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.

Huge thanks to my sponsor for July, who has asked me to promote the excellent Environmental Coffeehouse YouTube channel. For the uninitiated, the channel covers climate, conservation, pollution, biodiversity, sustainability, and the intersection of environment, society, and policy.


“Global sea-surface temperatures just reached their 50th consecutive record hot day and are expected to continue to rise for another month.

“This is so far beyond ‘bonkers’ (technical climate science term) that the Climate 8-ball has decided to start drinking early today.” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]

https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/2079948998992093288


“It’s unreal to see this El Niño continue to astonish. Take a look at the subsurface heat build up in the last few frames of this. The anomalies are backing up, and heating up, like a traffic jam, in the Central Pacific. There’s a ton more fuel left in this tank!

“…Gob·smack·ing /GAHB-smack-ing/ (adjective). Definition: When subsurface El Niño anomaly map Legend needs to be increased to +9C/+16°F above climatology to measure said Godzilla El Niño event.” [Jeff Berardelli]

https://x.com/WeatherProf/status/2080094095364468943


“The atmosphere is going all in on El Niño.

“The Southern Oscillation Index is on pace for its lowest July value since records began in 1876 and the eighth-lowest value of any month on record. This signals a full-fledged atmospheric response to El Niño.” [Ben Noll]

https://x.com/BenNollWeather/status/2079944562877874207


“Weather in Latvia swings to extremes: after drought, record rains arrived…

“… the situation changed dramatically in the summer. In June, some areas still experienced below-normal precipitation, but several towns ranked among the wettest in history… the current season is characterized not only by the total amount of rain but also by its high intensity.”

https://news.inbox.lv/150je4o-weather-in-latvia-swings-to-extremes-after-drought-record-rains-arrived?language=en


“National Drought Group steps up response as latest heatwave impacts water supplies and nature [UK].

“The recent extreme weather is having a severe impact on our environment and affecting water supplies and food production, the National Drought Group heard yesterday.”

https://farming.co.uk/news/ea-national-drought-group-steps-up-response-as-latest-heatwave-impacts-water-supplies-and-nature-


“Stranded houseboats and grounded cruise ships: Europe’s rivers are shrinking amid heat and drought.

“Houseboats lie perched on desiccated riverbeds, receding water levels have left wide stretches of newly exposed riverbank and the shipping sector is bracing for trouble. The low-lying Netherlands is used to grappling with too much water; now it’s struggling with too little.”

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/07/21/climate/netherlands-drought-water-crisis-europe-heat


“Climate crisis-driven heat ‘sucking soils dry’ as extreme drought hits Europe.

“Record-breaking heatwaves meant the hot atmosphere strongly evaporated water from rivers, lakes, soils and plants – conditions made 80 times more likely by global heating in western Europe and 40 times more likely in eastern Europe, the study showed.”

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/23/climate-crisis-heat-sucking-soils-dry-extreme-drought-europe-analysis


“Food price fears after Europe’s heatwave destroys estimated €2bn of crops…

“The reduction of 9m tonnes would mean the 27 EU member states and the UK will record their smallest harvest since 2018, and represents lost crop production larger than the combined total forecast grain production of Austria, Ireland and the Netherlands.”

https://www.aol.co.uk/articles/europe-heatwave-june-cost-grain-141247000.html


“Spain and France battle raging wildfires, face high risk of more.

“Spain and France are at high risk of more wildfires in coming days, according to weather forecasters, while still fighting to contain deadly blazes that have already ignited amid soaring summer temperatures.”

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/23/spain-and-france-battle-raging-wildfires-face-high-risk-of-more


“Spain prepares for 47C heatwave as holiday destinations face brutal temperatures…

“The country has already experienced devastating wildfires, with over 26,000 hectares of land burned on Monday alone, and 13 fatalities reported in a previous blaze near Bedar. Spain’s highest recorded temperature was 47.6C in the Guadalquivir basin on 14 August in 2021.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/heatwave-spain-aemet-forecast-malaga-wildfires-b3019564.html


“Swiss Rhône Glacier suffers one extreme year after another.

“The snow reserves that built up this winter on Switzerland’s glaciers have already been used up. The Rhône Glacier in canton Valais is a testament to the scale of this phenomenon.”

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/climate-adaptation/the-rh%C3%B4ne-glacier-one-extreme-year-after-another/91776992


“Hailstones like tennis balls, incalculable damage in the Teramo area: a state of natural disaster is requested [Italy]…

“Incalculable damage also to agriculture, right in the middle of the production season, due to hail, as reported by Coldiretti Teramo, which reports heavy consequences in numerous other municipalities in the area.”

https://www.chietitoday.it/attualita/grandine-teramano-danni-agricoltura-chiesto-stato-calamita-naturale.html


“The mayor of Nevesinje municipality Milenko Avdalović said today that the unprecedented storm that hit Herzegovina yesterday caused material damage estimated at millions.

““We still don’t know what caused the greater material damage, because agricultural crops were also damaged, a large number of cars were destroyed, as well as residential buildings,” Avdalović said…”

https://sarajevotimes.com/the-storm-caused-material-damage-worth-millions-in-herzegovina/?amp=1


“Storm Clean-up Continues Across Bulgaria After Torrential Rain, Hail, and Hurricane-Force Winds.

“Recovery efforts are continuing across Bulgaria after powerful storms swept through large parts of the country overnight, bringing torrential rain, hurricane-force winds, intense lightning, and large hail.”

https://www.novinite.com/articles/239729/Storm+Cleanup+Continues+Across+Bulgaria+After+Torrential+Rain%2C+Hail%2C+and+Hurricane-Force+Winds


“Giant Locusts Appear Across Bulgaria…

“The expert said the unusually large number of insects in urban areas is linked to several environmental factors, including climate change, changes in city environments and light pollution. Similar to moths, the locusts are attracted to artificial lighting…”

https://www.novinite.com/articles/239737/Giant+Locusts+Appear+Across+Bulgaria


“NOAA has categorized the ongoing marine heatwave in the Mediterranean as a Category 4, extreme marine heatwave.

“Sea surface temperatures are exceeding 5°C (9°F) above normal in several parts of the Mediterranean Sea, with water temperatures now reaching 31°C (88°F).” [Colin McCarthy]

https://x.com/US_Stormwatch/status/2079638817565536509


“A longer, hotter reality surrounds marine heatwaves, new study finds…

“Nardi found that these periods of sustained warming can last for weeks to months at a time, with a distinct marine heatwave embedded between them. The study revealed that in many cases, these pre- and post-heatwave phases contributed as much or more cumulative heat exposure than the MHW phase itself.”

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1137164


“Sicily’s Cyclone Harry tests Italian mandatory insurance plan.

“Italy’s newly established mandatory natural catastrophe insurance scheme (Nat-Caf) has faced a major policy and consumer confidence crisis following Cyclone Harry, because the standard government-mandated contracts strictly exclude cyclones and sea storm surges.”

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/sicilys-cyclone-harry-tests-italian-mandatory-insurance-plan-2026-07-23/


“Mass evacuation near Agrigento as scorching heat and gale-force winds fuel dozens of blazes across Sicily and Sardinia.

“The Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia are grappling with a wildfire emergency, as scorching temperatures and strong scirocco winds have sparked dozens of blazes threatening towns, hospitals and infrastructure.”

https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/sicily-and-sardinia-battle-wildfires-as-scirocco-winds-fan-the-flames.html


“Malta has recorded three consecutive days with temperatures of 42°C [107.6F] or more, setting a new record [this triggered a grid outage].

“On Wednesday, Malta and Gozo entered the seventh day of the heatwave, with temperatures reaching 42°C at about midday. The temperature reached 42.7°C on Tuesday and 42.3°C on Monday.”

https://timesofmalta.com/article/malta-sets-new-heatwave-record-three-days-42-c.1131757


“YET AGAIN ALMOST 50c IN ALGERIA AND TUNISIA (Biskra and Tozeur) and will go on and on….

“ALL TIME RECORDS today: 46.9 Gafsa [116.4F], TUNISIA; 44.7 Saida, ALGERIA.”

[Extreme Temps]

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2079999000518787362


“Six killed in Algeria forest fires: interior ministry…

“The ministry said it had deployed resources to fight the remaining fires. Much of northern Algeria has been gripped by an intense heatwave, sparking hundreds of forest fires. Dozens have been killed by wildfires in recent years.”

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2651886/amp


“Power Blackouts Sweep North Africa as Heat Strains Aging Grids…

“With electricity demand surging, the unusually sweeping outages in recent days highlight the three nations’ struggles to keep decades-old facilities running and, in some cases, show an acute shortfall of fuels in a region home to some of the world’s biggest energy reserves. “

https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/power-blackouts-sweep-north-africa-as-heat-strains-aging-grids


“Even camels can’t cope: Africa’s ships of the desert hit by rising temperatures…

“”I can see my camels suffering from extreme heat,” Ali Umer, a camel herder from Semera in Afar, told the BBC. “They get blisters on their feet, their eyes become watery and the hot sand burns their skin and eats up their hair when they are sitting,” said the 40-year-old who owns around 500 camels.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqlxvvw06pqo


“RED SEA EXTRAORDINARY HEAT WAVE:

“Incredible 51.0C [123.8F] at Yanbu SAUDI ARABIA NW Coast: first 50C and 51C in history! EGYPT HISTORIC HOT NIGHT; MINIMUMS: 34.4 Abu Simbel, 32.4 Shalatin – hottest night in history for both.” [Extreme Temps]

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2079684097132183947


“One Person Drowns, Another Rescued After Flash Floods Sweep Them Away in Ibb, Central Yemen…

“Ibb has experienced rainfall of varying intensity over the past several hours, triggering flash floods that inundated streets and residential neighborhoods. Authorities have warned residents to stay away from flood channels and culverts during periods of heavy rain.”

https://www.yemenmonitor.com/en/Details/ArtMID/908/ArticleID/176988


“Tbilisi receives 1.5 times monthly rainfall in 8 hours, Environment Agency says [Georgia]…

“The heaviest rainfall was recorded near Building I of Tbilisi State University, where 110 mm [4.3 inches] of precipitation fell in around eight hours — a record July figure for Tbilisi at that monitoring location.”

https://georgiatoday.ge/tbilisi-receives-1-5-times-monthly-rainfall-in-8-hours-environment-agency-says/


“CENTRAL ASIA HEAT WAVE – another record hot night!

“MINIMUMS 29.8 Parkhar [85.6F] TAJIKISTAN HOTTEST NIGHT… 29.9 Termez UZBEKISTAN; 27.0 Jalalabad KYRGZSTAN; 25.5 Tole Bi KAZAKHSTAN.”

[Extreme Temps]

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2079649833124499909


“‘It will get worse’: World’s second-coldest capital faces record heat.

“Experts warn that the extreme heat reflects a broader climate trend that is increasing health, water and food security risks across Central Asia. Summer in Astana is only halfway through, yet residents of the Kazakh capital have already endured two record-breaking heatwaves.”

https://www.euronews.com/2026/07/22/it-will-get-worse-worlds-second-coldest-capital-faces-record-heat


“Rescuers search for survivors amid risk of fresh floods in Afghanistan.

“Teams searched the rubble of houses on Tuesday after sudden waters cascaded down mountainsides the previous day, killing at least 23 people. This year’s monsoon season is causing chaos across the region, with Afghanistan among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.”

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/21/rescuers-search-for-survivors-amid-risk-of-fresh-floods-in-afghanistan


“Rains wreak havoc on KP, GB and Punjab as death toll rises to 37 [Pakistan]…

“While people were still grappling with the impact of the catastrophe in many districts, including Gujranwala and Sialkot, which received record 245mm and 139mm rainfall, India increased the release of excess water substantially without officially confirming the data.”

https://www.dawn.com/news/2017677


“Landslides, flash floods kill over 26 in Indian-administered Kashmir…

“Authorities on Wednesday closed the 250-kilometer (155-mile) Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the region’s main all-weather road linking Kashmir with the Jammu division, after landslides and falling rocks rendered several stretches unsafe.”

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/landslides-flash-floods-kill-over-26-in-indian-administered-kashmir/4005970


“10 more deaths raise Assam flood toll to 41.

“Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says the damage is far greater than anticipated and more bodies are being recovered and more rains forecast… The ongoing wave of floods in some eastern districts of Assam has been the worst in 60 years, the State government said on Wednesday…”

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/assam/eastern-assam-floods-worst-in-60-years-says-state-minister/article71254894.ece/amp/


“HISTORIC HEAT IN CHINA – 50 DEGREES AGAIN:

“49.8 [121.6F] Turpan Dongkan – national record in CHINA for the main network. All time records also 40.9C Alaer, 33.5C Mushi and 32.7C Tianchi. 28 stations recorded their July highest temperature on record and 5 their hottest night!” [Extreme Temps]

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2079562383878435125


“China again issues alerts for rainstorms and severe weather…

“The National Meteorological Center said some areas in Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, Guangdong provinces and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region could receive 100 to 180 millimeters of rainfall from 2 pm Wednesday to 2 pm Thursday.”

https://www.chinadailyasia.com/hk/article/636813


“Japan records first ‘cruelly hot day’ as temperatures pass 40C.

“Japan recorded its first “cruelly hot day” after temperatures climbed past 40C in three cities, weeks after the national weather agency introduced the term to warn people about dangerous heat… For Gujo and Toyota, the readings were the highest ever taken at their weather stations.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/japan-heatwave-2026-kokushobi-cruelly-hot-day-temperatures-b3019273.html


“RECORD HEAT AGAIN IN THAILAND:

“Record heat never ends in Thailand. Today The MINIMUM of 30.0C [86F] at Bangkok Pilot is HOTTEST JULY NIGHT IN THAI HISTORY.” [Extreme Temps]

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2079908301207195868


“Powerful tornado hits Batam, Indonesia.

“A powerful tornado ripped through Batam, Indonesia on Tuesday. A powerful tornado violently tore through the PT VME Process construction site, sending workers scrambling for safety in this Asian country.”

https://en.mehrnews.com/news/246435/VIDEO-Powerful-tornado-in-Batam-Indonesia


“Deadly Chilean Storm Severs Key Highway, Floods Arid Regions [expect more of these].

“Prolonged winter rains in Chile’s normally arid north-central regions have swelled rivers and triggered mudslides, blocking parts of the copper-exporting country’s main highway and killing at least 10 people. Tens of thousands remain cut off in isolated villages…”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-21/deadly-chilean-storm-severs-key-highway-floods-arid-regions


“Another record hot night in PARAGUAY:

“Summerlike MINIMUMS: 24.0 [75.2F] Pedro Juan Caballero; 22.2 Saltos del Guaira… By far the highest ever recorded in July.” [Extreme Temps]

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2079613426645512217


“Rivers overflow and flood cities… Intense storms hit ten municipalities in the state, leading hundreds of people to seek safe shelter [Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil].

“Rio Grande do Sul counted 1,099 people out of their homes after the heavy rains that hit ten municipalities in the state. In Serafina Corrêa, for example, the Carreiro River entered flood level near the head of the bridge.”

https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/nacional/sul/rs/rios-transbordam-e-inundam-cidades-veja-imagens-do-rs/


“Tree rings from the Amazon show that the world’s largest rainforest has developed wetter wet seasons and drier dry seasons over the past four decades.

“The findings point to intense seasonal swings that can cause significant harm to biodiversity and suggest that widespread drying out across the entire Amazon basin is unlikely.”

https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/07/amazon-tree-rings-reveal-more-intense-drought-and-rainfall-in-the-rainforest/


“Panama Canal’s El Niño Concerns Prompt Carrier Surcharges, New Draft Restrictions.

“With a possibility for lower water levels at the Panama Canal’s locks later this year, major ocean carriers are prepping to offset any cost increases by imposing surcharges on customers.”

https://wwd.com/sourcing-journal/logistics/panama-canal-el-nino-carrier-msc-cma-cgm-hapag-surcharges-draft-restrictions-1239079523/


“RECORD HEAT AGAIN IN MEXICO!

“Every single day of the year is a record day in Mexico. Today 43.1C [109.6F] at Culiacan, Sinaloa State, is a new record of July highest temperature. What’s next?”

[Extreme Temps]

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2080170933650604218


“Millions across Texas and Louisiana are experiencing a severe heatwave today, with “feels like” temperatures reaching the 110s and 120s.

“Grand Chenier, Louisiana, just reported a heat index of 129°F along the Gulf Coast.” [Colin McCarthy]

https://x.com/US_Stormwatch/status/2080051863039390078


“Texas likely sets new power demand record during extreme heat.

“According to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the power grid set an unofficial record for demand Wednesday. The triple-digit heat will continue across much of the state through at least the weekend.”

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-power-demand-record-heatwave-ercot


“As Lake Powell shrinks, marinas are having to adapt to dwindling water levels…

“Lake Powell is currently about 23% full and is about 33 feet (10 meters) from reaching water levels so low that hydropower can’t be produced. The reservoir could break its all-time record low in early September.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/lake-powell-colorado-river-page-new-mexico-rio-grande-b3019536.html


“Global Warming Unmakes Winter in the US West…

“The problem was persistent warmth. Every major river basin in the West experienced either its warmest or second-warmest winter on record, according to federal agencies. Often, rain fell instead of snow even at elevations higher than 8,000 feet above sea level, where winter rain is historically rare.”

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/22072026/us-west-snow-drought/


“Fires, floods and record heat: This is the summer of compounding disasters.

“…this summer proves we don’t have to wait until the future for climate change to smack us in the face. From torrid heat waves, to deadly flash floods, to raging wildfires and their associated acrid smoke — the signs are all around us, right now.”

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/07/20/climate/climate-compounding-disasters-summer


“Torrential rain in West Virginia prompts National Guard deployment in statewide emergency.

“Torrential rains have caused flash floods across West Virginia, inundating homes and businesses, washing out bridges, and prompting numerous water rescues. Governor Patrick Morrisey deployed 100 National Guard members and declared a state of emergency for all 55 counties.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/weather/west-virginia-flooding-rain-national-guard-b3019641.html


“Milwaukee on track for second-driest July on record, drought worsens…

“Dry soils are stressing lawns, gardens and crops, while streams and ponds have begun to show the effects of the ongoing moisture shortage. The dry vegetation has also increased the risk for grass and brush fires, especially on breezy days.”

https://www.fox6now.com/weather/milwaukee-track-second-driest-july-record-drought-worsens


“Sinkholes appear in Edmonton, city breaks rainfall record.

“Summer 2026 is officially Edmonton’s wettest summer on record, and sinkholes are popping up in some areas of the city because of the wet conditions.”

https://edmonton.citynews.ca/video/2026/07/22/sinkholes-appear-in-edmonton-city-breaks-rainfall-record/


“New wildfire threatening Boston Bar, B.C., quadruples in size overnight…

“The Anderson Creek fire joins a wildfire complex already burning in the area, on either side of the Fraser River. The Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires together spanned an area of about 218 square kilometres (21,888.6 hectares) as of Wednesday, according to BCWS.”

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/wildfire-threatening-boston-bar-b-174740029.html


“Keep those fans out of storage, because more heat could be coming to Nunavut [Arctic, Canada].

“The mercury rose across all three of Nunavut’s regions from July 3 to 7 with record-breaking temperatures of 27.5 C hitting Kugaaruk on July 5. In Iqaluit, the temperature hit 25.1 C, just short of its record-breaking temperature of 26.7 C, set on July 21, 2008.”

https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/keep-those-fans-out-of-storage-because-more-heat-could-be-coming-to-nunavut/


“Fears for endangered right whales grow as moratorium clears a key hurdle…

“Environmental groups warn this delay could prove catastrophic for the vanishing species that is vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with boats, with only about 380 whales remaining.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/north-atlantic-right-whales-endangered-moratorium-population-b3019764.html


“I can’t work in the farce of climate change cruise tourism anymore’: why Antarctic guides quit their dream jobs…

““To this day, Antarctica … stays in the forefront of my head as the most incredibly raw environment that deserves all the care and protection. And I just think tourism and us being there was doing the opposite of that completely.””

https://theconversation.com/i-cant-work-in-the-farce-of-climate-change-cruise-tourism-anymore-why-antarctic-guides-quit-their-dream-jobs-286216


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