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.

A big thank you to October’s sponsor, Rusty Flanagan.


“September 2024 Globally, according to Copernicus, had a temperature anomaly of +0.73C vs 1991/2020 and was the 2nd hottest on record behind 2023.

“Despite the official end of El Niño, the anomalies keep rising compared to the previous months.” [summary by ExtremeTemps]

https://climate.copernicus.eu/surface-air-temperature-september-2024


“It’s official:

“2023-2024 was the first year with a global temperature anomaly above +1.65°C in one or more data sets!” [Graph from Berkeley Earth]

https://x.com/LeonSimons8/status/1843561399324422150


“Breaking News! Code Yikes!

“All the news you don’t want to know and wish wasn’t true. Once again, global sea-ice extent is at a record low for the date. Sigh.”

https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/1843618051494948952


“Historic drought marks Amazon’s parched landscape

“According to the National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters, the current drought is the most intense and widespread Brazil has experienced since records began in 1950.”

https://www.reuters.com/pictures/historic-drought-marks-amazons-parched-landscape-2024-10-09/


“Some 200 people may have been buried after a landslide occurred in a port area of Manacapuru, Brazil’s Amazonas state, according to official sources…

“The landslide could be related to riverbank erosion, which has been worsened by the severe drought affecting the Amazon region.”

https://www.news18.com/world/200-feared-to-be-trapped-in-landslide-at-manacapuru-brazil-9078407.html


“HISTORIC DAY IN BRAZIL – unbelievable TMIN 31.5C [88.7F] Cuiaba is HOTTEST OCTOBER NIGHT IN BRAZIL HISTORY (and 2nd for all South America)

“43.1 Oeiras HOTTEST DAY EVER IN PIAUI STATE. More records Tmins:28.6 Nhumirim, 28.2 Tres Lagoas Tmaxes: 42.2 Sao Joao do Piaui, 40.1 Barra.”

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1844129769283256545


“In Peru, will potatoes survive climate change?

“…will this multi-billion dollar industry survive the climate crisis? Irregular rainfall and increased frost pose major risks to Peruvian farmers, whose native production is primarily concentrated in mountainous regions.”

https://thinklandscape.globallandscapesforum.org/70087/how-peru-is-climate-proofing-its-native-potatoes/


“Heavy rains, accompanied by a thunderstorm, caused damage to more than a hundred homes in various areas of the city of Puerto Maldonado, capital of the Madre de Dios region [Peru]…

“In just three hours, the airport recorded 116 mm [4.6 inches] of rainfall.”

https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-madre-dios-lluvias-intensas-afectaron-a-mas-100-viviendas-puerto-maldonado-1003295.aspx


“Colombia’s Caribbean islands on front line of war on climate change…

“As representatives of the signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity prepare to meet in Cali, Colombia, this month, residents of some Colombian islands in the Caribbean are calling for action because rising seas are threatening their homes, families, and way of life.”

https://www.voanews.com/a/colombia-s-caribbean-islands-on-front-line-of-war-on-climate-change/7816801.html


“Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Florida as category 3 storm.

“A weakening but still tremendously powerful Hurricane Milton slammed into Florida’s west coast on Wednesday night as a category 3, leaving more than 2 million homes without power, while bringing “catastrophic” winds likely to cause significant property damage.”

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/09/hurricane-milton-makes-landfall-florida


“St. Lucie County authorities have reported “multiple fatalities” following a tornado that devastated the area earlier [one of at least 7 to hit Florida]…

“Officials have reported approximately 125 homes destroyed across the state. Southern Florida experienced severe weather conditions on Wednesday morning, with intense rain and tornadoes wreaking havoc.”

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/hurricane-milton-sees-multiple-deaths-30109192


“THIS IS INSANE! St. Petersburg has reported 5.09 inches of rain in ONE HOUR and 9.04 inches in three hours.

“That’s more rare than a thousand year rain event! Thresholds for 1,000-year rain there: 5.56”/1 hour; 7.16”/2 hours; 8.50”/3 hours.”

https://x.com/MatthewCappucci/status/1844185959312785513


“Helene was supercharged by ultra-warm water made up to 500 times more likely by global warming, study finds…

“Helene, which made landfall in Florida as a deadly Category 4 hurricane at the end of September, carved a 500-mile path of destruction across six states, causing catastrophic flooding and killing more than 230 people.”

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/09/climate/hurricane-helene-supercharged-climate-change/index.html


“US emergency crews struggle as climate crisis fuels ‘unprecedented’ competing disasters…

“Costs associated with weather catastrophes are on the rise and even with boosts to the budget, agencies have struggled to keep up, according to Jonathan Sury, a senior staff associate at the national center for disaster preparedness at Columbia University.”

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/09/hurricanes-wildfires-climate-crisis


“Phoenix’s streak of daily heat records reached 15 consecutive days after a 37-year-old mark was beaten on Tuesday.”

This has now reached 16 days and, according to Extreme Temps, “…is the most ever recorded in any station in United States. The old standing record of Burlington Iowa -14 days – dated from 4 to 17 July 1936. 88 years later …it’s gone.”

https://ktar.com/story/5612906/phoenix-daily-heat-records-15-days-in-a-row/


“Record-Breaking Heat Waves Add to Risks for Western Monarchs.

“The increasing intensity and frequency of extreme heat likely compounds stresses on the iconic butterfly, worrying biologists about how the struggling population will respond.”

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/09102024/western-monarchs-record-breaking-heat-waves/


“Record heat sends Utah’s soil moisture falling way below normal.

“According to KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson, October already hit an all-time record high of 92 degrees. Utah has seen seven days in the month that have been 80-plus degrees, and five more days are expected, according to the forecast.”

https://ksltv.com/691464/record-heat-sends-utahs-soil-moisture-falling-way-below-normal/


“Scientists show accelerating CO₂ release from rocks in Arctic Canada with global warming.

“Researchers from the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford have shown that weathering of rocks in the Canadian Arctic will accelerate with rising temperatures, triggering a positive feedback loop that will release more and more CO2 to the atmosphere.”

https://phys.org/news/2024-10-scientists-arctic-canada-global.html


“Arctic river erosion linked to permafrost thaw…

“Due to climate change, permafrost is slowly thawing over decades. But a river can experience drastic natural changes within a single year, with flow conditions changing from very cold and fast in early spring to warm and slow a few months later.”

https://phys.org/news/2024-10-arctic-river-erosion-linked-permafrost.html


“Heatwaves are burning away memories of the ‘typical British summer’.

“By general consensus the British summer of 2024 was a bit rubbish – even though the numbers say it was about average. What is behind this clash of perceptions? The Met Office socio-meteorologist Helen Roberts says it is because recent hot summers have changed our expectations.”

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2024/oct/10/heatwaves-are-burning-away-memories-of-the-typical-british-summer


“Tornado reports after wind leaves trail of damage [England].

“Residents have been clearing up after a violent wind left a trail of destruction in Hampshire. Trees were felled, roof tiles were ripped off and boats were left upturned in parts of Emsworth and Hayling Island at about 20:30 BST on Tuesday.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8l6ln5yrdo


“The remnants of Hurricane Kirk swept into western Europe Wednesday, tearing up trees in Portugal and Spain before dumping heavy rains on France that left at least one dead.

“Energy and Ecological Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher told journalists the government was mobilising “all state services” and urged citizens to be careful.”

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20241010-hurricane-kirk-remnants-reach-france-leaving-at-least-one-dead


“Summer heatwave caused major losses for Ukraine’s farmers.

“While melon crops were produced in large quantities, farmers struggled to profit due to prices barely covering costs… Vineyards were hit harder, with low yields and small grapes due to drought… The vegetable sector faced similar challenges—drought caused reduced yields and substantial price hikes for staples.”

https://www.freshplaza.com/europe/article/9666512/summer-heatwave-caused-major-losses-for-ukraine-s-farmers/


“Flooding hits Sahara Desert after extremely rare rainfall…

“The Moroccan government said two days of rainfall in September had exceeded yearly averages in several areas that get an average of less than 250 millimeters (10 inches) annually, including Tata, one of the areas hit hardest.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/sahara-desert-rain-flood-morocco-b2625719.html


“The world’s chocolate cravings speed up deforestation in the Congo Basin…

“A recent study found that cacao farming in the Congo Basin, the world’s largest carbon sink, is linked with up to seven times more deforestation than other agricultural activities… Agricultural trade drives an estimated 90% of global deforestation…”

https://news.mongabay.com/2024/10/the-worlds-chocolate-cravings-speed-up-deforestation-in-the-congo-basin-study/


“Farmers are on their knees, praying for the first summer rains as dry and hot weather conditions are forecast for the interior parts of the country, with little rain expected until December [South Africa]…

“Van Zyl said farmers relied on a good harvest to make a profit, run the farm and pay back their debts. “It’s a time of faith and prayer, we wait for the rain as simple as that,” he said.”

https://www.citizen.co.za/news/farmers-face-crisis-as-rains-delay-heat-wave-looms/


“Climate change drives surge in crop pests and diseases, threatening food security in Kenya…

“Pests and diseases ravaging food crops and other vegetation are becoming bolder and prevalent as a result of climate change and now experts are warning of food insecurity and reduced income from the sector which contributes about 20% to the country’s GDP…”

https://farmersreviewafrica.com/climate-change-drives-surge-in-crop-pests-and-diseases-threatening-food-security-in-kenya/


“Drought & climate change force Ethiopia pastoralists to go job hunting.

“Many pastoralists are forced to seek alternative livelihoods in farming, construction and trade, which require new skills and adaptation to urban life. Former pastoralists express emotional ties to their traditional way of life and struggle with the demands of new jobs…”

https://news.mongabay.com/2024/10/drought-climate-change-force-ethiopia-pastoralists-to-go-job-hunting/


“A dust storm on Sunday hit Iraq’s oil-rich province of Basra, with hospitals recording at least 14 cases of suffocation and breathing difficulties…

“Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have witnessed heavy rainfall over the past few days, weeks after authorities announced this winter season had recorded the lowest levels of rain in 80 years.”

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/374790


“Wildfires Contained in Northern Kazakhstan, Central Region Struggling…

“The hazardous conditions resulted in two emergency responders and one volunteer suffering burn injuries during the operation. Senior firefighter-rescuer Khali Khairat died while on duty.”

https://astanatimes.com/2024/10/wildfires-contained-in-northern-kazakhstan-central-region-struggling/


“RECORD HEAT IN NEPAL AND THAILAND – record heat never ends in Asia.

“Janakpur after having the NEPAL OCTOBER HOTTEST NIGHT with min 27.0 [80.6F] on 3rd, today record max. 37.5. THAILAND 570 days breaking records every day! last ones 36.0 at Takfa (yesterday) and Phliu (today).”

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1843992047608570285


“In September 2024, average temperature in China was 18.5℃ (+1.6℃), the highest in history!

“Average precipitation was 78.7mm (+20.4%). Five stations temp broke all-time record, and 702 stations broke September record!”

https://x.com/yangyubin1998/status/1843619112175710650


“Korea to face heat waves from April through September due to lagging net-zero drive: climate expert…

“Korea experienced scorching daytime heat and sleepless tropical nights well into late September. It was highly unusual, since the reign of deadly heat waves mostly subsides in late August in a country defined by four distinct seasons.”

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/biz/2024/10/602_383964.html


“Bleaching Strikes Over 80% of Japan’s Largest Coal Reef; Record-High Sea Temperatures Believed Partly Responsible…

“Bleaching occurs when dark brown plankton that live symbiotically with coral leave, turning the coral white. If bleaching continues for an extended period, the coral cannot get enough nutrients from plankton and subsequently dies.”

https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/science-nature/climate-change/20241010-215976/


“HISTORIC HEAT IN INDONESIA – MINIMUM temperature of 28.7C at Sangkapura Island; HOTTEST OCTOBER NIGHT IN INDONESIA’S HISTORY.

“Record also at Bengkulu with a min 25.7C [78.3F]. Thousands of records are being smashed in 100% of the tropics which are obliterating all records set in 2023.”

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1844195866351108210


“AUSTRALIA BETWEEN RECORD COLD AND RECORD HEAT. Yesterday just 1.0C at Melbourne Airport ties its October record low.

“While scorching hot nights prevailed in the Northwest: min 29.8 [85.6F] Roebourne and 26.9 Mardie. A harsh heat wave is building is central Australia with records expected.”

https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1844181905538940984


“Roads turned into rivers of ‘snow’ when a wild storm struck north of Brisbane on Wednesday night, dumping hail and rain and causing peak hour chaos.

“The ceiling of a Woolworths supermarket and a martial arts business collapsed under the weight of the sudden downpour in Morayfield…”

https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/state/qld/2024/10/10/morayfield-hailstorm-and-flooding


“How the source of your tissues and toilet paper is fueling wildfires thousands of miles away…

“The eucalyptus globulus — also known as the Tasmanian blue gum — is an ideal tree for commercial cultivation… The problem is eucalyptus trees are particularly flammable. That’s especially dangerous as the planet heats up…”

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/08/climate/portugal-fires-eucalyptus-paper/index.html


“Deforestation ‘roaring back’ despite 140-country vow to end destruction…

“The destruction of global forests increased in 2023, and is higher than when 140 countries promised three years ago to halt deforestation by the end of the decade, an analysis shows. The rising demolition of the forests puts ambitions to halt the climate crisis and stem the huge worldwide losses of wildlife even further from reach…”

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/08/deforestation-destruction-demolition-beef-soy-palm-oil-nickel


“Wildlife numbers fall by 73% in 50 years, global stocktake finds…

“Human activity is continuing to drive what conservation charity the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) calls a “catastrophic” loss of species. From elephants in tropical forests to hawksbill turtles off the Great Barrier Reef, populations are plummeting, according to a stocktake of the world’s wildlife.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y3j0vzpl3o


“Earth’s ‘vital signs’ show humanity’s future in balance, say climate experts…

“The temperature of Earth’s surface and oceans hit an all-time high, driven by record burning of fossil fuels, the report found. Human population is increasing at a rate of approximately 200,000 people a day and the number of cattle and sheep by 170,000 a day, all adding to record greenhouse gas emissions.”

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/08/earths-vital-signs-show-humanitys-future-in-balance-say-climate-experts


“Tipping points make for a planetary emergency…

“In 2001, tipping points were not even page 16 news because scientists thought warming had to reach 5°C (9°F) to trigger them… However, with… more accurate climate models, tipping points have continued to drop until likely thresholds for the most vulnerable systems now hover around or below 1.5°C of warming (1.8°F).”

http://thecommunityword.com/online/blog/2024/10/09/heat-waves-in-red-black-tipping-points-make-for-a-planetary-emergency/


“How mainstream climate science endorsed the fantasy of a global warming time machine…

“A new study published in Nature has confirmed… that humanity’s ability to restore Earth’s temperature below 1.5°C of warming, after overshooting it, cannot be guaranteed… Any losses and damages that accumulate during the overshoot period itself would of course be permanent.”

https://theconversation.com/how-mainstream-climate-science-endorsed-the-fantasy-of-a-global-warming-time-machine-225597


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