“‘Tumbling’ records and ‘unprecedented’ changes in Antarctica prompt [UK] Foreign Office review of climate change impacts…
“Professor Martin Siegert, glaciologist at the University of Exeter, said they were extremely worried about “the increasing intensity and frequency of extreme events and the cascading influences that they have in other areas”.”
“The rapid warming of Svalbard is triggering a positive feedback loop…
“To collect samples of groundwater, Kleber and colleagues drilled deep into these fields of ice, until they hit the pressurized springs. “We were surprised to find just how much methane was present in these groundwater springs,” Kleber told Advanced Science News.”
“Northern Alaska follows global trend with warmest July on record.
“The global average temperature has hit record high marks recently, with some estimates that Earth is warmer now than it has been in hundreds of thousands of years. It’s been hot in Alaska, too, even after a cool start to the summer for much of the state.”
“Deadhorse, Alaska, on the Arctic Coast, had their warmest August day on record yesterday (84F / 29C).
“They followed that with their 3rd warmest August day on record today (81F). These were the 2nd and 11th warmest days overall for any month respectively.”
https://twitter.com/Climatologist49/status/1688383882410999808
“Record Alaska Glacial Flood Prompts Emergency Measures in Juneau.
“Officials in Juneau, Alaska, have issued an emergency declaration after record-breaking river floodwaters swept through the area, destroying at least two homes and threatening others… Mendenhall Lake crested Saturday night at nearly 15 feet, about 3 feet higher than the previous record, set in July 2016.”
https://www.wsj.com/articles/juneau-alaska-glacial-flood-mendenhall-glacier-suicide-basin-666ad3aa
“‘The trauma is ongoing’: Canadian First Nation flees wildfire for second time in two years…
“Residents of the Lytton First Nation were ordered to evacuate late on Friday. By Sunday, the out-of-control Stein Mountain fire was just 300 meters (328 yards) from reserve land, burning its way down a steep slope that has stymied firefighting efforts, the community’s chief, Niakia Hanna, told Reuters.”
“Hundreds of cattle died in Iowa from extreme heat and humidity in late July, the state and livestock producers said, as the world recorded its hottest month ever.
“The deaths show the toll of severe weather on farm animals and food production. The losses further trim the U.S. cattle herd, which is already the smallest in decades after drought drove ranchers to slaughter more cows due to a lack of pasture to feed them.”
“Severe weather sweeps east, knocking out power to more than 1 million and canceling flights…
“”Some perspective: This is the first moderate risk for severe weather in at least 10 years for much of our forecast area,” the NWS service out of the Baltimore-Washington area said on social media… Parts of the region have already dealt with extreme rain and flooding in recent weeks.”
“Inside Death Valley, the hottest place on Earth being pushed to tipping point.
“…climate change is now pushing even the toughest of Death Valley’s native species to an existential tipping point. The Great Basin bristlecone pine, the world’s oldest tree species, formerly revered as an icon of stability, has lost 70 per cent of its population on the slopes of Telescope Peak…”
“16 dead, thousands in emergency departments in Louisiana amid record heat.
“…Louisiana has already shattered its annual average for heat-caused emergency department visits. From April 1 to July 29, there were 3,305 visits, compared to 10-year annual average of 2,700, said Dr. Alicia Van Doren, a preventive medicine physician…”
“With a high temperature of 97F [36.1C] so far today, New Orleans now has its longest extreme heat event… on record. The extreme heat should last through much of the week.”
https://twitter.com/DonSuth89069583/status/1688277068746821633
“The fierce heat wave in Southern USA/Mexico/Cuba goes on:
“TEXAS: Dallas Forth Worth tied its highest Min. Temp. on records with 86F; MEXICO, New August records: 41 [105.8F] Nuevo Casas Grande; 39.5 Chihuahua; 38 Durango; 42.6 Ciudad Victoria; CUBA: 36.6 Bahia Honda all time high tied.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1688714773406375937
“Winter heatwave in Andes is sign of things to come, scientists warn…
“The heatwave in the central Chilean Andes is melting the snow below 3,000 metres (9,840ft), which will have knock-on effects for people living in downstream valleys who depend on meltwater during the spring and summer.”
“The South American heat wave is still active with up to 37C/39C [102.2F]: For the Northern Argentina town of Las Lomitas this is the 7th consecutive day with a Tmax >35C/95F.
“The abnormal heat will go on for weeks in Central Brazil, even worsening- 1 month in advance of the hot season.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1688280291624759298
“‘The fields are too wet to harvest’: Farmers fear loss of crops due to record rainfall [Ireland]…
“On the banks of the rolling river Foyle in Co Donegal, tillage farmer David Moody is considering when he’ll be able to harvest crops after a July of “impossible” weather. “The wheat is ripe now and ready to go but the fields are too wet to go in and harvest,” he says.”
“Sweden, Norway issue red alerts as heavy rain derails train, floods roads.
“Heavy rainfall has drenched Norway and Sweden, causing a train to derail and roads to flood. Swedish and Norwegian meteorologists issued red alerts, the most severe warning level, covering several days this week.”
“Historic! Last night was the hottest night on record in Latvia with Tmin as high as 25.6°C [78.1F] in Skulte and 25.1°C in Riga!”
https://twitter.com/ThierryGooseBC/status/1688428652403494912
“Again brutal contrasts in Europe with 44C in Spain, 41C in Russia, 38C in Ukraine, 34C in Lithuania and very cold in Central areas.
“Incredible temperatures in the Arctic Russia broke more August records: 26.1C [79F] Bely Island lat 73N; 10.2C Franz Joseph Land 80N.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1688253673304969216
“Devastating floods and other adverse weather conditions in Slovenia have killed at least six people and caused $500 million worth of property damage, a government spokesperson told CNN on Monday.
“Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob said on Saturday the flooding which began on Friday has become the “worst natural disaster to ever hit” the country.”
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/07/europe/slovenia-floods-intl/index.html
“Italy: storm brings thick layer of hail and flooding to north-east.
“Footage showed roads blanketed by thick hail and areas covered in flood water in Reana del Rojale and Tarcento. Italy has experienced deadly floods and record heatwaves over the last few months.”
“Drought Forces Spain to Source Drinking Water From the Sea.
“Fill a glass with tap water in Barcelona these days and one-fifth of it will be processed seawater. Another fifth will be treated wastewater derived from toilets, showers and other urban uses. This mix is emerging as the drinking water of the future in Mediterranean countries.”
https://www.wsj.com/articles/drought-forces-spain-to-source-drinking-water-from-the-sea-bad104ec
“Spain, Portugal battle wildfires as temperatures soar.
“A thousand firefighters were deployed in central and southern Portugal, supported by 12 water-bombing planes, to battle blazes, according to the national civil protection authority. At least nine crew have been injured in the southern fire near the town of Odemira, which is being fanned by winds, an official told local media.”
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230807-spain-on-heat-alert-as-wildfires-burn
“Another hot day with 44C [111.2F] in Spain (getting hotter from tomorrow).
“The heat in Morocco has been record in the past days… Records for August: 47.6 [117.7F] Kasba Tadla; Tangier Tmin 28.2; ALL TIME record at Ifrane, the famous cold pole at 1665m asl (record low -23C) with 37.6C yesterday.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1688611738264965120
“Multinational force fights stubborn wildfire in Cyprus, including Lebanon, Greece and Jordan…
“Gregoriou, who surveyed the area by helicopter along with the country’s fire chief, told state broadcaster CyBC that “hundreds” of fire fighters, including volunteers, managed to contain the fire overnight because winds had died down considerably.”
“‘Alarming’: Türkiye’s 2nd highest glacier melts amid climate change.
“The severe grip of global warming has tightened its hold on Cilo Mountain in Hakkari, the country’s second-highest peak, causing glaciers to undergo a rapid and unsettling change.”
“Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, just recorded a heat index of 136°F (57.8°C) at midnight.
“A heat index that high is near the limits of human survival.”
https://twitter.com/US_Stormwatch/status/1687979180326256640
“Taliban Prepare Suicide Bombers in Water Dispute With Iran…
“After two decades fighting the US, Taliban leaders now find themselves sparring with neighbors as the realities of global warming hit home. The dispute with Iran over depleted water resources is further destabilizing an already volatile region.”
https://time.com/6302192/taliban-suicide-bombers-water-dispute-iran/
“Sri Lanka has been with an intense heat for several days:
“Today the central-northern town of Vavuniya rose to 39.1C [102.4F], breaking its monthly record (38.4C in 2004) which is just 1C from the all time Lanka national record set at the same place in April 1983.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1688215223725867009
“Climate change: The record summer that scorched Asia.
“Rain or shine, Mohammad Shukkur Ali, a rickshaw puller in his 50s, shows up for work on the streets of the Bangladesh capital Dhaka. The work is already punishing as it requires massive physical effort. But this year, the heat has made things even worse.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-65900044
“Fierce heat and records broken in several parts of Asia:
“JAPAN: Records high Tmin:29.8C Sasebo and 28.8C Kumamoto; CHINA: highest Tmin on record at Fuzhou: 30.1C… Heat indexes up to 57C with extreme humidity… INDIA, August record heat: 41.7 Madurai; 40.4 Rentcahitala; 40.1 Palayankottai.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1688515246799867904
“Record rainfall paralyzes Chattogram city life [Bangladesh] as two-third areas inundated.
“Patenga Meteorological Office recorded 306 millimetres [12 inches] of rainfall during the last 24 hours ending 6 pm today and 698.7 millimetres [27.5 inches] rainfall in last five days causing serious disruptions to civic life and port and businesses activities in the city.”
“China floods: at least 14 killed after torrential rain in north-east.
“At least 14 people are dead after torrential rain hit China’s north-eastern Jilin province, state media has reported, in the latest fatalities from more than a week of weather-related disasters across the country. Thousands of troops have been sent into affected areas…”
“More Japanese regions brace for storms as Typhoon Khanun heads west…
“Thunderstorms, with precipitation of up to 400 mm (16 inches), were expected to lash areas of Kyushu and neighbouring Shikoku island in the next 24 hours, JMA said. Areas as far north as Osaka and Nagoya are also likely to be affected.”
“Flash floods and landslides have killed at least eight people across northern Vietnam, disaster officials said Monday.
“After months of prolonged heatwaves and drought, heavy downpours that began at the beginning of August have damaged hundreds of homes and destroyed crops.”
https://www.macaubusiness.com/flash-floods-landslides-kill-eight-in-northern-vietnam/
“30 killed in the Philippines after typhoon hit the country.
“30 people have been killed and 171 others were injured in the Philippines as of 8 a.m. on Monday after typhoon Doksuri hit the country, according to Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.”
“Marine heatwaves: Why New Zealand’s waters are only getting warmer.
“…scientists report that higher sea temperatures – currently taking a bite out of winter’s chill – is something our part of the planet can especially expect as the world continues to warm. New Zealand’s waters have been experiencing relentless marine heatwaves over recent years…”
“Now sharks could become even angrier after the world’s oceans have hit their highest recorded surface temperature, according to scientists…
“…predators such as sharks could become aggressive because they get confused in hotter conditions. The University of Southampton’s Dr Simon Boxall told the Telegraph: ‘Sharks getting grumpy wouldn’t surprise me at all. Fish are pretty jumpy about temperature.'”
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
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Just for info, for those who might be interested.
Australia’s Eastern States have just issued alerts on my TV news to start preparing for potential an “early and prolonged” fire season.
Fuel reduction efforts will be starting this week around coastal hinterland towns and cities and critical infrastucture installations (eg power, water, roadway corridors etc) Farmers etc to coordinate with neighbours in preparing firebreak perimeters, fire-spotting rotations, and reduce any large tracts of grasslands, cut their hay and clear it. Sub/Urban dwellers to clear their gutters, trim their gum trees etc)
These types of alerts happen every year, and to warn locals to expect there will start to be smoke around from the controlled burns (usually done in autumn, but this past autumn was still too wet even after the La Nina officially ended) …
BUT.. the main message is…
this years pre-season alerts are nearly 6 weeks earlier than usual!
But just to add, not expecting a horror-style ‘Black Summer’ type season, like this years Canada/Mediterranean etc because theres been no preceding drought conditions downunder, and still plenty of water around. next year, maybe, if drought sets in with the El Nino.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-29/why-nsw-unlikely-to-see-repeat-fire-season-caused-black-summer/102661680
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that Oz does indeed dodge that bullet, Rain.
Would you be able to gather more information about what is happening in China? I am interested to know how the extreme flooding will impact the supply chains and political unrest. I just watched a video about the Chinese belief in the Mandate of Heaven which is why the Chinese government is so hush hush with the flooding occurring. They may have been able to quelch knowledge of the initial impact, but I am wondering if the effects of the aftermath will spread and critically undermine their leadership.
Natasha, these threads tend to go where they will but I’ll do my best. My sense is that, disastrous though these floods have been for China, the social and economic impacts will not be of sufficient scale to shake the very foundations of its government. Could be wrong!
“China food security: floods leave grain crops filthy, inviting pests and disease as Typhoon Khanun loom…
“Reeling from one storm and bracing for another, farmers in Heilongjiang province have appeared on social media begging for help protecting their crops, including rice. Harvest appears to be affected, and severe weather conditions like these are posing challenges to China’s food-security drive…
“On Monday, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management said the current flood-control and post-disaster reconstruction tasks are considerable, and Typhoon Khanun looms. “[With another typhoon coming], the situation of flood control and relief is unpromising and arduous,” Minister Wang Xiangxi said.”
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3230399/china-food-security-floods-leave-grain-crops-filthy-inviting-pests-and-disease-typhoon-khanun-looms
Thanks you, appreciate it. Just wanted to put it on your radar, because stories are being actively quelled by the Chinese government. Wasn’t sure how much was getting through based on how you source.
Thanks Rain , Natasha and Heather, all useful questions and links etc.
Busy Newsweek’s already after two months of leisurely backpacking th world
Australia and its farmers will endure , I’m sure . I did low level work for them , years before black summer . Tough as nails those guys
Chinese citizens are too numb after years of state propaganda to feel much after such disaster me thinks
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/The-Dark-Side-Of-Kyrgyzstans-Crypto-Boom.html
Yeah lots of problems with crypo mining as it takes lots of water and energy
Thanks, Heather. It sounds like officials are at times prioritising crypto’s electricity needs over those of residential areas – not a recipe for a happy populace!
thanks Heather
this is one of the most instructive and funny stories I have read in recent years about the utter madness of crypto. What sadness. I could so grind a movie about it the dialogues, plot and storyline are already written out in detail for you. We are really living on the edge of the system.