Huge thanks to this month’s sponsor, Kimberley Hare, Facilitator of ‘The Edge’ Retreat, and Author of “At the Edge: What is Mine to Do, and Who Can I do it With?” She was kind enough to interview me for this book.
“Breaking news! Code UFB!!!
“On December 10th, Arctic sea-ice extent hit a new modern daily low, beating the previous record daily low set in 2016 by over 155,000 square kilometres.
“No ice for you!”
https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/1866948757813858357
“2024 Arctic Report Card: Arctic has second-warmest year on record in 2024.
““This is the 11th consecutive year in which Arctic regional temperature departures exceeded those of the Earth as a whole. This past decade has been the Arctic’s warmest, and has been characterized by several new annual and seasonal records.””
“The Arctic Is Lighting Up – and It’s Not the Northern Lights…
“Using night-time satellite data, an international team of researchers found that between 1992 and 2013, the Arctic became 5% brighter per year…. “…most of the artificial light is due to industrial activities rather than urban or residential development,” said Zhuosen Wang, a member of the research team.”
https://scitechdaily.com/the-arctic-is-lighting-up-and-its-not-the-northern-lights/
“Norway’s Vaar Energi finds more oil near Arctic Goliat field…
“”The potential to unlock significant additional resources is considerable, with the opportunity of being turned into high value barrels by utilising available production capacity at the Goliat facility,” Vaar CEO Torger Roed said in the statement.”
“Arctic tundra is now emitting more carbon than it absorbs, US agency says.
“The Arctic tundra is undergoing a dramatic transformation, driven by frequent wildfires that are turning it into a net source of carbon dioxide emissions after millennia of acting as a carbon sink, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) said on Tuesday.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/10/arctic-tundra-carbon-shift
“Study finds Arctic warming tied to severe cold spells in UK, Europe…
“A disrupted jet stream can generate certain conditions called “blocking” that can lead to pockets of cold Arctic air plunging much farther south than usual.”
https://phys.org/news/2024-12-arctic-severe-cold-uk-europe.html
“Food insecurity rising in UK because of climate breakdown, Defra report finds…
“Numbers of hungry and malnourished households in the UK are on the rise because of climate breakdown and inflation, government figures show, with poorer, younger and disabled people hit hardest.”
“Mountain permafrost is warming across Europe, study shows.
“Permafrost temperatures in Europe’s mountain regions are rising steadily, in some cases by more than 1°C over the last decade. The results of a new study show larger and faster changes than before.”
https://phys.org/news/2024-12-mountain-permafrost-europe.html
“Greece faced 9,500 forest fires this year, says minister…
“Wildfires are common in the eastern Mediterranean country, but hotter, drier and windier weather that scientists link to the effects of fossil fuel-driven climate change has increased their frequency and intensity.”
“While Central Mediterranean is under continuous cold spells, record warmth continues to switch from West to East
“After the record warmth in Spain and Morocco, it’s Turkey with >26 [78.8F] on the Black Sea and also tropical nights in the South.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1866794636200776035
“Last month was the warmest November on Lanzarote since records began…
“Despite the cooler weather experienced on the island over the last few days, 2024 is also promising to be one of the hottest years the island has ever recorded.”
https://gazettelife.com/news/last-november-was-lanzarotes-hottest-on-record/
“ETERNAL RECORD HEAT IN THE GULF OF GUINEA.
Temperatures still hovering the 40C [104F] and more records of Highest December temperatures including 37.5C at Koforidua in GHANA. This station has beaten the records of all previous months and the previous records were set in 2023.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1867030563259027641
“Mokopane breaks temperature records during heatwave.
“Mokopane, much like the rest of Limpopo and South Africa, has been at the center of unprecedented temperature extremes since last week… On Wednesday, Mokopane’s maximum temperature reached 39.2°C [102.6F], surpassing its previous high of 39.1°C set on December 26, 2019.”
“Chido was a tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean late Wednesday Eastern Africa Time, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center said in its latest advisory.
“The tropical cyclone had sustained wind speeds of 138 miles per hour, which would make it a Category 4 hurricane…”
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/12/11/weather/chido-map-path-tracker.html
“EXCEPTIONAL HEAT IN THE INDIAN OCEAN – brutally hot and humid nights persist in the French Southern Territories.
“JUAN DE NOVA ISLAND Min. 29.2 [84.6F] today and 29.1 yesterday; these are the highest minimums ever recorded anywhere in the Territory (formed by several islands).”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1866431218646192459
“Record Levels of Flooding in Africa Compounds Stress on Fragile Countries…
“27 countries in Africa’s tropical zone experienced unusually heavy rainfall in 2024 compared to their historical norms. These increases in the quantity and intensity of rainfall in Africa mirror patterns seen elsewhere around the globe.”
“Mosquito genetics may explain why Zika virus outbreaks are rare in Africa: Climate change could shift the balance…
“Climate is considered one of the primary drivers for the distribution of other diseases spread by the same mosquito species, such as dengue and yellow fever, because it influences many factors important for transmission…”
https://phys.org/news/2024-12-mosquito-genetics-zika-virus-outbreaks.html
““Massive” fires broke out in a date palm plantation in Merowe locality in Sudan’s Northern State over the weekend, reportedly burning hundreds of palm trees…
“Fires were also reported in Du Makan on the eastern bank of the Nile, Duwaim Wad Haj, and Abu Dom. He attributed the recurrence of palm tree fires to farmers’ poor treatment of the soil. They reportedly set random fires which spread due to the winds.”
“Africa Turns to a Precarious Form of Insurance as Climate Aid Dries Up… How Drought Insurance Can Leave Millions Without Food…
“African countries are buying parametric coverage to help with disaster recovery. But it doesn’t always pay out — and it’s no substitute for climate compensation from the rich world.”
https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2024-malawi-crop-insurance-climate-change/
“Flash flood displaces over 100 families in Tagum City [Philippines]…
“The local government continues to provide assistance to evacuees while assessing the extent of damage caused by the flash flood. Residents are urged to stay alert and heed official advisories to ensure their safety.”
https://newsline.ph/tagum-city-flash-flood-evacuation-december-2024/
“ETERNAL RECORD HEAT IN INDONESIA.
“Thousands of records have fallen, beaten and rebeaten, every single day since early 2023. Today Belitung Island had by far its hottest night in history with a minimum temperature of 26.8C [80.2F], first time it has a Tmin >26C.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1866724597770621038
“Whales Stranded in Flores Waters, Kelambu Marutauk Bay, Riung District, Ngada Regency, NTT [Indonesia].”
H/t Volcaholic on X.
https://x.com/InfoFPMKI/status/1866864806873194816
“As marine heatwaves intensify, Bali’s fishers hunt far and wide…
“”There are fewer and fewer fish coming here,” said Sulistiono, who earns about 2,000,000 Indonesian rupiah ($126) a month, less than half of what he made five years ago. “And it’s not uncommon for ships to come home with no fish…””
https://www.context.news/climate-risks/as-marine-heatwaves-intensify-balis-fishers-hunt-far-and-wide
“Warming waters could endanger all fish in tropical & subtropical regions, warns UNESCO…
“Rising global temperatures could have devastating consequences for marine ecosystems, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions… Researchers predict that up to all fish species in these areas may surpass their thermal tolerance limits under the most severe climate change scenario.”
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN OCEANIA – tropical Pacific islands are with unprecedented heat and keep destroying all records.
“Incredible MINIMUM 28.9 [84F] Majuro. MARSHALL ISLANDS HOTTEST NIGHT IN HISTORY.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1867102083192676806
“Geochemical analysis reveals origins of red dust that blanketed New Zealand’s Southern Alps…
“…ash from Australia’s bushfires was blamed. But researchers studying the event now say the real culprit was desert dust storms that sent massive amounts of red dust across the Tasman Sea. These storms are likely to occur more often as the climate warms.”
https://phys.org/news/2024-12-geochemical-analysis-reveals-red-blanketed.html
“Antarctic ice sheet patterns point to rapid melting risks…
““From our research, we can see that the Antarctic ice sheet is more unstable than previously thought. We demonstrate how sensitive the geologically early Antarctic ice sheet was to changes in Earth’s orbit and axis,” explained Dr. Tim van Peer from the University of Leicester.”
https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-sheet-patterns-point-to-rapid-melting-risks/
“‘Making Argentina great again’? What a year under a climate-change denying president has done for the country…
“The push towards mining is just one of the impacts of Milei’s first year in office. In November, Argentina withdrew its negotiators from the Cop29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.”
“Andes glacier melt threatens Amazon’s rivers & intensifies droughts…
“A new study found that Andean tropical glaciers have reached their lowest levels in 11,700 years, with drastic consequences for the Amazon due to the overlap of the two ecosystems. The findings come to light as record droughts in the Amazon in 2023 and 2024…”
https://news.mongabay.com/2024/12/andes-glacier-melt-threatens-amazons-rivers-intensifies-droughts/
“How the Amazon’s ‘Boiling River’ [in Peru] foreshadows a warmer world…
“Higher temperatures in the Amazon could threaten the very functioning of many plants there, says Rodolfo Nóbrega at the University of Bristol – and the Boiling River illustrates this perfectly.”
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241210-how-the-amazons-boiling-river-foreshadows-climate-change
“Dengue fever cases reach record-high in the Americas amid climate change.
“The Caribbean and the Americas are being hit hard by dengue fever, with a record 12.6 million suspected cases of the mosquito-borne virus reported this year, according to regional health officials. That’s nearly triple the number of cases reported in 2023.”
“More record heat in the CARIBBEANS – insane unprecedented heat in December and more records of December hottest nights (highest minimums):
“Min 27.8C [82F] Today at Providencia Island of COLOMBIA. Record heat with stifling hot nights will go on and on for weeks. It’s August-like weather.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1866504801326145924
“Celebrities among thousands fleeing Malibu wildfire.
“Actor Dick Van Dyke and musician Cher are among thousands of residents who have been told to leave their homes in the city of Malibu after a fast-moving wildfire broke out and burned acres of the wealthy enclave near Los Angeles.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2enepy8g8o
“Bighorn sheep face increasing avalanche dangers as the climate warms.
“An ominous forecast awaits bighorn sheep in the the Sierra Nevada mountains. There are likely to be more frequent avalanches as the world continues to warm… Additionally, recovering wolf and mountain lion populations could pose increased threats to the wild sheep.”
https://www.earth.com/news/bighorn-sheep-face-increasing-avalanche-dangers-as-the-climate-warms/
“A Toronto man is on the hook for about $18,000 after a car he rented over the summer was pelted by baseball-sized hail [a cautionary tale!]…
“Patel did not have car rental insurance with his insurance company or credit card, and said he didn’t purchase additional coverage with Alamo.”
“Thawing permafrost poses a threat to northern runways, says a new Senate report looking at how climate change is impacting critical infrastructure across the country [Canada]…
““Most northern airports have gravel runways that were built on permafrost during the Cold War and have received few upgrades since then,” reads the report.”
“Atlantic circulation collapse? New clues on the fate of a crucial conveyor belt…
“We …know that the AMOC has collapsed to a near-halt multiple times over the past 2 million years, most recently from about 12,000 to about 11,000 years ago. These epic “off” phases can have profound impacts on large parts of the globe.”
“La Nina may form, heat may not relent: WMO…
““Even in the absence of El Nino or La Nina conditions since May, we have witnessed an extraordinary series of extreme weather events, including record-breaking rainfall and flooding which have unfortunately become the new norm in our changing climate,” said Saulo.”
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/la-nina-may-form-heat-may-not-relent-wmo
“AI predicts Earth’s peak warming: Hottest years will likely shatter recent records…
“”Our results suggest that even if all the effort and investment in decarbonization is as successful as possible, there is a real risk that, without commensurate investments in adaptation, people and ecosystems will be exposed to climate conditions that are much more extreme than what they are currently prepared for,” Diffenbaugh said.”
https://phys.org/news/2024-12-ai-earth-peak-hottest-years.html
“Extreme heat may rapidly sap the ocean’s ability to absorb CO2…
“The ocean currently absorbs a quarter of the world’s CO2 emissions from the atmosphere each year. However, warming temperatures are expected to weaken this natural carbon sink and observations from 2023 suggest this process may be happening even faster than anticipated.”
“To fix the world’s problems, we need both optimism and pessimism…
“COP30, which is due to be held in Belém, Brazil, next November, offers an opportunity for an attitude reset… As for next year, raise a glass… and hope that the uncertainty thrown up by this year’s climate news can, and will, be a catalyst for change.”
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge and heartfelt thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
As part of the hunter-gatherer versus agriculture discussion I think there’s a good argument that the tree of knowledge story is an allegory warning of the perils of scientific and technical knowledge, particularly agriculture. Hunter-gatherers had healthy (as long as they made it past the fifth birthday), fairly egalitarian and free lifestyles. Twenty hours a week getting enough food and the lie around telling stories, having sex, telling stories about having sex etc. Any psychos could be bonked on the head and problem over (i.e. close to an Edenic paradise). Then along comes agriculture and hoarded cereals: health deteriorates, strict hierarchies are imposed and the peasants are condemned to endless toil with no freedom to leave (i.e. expulsion from Eden).
George, I am sure that this is a big part of the Garden of Eden allegory:
“”Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.””
Newsweek names “The Donald”, “Man of the Year”
Person of the Year
President-elect Donald Trump has been named Time magazine’s 2024 Person of the Year.
The choice: It comes after an “improbable resurrection” following his first term and a successful reelection campaign, during which he was convicted of a crime and survived two assassination attempts. He was Time’s Person of the Year in 2016 as well. [Time]
Why Trump: “Since he began running for President in 2015, perhaps no single individual has played a larger role in changing the course of politics and history than Trump,” said Time’s editor in chief Sam Jacobs. [Time]
And to add, he will stay on course to drive us off the cliff of Doom.
This is directly related to climate change. Our fate is sealed…
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nSuregWhlWk&pp=ygUTdGFsa2luZyBoZWFkcyB0cnVtcA%3D%3D
Trump vs Talking Heads – Swedemason
IAnd you may find yourself watching this video…and you may ask yourself, well how did I get here?
7,961,547 views
I couldn’t make this up if I was paid…
We are indeed on the road to nowhere:
https://robertlowrey.blogspot.com/2020/10/talking-heads-were-on-road-to-nowhere.html
Today’s NOAA CO2 reading: 427.85, 6.19ppm over just one year ago, yet scientists can’t figure out what could possibly be causing temp’s to rise so rapidly (the ppm’s have not been below 4.0ppm’s above last year’s readings for the entire month of December: we have set the world ablaze, but since most of the conflagration occurs under the hoods of our flying car pets, we simply don’t notice).
To be fair, Time magazine’s criteria for “Person of the Year” is that they have had the biggest impact – for good or ill – on the world. I guess in terms of shaking up the status quo up, Trump is an obvious choice.
Re CO2, the UK has had the brilliant idea to stash ours under the North Sea. Good, old UK. Sensible policies for a brighter future.
“The UK Government has given the go-ahead for a controversial plan to store 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) beneath the North Sea… Starting in 2027, the new ‘carbon capture and storage’ facility will store four million tonnes of liquified CO2 per year in an underground aquifer off the Yorkshire coast.”
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14181041/government-approves-carbon-capture-risks.html
The boondoggles boggles the mind; even as the water heating the frog’ll toggle from warm to aboil (on the ass of humanity: “How to get ahead (a head ) in Advertising”.
I remember that rather bonkers movie very fondly, Rob. I still think “Withnail and I” was Richard E. Grant’s finest hour, though.
Sorry I missed committing yesterday. I know everyone missed my informative & educational brilliance. Someone is taking themselves too seriously. Maybe there is something to “Shoot the messenger.” 😉
“I know everyone missed my informative & educational brilliance.”
Naturally, TR. I hope you are unscathed!
I particularly enjoy all weather weirding report when they directly affect one’s wallet. Let the habitat rot, just show me the money.
Can’t comment anymore now. I’m taking cover, someone is shooting at me. It’s no longer shoot the messenger. It’s now shoot the crazy. 😉
Oh gods.
Hopefully the government knows something we don’t…
I’ll be sick if I open the paper that Paul Dacre edited-does it say which corporation/company will be fleecing us?
Ah, it’s okay, I checked out the gov.uk website.
So we have 2000 jobs up in Teeside, local British businesses involved. Oh bugger, BP, Total Energies and Equinor involved.
Says it’s a “proven technology” proven in theory, not fact?
Oh well, nice for the people up north to be wage earners again.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/contracts-signed-for-uks-first-carbon-capture-projects-in-teesside
The 2,000 jobs are indeed a silver lining, Mad Hatter.