Special thanks to this month’s donor, who wishes to remain anonymous. A fresh dog video to lift spirits: https://youtube.com/shorts/bigFCTStgfo?si=HY_6hROUkJg8Z9aC
“Fossil fuel CO₂ emissions hit record high in 2025…
“The report says the remaining carbon budget to limit global warming to 1.5°C is “virtually exhausted.” With no sign of the urgently needed decline in global emissions, the level of CO2 in the atmosphere—and the dangerous impacts of global warming—continue to increase.”
https://phys.org/news/2025-11-fossil-fuel-emissions-high.html
“Removing CO2 from atmosphere vital to avoid catastrophic tipping points, leading scientist says…
“Johan Rockström of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, who is one of the chief scientific advisers to the UN and the Cop30 presidency, said 10bn tonnes of carbon dioxide needed to be removed from the air every year even to limit global heating to 1.7C (3.1F) above preindustrial levels.”
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/11/leading-scientist-says
“Polar warming is becoming a global health emergency…
“The team maps the chains of cause and effect: altered jet streams and ocean currents feed more heatwaves, storms and floods. Those extremes translate into injuries, heat stress, cardiovascular strain, and a sharp toll on mental health. In short, what happens at the poles has ripple effects on most of our planet.”
https://www.earth.com/news/polar-warming-is-becoming-a-global-health-emergency/
“The earliest Major Polar Vortex Collapse in history could be unfolding right now…
“Only three November SSW events have occurred in the past 70 years – two triggered full wind reversals. This one would set a new record…”
[Connor’s Climate Corner]
https://x.com/ClimateCornerHQ/status/1988624518991020518
“Sea ice loss is turbocharging polar ocean currents and turbulence…
“When sea ice disappears, winds can push directly on the water, boosting the transfer of mechanical energy into the ocean. With less friction from ice, the mean flow strengthens and eddies spin up, raising turbulence and stirring.”
https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-loss-is-turbocharging-polar-ocean-currents-and-turbulence/
“Iceland deems possible Atlantic current collapse a security risk and existential threat.
“Iceland has designated the potential collapse of a major Atlantic Ocean current system a national security concern and an existential threat, enabling its government to strategize for worst-case scenarios, the country’s climate minister told Reuters.”
“Farmers’ Mental Health Crumbles Under Climate Strain [UK].
“Flooding and droughts are becoming more frequent and severe, and farmers’ confidence has declined sharply as a result, said Dan Blake, environmental public health senior scientist at the agency. He presented the findings of an ongoing project by the Health Protection Research Unit at the 18th European Public Health conference.”
“An ancient wetland site which has been in place for almost 2,000 years is now under threat, due to the warm weather [England].
“Glastonbury Lake Village is an Iron Age settlement preserved by water and peat on the Somerset Levels. But the dry summer has lowered the local water table, leading to fears the timbers could begin to degrade.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1k0y8mdmp2o
“EXTRAORDINARY DAY: 30 DEGREES IN FRANCE. One of the most insane events Europe has ever lived.
“29.8 [85.6F] Trois Villes HOTTEST NOVEMBER DAY IN [MAINLAND] FRENCH HISTORY; 29.3 Oloron, 29.2 Lanne, en Baretous, 20 stations >27C! Next days THOUSANDS OF RECORDS all over Europe.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1988627340486647866
“Avalanche of records in SPAIN as well from South to North:
“Granada smashed its November record both at Cartuja and at the Airport. MINIMUMS >19C Santander and San Sebastian followed by summery 28C [82.4F] at Donostia. Next nights we might see TROPICAL NIGHTS on the Cantabrian : SUMMER.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1988638840777830790
“Romania’s Hidroelectrica struck by worst hydrology so far…
“Chronic drought and heat in Southeastern Europe may require countries in the region to invest massively in desalination. Whether a result of climate change or what skeptics consider a cyclical phenomenon, it is heavily impacting the economy and nature.”
https://balkangreenenergynews.com/romanias-hidroelectrica-struck-by-worst-hydrology-so-far/
“‘There’s nothing to pick’.
“Chestnuts did not grow on Mount Pelion [Greece] this year due to drought, forcing producers to let them rot on the ground. It is not the only crop threatened by the climate crisis… The long drought in the summer meant that the fruit did not ripen. The famous large chestnuts of Pelion were no bigger than the smallest ones of previous years.”
https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1286489/theres-nothing-to-pick/
“Severe weather floods Nicosia, over 60 calls to fire brigade [Cyprus. They need the rain, tbh].
“More than 60 calls were made to the fire brigade on Wednesday as severe weather caused widespread flooding and disruption across the Nicosia district. Among the incidents reported was a group of students trapped inside a school bus due to rising water levels.”
https://cyprus-mail.com/2025/11/12/severe-weather-floods-nicosia-over-60-calls-to-fire-brigade
“Families Across Mauritania Attempt to Rebuild Their Lives Between Flood and Drought.
“On a humid October afternoon in Woumpou, Kadia stands where her front yard used to be. Around her, the ground is still damp, the air thick with the smell of mud. She points to a dark line along her neighbors’ walls – a mark left by the floods that came without warning. Families had only minutes to escape before the water swallowed everything.”
“UNPRECEDENTED HEAT IN SENEGAL. Brutal hot and humid conditions just get worse:
“Incredible Minimum 27.6C [81.7F] at Saint Louis destroys its Record of November hottest night (140+ years of data). ANACIM issued an alert For hazardous and deadly humid heat to worsen and last until January.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1988250133142888677
“This is the jaw-dropping moment flash floods rip through Saudi Arabia amid a torrential deluge and terrifying thunderstorms.
“Shocking footage shows vicious streams of muddy water filling the streets near the holy city of Mecca as lightning strikes from above.”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/37293062/flash-floods-tear-saudi-arabia-mecca-near-mecca/
“Record-shattering November heatwave grips Israel.
“The first 10 days of November registered the highest maximum temperatures ever recorded for Israel’s hills and coastal plain, the Israel Meteorological Service said Monday. According to the service’s summary of Nov. 1-10, temperatures during those days were consistently above average and in many areas reached levels typical of September.”
https://www.jns.org/record-shattering-november-heatwave-grips-israel/
“Sea of Galilee water level falls to lowest point in decades, alarming Israeli experts.
“The Sea of Galilee’s water level has dropped by more than 2.5 meters a year on average over the past two years, far faster than in previous droughts, despite efforts to pump desalinated water into the lake. Experts warn the decline is unprecedented.”
https://www.ynetnews.com/environment/article/ry5y2dbgwe#google_vignette
“The exceptionally warm November continues in Caucasus: Yesterday 27.5C [81.5F] again at Zugdidi, GEORGIA.
“At the end of November a new exceptional warm spell will send temperatures again >30C in Turkey and >25C in the Caucasus.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1988548963616600461
“Tajikistan’s Glaciers Are Collapsing While the Government Talks Green.
“A mismatch between eco-friendly government rhetoric and polluting actions on the ground is exacerbating Tajikistan’s climate change vulnerability. On October 25, a massive chunk of glacier broke away from the Ismoil Somoni Peak in Tajikistan’s Tajikabad district and thundered down the mountain…”
“As the dams feeding Tehran run dry, Iran struggles with a dire water crisis…
“A whopping 19 dams – up from nine three weeks ago – are on the verge of drying out, filled to less than 5 percent capacity. Dozens of others are not faring much better, according to data from the Water Resources Management Company.”
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN JAPAN: Hot and humid sauna 24/7 in Okinawa, worse than summer!
“Insane November Records Highest Minimums: 27.4 [81.3F] Ishigaki, 26.8 Ashimine, 26.7 Naha, 26.6 Ohara, 26.5 Hateruma, 25.9 Iriomote. This is EXACTLY what your author saw weeks in advance.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1988788015083450581
“Centuries-old shipwreck exposed on Vietnam beach after Typhoon Kalmaegi.
“Severe coastal erosion caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi has exposed a centuries-old shipwreck in Vietnam. It provides a narrow opportunity to salvage what experts say could be a historically significant find… The rediscovered remnants reveal a heavy, wood-ribbed hull which has survived hundreds of years on rough seas – and is almost perfectly intact.”
“A record 658mm / 26 inches [record for Nov] has hit parts of Taiwan as tropical storm Fung-wong approached.
“More than 1,000 homes are flooded and 51 people are injured, while more than 8,300 are evacuated. In the Philippines, more than 623,300 people remained in evacuation centres on Wednesday, according to the Office of Civil Defence.”
“Flood barrier collapses in In Buri, Sing Buri — three villages submerged, water surges toward key areas [Thailand].
“At 4.40pm on November 12 2025, a flood barrier between Moo 5 and Moo 4 of In Buri subdistrict, Sing Buri province, near Wat Prasat, collapsed under rising water pressure, causing a severe breach and releasing a massive volume of water.”
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40058151
“Indonesia Floods Kill 15.
“Flash floods in a remote area of Indonesia have killed at least 15 people and left eight more missing, the national disaster management agency said on Tuesday. The floods, triggered by heavy rain on Saturday, hit two separate parts of Nduga regency in the eastern province of Papua Pegunungan.”
https://al24news.dz/en/indonesia-floods-kill-15/
“What’s behind Australia’s weather whiplash?
“From heat back to snow, fire danger and storm warnings — spring weather has given the country some serious whiplash. In the space of 24 hours last weekend, Melbourne went from a sunny 26 degrees to its coldest November day in 80 years.”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-13/whats-behind-springs-weather-whiplash/105992540
“Drone footage reveals scorched landscape after Tongariro fire [NZ].
“The scale of the destruction is worthy of a certain blockbuster movie set against Tongariro in the role of Mt Doom. Drone footage by Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) has revealed large tracts of Tongariro National Park blackened with ash from a huge wildfire that broke out over the weekend.”
https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/11/12/drone-footage-reveals-scorched-landscape-after-tongariro-fire/
“Hawke’s Bay water restrictions begin as record low aquifer levels recorded [NZ].
“Water restrictions have begun in Hastings and Napier as consistent dry conditions create record-low aquifer levels in parts of the district. Hastings District and Napier City councils are asking residents to conserve water, introducing level 2 water restrictions on Tuesday.”
“‘There’s fire all around us, this is it’ [Pantanal, Brazil].
“The fire burned for four months straight. It would stay down in the roots, and even though it looked like it was out, just a little wind and it would pop back up. The fire jumped the river, burned past the firebreak, and then jumped back over. They compared it to the devil…”
“Heavy rains in Pueblorrico, Antioquia, caused landslides that left three dead and two injured [Colombia].
“Heavy rains in the southwestern region of Antioquia in recent hours affected the municipality of Pueblorrico, triggering multiple landslides that damaged properties and main roads in the town. These events left three dead and two injured.
https://www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/pueblorrico-deslizamientos-lluvias-muertos-DN30790399
“Historic heat continues in Central America and Caribbean as well.
“Tonight Choluteca HONDURAS failed to drop below 82F/27.8C, 2nd November hottest night in Central America history.”
[Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1988313843047821329
“Weather whiplash: Record high temperatures expected for 230 million Americans after early week polar plunge.
“After a pre-winter arctic blast set more than 70 record low temperatures across the eastern U.s. earlier this week, a major warmup is on the way, with parts of the Heartland expected to surpass the 80 degree mark by the weekend.”
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/weather-whiplash-record-high-temperatures-171347479.html
“Evacuation warnings have been issued for several burn scar areas in Los Angeles County as officials prepare for heavy rain and possible mudslides.
“The warnings will go into effect on Thursday at 6 p.m. and will last through Sunday at 11 a.m. The burn scar areas include Canyon, Bethany, Eaton, Palisades, Hurst, Kenneth, Sunset, Lidia, Franklin, and Bridge.”
“One Weird Thing About America’s Drought Right Now…
“What’s been so odd about this fall is some of the nation’s worst drought is in northern New England. A broad area from southern Maine into New Hampshire and Vermont is analyzed as the second highest level of drought as of Nov. 4.”
https://weather.com/news/climate/news/2025-11-11-america-weirdest-drought-fall-2025
“The global tropics zonal wind anomalies this year are evolving very similarly to late 1981, which of course preceded a “Super” El Niño in 1982.
“Note in both this year & 1981 the big & slow westerly wind burst over the Indian Ocean in Oct-Nov that moves into the Pacific in Dec.” [Eric Webb]
https://x.com/webberweather/status/1988367081512022310
“Reality bites at COP30 climate summit. Nations far off track for Paris goals even after updated emission pledges…
“The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that emissions would need to fall more than a third from 2019 levels by 2035 for a strong chance of limiting global warming to 2C…”
https://www.ft.com/content/29459e80-8f4c-4d32-859e-636498fa3f97
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You can read the previous “Economic” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with a “Climate” thread.
This may have been linked before by other posters but Johnny Silverhands has another educational and/or existentially terrifying piece up on his substack.
https://substack.com/@johnnysilverhands/p-173956147
Thanks! I skimmed it and it looks very good. I will read it fully later today. Along the same lines is this one from Erik Michaels’ blog. Also long and also excellent for anyone looking for a deeper dive into current doom (i.e. a fellow sister/brother masochist 😂 )
Are We Running Out of Road? Part Two
https://problemspredicamentsandtechnology.blogspot.com/2025/11/are-we-running-out-of-road-part-two.html?m=1
Removed CO2 from the atmosphere?
HAHA … we’re done!
I agree with everything Erik Michael’s writes and we share the same birthday (not year). We just don’t vibe. I tried to involving myself in his FB group but was criticized to all hell for no reason.
Anyways I just posted a similar rant on my YT channel.
Thank you both for those links.
That is an alarming study Johnny Silverhand links to re neuroinflammation. I didn’t know that a definitive link had been made between Alzheimer’s and the accumulation of micro-plastics in the brain, although the finding is hardly surprising.
Erik Michaels I have known through FB for 12 years or more – but not well enough to know if there is a vibe there. 😆 I do generally find myself agreeing with him, too.
Thanks Pan, again, for bearing witness and helping us bear withness.
“There’s fire all around us, this is it”
Sums up another day of Homo colossus living in borrowed time.
But don’t worry, someone somewhere is working on carbon capture, so that will fix everything and allow us to keep murdering the planet and ourselves a little longer.
Leaf, you are welcome.
FWIW, I don’t think carbon capture will do anything to extend the life of modern industrial civilisation.
The Tehran–Basra Fault Line: How a Drying Metropolis Could Tip the Fossil-Fuel Era
It never starts with war, bankruptcy or revolution. It always starts with water. Tehran is not a political crisis; it is a hydrological terminal phase: triple aquifer collapse, reservoirs below 5%, a metropolis of twelve million people living for two decades on water that no longer exists. It follows the exact pattern seen in earlier systemic breakdowns—from the Maya cities to the valleys around Angkor: first the foundation dries, then the institutions.
But Iran is not an isolated civilization in the forest. It is the hinge connecting three energy spheres: Russia, China and India. As long as Iran holds, the fossil system holds. Once it falls, the pressure lines across the entire region shift. Iran is not just a producer; it is Iraq’s lifeline.
And this is where the real fracture lies.
Iraq relies on Iran for roughly 40% of its electricity through gas and power imports. The turbines around Basra, the pumping stations that maintain reservoir pressure, the cooling systems of Umm Qasr, even the water injection at Majnoon and Halfaya—all depend on the same umbilical cord running through Iran. If Tehran enters hydrological shock, gas exports shrink. And when the gas shrinks, Basra crashes.
And when Basra crashes, the Gulf does too.
What follows is not a regional correction but a structural break. The Strait of Hormuz becomes unsafe. LNG flows turn erratic. Insurance premiums explode. Export terminals operate at half capacity. A few days of disruption in Basra is enough to send the finely tuned global oil-logistics system into spasms. China understands this. That is why Beijing is now piling up oil with a nervous intensity seen only in civilizations sensing the first tremors of a major shock. A record stockpile—meant not to smooth price swings, but to absorb a systemic blow: Iran’s collapse → Iraq’s collapse → destabilization of the Gulf.
We are not at the end of oil, but at the end of the infrastructure that makes oil usable.
When the fall of Tehran comes, it will begin quietly: less electricity, less gas, falling pump pressure, then logistical interruptions, then social fractures. But the real impact will not be in Iran itself. It will hit Basra. And what happens there will determine whether the fossil-fuel era fades out slowly—or is abruptly cut short by something simple, physical, silent: no water, no gas, no power, no exports.
That’s eye opening, Zip! Yikes!
I need to watch that new dog video at the top several times a day to calm my nerves. 🤪
Thank you, Zip. Those are great points.
I can’t imagine what that scenario and the resulting oil/gas price spike would do to inflation, interest rates, energy derivative markets, the sovereign debt of weaker energy importing nations etc. It would be 2008 on steroids.
The fall of Iran and Basra was not considered in the following. What a mess.
https://futurocienciaficcionymatrix.blogspot.com/2025/11/chevron-muestra-el-verdadero-problema.html