Enormous thanks to my anonymous donor for May, who wishes to call attention to Rob Mielcarski’s thought-provoking un-denial site, also featured in my blogroll, which looks at overshoot and related issues.
“Getting very close [to 1.6C] but just not quite there yet…
“The two-year running average for the global surface temperature anomaly is now 1.599°C above the 1850-1900 baseline.”
[Prof Eliot Jacobson]
https://bsky.app/profile/climatecasino.net/post/3lptlybckak2u
“Here we go again – a record early start to the sea ice melt season in the Laptev Sea…
“Note that the basin is geographically constrained (same maximum Arctic sea ice cover).” [Zack Labe]
https://zacklabe.com/arctic-climate-seasonality-and-variability/
“Sunniest spring for Scotland and Northern Ireland as marine heatwave continues…
“Announced on Thursday 22nd Northern Ireland had (provisionally) recorded 570 hours of sunshine beating the previous sunniest spring in 2020. That was back in the time of lockdown when many people were staying at home and the lengthy fine weather became imprinted on their memories.”
“Wildfire warning signs normally seen in the parched Australian outback have been installed on English moorland for the first time.
“In a stark illustration of the worsening impact of the climate emergency, signs have been put up in the Peak District and south Pennines, where there have been more than 30 moorland fires since March.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/23/wildfire-warning-signs-peak-district-climate-crisis
“‘Unprecedented’ marine heatwave hits waters around Devon, Cornwall and Ireland…
““This is unprecedented because it is happening so early in the year,” said Dr Manuela Truebano, from the school of biological and marine sciences at the University of Plymouth… I am very concerned at the increase in prevalence and intensity of these marine heatwave events.””
“Hundreds without drinking water and more storms forecast in southern French region devastated by deadly floods…
“As authorities work round-the-clock to restore water supplies and address the major damage to roads, bridges and train tracks, the region has now been put under another weather warning.”
“Tornado hits Udine Province, damages school in Dignano, Italy.
“A tornado struck Buja and Dignano in Italy’s Udine Province on Thursday, May 22, 2025, tearing the roof off a primary school in Dignano. The event occurred amid a broader severe weather system that brought flooding and intense rainfall to other parts of the region.”
https://watchers.news/2025/05/23/tornado-udine-province-school-damage-dignano-italy/
“Greece will deploy a record number of firefighters and nearly double its drone fleet this summer to address growing wildfire risks driven by climate change, officials have said.
“Civil Protection Minister Ioannis Kefalogiannis said 18,000 permanent and seasonal personnel, supported by thousands of volunteers, would be mobilised…”
“Water Shortages Force Greek Farmers to Give Up Growing Some Crops…
“The problem is especially in Thessaly and on the biggest island of Crete where using water for summer crops has been prohibited by authorities because reservoirs are so low and there’s not enough groundwater, said Kathimerini.”
https://www.thenationalherald.com/water-shortages-force-greek-farmers-to-give-up-growing-some-crops/
“Record May heat expected across Aegean region this weekend.
“Several districts in Türkiye’s Aegean provinces are expected to experience record-breaking temperatures for May this weekend due to a heatwave originating from North Africa.”
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/record-may-heat-expected-across-aegean-region-this-weekend-209514
“Turkey may need foreign grain as drought hits farmers [harsh April frost also pushing up fruit prices].
“Turkey could be forced to increase international grain purchases this year as the domestic wheat harvest is forecast to fall short, with drought cutting yields across the country.”
https://www.agbi.com/agriculture/2025/05/turkey-may-need-foreign-grain-as-drought-hits-farmers/
“UAE tops 50C in highest May temperature on record.
“Dubai (AFP) – The United Arab Emirates registered a sizzling 50.4 [122.7F] degrees Celsius on Friday, its highest on record for May, following weeks of sweltering temperatures in the desert nation acutely vulnerable to climate change.”
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250523-uae-tops-50c-in-highest-may-temperature-on-record
“Scorching heat kills two in Iraq.
“On Thursday, temperatures reached 49 degrees Celsius [120.2F] in the southern provinces of Basra and Misan, and 48 degrees Celsius in the Zikar region. This was reported as the highest temperature recorded so far in 2025. Two military cadets died of heatstroke…”
https://anfenglish.com/news/scorching-heat-kills-two-in-iraq-79475
“INCREDIBLE IRAN – another crazy record with a Minimum of 36.3C [97.3F] at Hosseynieh on 22 May, HIGHEST MAY MINIMUM IN IRANIAN HISTORY broken again.
“Iran has pulverized thousands of records in March, April and May for almost 100% of its stations multiple times every station.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1925719941057007896
“Another record hot night all over Asia. Record High Minimums for May:
“KYRGYZSTAN: Min 22.4 [72.3F] Dhzalalabad, 21.7 Tokmak, 21.0 Kara Suu – HOTTEST MAY NIGHT IN KYRGYZ HISTORY again! TAJIKISTAN: 23.0 Isambaj; TURKMENISTAN: 26.0 Burdalyk.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1925900560638644344
“Severe heatwave sparks forest fires across eight locations in KP [Pakistan].
“Temperatures in the mountainous forest areas have soared to 48 degrees Celsius [118.4F], causing dry shrubs to ignite rapidly and allowing the fire to spread across large areas.”
https://www.geo.tv/latest/605776-severe-heatwave-sparks-forest-fires-across-eight-locations-in-kp
“‘We will die of hunger’: Pakistan Senator warns as water crisis deepens.
“Asserting that the country is staring down the barrel of a major water crisis, yet another Pakistani politician on Friday made a desperate appeal to the Shehbaz Sharif government to “defuse” the “water bomb” that is hanging over the country after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty.”
“Pakistan violated spirit of Indus Water Treaty through terror: India.
“India has charged Pakistan with violating the Indus Water Treaty by trampling its spirit of goodwill through thousands of terrorist attacks and by obstructing the updating of the infrastructure to ensure its safety.”
“Srinagar [Kashmir] records hottest May day in 133 years.
“Kokernag Sees All-Time High May Temp As Scorching Conditions Show No Signs Of Relenting… The unprecedented heat in these areas underlines an unusual weather trend gripping the region this summer.”
https://kashmirreader.com/2025/05/23/srinagar-records-hottest-may-day-in-133-years/
“Himalayan meltdown…
““Rainfall patterns have changed, they are shorter, have higher intensity and are localised. Mudslides are now a big problem,” says Upadhyay. “We need specific intervention for specific places, taking into account geological and other factors to increase preparedness.””
https://nepalitimes.com/news/himalayan-meltdown
“Twenty-one people missing as heavy rains soak southern China, triggering landslides.
“Twenty-one people have been trapped after torrential rain triggered landslides in China’s southwestern Guizhou province on Thursday, with the military deployed to assist in rescue efforts… China is facing hotter and longer heatwaves and more frequent and unpredictable heavy rain as a result of climate change…”
“Record-breaking rainstorm hits Changde and Zhangjiajie in Hunan [central China], with 451mm [17.8 inches] of rainfall in 12 hours…
“Roads were flooded, and floodwaters flowed through the first floor of residents’ homes. According to netizens, farmers suffered heavy losses in agricultural production.”
https://x.com/yangyubin1998/status/1925526191148343655
“Fuyang, Anhui [eastern China] was hit by extreme rainstorms on the evening of May 22, with 154mm [six inches] of rainfall in one hour, and many places were flooded!
“The maximum precipitation in some areas exceeded 200 mm, far exceeding the carrying capacity of the city’s drainage network.”
https://x.com/yangyubin1998/status/1926109950197064069
“RELENTLESS RECORD HEAT IN JAPAN:
“After the 35C day, MINIMUMS up to 27C [80.6F], more than in mid summer. Several records of May High minimums broken. Record hot May nights also in TAIWAN with minimums up to 29C!”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1925496283776614894
“Residents evacuate as downpour causes flooding in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai [Thailand].
“This led to the flooding of several communities along the Sai River, an area that had also been severely affected by floods last year. The flooding has raised concerns about waterborne diseases, particularly arsenic contamination…”
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40050383
“Death toll in Australia floods rises to four, tens of thousands stranded.
“The body of a man was found in a car trapped in floodwaters in Australia’s southeast on Friday, raising the death toll to four, after three days of incessant rain [about four month’s worth] cut off entire towns, swept away livestock and destroyed homes.”
“Drowned herds. Towns under water. Farmers in NSW are facing ‘absolute devastation’.
“The vice-president of the NSW Farmers, Rebecca Reardon, said many farmers that have been hit by this week’s devastating floods were still recovering from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred…”
“Flash floods sweep through vital sanctuary for Australian animals…
“Wildlife carers fostering some of Australia’s most precious animals have had to rescue them one by one from rising waters and are now racing to repair fencing that keeps feral predators away.”
“Antarctica has its own ‘shield’ against warm water—but this could now be under threat.
“The Antarctic Slope Current moves ocean water westward over the continental slope, close to the coast. It acts as a barrier, preventing warm waters from farther north from reaching the ice… However, our research shows this defense is under threat.”
https://phys.org/news/2025-05-antarctica-shield-threat.html
“Brazil’s fully-protected marine areas can’t escape microplastics…
“The results of the study show that plastic pollution is present even in the most restrictive environmental protection areas, with potential risks to marine ecosystems and food chains.”
“CARIBBEAN RECORD HEAT:
“The Dominican Republic this month tied its hottest night ever recorded in May with a minimum of 27.5C [81.5F] at Barahona. Severe heat is joined by high humidity making the heat often unbearable.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1926026396641497228
“EXTREME HEAT WAVE IN THE GULF:
“Fierce heat and high humidity in Florida, Bahamas, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. In particular, The BAHAMAS had its Highest minimum in May in climatic history with a Tmin 27.2C [81F] at Freeport, Grand Bahama.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1925683796055064921
“Sweltering: Tampa sees warmest May morning on record.
“The thermometer never fell below 80 degrees, breaking the record for the highest minimum temperature at Tampa Airport since records have been kept in 1890.” [3rd day in a row with record high minimum temps – h/t Jeff Berardelli]
https://www.wfla.com/weather/sweltering-tampa-sees-warmest-may-morning-on-record/
“A foot of rain is possible! Waves of dangerous downpours will drench eastern Kansas, southern Missouri, eastern Oklahoma, northern Arkansas and western Tennessee into next week.
“Stationary front + moisture transport from the Caribbean = recipe for serious flooding.” [Ben Noll]
https://x.com/BenNollWeather/status/1925892752828453265
“Insurance costs are soaring around Tornado Alley. Hail is the big problem..
“The cost of homeowners insurance is soaring in states where large outbreaks of tornadoes are becoming more common. But it’s hail — not tornadoes — that are the biggest concern for insurers in the middle of the country, according to industry experts and analysts.”
https://www.npr.org/2025/05/23/nx-s1-5407522/insurance-tornadoes-hail-midwest
“Climate change now threatens thousands of species on Earth…
““Marine invertebrates are especially vulnerable because many of them are stationary or slow moving, so they can’t readily escape rising temperatures,” Ripple said. “Many of them build shells or reefs from calcium carbonate, which is sensitive to changes in ocean chemistry.””
https://news.mongabay.com/2025/05/climate-change-now-threatens-thousands-of-species-on-earth/
“Countdown to COP30 : Strengthening Climate Action in an Era of Global Instability.
“…the upcoming COP30 in Belem this November provides a crucial opportunity to revitalise momentum in the international climate agenda and deliver on the Paris Agreement. It offers a chance to bridge divides, foster collaboration to deliver real world climate action and reaffirm the global commitment to securing a safer, more resilient and equitable future.”
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 thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an ”Economic” thread.
For anyone new to this site, Panopticon’s final link each day is often/usually a humorous and/or ironic piece. Today’s certainly fits in that category. I don’t know how anyone could read today’s thread and not understand that life in earth as we know it is in mortal danger. 😱
Countdown to COP30. Right, a new four-lane highway cutting through tens of thousands of acres of protected Amazon rain forest is being built for the COP30 climate summit.
That’s pretty serious effort to halt the destruction of the planet. We might even be better off if they weren’t trying to help.
AI is advancing at an accelerated rate even blackmailing developers who threaten to shut it down. I gave it a math proof to solve that only one professor at my college could solve. No problem for ChatGPT and Claude. DeepSeek took three tries but that shows trial and error approach; it realized the first and second proof weren’t going anywhere. Never saw trial and error in AI before.
So, if we get AGI or ASI (G = General, S = Super) I know the solution it will come up with for climate change and dwindling earthly resources – extermination of humans.
We have so much excitement ahead I can hardly contain myself.
Edward, it is hard not to be cynical about this latest COP – the jungle junket – especially given that the previous one was teeming with fossil fuel lobbyists and the chief exec was caught on camera striking gas deals. 😂
That is most interesting about AI. Apparently, it is turning bloody rude, too:
https://sarahwilson.substack.com/p/an-actual-bro-discussion-about-saving
Cassandra, thank you for pointing this out. I think I wanted to highlight the absurd futility of this latest COP vs. the runaway freight train that is AGW.
Thank you for adding me to your email list.
As depressing some of the news on climate & economy is we all need to be informed.
“UAE tops 50C in highest May temperature on record.”
Despite the accompanying pic, it’s a dry climate hence even 50c is survivable. If you’re at the top of the food chain and spend 90% of your life in air conditioned spaces, it’s little more than fodder for smalltalk or green investment or an opportunity to do some good things for the peasants like maybe free lemonade distributed at AC kiosks or AI powered urban afforestation.
Now, imagine 50c and 80% humidity in say Jakarta.
Jupiviv, that would, of course, be far beyond the limits of human survivability.
35C/95F with 100% humidity or, say, 40C/104F with 70% humidity is all that’s needed. We’ve grazed that in Iran and Pakistan already. Paul Beckwith put out a good video about wet bulb temps a few years ago:
“The key point is that the wet-bulb survivability condition of 35C with 100% humidity is a theoretical value. In practice, young healthy people exposed to warm-humid conditions can only survive outside of wet-bulb temperatures are lower than about 31 C, and when exposed to hotter-drier conditions, they can only survive wet-bulb equivalents of 25 to 28C.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUaHOcRaqzY
Nice post. Nice comments.
“It [cop30] offers a chance to bridge divides, foster collaboration to deliver real world climate action and reaffirm the global commitment to securing a safer, more resilient and equitable future.”
Puke!!!
Thank you, Doom Wizard.
That sort of virtue-signalling word-salad reads almost like satire these days.
Meanwhile in the UK
https://consciousnessofsheep.co.uk/2025/05/21/real-illness-quack-cure/
Thank you, Rain. Tim Watkins is always a good read and I can’t disagree with him.
Ironically, burning the vast stores of Northern Irish lignite coal he mentions would, because of its dimming effect, do more to slow warming than anything Ed “mad dog” Miliband is advocating.
Meanwhile, potential for return to an age of piracy on the high seas.. which I must admit, had not occurred to me.. but with critical resources becoming more scarce, it makes sense that stealing and looting ships, embargoes on ports etc will return.
https://youtu.be/cSvfIB8O2TA?si=diVP2vEWcLJ0hiXv
Thanks. Very interesting. Glug glug
Another great list of consequences as a result of willful, ignorant, self absorbed egos?