Daily updates on climate change and the global economy.

Daily updates on climate change and the global economy.
Stay current with what’s happening around the world with a quick scan of top news.

Daily updates on climate change and the global economy.
Stay current with what’s happening around the world with a quick scan of top news.

Daily updates on climate change and the global economy.
Stay current with what’s happening around the world with a quick scan of top news.

Daily updates on climate change and the global economy.
Stay current with what’s happening around the world with a quick scan of top news.

Special sponsor for August 2024 is Cassandra Mountain. Many thanks!


“EXCEPTIONAL 97F/36C IN THE ARCTIC… ALL TIME RECORDS:

“CANADA: 35.9 [96.6F] Little Chicago; 34.5 Inuvik; 34.6 Fort McPherson; 33 Trail Valley; TMIN 18.0 Ivvavik Park; ALASKA 89F [31.7C] Deadhorse; 86 Kuparuk; 88 Nuiqsut; 87 Franklin Bluff; TMIN 71 Delta Junction.”

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1821344818800316438


“Looking at all daily observations in the GHCN-D database globally, this 89°F (31.7°C) reading at Deadhorse *may be* the warmest temperature ever recorded north of 70°N.

“The U.S. and Canada data are pretty robust and there is clearly nothing this warm, but Russian data is not great.”

https://x.com/Climatologist49/status/1820974526987169883


“A melting Alaska glacier keeps inundating Juneau. Floods are getting worse.

“The torrent of frigid meltwater that burst from an Alaskan glacier Tuesday and flooded at least 100 homes, swamped cars and forced residents to wade to safety has become a summertime scourge for the residents of Juneau…”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/08/07/glacial-lake-outburst-juneau/


“Dozens of flights cancelled after 16 WestJet planes damaged in Monday’s hailstorm [Calgary].

“Sixteen WestJet planes — 10 per cent of its entire fleet — have been grounded and require “substantial repairs and inspections before returning to service,” WestJet wrote in a Wednesday statement.”

https://calgaryherald.com/news/calgary-international-airport-delays-cancellations-hail-storm-damage


“Widespread smoke and less than ideal weather have made battling the Jasper wildfire more challenging for airborne firefighters, Alberta’s forestry minister said Wednesday.

“Todd Loewen thanked wildland firefighters he said have worked day and night to tackle wildfires across the province, including the one continuing to threaten Jasper National Park and its townsite.”

https://globalnews.ca/news/10686764/jasper-wildfire-minister-says-smoke-wild-weather-pose-challenge-to-air-crews-battling-blaze/


“California wildfire regains strength and continues to grow.

“The Park Fire, already the fourth largest in California on record, had shown signs of calming last week, but dry weather has given the blaze a new lease of life.”

https://news.sky.com/video/california-wildfire-regains-strength-and-continues-to-grow-13192653


“Monday’s tornado in Buffalo set a record for New York State.

“If you’ve been thinking the amount of tornados seen in Western New York this year is unusual, you would be correct. Monday’s tornado in Buffalo set a new record for the state as a whole. The tornado, which caused damage to Niagara Street, was the 26th tornado in New York this year.”

https://www.wbfo.org/local/2024-08-07/mondays-tornado-in-buffalo-set-a-record-for-new-york-state


“New York: Mass floods cause huge transport delays.

“Severe thunderstorms with heavy rain caused mass flooding in New York, as residents were urged not to travel in the floodwater… The powerful storm brought torrential rain to New York City, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut, dumping 2 to 3 inches per hour.”

https://news.sky.com/video/new-york-mass-floods-cause-huge-transport-delays-13192342


“Tropical Storm Debby has made a second landfall in South Carolina on its way up the East Coast, where residents as far north as Vermont could get several inches of rain this weekend.

“The National Hurricane Center says Debby came ashore early Thursday near Bulls Bay, South Carolina.”

https://www.coastreporter.net/world-news/tropical-storm-debby-makes-2nd-landfall-in-south-carolina-heavy-rain-expected-up-the-east-coast-9324120


“As Debby’s deluge continues, atmospheric moisture data for last month has revealed that July 2024 was the moistest July on record for the planet.

“This continues the run of record moist months which dates back to last year. About 70% of the planet experienced above normal atmospheric moisture during July 2024.”

https://x.com/BenNollWeather/status/1820784176335147464


“Again another record hot night in FLORIDA. minimum temperatures of 86F [30C] at St Petersburg and Venice, highest on record.

“The record heat in Florida and Bahamas at night is expected to continue with local minimums >85F for the rest of the week and extreme humidity.”

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1821254651930345709


“Climate change is fuelling rise in hot nights: Analysis…

“The Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago experienced the largest increase of any country, with an extra 47 nights per year above 25 deg C. The Indian city of Mumbai endured an additional two months of hot nights.”

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/climate-change-is-fuelling-rise-in-hot-nights-analysis


“Cars were left under water! Rains cause flooding in Ciudad Satélite [Nauculpan, Mexico]…

“On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, heavy rains hit Naucalpan, causing havoc in several areas, particularly in Ciudad Satélite. The streets were flooded, and several vehicles ended up submerged, generating an emergency situation…”

https://www.aztecaqueretaro.com/noticias/notas/autos-sumergidos-por-lluvias-en-ciudad-satelite-naucalpan


“Record heat in BRAZIL.

“Today the city of Belem hit 37.2C [99F] the highest temperature ever recorded in August.”

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1821298016428441983


“In Brazil, Climate Change Threatens Fight Against Parasitic Disease…

“Schistosomiasis, spread by freshwater snails, affects more than 200 million people in many tropical regions of the world. It can cause stomach pain and irreversible consequences such as enlarged liver and cancer.”

https://www.technologynetworks.com/applied-sciences/news/in-brazil-climate-change-threatens-fight-against-parasitic-disease-389445


“After the floods: ‘A catastrophic year’ on farms [UK].

“Farmers are counting the cost of the long, wet winter as they start to bring in record low harvests of grain… Throughout winter and spring many fields were waterlogged, crops that had been sown were lost and farmers couldn’t get onto fields to sow anything.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3rdlpvzvpqo


“Hungary’s white wine under threat as heatwave forces early harvest…

“Climate change is having a severe impact on Hungary’s acclaimed winemaking industry, as rising temperatures could make the country too hot for producing white wine, including the renowned Tokaji, scientists say.”

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/hungarys-white-wine-under-threat-heatwave-forces-early-harvest-2024-08-07/


“Hundreds of firefighters battle wildfire on Greek island of Crete. A village has been evacuated.

“More than 200 firefighters on the southern Greek island of Crete strove late Wednesday to contain a large wildfire that forced authorities to evacuate one village and prepare others for evacuation.”

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/hundreds-firefighters-battle-wildfire-greek-island-crete-village-112654954


“Mallorca sea temperature spikes at record 30C [86F]…

“Leaping into the sea to cool off is not as easy as it used to be as Mallorca braces for its third heat wave of the summer… The data also shows that almost the entire Mediterranean is suffering from a marine heat wave.”

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/weather/weather/2024/08/06/126381/mallorca-tourism-mallorca-sea-temperature-spikes-record-c.html


“Important – Egypt | Thunderstorms are still affecting the south of the country, warning of the formation of dust storms…

“Today, Wednesday, the city of Aswan was exposed to a dust storm that led to low visibility, and heavy rain fell on some areas in the south of the country and led to the formation of torrents in some areas.”

https://www.arabiaweather.com/en/content/important-egypt-thunderstorms-are-still-affecting-the-south-of-the-country-warning-of-the-formation-of-dust-storms


“At least 17 dead, 170 injured as heavy rains batter war-torn Sudan…

“”The number of victims has risen to 17,” said an employee at a hospital in Abu Hamad, a small town in Sudan’s River Nile state, some 400 kilometers (nearly 250 miles) north of the capital Khartoum.”

https://www.dailysabah.com/world/asia-pacific/at-least-17-dead-170-injured-as-heavy-rains-batter-war-torn-sudan


“45 reported dead in torrential rains in Yemen…

“The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization had earlier said that Yemen was expected to witness “cumulative rainfall of 300 mm [12 inches] across the Central Highlands and Southern Uplands, with the highest daily rainfall intensity (over 120 mm) forecasted for August 7th.””

https://www.voanews.com/a/torrential-rains-yemen/7733660.html


“Torrential Rains Cause Severe Flooding in Makkah [Saudi]…

“In Al-Jumum, a valley in Makkah, flash floods swept away camels, cattle, and various materials, as captured in a video posted by Storm Centre… The adverse weather conditions are not limited to Saudi Arabia. Neighboring Oman has also been hit hard by heavy rains and thunderstorms.”

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/torrential-rains-cause-severe-flooding-in-makkah-impacting-umrah-pilgrims-across-oman-and-the-uae/


“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT MIDDLE EAST…

“Historic in IRAN. Tehran 42.0 [107.6F] ties its monthly record (min 31.2 !) 1100m; August records also: 47.1 Kashan; 41.9 Qazvin. Tropical nights at 3000m asl! UZBEKISTAN: 44C Karalpakstan Republic.”

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1821205549775777854


“Torrential rain in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi [Pakistan] has led to overflow in Nullah Lai, prompting authorities to order evacuations of surrounding areas.

“Reports said the water level in Nullah Lai has exceeded 22 feet at the Katarian point in Rawalpindi, while at the Gwalmandi point, it is also reaching dangerous levels.”

https://pakobserver.net/evacuation-ordered-in-rawalpindi-as-nullah-lai-overflows-amid-torrential-rain/


“Excessive heat due to climate change shrinks cotton boll size [Pakistan].

“The cash crop is extremely sensitive and cannot tolerate frost or temperatures exceeding 35°C. However, climate change and the resulting scarcity of green clusters are the primary threats to this single-crop economy.”

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1217339-excessive-heat-due-to-climate-change-shrinks-cotton-boll-size


“HISTORIC HEAT HONG KONG – 38.9 [102F] Sheung Shui 2nd hottest day in HK history just 0.1C from ATR.

“MACAU Exceptional min of 30.6C Etar Macau. Maxes close to 38C in the Port. It can get even worse next days…”

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1820427938053103831


“On the afternoon of August 7, Mount Tai in Shandong, China, was hit by an extreme rainstorm.

“With 126 mm [5 inches] of rainfall in one hour, and the road down the mountain was flooded.”

https://x.com/yangyubin1998/status/1821406654233288729


“Rains flood Vladivostok, Russia: Lugovaya, Churkin and the city center are drowning…

“In the city center, underground passages, roads and courtyards were flooded within an hour… The area around the Dynamo and Stroitel stadiums was flooded.”

https://vladivostok1.ru/text/gorod/2024/08/07/73922633/


“All ground operations cancelled at Haneda Airport [Japan]. Heavy flood warnings issued for Tokyo and Saitama…

“At the Saitama prefectural government office a building collapsed due to a lightning strike, scattering debris around the area.”

https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/society/910d2deecacf45e792ce237c024796df


“‘Every year the hot period is getting longer’: Record July temperatures kill 120 people in Tokyo…

“Tokyo residents have been urged to pay attention to heatstroke warnings as high temperatures continue into August. More than 120 people died of heatstroke in Tokyo in July, Japanese authorities said on Tuesday.”

https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/08/07/every-year-the-hot-period-is-getting-longer-record-july-temperatures-kill-120-people-in-to


“RECORD HEAT OCEANIA & EAST ASIA: Record heat never ends in all areas. 35.0 [95F] PALAU AP destroys its national August record of highest temperature again, after those of June and July.

“JAPAN More records of High Tmins: 28.7 Ogaki, 27.3 Toyota, 24.8 Ouda, 24.5 Nakanojo, 22.9 Kyojo.”

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1820979167216943586


“New 400-year temperature record shows Great Barrier Reef is facing catastrophic damage, researchers warn…

“In the years 2024, 2017 and 2020, the Coral Sea reached 400-year highs, with 2024 being the warmest on record by a large margin. The recent heat events in 2016, 2004, and 2022, were the next warmest three years on record.”

https://phys.org/news/2024-08-year-temperature-great-barrier-reef.html


“A mass bleaching of more than 50 million sponges in New Zealand’s Fiordland was the largest of its kind ever recorded globally, scientists said on Wednesday.

“The 2022 mass bleaching was estimated to have cut the population by close to half, a study found. Lead author James Bell, a marine biologist… said the bleaching occurred during an intense marine heatwave that lasted 259 days.”

https://gazettengr.com/mass-bleaching-of-new-zealand-marine-sponges-largest-ever-recorded-scientists/


“Here’s a fun fact. Let’s look at the number of days with the global mean surface temperature at or above 17.0°C (62.6°F), by year:

“1940 – 2022: 0
2023: 12
2024: 16 (so far)”

https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/1821166356630532134


“‘Increasingly likely’ that 2024 will be warmest year on record, EU monitor says.

2024 has …spawned the two hottest days on record and contributed to the intensification of hurricanes, heatwaves, and wildfires across the world – all signs that it will likely go down as the hottest year on record.”

https://www.france24.com/en/environment/20240808-eu-monitor-reveals-2024-increasingly-likely-to-be-warmest-on-record


“How life-threatening are heat waves going to be with global warming?

“…Development brought enormous progress in protecting people from natural disasters over the past few hundred years. The question is whether technology and economic growth can keep it up, despite increasingly volatile weather.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2024/heat-waves-risk-global-warming/


“I feel like my head is exploding today.

“If current CO₂ₑ is 540 ppm (and rising fast towards 600+), and pre-industrial CO₂ was 270 ppm, and ECS [equilibrium climate sensitivity] is somehow at its lower-end value of 3°C, how is 3°C not already baked in?” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]

https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/1821338714099872073


“Mining giant abandons plan to ditch coal as boss admits ‘cash is king’…

“Investors had initially supported the company’s decision to ditch coal. Now, said Gary Nagle, CEO, they were strongly against it. Asked whether European shareholders differed from their American counterparts, Mr Nagle simply replied: “No.””

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/08/07/glencore-drops-plan-to-ditch-coal-after-shareholder-u-turn/


“‘Cruisezilla’: Cruise ship emissions ‘spiralling out of control’ as ships double in size since in 2000…

“Published today, the Cruisezilla report claims that at the current rate of growth the biggest cruise ships in 2050 could be almost eight times bigger than the Titanic, weigh in at a staggering 345,000 gross tonnage, and carry nearly 11,000 passengers.”

https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4344307/cruisezilla-cruise-ship-emissions-spiralling-control-ships-double-size-2000


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You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an ”Economic” thread.