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“USDA ordered to scrub climate change from websites.
“Agriculture Department employees have been ordered to delete landing pages discussing climate change across agency websites and document climate change references for further review, according to an internal email obtained by POLITICO.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/31/usda-climate-change-websites-00201826
“‘The world order could start to evolve from the Arctic’: Trump, thin ice and the fight for the Northwest Passage…
“With the potential to slash shipping times between Europe and Asia by thousands of miles… the opening up of the Northwest Passage as the Arctic ice melts is viewed by some as an upside of the climate crisis and one of the main reasons Trump has taken such an interest in Greenland.”
“Researchers from the University of Toronto have established a direct link between the population decline in polar bears living in Western Hudson Bay and shrinking sea ice caused by climate change…
““A loss of sea ice means bears spend less time hunting seals and more time fasting on land,” says Louise Archer…”
“Breaking News! Code Yikes!
“After a mid-Winter one day loss of over 100k square kilometers of sea ice, Arctic sea-ice extent is once again at a record low for the day [before the heatwave even strikes]…
“Temperatures 28°C (50°F) above average in parts of the Arctic are predicted to begin on Sunday and are now forecast to stay around for at least a week.” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
https://bsky.app/profile/climatecasino.net/post/3lh24mbwexk2e
“EUROPEAN RECORD WARMTH. Warm air moved East with 20C in Russia and more January records:
RUSSIA: 17.7 [63.9F] Primorsko Atarsk; 16.3 Tihoreck; High Tmins; 4.7 St Petersburg; 5.4 Staraja Russa; 5.4 Pskov. UKRAINE: 14.4 Uzhorod; 13.9 Ternopil; Tmin 6.3 Lubny UK.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1885032474411143381
“Warm as April: the weather in Kyiv set three records in one day.
“Three temperature records were set in Kyiv on January 30: minimum, maximum and average daily temperatures. The figures exceeded the previous records set in 2002 and correspond to the beginning of April.”
https://unn.ua/en/news/warm-as-april-the-weather-in-kyiv-set-three-records-in-one-day
“This is not climate resilience, it is suffering: how Storm Éowyn tore a hole in our preparations for extreme weather [Ireland].
“More than a week after Storm Éowyn, with over 100,000 homes and businesses still without power, and many premises left without water or internet connectivity, Ireland is clearly not the climate-resilient society that it aspires to be.”
“Why ‘very vulnerable’ Scotland faces ‘managed retreat’ as storms of climate change worsen…
“”More than ever now, when we have a major flood, there are very real discussions about whether that community will be able to go back,” Easthope said. “We call it managed retreat. And that’s happening right now.””
“Flood prevention plan spurred by wettest month on record.
“After experiencing the wettest month on record in September of last year, Oxfordshire County Council has set into motion a new Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.”
https://cherwell.org/2025/01/31/oxford-flood-prevention-plan/
“IN PICTURES: Historic flooding strikes western France.
“Red flood warnings will remain in place in France into Saturday, with floods that have swamped large parts of western France, including the town of Redon, not yet at their peak.”
https://www.thelocal.fr/20250131/in-pictures-historic-flooding-strikes-western-france
“‘The flood of the century’: How well prepared is Paris for a natural disaster?
“It has been more than 100 years since Paris’s last great flood, meaning the city is well overdue another mammoth deluge that authorities predict could leave hundreds of thousands of people without water or electricity.”
“France Bans Smoking in Forests…
“Major wildfires in Europe are now starting earlier, becoming more frequent and harder to stop, and doing more damage. Scientists say they’ll likely get worse as climate change intensifies. The Mediterranean region is warming faster than the global average.”
https://tobaccoreporter.com/france-bans-smoking-in-forests/
“A “catastrophic” collapse in shellfish numbers is being reported by Spanish fishers in Galicia, with some stocks falling by as much as 90% in the space of a few years.
“Galicia is Europe’s principal source of shellfish and, after China, the world’s biggest producer of mussels, which are farmed in the estuaries.”
“One of Türkiye’s most significant wetlands, the Gediz Delta, is facing severe threats from climate change and pollution, raising concerns about its long-term survival…
“ising temperatures, stronger winds, and decreasing rainfall—exacerbated by climate change—are driving saltwater further inland, disrupting the delicate balance of this ecosystem.”
https://www.turkiyetoday.com/lifestyle/turkiyes-gediz-delta-faces-drought-pollution-threats-113581/
“Crete: Depleted Dams Signal Summer Water Crisis. Again.
“Who knew “empty” could be again the theme of the year? The dams in Crete are scraping the bottom of the metaphorical barrel, with their water levels plummeting to historic lows. This isn’t just a “wait for the rain” situation anymore. Nope. It’s a full-blown disaster waiting to happen…”
https://www.argophilia.com/news/depleted-dams-of-crete/239828/
“Record heat in MADAGASCAR never ends: yesterday the town of Fort Dauphin (Taolagnaro) recorded its hottest January day in history with 36.4C [97.4F].
“Record heat will keep sweeping all tropics (Pacific, Indian, Atlantic, Caribbean) in February.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1885349456998260981
“Cyclone Elvis Claims Lives Amidst Heavy Rainfall.
“At least five people have died in Madagascar following lightning linked to tropical cyclone Elvis, the latest phenomenon over the Indian Ocean. According to Mario Rajomazandry of CAJ News.”
https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/cyclone-elvis-claims-lives-amidst-heavy-rainfall-174736
“Groundwater depletion in Pakistan puts millions at risk of water scarcity…
“In regions like Punjab, the water table is dropping at alarming rates, requiring farmers to drill deeper wells, which in turn raises costs and reduces agricultural productivity. In cities like Karachi, the situation is even direr…”
“Kashmir’s fragile future: Water shortages, contaminated springs, and the collapse of agriculture…
““Every year brings new hope, but now it feels like even the land is not supporting us,” Kumhar says, his voice laced with regret. “For the past two years, either it doesn’t snow at all, or when it does, it causes damage.””
“Indonesia casts doubt on role of Paris climate accord after Donald Trump’s exit…
““If the US, which is currently the second-biggest polluter after China, refuses to comply with the international agreement, why should countries like Indonesia comply?” said Hashim Djojohadikusumo at a conference in Jakarta on Friday.”
https://www.ft.com/content/41d8a4f7-4e4c-4131-9dd8-e2530d3210b6
“‘The next 24 hours will be critical’: flooding to second-storey level possible as torrential rain soaks Queensland [Australia]…
“Further rainfall is forecast through to at least Monday, with totals of 200mm to 350mm between Cairns and Mackay, after isolated areas received in excess of 1000mm [40 inches] in the last week.“
“Health services are warning Australians of the risks of heat stress as temperatures soar.
“The BOM has warned of severe heat in Victoria, South Australia and western New South Wales.”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-01/heatwave-nsw-victoria-sa-health-tips-triple-0-calls/104882806
“Indigenous rock art threatened by Grampians bushfires in Victoria’s west.
“Fire crews are racing to protect Victoria’s richest concentration of Indigenous rock art as they tackle a series of out-of-control blazes ahead of an expected heatwave.”
“EXCEPTIONAL HEAT ALL OVER OCEANIA:
“33.3 [91.9F] Saipan NORTHERN MARIANAS JANUARY RECORD. RECORDS JANUARY HIGHEST MINIMUMS: 28.3 Chuuk MICRONESIA – NATIONAL RECORD; 27.4 Haapai TONGA – NATIONAL RECORD; 26.2 Fak Fak INDONESIA; 30.1 Varanus Island AUSTRALIA; NEW CALEDONIA: 27.2 Ile Art, 25.6 Kone.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1885244127022928055
“Leaders in the Pacific raise alarm over ‘direct impact’ of Trump’s climate retreat and aid freeze…
“A freeze on US foreign aid has deepened concerns that the Pacific region will suffer further as crucial assistance for climate adaptation, disaster management, extreme weather resilience is cut, or under threat.”
“Storm brings intense flooding, road closures, power outages to Maui…
“Kalanikau, whose work focuses on preserving and supporting the island’s natural habitats, said a large-scale cleanup effort will be needed moving forward… “The debris is so bad that our natural resources — any life in the ocean — is going to be impacted on a large scale,” he said.”
“EXCEPTIONAL HEAT IN ARGENTINA – Once again >42C [107.6F] in Patagonia with Trelew and Neuquen close to their all time records.
“39.0 at Maquinchao ties its ALL TIME RECORD. Also ALL TIME RECORDS OF HIGHEST MINUMUMS: 27.6 Neuquen; 27.7 Mendoza.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1885315848816255240
“Fires in El Bolsón [Patagonia]: a “monumental disaster” that could be worse due to wind and heat.
“”The disaster is monumental, especially because there are farms in the forest in that area and the fire could take them away,” lament the residents. The flames have already razed more than 1,500 hectares and could spread even further.”
https://www.pagina12.com.ar/800742-incendios-en-el-bolson-un-desastre-monumental-que-podria-ser
“From Space, Parched Argentine Soy Fields Are Looking Even Worse…
“Mickael Attia, a crop analyst with EarthDaily Analytics, sees the soy harvest shrinking to 45 million metric tons. That’s well below the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange’s estimate of 49.6 million tons and other popular forecasts…”
“São Paulo Faces Flooding Crisis After [more] Intense Rainfall.
“Severe weather conditions have gripped São Paulo, with intense rainfall causing widespread flooding and disruptions across the city late on January 31, 2025. The volume of rain was alarming…”
https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/so-paulo-faces-flooding-crisis-after-intense-rainfall-175118
“CARIBBEANS EXCEPTIONAL HEAT. Records destroyed all over.
“Minimum temperature of 26.0C [78.8F] at Montego Bay destroys the record of HOTTEST JANUARY NIGHT EVER RECORDED IN JAMAICA. It’s MUCH above the February record. HOTTEST JANUARY NIGHTS IN HISTORY TMINS: 26.9 BELIZE; 25.8 Melville DOMINICA; 25.9 New Amsterdam, 24.0 Timehri GUYANA etc.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1885382537972699605
“Huge temperature difference in Mexico!
“40.4°C [104.7F] Ciudad Altamirano, 1.1°C from the January national heat record; 40.0C Boquilla. Meanwhile -20.5°C [-4.9F] La Rosilla.”
https://x.com/ThierryGooseBC/status/1885414901067190430
“Up to 20-30 inches of rain will fall in Northern California in the Northern Sierra, with flood watches issued for over 10 million people.
“Locations above 7,000 feet along the Sierra crest will likely receive 4–8+ feet of snow over the next week.”
https://x.com/US_Stormwatch/status/1885459809518121362
“North Carolina officials make urgent request to lawmakers on Helene and other hurricanes…
“Western North Carolina will need billions more dollars from the federal and state government to accomplish its recovery goals, according to officials in Gov. Josh Stein’s administration at a Wednesday legislative meeting. The region saw historic flooding from Helene last year…”
“Nobody’s Insurance Rates Are Safe From Climate Change.
“Asheville, North Carolina, was once widely considered a climate haven thanks to its elevated, inland location and cooler temperatures than much of the Southeast. Then came the catastrophic floods of Hurricane Helene in September 2024.”
https://earth.org/nobodys-insurance-rates-are-safe-from-climate-change/
“Record warmth in the area between Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota borders.
“Some monthly records of highest temperatures fell including 58F/14.4C at La Crosse WI.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1885161346683240926
“January closed with two record high temps, as the first month of the year continues to heat up faster than any other in Minnesota…
“Even without record-breaking temperatures, Januarys are trending warmer in Minnesota. Since 1970, the average daily temperature across the state has increased by 8.9 degrees and low temperatures, on average, are 10.8 degrees higher than they were a half-century ago.”
https://www.startribune.com/january-warm-weather-minnesota/601214104
“Northeast Wisconsin’s record-high temperatures send many outside for springtime activities…
“Aubry said, “Gives us a feeling that spring is right around the corner. People can’t wait to get out and swing their new golf clubs. It’s just fabulous, we’re all just excited about the warm weather.””
“Mango farms where? Climate change is scrambling where the world’s food is grown.
“Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation, and emerging diseases are among the mélange of climate impacts changing what’s grown in breadbaskets around the world… This trend will only accelerate…”
“‘Perfect rat storm’: urban rodent numbers soar as the climate heats, study finds…
“Washington DC, San Francisco, Toronto, New York City and Amsterdam had the greatest increase in these rodents, according to the study, which looked at data from 16 cities globally.”
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/31/rat-numbers-cities-climate-temperatures-rodents
“Here are the updated “daily color stripes” with data through from January 1, 1940 to January 28, 2025.
“For anyone paying attention, the current 30-day global surface temperature anomaly is 1.76°C above the pre-industrial baseline.” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
https://bsky.app/profile/climatecasino.net/post/3lgy4w6wmw22n
“Lead released from smelting in ancient Greece is the world’s first toxic pollution, experts say…
“Researchers studying sediment cores recovered from mainland Greece and the Aegean Sea have found the oldest known evidence of lead pollution in the environment dating to around 5,200 years ago.”
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You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an “Economic” thread.
It’s late in the day for no comments so far. I guess there’s nothing left to say. Most, if not all, of the commenters here know what’s coming. We don’t know the exact timeline of how things will unfold but by 2050 we should be in dire straits. I should queue up a Dire Straits song but I’m too lazy today.
OK I will chime in! These stories are always “fun”:
“Gives us a feeling that spring is right around the corner. People can’t wait to get out and swing their new golf clubs. It’s just fabulous, we’re all just excited about the warm weather.””
I’m sure most of us have encountered this. Some people are so happy with early warm weather. I can certainly appreciate a break from the cold January however, I’m also well aware of the existential problem it signals. Very few others care.
I can’t wait to see what my next homeowners insurance premium will be!
As for “by 2050” Edward, hmmmm. When I think back to 25 years ago – 2000 – the climate looked to be in a lot better shape than now, and i think of the acceleration in the past 5 years. All makes me think 2050 is waaaay later than IC collapse due to all the environmental factors. Also, I question whether IC will survive the coming financial system collapse.
“Also, I question whether IC will survive the coming financial system collapse.”
Yeah, I wanted to play Dire Straits, Money for Nothing but it’s climate Saturday.
Dire Straits – Money For Nothing
My apologies for the radio-silence, all. It’s been one of those tiresome “admin” weekends that makes you feel like you are drowning in complexity.
There’s never a bad time for Dire Straits, Edward. I’ll raise you the title track from that album, “Brothers in Arms”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhdFe3evXpk
I live in Minnesota. No more winters. So my wife are I are driving west to the mountains to find some snow. Looks like we will drive into a snow storm. Yeah!!!
I grew up in Minnnesota. When I was 8 we took a vacation to California, were I was born, to visit an Aunt and Uncle. Upon seeing California I decided that I would move out of Mineesota the first chance that I had.
Then in my 40s I visited parts of Wisconsin that I had not seen before. and I thought to myself, if I had grown up in these parts I probably would have stuck around.
Now in my 60s I am glad that I do not live in the USA at all. I probably would have committed suicide if I had stayed.
But if I had to go back, because I was deported or this area becomes like Chernobyl, southern Wisconsin is where I would go.
Can’t wait for Monday to see how tariffs will affect the global economy.
NTHE said that a global recession, repression, depression is nothing compared what this species is about to experience. Too bad that money was/is more important than the survival of the species.
Ahhh, come now, Trump plainly asserted that people will understand and it’s for their own good…got to take it on the chin to teach those taking advantage of the American worker…
Sure, TR, can’t wait for the reaction of the top 1 percent that own half of everything react, betcha they had no say in the matter…
Sarcasm…it is an entertaining display I must say…Trump is the right guy to be hired for this era….sarcasm
And yes, can’t really add to the pile already here …
Trump may have bitten off more than the American people can chew.
Trump is an old spoiled rotten white egomaniacal pluto-tyrant…he’s 78 years old soon to be 79 and is tired and from a different era…just like the last one.
What does that tell ya?