramatic rescues in Spain’s Valencia area…
“The Magro River overflowed in Algemessi and Guadassuar; the Palencia River in Sangut; the Belcaire River in Moncofa; and the Barranc del Carraixet in Alboraira, where 15 people had to be evacuated.”
“Plastic pollution cuts power in DR Congo.
“Among rolling hills around the southern tip of majestic Lake Kivu, huge layers of plastic waste ride the water and block the turbines of the largest hydroelectric plant in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Ruzizi dam is polluted by thousands of bottles, cans and other objects…”
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220322-plastic-pollution-cuts-power-in-dr-congo
“Kenya is living its harshest drought in its history with multiple crop failures and loss of livestock. Up to 3.5 million Kenyans might face food shortage in the coming months.
“Temperatures are constantly at record high levels: Nakuru at 1900m above sea level rose to 32.5C [90.5F] yesterday.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1506232616978165760
“At least seven people died due to flash flooding in the southern part of Ethiopia, local government officials have said.
“The incident happened in Halaba Kulito town in southern Ethiopia on Tuesday night as victims were returning back from the market and caught up by the flash flood…”
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2022/03/24/flash-flood-kills-7-in-southern-ethiopia
“Cholera, cyclones and flooding: Malawi faces cholera emergency amidst severe climate events.
“Cyclone Gombe has battered southern Malawi, bringing heavy rains to the districts of Machinga and Mangochi and prompting a cholera emergency. Currently, 19 cholera cases and 1 death have been reported.”
“Aid Rushed to Mozambique Cyclone Survivors.
“The U.N. refugee agency and partners are working with Mozambique’s government to aid thousands of families devastated by Cyclone Gombe, which struck the island nation earlier this month.”
https://www.voanews.com/a/aid-rushed-to-mozambique-cyclone-survivors/6497686.html
“Very warm conditions in the Southern Indian Ocean islands. On 23rd March the Dzoudzi Int. Airport of Mayotte (French territory) rose to 33.8C, a new record high for March.
“In Agalega Island (territory of Mauritius) 34.7C [92.8F], near the Mauritian March record of 35.4C.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1506704833721487369
“UN Assistance Mission warns that water is ‘dangerously’ scarce in Iraq…
“The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq has said that water is dangerously scarce in Iraq… Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert emphasised the dangers of water scarcity in the country as a “risk multiplier”, stating she had witnessed “the many challenges Iraq is facing… first hand”.”
https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/un-warns-dangerous-water-scarcity-iraq
“Middle East increasingly reliant on desalination plants as water shortages loom…
“While desalination is being used ever more widely – there are more than 19,000 desalination plants around the world – it requires large amounts of energy. This typically translates into carbon emissions, with the vast desalination and power plant at Jebel Ali, for example, being largely gas powered.”
“March heat breaks 52-year record in Ludhiana [Punjab, India]…
“Punjab Agricultural University data shows that the average temperature recorded in March this year is the highest since 1970, when the university first started maintaining a record of temperature and rainfall.”
“China Faces Worst Crop Conditions Ever Due to Climate Change.
“More extreme weather caused by rising global temperatures — compounded by geopolitical turmoil and the pandemic — is hindering China’s effort to ensure food supplies for its 1.4 billion population.”
“Domestic violence spike expected in flood-ravaged northern NSW.
“As floodwaters threatened the NSW Northern Rivers region, domestic violence survivors were faced with the reality that they may come face-to-face with their perpetrators at evacuation centres.”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-23/nsw-floods-domestic-violence-spike-predicted/100932142
“Australia’s carbon credit scheme ‘largely a sham’, says whistleblower who tried to rein it in.
“A whistleblower who spent years working on the integrity of the Australian government’s carbon credit system has launched an extraordinary attack on the scheme, describing it as a fraud that is hurting the environment and has wasted more than $1bn in taxpayer funding.”
“[NZ ] Coast Hit Hard By Record Rainfall.
“Some of the rainfall figures have exceeded the one in 100 year levels, with Te Puia having 236mm [9.3 inches] between 6pm and midnight. The Upper Hikuwai River experienced 234mm over the past 24 hours, with Mata, at the headwaters of the Waiapu receiving 234mm…”
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2203/S00472/coast-hit-hard-by-record-rainfall.htm
“Chilean women lead the fight against water scarcity.
“Chile, with 76% of its territory affected by water shortages, is suffering from the most severe water crisis in the entire western hemisphere, according to Greenpeace. Experts blame the scarcity of rainfall – 2021 was the fourth driest year ever recorded – but also on the water ownership regime.”
https://www.laprensalatina.com/chilean-women-lead-the-fight-against-water-scarcity/
“Drought threatens fertile fields of South America’s Southern Cone.
“With the war in Ukraine disrupting exports of wheat, the world looks to the agricultural powerhouses of South America’s Southern Cone as an alternative source of food, but the region’s farmers and ranchers are struggling under a drought that some fear could become permanent due to climate change.”
https://www.laprensalatina.com/drought-threatens-fertile-fields-of-south-americas-southern-cone/
“Heavy rains and floods in the Paraguayan capital force to suspend the Asunciónico Festival…
“In a statement, festival organizers announced their decision to cancel the first day of concerts “due to severe weather conditions and to preserve the safety” of the public, performers and their team. Machine Gun Kelly, decided to provide an impromptu show for his fans, in front of his hotel in Asunción.”
https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2022/03/23/lluvias-inundaciones-paraguay-festival-asuncionico-orix/
“Heat wave causes temperatures above 40 degrees in Yucatan and Oaxaca.
“The municipality of Peto, in Yucatan, reported the highest temperature so far this year with 42 degrees [107.6F]… The National Water Commission warned of rainfall records well below average and even a drought of 20% throughout the territory.”
“California’s record-dry start to the year is converging with record-high temperatures as an early spring heat wave settles over large swaths of the state.
“Multiple temperature records were shattered Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service, including some that were nearly a century old.”
“Wildfire Potential Increases In Southwest Texas.
“As of Monday, wildfire potential continued to increase for large, difficult-to-control wildfires in Southwest Texas, specifically for areas near Del Rio, San Angelo, San Antonio and Laredo. State, local and federal first responders have been increasingly busy with recent response efforts.”
https://today.tamu.edu/2022/03/23/wildfire-potential-increases-in-southwest-texas
“At least one person dead as giant tornado tears through New Orleans…
“New Orleans, no stranger to natural disasters, was stunned by the more unusual occurrence of a tornado as the giant dark funnel cloud loomed over the city, illuminated by urban lights. Guy McInnes, president of St Bernard parish, said that the area was more used to hurricanes than tornadoes.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/22/tornado-new-orleans-texas-oklahoma-storm-latest
“Severe thunderstorms bring large hailstones to Florida…
“…the National Weather Service issued only the second warning for large hail in the state since 2002. Golf ball to tennis ball-sized hail was reported in a number of locations around the densely populated Orlando metro area.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/24/severe-thunderstorms-bring-large-hailstones-to-florida
“The world’s forests do more than just store carbon, new research finds.
“Researchers from the US and Colombia found that overall forests keep the planet at least half of a degree Celsius cooler when biophysical effects – from chemical compounds to turbulence and the reflection of light – are combined with carbon dioxide.”
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/23/forests-climate-crisis-carbon-cooling-effect
You can read the previous ‘Climate’ thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an ‘Economic’ thread.
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