Special sponsor for August 2024 is Cassandra Mountain. Many thanks!
“Breaking News! Code Yikes!
“For the second year in a row, North Atlantic sea surface temperatures broke 25°C [77F], reaching 25.01°C on August 20, 2024.
“The hottest temperature recorded for the period 1982-2022 was 24.89°C.”
https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/1826292713693859958
“Forecasters at Met Éireann were briefed on the “profound impacts” of the possible collapse of an ocean current system that keeps Ireland’s weather relatively mild [AMOC]…
“The advisory said that while a complete shutdown of the Amoc was still thought unlikely, it could not be “definitively ruled out”.”
https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41460178.html
“Blue-green algae has been found on the north coast of Northern Ireland…
“It had already been detected in the Bann River system and scientists were warning it could spread up the north coast – where its presence closed bathing waters in Portstewart and Portrush last year.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgjdyl1392o
“Farmers in Romania forced to sell livestock as drought kills animal feed…
“Farmers in Romania are struggling to keep their cattle, following an ongoing drought making it hard for them to provide animals with feed. In the southern county of Olt, farmer Traian Gîrtan has sold some of his 30-strong livestock.”
“Drought threatens livestock and livelihoods in Serbia.
“This summer, scorching temperatures and a lack of rain are creating serious challenges across Serbia. After the death of livestock on a mountain in the southeast of the country, farmers are struggling to protect cows and horses in the area.”
https://www.dw.com/en/drought-threatens-livestock-and-livelihoods-in-serbia/video-69990671
“It’s a summer like none else before in Eastern Europe and a new heat wave will persists in the Black Sea area.
“Temperatures in Romania but also in Donbass area of Ukraine can peak at 36C to 39c [102.2F] every day for the whole week and September can start beating records.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1826227763931390248
“Hundreds of dead fish wash ashore in İzmir Gulf [Turkey].
“As the color of Aegean İzmir Gulf turns green and red, hundreds of dead fish have washed ashore on the coast of Bayraklı district in recent days. Scientists believe that rising temperatures and pollution in the gulf have been causing major environmental destruction.”
https://www.duvarenglish.com/hundreds-of-dead-fish-wash-ashore-in-izmir-gulf-news-64839
“As incidents of in-flight turbulence continue to rise, another airplane has had to divert after a sudden bout injured those onboard.
“EasyJet flight 8210 from Corfu to London Gatwick on August 19 was forced to divert to Rome, when turbulence over Italian airspace injured two crew members.”
“Waterspout spotted off Greek coast as severe weather warnings issued.
“A British tourist captured the phenomenon off the coast of the island of Zakynthos in the Ionian Sea. Severe thunderstorms are expected to continue affecting many parts of Greece in the coming days.”
“A superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily was likely struck by a waterspout made stronger by climate change, meteorologists have said.
“Waterspouts are whirling columns of air and water mist, and the Bayesian is believed to have been hit by a powerful one in the early hours of Monday morning.”
“As climate science and journalism are finally starting to widely cover the effects of IMO [ie global suphur-reduction regs for shipping] 2020, there’s still very little reporting on what will happen over the Mediterranean next year.
“The introduction of Emission Control Area MED-ECA is on May 1st 2025.”
[Leon Simons wondering how much warming will be incurred when sulphur emissions are slashed by 80% over the Mediterranean].
https://x.com/LeonSimons8/status/1826259531384730038
“Elderly man dies after helicopter battling wildfire drops water on him in Spain…
“Ramón González López, 79, died on Tuesday (20 August) in the intensive care unit at the University Hospital of Cáceres after he was seriously injured last Saturday when the helicopter dropped the water on him whilst battling a blaze.”
“In Spain’s drought-hit Costa Blanca, people queue for bottled water…
“A severe drought has rendered tap water undrinkable in several towns along Spain’s Costa Blanca, forcing holidaymakers and locals to queue at distribution points for bottled water to cover their basic needs.”
“Water emergency action now a summer ritual in the Mediterranean…
“Roxani Kamperou has introduced a new summer routine at her vacation home on the Cycladic island of Sifnos. Upon arrival, she grabs metal tools, lifts the cover of her cistern and checks the water levels. “I think we will be OK for this weekend,” she reassures her guests.”
https://www.ft.com/content/e9fbd736-f372-4ac0-84af-1677aea6cc25
“NORTH AFRICA-MIDDLE EAST HEAT WAVE.
“Another brutally hot day with 49.2C [120.6F] at Adrar in ALGERIA which is living an insanely hot summer, months at 47/50C non-stop.
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1826325494419390733
“Parts of Libya affected by extreme weather…
“…floods submerged many houses and farms and led to road landslides and disruption of communications services and electricity… This follows an earlier episode of extreme weather, which affected the far southeastern regions of Libya since 6 August 2024…”
https://wmo.int/media/news-from-members/parts-of-libya-affected-extreme-weather-lnmc
“Sahara has been record hot for months but the Sahel at its south has been cool with grey and rainy days.
“Locally some max. temperatures failed to reach 25C and minimums dropped below 20C [68F] ,not far from records. For example CHAD capital Ndjamena 19.5C is just 1C from August lowest.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1825963956328083943
“SOUTH AFRICA HEAT WAVE.
“Another insane winter heat wave and monthly records keep falling in the past 2 days: 33.6 [92.5F] Brandvlei; 32.9 Beaufort; 32.7 Pofadder; Tmins: 21.8 Queenstown,16.5 Lady Grey.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1826291142775787741
“MIDDLE EAST HEAT WAVE:
“Another scorching day after a scorching night in IRAQ; MINIMUM Temperature 37.0C [98.6F] at Basra, August record. In SAUDI ARABIA MIN. 34.7C at Al Qassim at 600m asl, also a record for August (0.1C from all time).”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1825958146575315076
“Saving the vanishing forests of Iraq’s Kurdistan…
“In a plant nursery in northern Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, hundreds of pine, eucalyptus, olive and pomegranate saplings grow under awnings protecting them from the fierce summer sun… “Almost 50 percent of forests have been lost in Kurdistan in 70 years,” said Nyaz Ibrahim of the UN’s World Food Programme.”
https://today.rtl.lu/news/science-and-environment/a/2224861.html
“Terrible flood due to heavy rain in Evaz of Fars province, Iran.
“According to Kerman center radio news report, governor Baft said: Due to the flooding yesterday evening, the communication roads of 15 villages in this city were blocked.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKLy16mXyOA
“Koratagere [Karnataka, India] receives record 637mm [25 inches] of rainfall in one hour [the source is a fairly respectable local outlet but I am wondering if they have this right]…
“Koratagere witnessed an unprecedented 637 mm of rainfall in just one hour. This surpasses the average annual monsoon rainfall of 634 mm the town receives… Many roads were submerged, causing vehicles to stall and float away.”
https://www.udayavani.com/english-news/koratagere-receives-record-637mm-rainfall-in-one-hour
“Tripura [NE India]: At least 10 killed after heavy rain causes floods; over 34,000 displaced…
“An official of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) said 34,100 people from 6,620 families have taken shelter in 346 relief camps spread across eight districts of Tripura… Landslides were reported in many areas including national highways, that were blocked…”
“A massive landslide has destroyed the power station of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation’s (NHPC) Teesta Stage 5 dam in Sikkim on Tuesday morning.
“The hill adjacent to the 510 MW power station was said to be under threat due to frequent minor slides over the past few weeks.”
“Millions marooned as flash flood hits 8 districts [Bangladesh]…
“Heavy downpours over the last 72 hours have flooded eight districts of Bangladesh… Rains upstream have caused the rivers to flow more than a metre above the regular water level, and India has opened the switch gate of the Dumbur Reservoir after three decades.”
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/355619/millions-marooned-as-flash-flood-hits-8-districts
“Disastrous rainstorms drench provinces across China…
“… in Central China’s Hunan Province, so far 50 people have been confirmed dead and another 15 remained missing as of Monday in Zixing city in the province after it was severely hit by torrential rainstorms…”
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202408/1318370.shtml
“Over 7,000 people evacuated in northeastern Liaoning Province following heavy rains…
“The most intense precipitation occurred in the city’s Jianchang County and its surrounding areas with maximum rainfall reaching 534.7 mm [21 inches], exceeding the historical records for the region.”
“Tokyo Flooding Videos: Subway Stations Shut Due to Massive Flooding Caused by Heavy Rains in Japan’s Capital.
“Heavy rainfall in Tokyo on August 21 caused severe flooding, disrupting Ichigaya and National Stadium Stations, with over-pressurised sewers blowing off manhole covers in Shinjuku.”
“A national temperature record continues to be broken [Japan].
“On Wed, the temp reached 38.3℃ in Dazaifu, an ancient capital of western Japan. This marked the 34th consecutive day of temps exceeding 35°C/95°F, setting a new record for the longest streak in Japan. (Record till last year: 24 days)”
https://x.com/sayakasofiamori/status/1826344393009496508
“Extreme summer heat in SOUTH KOREA – the capital Seoul is recording its 30th consecutive minimum temperature >25C [77F], something which was barely thought possible.
“Humidity has been extreme 24/7. Together with Japan, Koreas are also living an unprecedented unbearably record hot summer.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1826017331149000739
“Unseasonal Winter Heat Across Australia Raises Wildfire Risks…
“Australia is facing elevated wildfire risks months ahead of the summer fire season, as an unusually warm winter scorches parts of the continent and threatens to set temperature records.”
“OCEANIA RECORD HEAT – Pacific Islands also keep breaking heat records non-stop.
“Last “victim” was Honiara, the capital of the SOLOMON ISLANDS which rose to 34.5C [94.1F], tying its August heat record. Honiara hasn’t recorded a single cooler than average month for exact 9 years!”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1825691876113977438
“INMET – Brazilian Institute of Meteorology confirms as 42.2C [108F] the max. temperature at Cuiaba on Sunday, arguably the hottest winter (Jun-Aug) temperature in all South Hemisphere history without fohn effect.
“More records yesterday in PARAGUAY: 40.2 Bahia Negra; 37.2 Pedro Juan Caballero.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1825872824566726871
“Brazilians “Struggle To Breathe” As Amazon Forest Burns In Wildfire…
“On Tuesday, the concentration of cancer-causing microparticles known as PM2.5 reached 56.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air in Porto Velho — 11 times more than the limit recommended by the World Health Organization and the worst of Brazil’s big cities.”
“SOUTH AMERICA HISTORIC HEAT WAVE.
“One week >41C [105.8F] in winter, unbelievable what South America is living. Today 41.4 Herebia, PARAGUAY and 41.3C San Matias BOLIVIA; 40.5C at Puerto Suarez which broke its record for the 4th time after breaking the records of each one of the past 13 months!”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1826369160588427525
“Desperate situation in Alto Paraguay, people cry for help in the face of fires.
“Since this afternoon a large fire has been reported in the city of Fuerte Olimpo, capital of the Alto Paraguay department… the fire has consumed several properties and threatens to reach more homes.”
“The strong storm that hit the municipality of Xalapa, Veracruz [Mexico], on Wednesday afternoon caused various effects, including urban flooding and an accident that left two people injured.
“The rain was so intense that it flooded some of the main streets of the city, while in other areas people were reported injured due to lightning strikes.”
https://www.telediario.mx/nacional/veracruz-caida-de-un-rayo-deja-personas-heridas-lluvia-en-xalapa
“Chalco residents, after 20 days under black water: “The smell makes you want to vomit”.
“Some 2,000 homes are flooded due to the collapse of drainage systems caused by the filth and heavy rains. A long operation by the State of Mexico and the Army is trying unsuccessfully to lower the water level.”
“Millions broil as southern US heat dome causes record highs and wildfires…
“Those in central Texas are experiencing extreme heat for a long duration, “with little to no overnight relief”, according to the National Weather Service… 113F Abilene all time high.”
“The climate crisis is threatening the medical blood supply in the US, with this summer’s record heat contributing to an emergency blood shortage, the American Red Cross has warned.
“As summers in the US get progressively hotter, blood drives across the country to persuade people to donate are facing challenges.”
“Thousands of birds die of bird flu and botulism at wildlife refuges in southern Oregon…
“At least 5,000 birds have died so far this summer at a network of wildlife refuges on the Oregon-California border, sparking fears of another large outbreak of disease and calls for more water releases in a region roiled by drought and water uncertainty…”
“A new study published this week may cause a collective groan among those who have had a car dented or a windshield shattered by large hailstones.
“Expect to see larger hail and more intense hailstorms as the world warms, especially in the eastern U.S…”
“When it rains, it pours; Toronto sees wettest summer on record:
“You may have noticed all of the rain in Toronto, Ont., this summer, resulting in multiple flooding events, travel disruptions and other inconveniences for any planned outings. It’s not just your imagination.”
“Blue-green algae bloom found in Yellowknife [NWT, Canada]…
“This isn’t the first time local residents have seen such blooms. Two years ago, resident Bonnie Lee saw a similar blue algae in Yellowknife Bay near Tin Can Hill… such algal blooms are becoming more common in the N.W.T. due to climate change, warmer water, and sometimes low water levels.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yellowknife-blue-green-algae-bloom-1.7301542
“One region that has observed a particularly historic melt season so far is across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago…
*Note that the basin is geographically constrained (same maximum sea ice cover = flat line [courtesy of Zack Labe; data from NSIDC].”
https://x.com/ZLabe/status/1826416519254843863
“Collision course: polar bears forced into people’s path by climate crisis.
“Recent encounters – one fatal – in Canada highlight how sea ice changes have disrupted Arctic predator’s search for food… The deadly attack on 7 August happened on Brevoort Island, the site of a North American air-defense radar station…”
“There are still 10 days of summer (June, July and August), but we can already determine that Tromsø [Arctic Norway], with measurements since 1921, has experienced its warmest summer – with a very clear margin.
“Average temperature 14.6C.”
https://x.com/VaerTorsten/status/1826201044118024225
“Rubbish and disease could disrupt Antarctic ecosystems as ice buffers melt, study finds…
“Floating plastic could bring ants and diseases such as bird flu, while drifting kelp and seaweeds could transport crabs, sea stars and slugs, according to Ceridwen Fraser, the study’s co-author and a biogeographer at the University of Otago.”
“Microplastics are infiltrating brain tissue, studies show: ‘There’s nowhere left untouched’ [H/t Heather]…
“A growing body of scientific evidence shows that microplastics are accumulating in critical human organs, including the brain… Studies have detected tiny shards and specks of plastics in human lungs, placentas, reproductive organs, livers, kidneys, knee and elbow joints, blood vessels and bone marrow.”
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/21/microplastics-brain-pollution-health
“Battle Lines: How does climate change lead to violence?
“… From ISIS training grounds in Iraq to the pirate-ridden waters of Bangladesh, Peter Schwarzstein, author of the upcoming book The Heat and the Fury, discovers the unexpected ways in which climate change is feeding global unrest and conflict.”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/08/21/how-does-climate-change-lead-to-violence/
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You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an ”Economic” thread.
https://news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-environment-science-and-economy/overshoot-myth-risks-catastrophic-global-warming/
Wait, “Overshoot” has become a myth? Oh, no, the myth of overshoot is the myth – I think I got it now. Good luck, esteemed sirs, with this brand of rebranding a fundamental tenet of C& E.
And what are “we” supposed to do, then? The same old same old that cannot be done. Who handcuffs the unseen hand that controls humanity – The fabled Green Police? Sure, from the safe perches of paycheck academia it looks like truth-papers can move socio-economic mountains, but that’s not how the human world operates.
Of course, there’s no knighthood on offer for anyone saying this, just the consolation of muttering like a park-bencher the same incredulity over and over again in response – sing it with me, “Shit’s toast, fam.”
“In the 2015 Paris Agreement, world leaders committed to try to limit warming to 1.5°C (compared to pre-industrial levels) and keep it “well below” 2°C. Writing today in The Conversation, three scientists say continued fossil fuel production and record greenhouse gas emissions give these pledges a “surreal quality”.”
It does, although perhaps “absurd” is nearer the mark. Interesting to see this shift in the public discourse; the New Scientist has an article riffing on the same theme:
“For the first time, climate scientists have explicitly said it will be impossible to limit peak warming to 1.5°C. Now our focus should be on taking action, not meaningless platitudes and slogans.”
https://archive.vn/Dp3fs/again?url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26335052-800-the-1-5c-target-is-dead-but-climate-action-neednt-be/
Meanwhile, “In Solidarity for a Green World,” intone the great and good at COP29, as we swirl ever faster towards the plug-hole.
Record heat in North Atlantic and recent studies suggesting imminent near amoc collapse (mid century). Going to be exciting times for the area in 30 years. Will it boil or freeze?
As a Hebridean and a hater of the cold, AMOC collapse is perhaps my least favourite flavour of apocalypse. Not that it’ll make a *huge* amount of difference, once one of these globally significant tipping points has been well and truly breached.
Germany’s carbon-credit program has been marred by scandal this year. Florian Gaertner
German energy firms may have lost billions in income as a result of fraud in a carbon credit program.
The program lets companies offset emissions by supporting carbon reduction projects abroad.
Yet, reports claim that many of the projects were fake or exaggerated.
A scandal engulfing Germany’s carbon credit market may have resulted in billions in lost income for firms.
https://climateandeconomy.com/2024/08/22/22nd-august-2024-todays-round-up-of-climate-news/
The country’s program allows its biggest carbon producers — companies like Shell and other oil firms — to offset some of their emissions by supporting carbon-reduction projects abroad.
However, reports in German media this year show that some projects are misleading in their claims of reducing emissions — and some don’t exist at all.
A report in Semafor on Wednesday notes that in one case, a whistleblower informed Shell that a carbon-reduction project the oil giant was involved with was, in fact, a chicken farm.
In December, a report in the German outlet Handelsblatt said that half of projects in China are probably fake or misrepresenting their effectiveness.
The scandal involves Upstream Emission Reduction credits, which are produced by third-party energy firms and sold to producers looking to offset 1.2% of their emissions, as mandated by the German government.
Most UER projects are located in China, with others in Azerbaijan and Nigeria. However, German media identified at least 27 projects that aren’t actually reducing any emissions or are exaggerating their results.
Man, sometimes I feel sorry for myself because I fcked up in life many times over and over.
Then reports like this one come along and makes it alright in my head…there is a bigger fck up and it’s the whole human rat race running off the cliff edge.
Betcha these clowns were real proud of themselves in ripping off the system. In fact, these
Clowns, no doubt, set up this carbon trading system so they can defraud money and pat themselves in public by doing good for the planet, so leave us all alone.
Sick, sick, sick…
Reminds me of the Neal Young and Crazy Horse tune, ” Why do I keep FckingUp?”
BTW, I used to be a fan of Neil Young, but that old man is just like everyone else, chasing the God Almighty Dollar….no judging, but just pointing out the obvious..
“Man, sometimes I feel sorry for myself because I fcked up in life many times over and over.”
Life is messy and we all have feet of clay, Vince. ❤
I’m afraid many are riding the green gravy train in all sorts of cynical, deceitful and self-advancing ways that have nothing to do with healing the biosphere. Nature will have the last laugh though. Also in Germany:
“The development of a Tesla gigafactory near Berlin has resulted in about 500,000 trees being felled, according to satellite analysis.
“The building of the German factory has been highly controversial and attracted significant protests, as well as prompting a debate about the trade-offs involved in developing a green economy.”
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/aug/22/trees-cut-down-site-tesla-gigafactory-germany-deforestation
So, these corporate leaders scamming the system to enrich their pockets at the public expense without a doubt NOT face ANY jail time and have a slap on the wrist with a token fine and not admitting any guilt.
But we need to lock up this citizens because it disrupts the operations of profits.
BERLIN
In a move to curb disruptive protests, the German government has proposed imposing jail sentences on individuals who enter airport runways without permission.
According to the new proposal approved by the Cabinet, those found guilty of unauthorized entry or attempting to enter runways can face up to two years in prison or hefty fines.
The proposed legislation is even stricter for certain offenses. If an unauthorized entry is carried out with intent, involves carrying weapons or poisonous substances, or is linked to the facilitation of another crime, offenders could face a prison sentence of up to five years.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser cited recent incidents where climate activists glued their hands to runways. “Anyone who enters airport facilities without permission, glues their hands to taxiways, and thus significantly disrupts air traffic not only risks their own life but also the lives of others,” Faeser said.
Transport Minister Volker Wissing emphasized the need to tighten the law to deter such protests and prevent disruptions, especially during the busy travel season.
The proposal will now be presented to Bundestag, the federal parliament, for approval before it can become law.
The urgency of the legislation comes in the wake of unauthorized protests by climate activists on the runways of Munich and Berlin-Brandenburg airports, which led to numerous flight cancellations.
See one must have permission to disrupt Business as Usual..Good luck with that
Any significant protests against capitalism’s relentless lust for riches will be met with more official violence and long stays behind bars. Tune in, turn on, and dropout. Or lay flat if you’re Chinese. But for the Children’s sake, reduce your emmissions. It’s the only way left.
“.. just pointing out the obvious..”
Well, we’ll be having none of that obvious here! 😉
More fun with giant hail:
“Losses due to hail and other severe convective storms have quintupled in the United States since 2008, raising questions from scientists, industry, and members of the public about the roles of a warming climate and changing socioeconomic exposure.”
“Questions”? Don’t you mean “fear, ignorance, and hate?”
More fun with billions of starving snow crab:
“The decline of the Alaskan snow crab signals a wider ecosystem change in the Arctic, as oceans warm and sea ice disappears. The ocean around Alaska is now becoming inhospitable for several marine species, including red king crab and sea lions, experts say. The study underlines “how much this Bering Sea ecosystem has already changed from what it was even within the lifetime of one snow crab fisherman,”
“Normally, there is a temperature barrier in the ocean that prevents species like Pacific cod from reaching the crabs’ extremely cold habitat. But during the 2018-2019 heat wave, Pacific cod were able to go to these warmer-than-usual waters and ate a portion of what was left of the snow crab population.”
“We have observed species shifts in distribution and mismatches in prey and predators, which have contributed to declines in some species [for example things like seeing] Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska,”
Well, at least now we know what all those poor crabbers in Kodiak can do. Cod is on the menu now!
More fun with climate chaos:
Keep your eyes on the Atlantic. There is a large and unexplained area of unusually cold water forming in the S. Atlantic. Scientists, as usual, are baffled.
When I was 6,the weather man said we were going to have some hail. No roof over our car, so my dad took old blankets & covered the car, heavy hail, no damage. People are too lazy today to take any responsibility to protect their property & then bitch & moan when their insurance premiums increase? Lazy Entitled Apes!
As fast and high as these temperatures go everyday and weekly it is obvious to me our time is very short. When the infrastructure completely collapses is only time will tell. But their will be nothing left of industrial civilization after the Earth clears the earth of humans.
Remember to build a civilization in the lowest elevations. Everyone knows water runs uphill. Excellent flood plan. On drinking water shortages, move everyone to flood zones. “Water, water everywhere & not a drop to drink?”
On not being able to feed livestock, when one’s children have nothing to eat, one can sell them to Soylent Green facilities, everything is about the money.
I’m concerned about Pan’s mental health, posting all these wonderful, uplifting links. Reading all these links are driving me to a psychotic break. 😉
Just remembered an old saying: Don’t come down here driving like your crazy.
Two hours worth of fun. One could skip the first 10 minutes of appetizers & move on to the main course.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJwsJhFK98o