“Satellite data shows entire Conger ice shelf has collapsed in Antarctica. An ice shelf about the size of Rome has completely collapsed in East Antarctica within days of record high temperatures.
“The Conger ice shelf, which had an approximate surface area of 1,200 sq km, collapsed around 15 March, scientists said on Friday.”
“‘Shocking’ and ‘bonkers’: Antarctica heat is a warning for higher food prices…
“…widespread failure of the global maize harvest was deemed almost impossible without human-caused warming. But that could happen every one in 14 years if temperatures rise only a little further.”
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/opinion/higher-food-prices-climate-crisis-b2043988.html
“‘Inevitable’ that 45-foot sperm whale will strand on Scottish coast… These animals are usually found in deep oceans in the Arctic and Antarctic…
““Normally we would expect to see sperm whales 25 miles west of us, so it is incredibly rare to see one this close.””
“Scots firefighters have spent hours tackling a huge wildfire on the Isle of Skye. Fire crews from across the Highlands were dispatched to fight the raging flames on Thursday.
“Crews sent to tackle the wildfire have been sharing dramatic pictures of the flames. Meanwhile, nearby residents have commented that they have “never seen it like this” before.”
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/gallery/isle-skye-wildfire-photos-show-26552327
“Sunniest March ever recorded in Netherlands.
“Today is the 17th sunny day this month in the Netherlands. The total number of sunshine hours reached 211 hours this afternoon. With that, the previous record for sunniest March on record – 208 hours of sunshine in 2014 – is officially broken, Weer. nl reports.”
https://nltimes.nl/2022/03/25/sunniest-march-ever-recorded-netherlands
“Record of Highest Daily Temperature Variation in Hungary Broken…
“According to the OMSZ, the lowest temperature in Szécsény was -7.5 degrees in the morning and reached 23.6 degrees in the afternoon. These high daily temperature fluctuations are due to the extremely dry air that prevails in the region.”
https://hungarytoday.hu/record-highest-temperature-szecseny-hungary-warm-spring-weather/
“Thousands of Wildfires in Hungary So Far This Year.
“This year 5,600 wildfires have broken out in Hungary, affecting 11,500 hectares… A nationwide ban on lighting fires has been in place since March 10 as Hungary has had very little rainfall in the past few months.”
https://hungarytoday.hu/hungary-wildfires-5600-2022/
“Dams overflow after nine days of rain [Valencia, Spain – on course for its wettest March on record].
“Authorities in the Valencia region have been forced to drain eight dams after nine days of continuous rain that has caused major flooding, rock falls, landslides and the closure of ports. Forecasts as at Friday March 25 indicate that more rain is on the way…”
https://euroweeklynews.com/2022/03/25/dams-overflow-after-nine-days-of-rain/
“Deforestation on the rise as poverty soars in Nigeria.
“Akure-Ofosu Forest Reserve was established to help protect what is now one of largest remaining tracts of rainforest in Nigeria, and is home to many species. But fire and logging is rampant in the reserve, with satellite data showing it lost 44% of its primary forest cover in just two decades…”
https://news.mongabay.com/2022/03/deforestation-on-the-rise-as-poverty-soars-in-nigeria/
“Hunger forces thousands to cross from Angola into Namibia – in pictures…
“The worst drought in 40 years has devastated crops and killed livestock across southern Angola, sending food prices soaring. The threat of famine is forcing people to migrate south to seek help across the border.”
“Photos: Drought in Somalia worsened by funding gap, Ukraine war.
“Across the Horn of Africa, millions of people are facing severe hunger as a result of the worst drought in the region in 40 years. As the situation deteriorates, aid agencies fear that a focus on the Ukraine crisis is likely to overwhelm the agenda and donors at a critical time…”
“Madagascar left reeling from two major cyclones.
“The island of Madagascar, just off the east coast of Africa, has been hit by five natural disasters in less than two months, including two major cyclones. More than 200 people have died and 460,000 have been left without shelter. The eastern city of Mananjary has been practically wiped off the map.”
https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20220324-madagascar-left-reeling-from-two-major-cyclones
“Indian Ocean hit by six heatwaves in 2021, temp rising by 0.15 degrees Celsius per decade.
“With the effects of climate change becoming more and more visible, the marine world is set to face the brunt of ocean warming. The Indian Ocean witnessed six marine heatwaves in 2021 over a period of 52 days. The situation was grim in the Bay of Bengal…”
“Much of North Korea’s wheat and barley crops has died due to extreme winter drought.
“According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, only 13.3mm of precipitation fell nationwide in South Korea between December of last year and February of this year.”
https://www.dailynk.com/english/much-north-korea-wheat-barley-crops-died-due-extreme-winter-drought/
“Flash flooding hits Sydney suburbs as rain bomb hammers the city – and it’s going to rain until next month up and down Australia’s east coast.
“Parts of Sydney are underwater as severe thunderstorms and heavy rain hit the city and continued north towards towns devastated by late February’s once-in a century floods.”
“NIWA meteorologists say the 103 mm [4.1 inches] of rain from 4am-5am recorded at Maungatapere near Whangārei [NZ] on Monday 21 March is a new national hourly rainfall record for a low elevation station.
“The previous record was set 56 years ago on 16 February 1966 at Whenuapai in northwestern Auckland with 100.6 mm.”
“Torrential rain and thunderstorms, which have caused flooding across the North Island this week, have not stopped two peat fires which have been burning for months in the Far North.
“The heavy rain hit Northland on Sunday night and Monday morning, causing flash flooding, road closures and slips in parts of the region.”
“New Zealand between warmth and floods.
“While Auckland and Wellington have been swept by severe thunderstorms, the South Island witnessed a return of summer with 28.1C [82.6F] at Invercargill, unprecedented heat for end of March.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1506911194841419778
“Tasmania’s forests are burning more as climate change dries them out. Our old tools can’t fight these new fires.
“The summer of 2021-22 will be remembered for the extraordinarily destructive flooding across eastern Australia. At the same time, however, western Tasmania was experiencing extreme drought, with some areas receiving their lowest rainfall on record.”
“Giving up’: Amazon is losing its resilience under human pressure, study show.
“Researchers found that three-quarters of the Amazon has lost some resilience, or ability to regain biomass after disturbance. This loss of resilience is especially high in regions close to human activity and with less rainfall.”
“Drought hits Paraguayan soybean production.
“Paraguay’s meager output of soybeans this year will prevent it from capitalizing on soaring international prices, it was reported in Asunción. Due to the drought, Paraguay’s production is expected barely reach 2.97 million tons, 68% less than in 2020/21…”
https://en.mercopress.com/2022/03/25/drought-hits-paraguayan-soybean-production
“More than 4,200 hectares are burning in 33 forest fires across Mexico.
“There are currently 33 forest fires burning across the country as of Thursday. Mexico’s National Forestry Commission (Conafor), along with National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC), said in a press conference that more than 1,500 forest fire fighters are battling those burning blazes.”
“Fire danger for the Northern Plains and Western record-breaking heat through the weekend [US].
“Gusty winds and low relative humidity lead to a fire risk for the Northern Plains while record-breaking temperatures set up for the Western United States.”
“Three bodies were found Thursday in a submerged vehicle, authorities said, after a powerful storm dumped record rain amounts in Alabama.
“The bodies of a 72-year-old man along with two women ages 53 and 42 were recovered from an SUV in Holt, Alabama, after stormwater receded, the Tuscaloosa Police Department said in a statement.”
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/25/weather/alabama-storm-bodies-found/index.html
“As Climate Fears Mount, Some in U.S. Are Deciding to Relocate.
“As wildfires worsen and sea levels rise, a small but growing number of Americans are choosing to move to places such as New England or the Appalachian Mountains that are seen as safe havens from climate change. Researchers say this phenomenon will intensify in the coming decades.”
https://e360.yale.edu/features/as-climate-fears-mount-some-in-u.s.-are-deciding-to-relocate
“Chief of British Columbia First Nation struck by wildfires, floods says moving may be safest bet…
“Chief Arnie Lampreau of the Shackan Indian Band told B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth and Transportation Minister Rob Fleming during their visit on Thursday that the threat of extreme weather is a constant concern.”
“Canadian farmers face drought threat as global wheat, canola prices soar.
“Canada’s farmers may face another drought this year, just as the world counts on the breadbasket nation to grow bigger wheat and canola crops to ease food inflation fuelled by the Russia-Ukraine war.”
“Researchers first to sample permafrost CO2 emissions during fall and winter…
“[The research] dispels hopes that the fall and winter months might offer a reprieve from Arctic permafrost emissions; and with climate change making the winter less harsh, emissions from Arctic latitudes only stand to amplify as the years unfold.”
https://phys.org/news/2022-03-sample-permafrost-co2-emissions-fall.html
“Climate crisis causing birds to lay eggs up to a month earlier than 100 years ago…
“Bird species nesting in northern parts of the US have moved their egg-laying up by an average of 25 days, according to a study using eggs gathered by collectors over the last century, along with the detailed notes, including exact dates they were taken.”
You can read the previous ‘Climate’ thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an ‘Economic’ thread.
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