Very many thanks to this month’s kind sponsor, John Bee, who wishes me to exhort, “Go Steelers!”
“A strange new climate era is beginning to take hold…
“…in a year expected to be the hottest on record, the aspiration of that era [ie keeping 1.5 alive] appears dead… Rob Jackson, a climate scientist at Stanford University said in an email: “I never expected the world to blow past the 1.5 °C threshold so casually, as we’re doing today,” he said. “Two decades ago, no one believed that could happen.”“
“Scientists trying to figure out why the last two years have been so hot…
““We’re now 11 months going on 12 months after the peak of the El Niño event and global temperatures are still exceptionally high,” said Zeke Hausfather, a research scientist at Berkeley Earth, a non-profit climate analysis organization.”
“Unexplained heat-wave ‘hotspots’ are popping up across the globe…
“A new study provides the first worldwide map of such regions, which show up on every continent except Antarctica like giant, angry skin blotches. In recent years these heat waves have killed tens of thousands of people, withered crops and forests, and sparked devastating wildfires.”
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1066249
“If it seems like the Northern Hemisphere pattern has been volatile this month, you’re not wrong.
“Based on 45-90°N daily variability of 500mb heights, November so far has been the most volatile since 1985. Centers of action have been over SW Alaska, Baffin Island, and N Europe.”
https://x.com/WorldClimateSvc/status/1861884430937190659
“Polar ice sheets decisive contributors to uncertainty in climate tipping points…
“Despite this, there is large uncertainty in their behaviour and more progress is needed in their modelling, observation, and theoretical understanding.”
“The melting of Greenland: a climate challenge with major implications for the 21st century…
“Greenland’s glaciers are melting at an alarming rate. Two recent studies, one coordinated by the University of Liège and published in Geophysical Research Letters, the other published in a scientific press release, reveal the scale of the problem.”
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1066325
“Why Trump Really Should ‘Buy’ Greenland…
“Finally, Greenland is believed to have significant natural resources, including gold, silver, copper, oil, uranium and rare earth minerals… As Greenland looks to separate from Denmark, the U.S. should be ready with a hand extended.”
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/why-trump-really-should-buy-greenland-national-security-policy-58d9c2ca
“Snowless Finns suffer ‘eco-grief’…
“The weather in Finland this autumn has been exceptional in many ways… Northern Lapland saw record high seasonal temperatures in November, and storms with near-hurricane winds swept through half of the country.”
“Finland hit by rare autumn floods.
“Heavy rain and melting snow, combined with unusually warm weather in late fall, have caused severe flooding in Finland, leading to the temporary closure of a major highway on Tuesday.”
“2024 already ‘wettest year ever recorded in Belgium’.
“Never before has so much rain been recorded in Belgium than this year. So far 1088.8 mm of precipitation have been recorded at the Met Office in Ukkel (Brussels) this year. It is already more than the record of 1088.5 mm set in 2001.”
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2024/11/27/2024-already-wettest-year-ever-recorded-in-belgium/
“Thawing permafrost threatens dozens of mountain huts in Switzerland…
“Today, guests can still see a glacier from almost a third of the 152 SAC huts dotted across the Alps. By 2050, this will only be true for 10% of all SAC accommodation – and none by the end of the century.”
“Storm Bert broke the all-time windspeed record for mainland Spain and Portugal, and the Balearic Islands:
“→ 236 km/h [146.6mph] maximum gust at the Cable viewpoint, Picos de Europa National Park, on the 24th.”
https://x.com/AEMET_Esp/status/1861489622271893505
“Images reveal how climate change is upending life in Morocco’s oases…
“…limited rainfall and rising heat have dramatically affected these unique ecosystems and the culture they sustain. Morocco has lost two-thirds of its oases – lush, fertile areas in the desert – in just a single century.”
“South Africa will issue import permits for genetically engineered white and yellow corn from the US after a mid-summer drought that caused 22% drop in local production…
“South Africa could import about 800,000 tons of corn in the marketing year that runs from May 2024 to April 2025…”
“More records of November hottest night in SOUTH AFRICA (east part):
“24.0 [75.2F] Tzaneen; 22.8 Kruger; 21.1 Bourke; 18.8 Machadodorp… Today Fort Dauphin in Madagascar had a minimum temperature of 25.1C,its hottest November night in history”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1861804051765289226
“At least 24 people were injured and 620 homes destroyed on Wednesday when a tornado hit parts of Randfontein, west of Joburg.
“The injured were at the Umphakathi Mall when the tornado hit at about 1.15pm, Most of them had minor injuries and were shoppers at the Boxer supermarket. The tornado hit Randfontein, Mohlakeng and Toekomsrus.”
https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2024-11-28-tornado-tears-through-city-destroys-homes/
“Eternal record heat in this little island Juan de Nova [Indian Ocean]; it sweeps every record every month.
“Two days after having its hottest November day in history with 35.7C [92.3F], today it had its hottest November night with a min. of 28.5C.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1861384669826293800
“Children among the dead and missing as heavy rains trigger floods in Sri Lanka…
“Sri Lanka has experienced heavy downpours and strong winds over the past two days that have flooded homes, fields and roads and forced authorities to suspend train services in tea-growing mountain areas.”
https://apnews.com/article/sri-lanka-floods-895c92bc38201b01a6bfc9bf083eef87
“Climate change is the final straw for Myanmar’s farmers…
“The net results are emerging food shortages across the central states where two million people are facing a potential famine and the United Nations is warning of a “total economic collapse” after late and heavy rains were blamed by farmers for ruining the recent planting season.”
https://www.ucanews.com/news/climate-change-is-the-final-straw-for-myanmars-farmers/107109
“Starting on Tuesday, many areas in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces in northeast China have been experiencing a sharp temperature drop of more than 10 degrees Celsius.
“In Hegang City of Heilongjiang, the cumulative snowfall from 8 a.m. Tuesday to 8 a.m. Wednesday notched up 49.7 mm, breaking the local historical record for single-day snowfall in November.”
https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202411/28/content_WS6747c2c3c6d0868f4e8ed7c9.html
“Seoul has recorded its heaviest November snowfall since records began over a century ago in 1907.
“It caused significant disruption across the country, with local media reporting that flights had been grounded, roads closed, and that there were delays to transport services.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpqdgw7lzw0o
“Endless record heat in the PHILIPPINES. The island of Cuyo is recording minimum temperatures >28C [82.4F] almost every day.
“Today min 26.6C at Borongan is a record hottest night for November. There is no end in sight to these hot and humid nights and this is the cool season.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1861679557474165181
“Floods ravage four southern provinces [Thailand]…
“The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts that heavy rain in the eastern part of the South, driven by a strong northeast monsoon and a low-pressure system, will persist until Saturday.”
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2910076/floods-ravage-four-southern-provinces
“Malaysia PM Says Tens of Thousands of People in Six States Hit by Flooding.
“The Meteorological Department on Wednesday issued a red alert warning for continuous heavy rain – indicating dangerous levels of downpour – in Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu states.”
“Heavy rains and flash floods in parts of Southeast Asia have hampered work at palm and rubber plantations, interrupted power supply and forced the evacuation of thousands of people.
“Indonesia and Malaysia, the world’s two biggest palm oil producers, have been hit by deadly landslides and power outages…”
“Disasters prevent millions from casting their votes in Indonesia’s regional head polls.
“Some 30 percent of 25,223 polling stations in North Sumatra failed to carry out the voting process after heavy rainfall triggered massive floods and landslides in various parts of the province.”
“Australia Facing Elevated Risk of Wildfires as Summer Looms.
“Some of Australia’s key wine growing regions, along with vast tracts of grazing land and regional towns, are facing higher risks of wildfires this summer, according to a seasonal outlook.”
“How Sydney Airport was the hottest place in the world on Wednesday…
“Sydney and other areas in eastern NSW are in the middle of a severe heatwave that’s making the end of spring feel more like the middle of summer. This early-season heat was so intense on Wednesday that the Sydney Basin briefly became the hottest place in the world.”
“Drought relief for South Australia farmers struggling with driest years on record.
“Upper South East and Mallee farmer Robyn Verrall said it was a “hand-up, not a handout”. “The next couple of months are going to be really hard,” she said. “Most areas are down by about 200 [millimetres] to 300mm of rain, so it’s not going to be any easier.””
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-27/south-australia-drought-funding-package-farmers/104648108
“OCEANIA UNSTOPPABLE RECORD HEAT – tropics are boiling every day, more and records set during the 2023 Nino beaten one by one.
“Today 34C [93.2F] Sola Vanua Lava VANUATU NATIONAL NOVEMBER RECORD tied.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1861349757777781231
“‘Tragic’ mass fish die-off devastates Amazon River channel amid historic drought…
“On the night of Nov. 12, fishers from the riverine community of Igarapé do Costa, near the city of Santarém in northern Brazil, began noticing fish dying in large numbers along the Aramanaí Channel, a waterway connected to the Amazon River and home to hundreds of fishing families.”
https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/mass-fish-die-off-amazon-drought/
“Heavy rains cause deaths, flooding and landslides in Salvador [NE Brazil]…
“According to Climatempo, in November, Salvador recorded a volume of rainfall that exceeded the historical average for the month by more than 100%, recording 219.5 mm of rain…”
“HISTORIC HEAT IN THE CARIBBEAN – absolutely unprecedented heat nights with MINIMUMS up to 28.5C [83.3F] at Bonaire (never happened anywhere in the Caribbean so late).
“NOVEMBER HOTTEST NIGHT IN HISTORY: ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA Tmin 27.0; ST KITTS AND NEVIS Tmin 27.8 at Nevis.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1861476986147008670
“Three days of torrential rainfall have caused severe damage to the road network in East and West Portland [Jamaica], with multiple landslides affecting several communities…
“Disaster Coordinator for the parish, Denise Lewis told The Gleaner on Tuesday that emergency teams are on high alert to deal with any eventuality.”
“EXCEPTIONAL HEAT IN MEXICO – absolutely Insane temperatures in the highlands at high elevations, typical of mid summer.
“34.0C Durango 1873m above sea leve, November record destroyed; 31.4C Saltillo and 31.2C Sombrerete 2352m! monthly records…”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1861965716221763601
“[Massachusetts] cranberry farmers are turning bogs into wetlands through a federal program that pays them to stop farming the most challenging bogs…
“…falling prices, competition from cranberry growers in Wisconsin, Quebec and Chile, and climate change have made it increasingly difficult for the state’s farmers to continue on…”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/11/26/cranberries-bogs-wetlands-farmers/
“As the Great Lakes basin hits record-warm temperatures, it reminds us of what’s coming: Intense, lake-effect snow.
“These powerful, natural, snow-making machines will enhance lake-effect snow early in the season… Minimal ice cover from the previous winter played a role, meaning the lakes held more heat heading into this season.”
“‘Unprecedented’ climate extremes are everywhere. Our baselines for what’s normal will need to change…
“…extreme variations are now occurring in periods of ten years or even shorter. Consequently, multiple increases and decreases can cancel each other out over a 30-year period. This would hide the large changes in statistics of weather variables within that period.”
“COP29: Failure at the Foundations.
“COP29 saw a mix of victories and letdowns, but it failed at the fundamental objective of UN climate negotiations — to steer global cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and encourage national plans to contribute to those cuts.”
https://www.energyintel.com/00000193-6abe-d00a-a3f7-febe939c0000
“Fifth UN plastics treaty talks mired in division as halfway point approaches…
“Petrochemical-producing nations such as Saudi Arabia and China have strongly opposed efforts to target plastic production, over the protests of countries that bear the brunt of plastic pollution such as small island nations and low- and middle-income countries.”
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You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
We are at 1.6 degrees warming in the middle of a mild La Nina, GHGs are rising faster than ever recorded, the albedo is falling, aerosols are decreasing, at least four tipping points have likely been crossed, no government is doing any more than pretending to address the issues and only one of forty two climate action goals has been met, yet, according to the weather network its important that we know that “… there’s a chance we could go back down in the following years.” Yipee. What they don’t say is that there is a bigger chance that the accelerated warming, which no-one has yet explained, will continue and probably get worse.
“Probably”? Don’t hold back, George! “Most assuredly WILL get worse.” 🤓 PS I appreciate your comments!
It was the WaPo article I found most disorientating, trying, as it does, to put a somewhat optimistic spin on what is actually a very dire assessment of our situation.
“A strange new climate era is beginning to take hold. The next 10 years will look very different for the story of climate change.”
“Strange” and “very different” hardly do the job. How about “frightening” and “calamitous”?
“Scientists trying to figure out why the last two years have been so hot…”
I think the headline is misleading but that’s the idea to get people to read the article. They qualify it some in the article but the “weathernetwork” is probably more concerned with profits than climate.
“NASA climate scientist says it’s ‘frustrating’ not to have answers” probably means they would like more accurate or precise answers as the warming is higher than expected. Scientists and researchers always strive for more accurate answers even when they have a solid understanding overall.
It must be those pesky “unknown unknowns” Rumsfeld eluded to once upon a time on a different subject.
An actual nightmare.
At least the shareholders were happy..
As you say, “the “weathernetwork” is probably more concerned with profits than climate”; to borrow from Cassandra, “probably?”, no: legally.
Corporations are not moral, but legal, entities. Actions they take to mitigate environmental damage, which the petroleurs hire expensive lawyers to claim is a hoax, are subject to investor lawsuits, as the only legal requirements of Corporations are to maximize profits (not just for shareholders, but for taxes, so with every democracy in the world’s 2-faced sanction … similar to arms production, no one wants war, they just want the juicy profits from making and selling armamentaria, always for “defense”).
Until the Laws that govern corporations changes, which they won’t, because they can’t, as no one even acknowledges it’s a problem, we will continue down this path to annihilation we have chosen.
The Weather Network annoys me for a more prosaic reason – it won’t let me copy and paste the titles of the articles, so I have to type them out. 😅
This particular article also annoys me for omitting to mention Jim Hansen’s work. If he is correct about cleaner air regs for shipping being part of this equation then we have another aerosol “termination shock” pending in the Mediterranean:
“States in the Mediterranean Sea are preparing to implement, in 2025, global laws which will require ships plying the Sea to meet stringent requirements to limit harmful pollution by Sulphur Oxides.”
https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/Pages/WhatsNew-2081.aspx
Anyone here old enough to remember the show, “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy? I watched that show when I was 20 (~1978)
Season 2 Episode 23 “The Coming Ice Age” aired May 5, 1978
https://youtu.be/7tAYXQPWdC0?si=pa6gNE8QsM_sAPNe
They went in search of a lot of red herrings – big foot, loch ness monster, bermuda triangle, atlantis, garden of eden, and so on.
The climate denialists are still citing the 70’s “Ice Age” predictions to discredit current climate science. Someone posted a clip from the show somewhere and I just had to laugh. I recognized the clip because Leonard Nimoy was the narrator of the show. If someone as logical as Spock is presenting it, it must be true.
LOL
Oh, Leonard. “Insufficient facts always invite danger,” as your Vulcan alter ego once said.
This 1981 UK documentary had a better grip on reality:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSW8UeMp2kU
There’s no global warming! Everything in my freezer is still frozen.
And still no mention of overpopulation possibly leading to NTHE. Of course not TR, it’s just a conspiracy theory, you dumbass.
Now that I’ve had time to think about it. The voices in my head are starting to offend me.
Climate change getting into one’s wallet looking for the big bucks.
https://www.pnnl.gov/news-media/delay-and-pay-tipping-point-costs-quadruple-after-waiting