Special sponsor for August 2024 is Cassandra Mountain. Many thanks!
“‘We should have better answers by now’: climate scientists baffled by unexpected pace of heating…
“One of the most worrying theories to emerge is that the Earth is losing its albedo, which is the ability of the planet to reflect heat back into space. This is mainly because there is less white ice in the Arctic, Antarctic and mountain glaciers.”
“Each line represents one year of Arctic sea ice thickness from 1979 [dark blue] to 2023 [dark red]. This year is shown in yellow – now updated through July 2024. 😬
“+ More visuals of thickness and volume: https://zacklabe dot com/arctic-sea-ice-volumethickness/”
https://x.com/ZLabe/status/1824226037040845176
“‘Mercury bomb’ threatens millions as Arctic temperatures rise, study warns…
“The Yukon River flows west across Alaska toward the Bering Sea, eroding Arctic permafrost along its banks and transporting sediment downstream. Within that sediment lurks a toxic stowaway: mercury.”
https://phys.org/news/2024-08-mercury-threatens-millions-arctic-temperatures.html
“Residents of eight Nunavik communities are being warned to be aware of bad air quality due to active forest fires in southern regions…
“Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for the affected communities in Nunavik, advising people to limit time outdoors, and when indoors, to keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.”
https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/8-nunavik-communities-affected-by-smog-due-to-wildfires/
“Canadian wildfire smoke returning to East Coast – and will stick around for days…
“High atmospheric pressure is pushing the smoke over Canada and across the east coast. The wildfires will also bring hazy air to much of the east coast, hitting major cities like Boston, Washington, DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia.”
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/canadian-wildfire-smoke-new-york-b2596986.html
“Environmental campaigners held a ‘vomiting’ protest on Sunday outside the Moy Park factory in Craigavon, County Armagh [Northern Ireland]…
“The group said more than 100 activists took part in the action to highlight “the major role of factory farming in killing Lough Neagh and accelerating climate breakdown”.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3d95x21kxro
“‘Totally unacceptable’: Golf courses breach water licences 40 times in hottest year [UK].
“Golf courses in England breached their abstraction licences 41 times in 2022, the UK’s hottest year on record, according to ENDS analysis of Environment Agency (EA) compliance data.”
“Glacier decline is speeding up in the Alps…
“They have lost a third of their ice volume in just 20 years. On average, the glaciers have retreated by an 30 meters a year over this period, thinning by one to 1.5 meters across their entire surface every year.”
“New temperature record broken in Switzerland…
“Last Sunday, a new temperature record was broken in Bisaca in the canton of Ticino. At 3:20 pm on 11 August 2024 the temperature reached an annual high of 36.3 degrees Celsius [97.3F], the highest temperature ever recorded in the town, reported RTS.”
https://lenews.ch/2024/08/16/new-temperature-record-broken-in-switzerland/
“Massive flooding in St. Anton [Tirol, Austria].
“Storms with heavy rain caused mudslides on roads and local flooding in parts of the Landeck and Innsbruck-Land districts on Friday evening. In St. Anton am Arlberg (Landeck district), streets in the town center were flooded. The Arlberg pass road was also closed after a landslide.”
https://tirol.orf.at/stories/3269386/
“Storm impact: Menorca request to be declared a disaster zone…
“The heaviest rain was in Menorca. In Es Mercadal there were more than 200 litres per square metre [8 inches]. A disaster zone declaration releases special funding to cover losses and for the repair of infrastructure.”
“Italy braces for record heatwave with red alerts in 22 cities…
“People are being urged to avoid direct exposure to sunlight during the hottest hours of the day and to stay hydrated. In the Lazio region, which includes the capital Rome, an emergency plan has been launched to tackle the effects of the intense heat on people’s health.”
“Droughts caused by severe heat in Hungary lead to serious agricultural damage…
“According to the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture, the areas damaged by drought are growing by several tens of thousands of hectares every week. Intense heat in Hungary has led to severe droughts which, in turn, has caused serious damage to the country’s agriculture.”
“HISTORIC HEAT IN THE BALKANS: Records everywhere. HUNGARY just had its hottest August night in history with a minimum temperature of 27.3C [81.1F] at Pecs Egyetem.
“In SERBIA insane min of 26.1C at Nis, the highest in history (previous record was in 1952!).”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1824076461554160012
“Record Croatian sea temperatures concern experts…
“Croatia is experiencing yet another heatwave. The unbearable air temperatures are driving people to seek relief in the sea. However, this is only a partial solution, as sea temperatures are also extremely high.”
https://www.croatiaweek.com/record-croatian-sea-temperatures-concern-experts/
“HISTORIC HEAT WAVE IN EUROPE – 42.9 [109.2F] at Mostar in Bosnia, 2nd hottest day ever recorded in BOSNIA. 4th day in a row >42.6C.
“42C again also in NORTH MACEDONIA which has already recorded >15 days >40C. Nearly every country in Central/Southern Europe broke heat records in the past days.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1824512836523135180
“Bosnian Wildfires Threaten Remote Old-Growth Forest.
“Aerial crews are battling fires in Bosnia-Herzegovina, including a week-old inferno in the inaccessible Zelengora mountain range. Centuries-old trees and more than 150 hectares have been lost there.”
“‘The new reality’: Athens wildfire victims vow to adapt and stay put.
“The Petrou family are among the untold number of Greeks left homeless by the inferno that began on Sunday in the forested vicinity of Varnava… Once ignited it moved with lightning speed, devouring woodland, destroying buildings and forcing thousands to evacuate…”
“Water Shortages Grow Across Greece, Islands: Swimming Pools Full…
“Worries are growing over water shortages across Greece with no substantial rain for months, a lingering heat wave, and supplies being used for swimming pools, including for tourist resorts on islands. State broadcaster ERT said the problem is extensive…”
https://www.thenationalherald.com/water-shortages-grow-across-greece-islands-swimming-pools-full/
“Firefighters in Turkey have been battling four wildfires as temperatures in the country reach record-breaking levels…
“Turkey recorded the hottest July [on record], with temperatures reaching 45.9C in Şırnak in the country’s southeast, according to an update released by the Turkish State Meteorological Service this week. Such conditions have left forest and scrubland tinder-dry.”
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-wildfires-summer-temperatures-b2597302.html
“Türkiye’s Kellah Lake turns into white desert as drought hits...
“In Sivas’s Ulaş district in southeastern Türkiye, Kellah Lake, which hosts a myriad of migratory birds, has completely dried up. The lake, now a stark white expanse in the middle of the steppe, was captured in aerial footage by a drone.”
https://www.dailysabah.com/turkiye/turkiyes-kellah-lake-turns-into-white-desert-as-drought-hits/news
“Mediterranean Sea reaches highest surface temperature ever recorded.
“The Mediterranean Sea reached its highest surface temperature with a daily median of 28.9 degrees Celsius on Thursday, according to Spanish researchers… For two successive summers, the Mediterranean has been warmer than it was during the exceptional 2003 heatwave.”
“‘He was choking on his own tongue’: animals suffer as heatwaves increase…
“Solly, named after the Spanish word for sun, could not cope with the scorching heat in Mallorca, Spain. He contracted a disease from mosquitoes, whose breeding window is widening. His frail body quickly declined.”
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/16/animals-suffer-heatwaves-increase
“Drought devastates Málaga mango harvest…
“Malaga’s mango season is expected to shrink significantly this year, with production anticipated to drop by 70 per cent compared to regular seasons. The Spanish Tropical Association reports that the province will yield around 12,000 tons of mangoes, a substantial decrease…”
https://euroweeklynews.com/2024/08/15/drought-devastates-malaga-mango-harvest/
“Record low rainfall sparks harvest fears in Gombe [Nigeria]…
“Some farmers in Gombe State have expressed fears of a poor harvest amidst the historic insufficient rainfall being witnessed in the state… Mr Banyula Hala, the chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria.. said rainfall was from God, and there was nothing anyone could do…”
https://www.environewsnigeria.com/record-low-rainfall-sparks-harvest-fears-in-gombe/
“Chad Seeks Assistance to Deal With Floods As Neighboring Cameroon Pleads for Help With Drought..
“This week, Muslims in Garoua, a northern town near Cameroon’s border with Chad and Nigeria, held public prayers for rain. Ibrahim El Rachidine, traditional ruler and Muslim spiritual leader of Garoua, organized the prayers.”
https://allafrica.com/stories/202408160035.html
“Worst floods in living memory: Eastern Chad battered by heavy rain…
“A coordinated and rapid response is urgently needed in the decimated town of Koukou in Sila province, eastern Chad, as thousands of people have fled floodwaters, seeking refuge on high ground, with desperate shortages of food, shelter, drinking water and health care.”
“Torrential rains in Sudan’s Darfur worsens ‘one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises’.
“Floods have swept through a number of areas in the Darfur region, displacing thousands, damaging hundreds of homes and cutting off essential supplies to a beleaguered population.”
https://www.newarab.com/news/torrential-rains-sudans-darfur-worsens-humanitarian-crisis
“Death toll from Uganda rubbish dump landslide rises to 35...
“The number of people killed when a mountain of garbage collapsed in Uganda’s capital last week has risen to 35, 12 of whom were young people, police said on Friday. At least 28 others are still missing.”
“Fierce winter heat continues and spread in Southern Africa with temperatures up to 38C [100.4F] at Massangena in MOZAMBIQUE.
“Records keep falling every day, even in coastal areas temperatures broke records with 34.9C at Inhambane, which is rare even in summer.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1824044063273742795
“Another extraordinary record in the Indian Ocean: The French Southern Territory of Juan de Nova Island had a MINIMUM of 25.7C [78.3F], beating again the “winter” hottest night on record of the whole Territory.
“Nearly 100% of all tropics are pulverizing all records set during 2023 Nino.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1824486947739299885
“Driest July in 120 Years Threatens Key Mauritius Sugar Exports…
“The record-breaking dry spell amplifies the devastating impact of severe weather on southern Africa’s mainland too this year. Farmers from Angola to Zimbabwe and Mozambique have suffered the worst drought in at least four decades.”
“Saudi Arabia: Heavy rains in Taif, Saudi Arabia, cause massive flooding on the streets.
“Due to heavy rainfall in recent days, several watercourses in the region have overflowed, and damage to vehicles and infrastructure has been reported.”
“WORLD WORST HEAT WAVE ..getting worse ..and worse [Iranian mountains]…
“Unbelievable MINIMUM temperature of 35.2C [95.4F] at Bam IRAN at 1100m asl. Minimum temperatures up to 30C at 1700m asl, 25C at 2450m asl and tropical nights at 2970m! No place on earth had ever seen anything like this.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1824460123269365892
“Record for August was also broken today at Nokkundi in Pakistan with 48.0C [118.4F].
“These conditions in mid August are totally abnormal and unprecedented
Record heat is invading all Central Asia too. Tmins up to 32C in UZBEKISTAN and 27.5 at Parkhar TAJIKISTAN highlands, records for August.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1823835934812700954
“Deaths, destruction as heavy torrential rains batter cities across Pakistan.
“Nine die in roof collapse and drowning incidents: Villages submerged, crops destroyed as River Chenab wreaks havoc in Sargodha, Hafizabad: Land route between Peshawar and Landi Kotal cut off: Met Office forecasts more downpours.”
“Half the monsoon season in India is over and several states in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) have received deficient rainfall and are facing drought conditions.
“There has been a declining trend of southwest monsoon rainfall over the IGP for the past decade, say climate scientists. This region is the country’s breadbasket…”
“Himachal [northern India] flash floods toll hits 32, more than 20 people still missing.
“Shimla: The death toll in the flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in three Himachal Pradesh districts on July 31 rose to 32 with the recovery of four bodies, officials said on Friday. At least 23 people are still missing…”
“Massive flood ravages Thame village in Nepal’s Everest region; glacial outburst suspected…
“The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Village Council posted a video clip on its Facebook page, which shows the flood entering the village and inundating houses. Thame, a traditional Sherpa village, is located at an altitude of around 3,800 meters…”
“Seoul breaks 118-year record with 26th ‘tropical night’.
“Seoul: South Korea broke a century-old weather record with the 26th so-called tropical night in a row – when the temperature stays above 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit), according to official data released Friday.”
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN JAPAN 40C [104F] again recorded at Mino.
“Avalanche of all time records including 38.7C at Hiroshima (tied); 39.8 Nakamura; 38.8 Owase; 37.2 Shimizu… and many others for August… It will get worse and the national heat record is at risk.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1824376396719731187
“SE Asia record heat has been going on since March 2023….
“Temperatures up to 38C [100.4F] in THAILAND, where records have been falling every day for over 500 consecutive days. 37.2 Chachoengsao today hottest August day. Hotter next days… VIETNAM MIN 29.0 Rach Gia August hottest night.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1824062078069481508
“Fijian coral reveals new 627-year record of Pacific Ocean climate…
“…the Pacific-wide warming observed since 1920, largely attributed to human-derived emissions, marks a significant departure from the natural variability recorded in earlier centuries. The record also shows that present ocean temperature is the highest for the past 653 years.”
https://phys.org/news/2024-08-fijian-coral-reveals-year-pacific.html
“The world’s largest iceberg is spinning in an ocean vortex with no end in sight…
“…it remains stuck as a result of a rare set of circumstances that scientists say is unprecedented… experts say [it] highlights the fascinating life cycle of icebergs and how the climate crisis impacts Antarctic ice sheets.”
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/15/science/spinning-iceberg-a23a-taylor-column-seamount/index.html
““Devastating scenes”: Thousands of dead sheep continue to appear after historic snowfall in Santa Cruz [Patagonia]…
“Little by little, sheep producers in the provinces of Patagonia began to register the degree of damage they suffered after the passage of the intense snowfalls that hit the region in recent times.”
“Acre’s communities face drinking water shortage amid Amazon drought…
“Brazil – Rosineide de Lima, a resident of the Panorama community in Rio Branco, in the state of Acre, faces a daily struggle for survival amid the severe drought that has hit Acre’s capital and surrounding region.”
“SOUTH AMERICA WINTER HEAT WAVE Day #2 – 40C [104F] in 3 countries today: Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay.
“San Matias leading with 40.6C. In BOLIVIA Puerto Suarez broke the August record set in 2023 with 39.6C. It will get far hotter next week.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1824578542312603996
“HISTORIC HEAT IN THE CARIBBEANS:
“Shakira’s hometown Barranquilla, Colombia had its hottest night ever: Tmin 28.4C; HOTTEST AUGUST NIGHT IN HISTORY IN ARUBA with a minimum of 29.1C; Other records for August Tmins: HONDURAS 28.4 Puerto Lempira; DR 27.6 Santo Domingo; BRASIL 27.7 Cacoal.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1824551875397513552
“Hurricane Ernesto bears down on Bermuda amid deadly flood warnings…
“Ernesto, centered about 95 miles (150km) south-southwest of the archipelago at 8pm Atlantic Standard Time (0000 GMT on Saturday), was producing sustained winds of up to 100mph (155km/h) and had the potential to drop up to 9in (230mm) of rain…”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/16/hurricane-ernesto-bermuda
“Underwater sculpture installations highlight the dangers of climate change.
“Visitors to a new art installation in the Caribbean will need to take masks and oxygen tanks. “A World Adrift” is an underwater sculptural exhibition and the work of a British artist who wants to highlight the dangers of climate change for the West Indies.”
“Why no president has slowed the U.S. oil boom… It is difficult for any president to stop the spigot of U.S. oil production, a leading driver of both the economy and climate change…
“The Biden administration has now outpaced the Trump administration in approving permits for drilling on public lands, and the US is producing more oil than any country ever has.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/08/16/biden-oil-drilling-production/
“‘The dumbest climate conversation of all time’: experts on the Musk-Trump interview…
“Trump said that rising sea levels… would have the benefit of creating “more oceanfront property. Musk said the main danger of allowing carbon dioxide to build up in the atmosphere was that at some point it will become difficult to breathe, causing “headaches and nausea” to people.”
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/13/trump-musk-x-climate
“Mpox outbreak in Africa was neglected – it could now turn into the next global pandemic.
“The mpox outbreak in Africa is yet another example of how infectious diseases perceived to be “someone else’s problem”, and affecting mainly poor, developing countries, may suddenly pose unexpected global threats.”
“Key drug doesn’t work against deadly new mpox virus, study finds.
“A drug used in the last global mpox outbreak in 2022-23 is not effective against the more severe virus spreading rapidly in Africa, researchers have found… The findings are “disappointing,” said Jeanne Marrazzo, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.”
https://www.politico.eu/article/antiviral-drug-ineffective-against-more-severe-mpox-virus-study/
You’ve probably noticed this post is free. I rely on donations and tips from my readers to sustain this effort. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. I personally acknowledge every donation individually. Thank you.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an ”Economic” thread.
Someone or reddit scolded folks for spending too much time on all the doom n’ gloom. Not a healthy “life balance” apparently. I wonder what they would think of C&E…
They would probably say it’s silly. Something along the lines of “if you stare at death all day then that’s what you’re going to get.”
Meanwhile, the rest of the world finds out the hard way what a sudden and unexplained jump of even just a few tiny fractions degrees Celsius in global averages feels like. Already double-plus un-fun. Hard to fathom it’s only going to get worse.
As you are again being correct in what you say, it may be of benefit to know that there are starting be a few mainstream voices (ok, with a small readership, but still..) who are quite in line with the truths that C&E hammers home so resoundingly.
Take community college professor Tad Delay and his wonderful new book, profiled here:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/20/what-if-there-just-is-no-solution-how-we-are-all-in-denial-about-the-climate-crisis
Take heart – we are not alone. There are good folks on the beat.
Martin, thank you – that was a refreshing read:
“We “cannot stop the progress of the storm”, he tells me. “This is too big, there is not a person on Earth who has the agency to stop this individually. It’s not even clear to me that anybody has much agency to stop this collectively…”
Yep.
I can’t even get my climate aware friends to read this blog.
They’d rather not know because they feel like they cannot change the outcome.
My curious nature doesn’t stop me from reading about the impact, even if it does take a toil.
I’m mentally preparing myself for what’s to come. I’ll be much better equipped to handle the world when it really starts to affect my bubble.
I’m with you. One Trump voting neighbor is in complete denial.
Another says global warming is happening but we primates have no affect. Another just doesn’t want to talk about it, goes silent or changes the subject.
I don’t know why many other doomers don’t catch onto C&E & make it go viral. I’ve tried to spread C&E around, but reality is not a selling feature. 😉
“I’ve tried to spread C&E around.”
Thank you for the promotional efforts, TR.
“Someone on reddit scolded folks for spending too much time on all the doom n’ gloom.”
I’ve always drawn comfort from research. If a friend or loved one falls ill, the first thing I am doing is sitting at the laptop and learning absolutely everything I can about the disease. But the collapse of our global civilisation is not just an existential threat, it is also a fascinating story, unfolding in real time, so there is intellectual stimulation as well as comfort.
I’ve never subscribed to the notion that ignorance is bliss… I guess people just have to do what works for them. I certainly hate the thought of anyone reading this blog and spiralling into despair, although I suppose even that could ultimately become fertile ground for personal growth.
Magnificent work.
I’m with you in finding the research comforting.
And reporting it myself as well!
“Magnificent work.”
Thank you, Regan.
Hello Pan
Nice comments…. As long as ‘they’ pay my pension every month and the fibre optic cable works ‘you won’t hear me complain’ 🙂 Well I read with yet some bewilderment that ‘piece’ about Trump and Musk….
Don’t worry…. just be happy!!… the new coastline offers plenty of opportunities and there is fossil fuel for hundreds of years to come….. hear who is talking!….
Everyone lives in the age of permanent ‘dissociation’, there is nothing to be done about it and the messages of our all-seeing ‘Panopticon’ in the middle of his own prison makes that clear to us every day…. I think you are having bad weather Justin this summer! That’s a shame because summer is almost over!
Zip, we have! It has been relentlessly chilly and unsettled here and the forecast is for more of the same:
https://xcweather.co.uk/forecast/islay
Also, I cannot ever recall such a protracted period of humid weather, even allowing for the innate dampness of the Hebridean climate. Rain or shine (and we have haven’t had much of the latter), I am having to empty the de-humidifier in the garage every single morning.
It reminds me of the wash-out summer of 2012 down in England. The record low Arctic sea-ice that year may have played a role in that, I believe.
There’s something very dispiriting about heading into autumn without having had a reasonable dose of sun and warmth but, hey, at least we haven’t been plunged into a quasi-Siberian climate by a collapsed AMOC.
“What are the odds we make it beyond 2030?” Answer after 9:40.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uAV1XEr2og
“Another fine mess you’ve gotten us into.” – Laurel & Hardy
The climate impact of feeding ourselves is getting worse and worse
If we want to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from food production, we have to make it more efficient as the global population grows – and that isn’t happening
By Michael Le Page 12 August 2024
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2443472-the-climate-impact-of-feeding-ourselves-is-getting-worse-and-worse/
…….There are many reasons why climate emissions per unit of protein produced are no longer falling, says Dan Rejto at the Breakthrough Institute, who wasn’t part of the team. One is that people around the world are eating more meat, which is much more greenhouse gas-intensive than plant-based foods.
The fact that large quantities of crops are now turned into fuel rather than food could be another of these drivers, he says. “The rise of crop-based biofuels likely explains some of the slowdown in decarbonisation that the paper finds.” That is because biofuel crops, grown for energy, are chosen for being calorie-heavy rather than protein-rich, reducing their efficiency as measured by Ma’s team.
Another potential driver is the increase in extreme weather, which is affecting yields and food prices around the world. The study didn’t look at this, says Ma. “But I believe the impacts of the extreme weather on crop yields were relatively small before 2019.”
Perplexing study….
Diminishing returns showing up everywhere, Vince.
Sensible governments would be be running campaigns encouraging citizens to start growing their own food at this stage. Food inflation and the health benefits of home-grown produce are good enough incentives; they don’t need to be sounding the alarm on climate change or societal collapse.
I agree with you, but hard to see that happening, especially here in the United States with Home Owners Associations that enforce strict rules regarding landscaping. I remember long ago a talk I heard from a renowned herbalist pointing out his remedies would not be promoted by the Government because there would be little profit gained from DIY activities. The Pharmaceutical Industry would lobby against it and I would think agribusiness would do the same regarding home grown. Very certain the old warning of unsanitary and prone to spread illness would justify their stance.
As a matter of fact, Peter Bane, former owner and editor of The Permaculture Activist Magazine or Journal now retired had to relocate his home to a more rural place because of so called phoney zoning restrictions.
Seems neighbors objective of food growing because it would lower property values.
Have read about others facing the same elsewhere.
At this point in time, I’m resigned to the outcome(s) we shall likely face.
When the oil goes, so does the food, never mind the unstable weather you have dedicated on reporting here for your readers that are a select group.
As Jiddu Krishnamurti once observed, most are uninterested in such matters.
Thank you for work.
“climate scientists baffled by unexpected pace of heating…”
Stunned! Stunned! I tell you! Who would have thunk? Sorry, that temps exceeded their expectations. Thoughts & prayers!
Anyone that wants to be abused, send this to all your email addresses. Don’t forget to let’s us in on all the responses. Might post this under Not Safe To Watch, someone might learn something.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJwsJhFK98o
Just solved the forest & trees conundrum. The trees are the forest.