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.
“Cloudy skies have slowed global warming – but that may be changing.
“An increase in low-lying clouds has been shading the ocean and cooling the planet. But this feedback may now be reversing, which could accelerate global warming.”
“The earth has stopped being as shiny. Insurers are worried.
“Earth is reflecting less sunlight back into space than it used to – and the rate at which the planet is absorbing extra energy has more than doubled since 2000. For insurers, that is not just an abstract climate-science curiosity. It is a data point that goes to the heart of how catastrophe models, pricing and long-term underwriting assumptions are built.”
“Earth’s waters are quietly running out of oxygen, scientists warn.
“Oxygen is disappearing from oceans, lakes, rivers, and coastal waters at an alarming rate, threatening aquatic life and weakening the natural processes that help regulate Earth’s climate. Scientists warn that this widespread deoxygenation is closely connected to other major planetary threats, including warming, pollution, biodiversity loss, and ocean acidification.”
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260719035939.htm
“Slowdown in Arctic ice melt ends after largest winter decline on record.
“A previously recorded slowdown in Arctic sea ice decline has ended, according to a new study, with the largest year-to-year wintertime reduction ever recorded… Sea ice area in September, when it reaches its annual minimum, has halved since 1979, when satellite measurements began.”
“Floods Sweep Russia’s Urals After 40-Year Rainfall Record Falls.
“Russia’s Urals region has set a new 40-year rainfall record, with flooding affecting 28 municipalities. Rainfall in the Sverdlovsk region has continued almost without interruption since the beginning of June, The Caspian Post reports, citing the Baza Telegram channel.”
https://caspianpost.com/regions/floods-sweep-russia-s-urals-after-40-year-rainfall-record-falls
“‘Very high’ wildfire risk extended after Arthur’s Seat and Cairngorms fires.
“The warning for the Central Highlands, Southern and Eastern Scotland will remain in force until Friday, having initially been in place for five days. The decision by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Wildfire Forum comes as emergency services continue to battle large blazes across the country.”
“‘My shirt was wringing’: National Express bus drivers speak out on 40C conditions [UK]
“Three bus drivers working in the West Midlands said the conditions in their vehicles had been “unbearable” and criticised the absence of adequate air conditioning, which threatened the safety of employees and passengers.”
“Marine heatwave impacting wildlife in sea around Channel Islands.
“The heatwave has been fuelled by the “heat domes” that brought record-breaking air temperatures in May and June, on top of long-term ocean warming due to climate change. Sea Fisheries said Guernsey’s water temperature earlier in July was 17.7C (63.8F), 2.7C higher than the average for the same week between 1980 and 2019.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c36dplwj1n6o
“Repeated heatwaves fuel eco-anxiety and anger among youth: ‘It feels like we’re living in a dystopia’ [France]…
“”I find myself in fits of uncontrollable tears when I think this is probably the coolest summer I will ever experience again,” confided the Paris resident, who, struggling to cope during the third heatwave, had to urgently book an appointment with a psychologist.”
“Fast-moving wildfire in southern France forces evacuations, burns homes in Var region.
“A fast-moving wildfire in southern France forced dozens of residents to evacuate on Sunday as more than 600 firefighters and water-bombing aircraft battled the blaze. Fanned by strong winds and dry vegetation, the fire near Draguignan burned 10 homes, damaged nine others and slightly injured one firefighter, authorities said.”
https://www.france24.com/en/france/20260719-france-wildfire-var-evacuations-homes
“Firefighters battled to contain a fast-spreading wildfire north of Spain’s capital, Madrid, on Sunday.
“The country is still reeling from one of the deadliest wildfires in modern times that killed 13 people and destroyed 7,000 hectares in southern Almeria province earlier this month.”
https://www.dw.com/en/spain-emergency-crews-battle-wildfire-north-of-madrid/a-78026297
“Mallorca suffers the hottest night in its history in Palma.
“Palma has experienced the hottest night in its history, as the minimum temperature at the Portopí weather station did not drop below 27.7°C [81.9F] and humidity exceeded 90 per cent, meaning the heat index was much higher.”
“Glacier du Casset (NE Face Les Agneaux, 3,664 m asl) Juillet 2007 | Juillet 2026 [French Alps].
“At this pace in the Alps, all mountain glaciers (≠ valley glaciers) located entirely below 3,500 m will be gone within next two decades at most!” [Melaine Le Roy]
https://x.com/subfossilguy/status/2079300254847906170
“Swiss plan to turn snow cannons onto forest fires.
“If a fire were to break out in the region, local fire services could quickly coordinate with the ski lift operator. According to Buchs, water could be delivered across the area through the network within a short time. Snow cannons could also be used as sprinklers to help extinguish or prevent fires during dry periods.”
“Cars swept away as powerful flash flood hits Romania’s mountain town of Bușteni.
“A powerful flash flood swept through the mountain town of Bușteni, Prahova Valley, on Sunday afternoon, July 19, carrying cars, rocks, and debris through the streets and temporarily blocking traffic on the busy DN1 national road. Emergency crews rescued several people trapped by the floodwaters, while dozens of homes were inundated.”
https://www.romania-insider.com/flash-flood-busteni-july-2026
“Bad Bunny concert in Milan abandoned because of hailstorm.
“Videos posted on social media showed large hailstones hitting people at the sold-out show, along with strong winds and driving rain, after the star began his set at Milan’s Snai La Maura Hippodrome… the organiser said ticketholders would be reimbursed.”
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jul/19/bad-bunny-milan-abandoned-hailstorm
“Rain, hail and wind on the crops of Brescia: vineyards and corn fields affected [Italy].
“The heat has granted a respite, but the bad weather has raged in particular on the Lower Garda and Valcamonica putting the crops at risk. The fears of Coldiretti Brescia for the consequences on agricultural production.”
https://www.ilgiorno.it/brescia/cronaca/maltempo-pioggia-grandine-brescia-garda-valcamonica-e7de95ad
“Another record-breaking heatwave in Sardinia, with Orani reaching 47.6 [117.7F] degrees.
“Record temperatures continue in Sardinia, particularly in the Nuoro area. After last week’s hottest temperatures in Orani, one of Italy’s hottest cities, temperatures exceeded 47 degrees Celsius today in the birthplace of artist Costantino Nivola: 47.6…”
“MEDITERRANEAN HEAT WAVE:
“Yesterday: 43.3 [109.9F] Luqa HOTTEST JULY DAY IN MALTA HISTORY; ALGERIA: Hottest night in history in the coastal town of Skikda: MIN 33.1C; Monthly Max. record: 46.2C Bejaya.” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2078922417238417717
“Tunisia scorched by record-breaking heat wave, temperatures near 50 degrees Celsius [122F]…
“The central governorate of Kairouan recorded 49.7 degrees Celsius, surpassing its previous record of 49.2 degrees. In the northeastern governorate of Zaghouan, the temperature hit 48.6 degrees, topping its prior high of 48 degrees.”
“EXTRAORDINARY – July Records smashed all over southern Africa:
“Namibia, Zambia, Botwana, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Malawi up to TANZANIA where the National record of July highest temperature was pulverized: 33.8C [92.8F] Tabora 1200m asl. Most extreme event in Southern Africa winter.” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2079327734572925038
“Egypt says Nile issue is existential, rejects Ethiopia’s unilateral moves…
“In an interview with Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, Abdelatty said Egypt and Sudan had still not received technical studies on the safety standards of the Ethiopian dam or its environmental impact, arguing that unilateral actions by an upstream country violated international rules governing shared rivers.”
“EXTRAORDINARY EVENT – 50 DEGREES AT DAY 35 AT NIGHT IN CENTRAL ASIA. DOZENS OF WORLD RECORDS SMASHED.
“UZBEKISTAN HOTTEST DAY IN HISTORY – 46.7 Buhara… 44.6 Jhangy Jer KYRGYZSTAN HOTTEST DAY IN HISTORY… INSANE MINIMUMS: 35.0 Djangeldi is UZBEKISTAN HOTTEST NIGHT; 33.7 Achisaj 43.5N 822m asl is KAZAKHSTAN HOTTEST NIGHT… 29.5 Parkhar TAJIKISTAN HOTTEST NIGHT.” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2078514453780255074
“Extreme heat grips Central Asia: how countries are responding.
“In Tajikistan, residents have reported localized power outages, while parts of Kyrgyzstan have faced temporary electricity cuts because of record consumption. Uzbekistan has restricted hazardous outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day, and extreme temperatures have damaged several highways in Kazakhstan.”
“Severe heat kills five Afghan migrants.
“Authorities in southwestern Afghanistan were yesterday searching for 14 people missing in the desert after five other migrants trying to reach neighbouring Iran died in the heat, police said. The group departed more than a week ago in Nimroz…”
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/world/news/severe-heat-kills-five-afghan-migrants-4228611
“Afghanistan floods kill at least 20 people, with more than 100 missing.
“In Parun, the provincial capital, a further 105 people including the mayor were missing… Ashiqullah Safi, the head of an NGO based in the town, said the flood had “completely destroyed the municipality”, including hotels and dozens of shops.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/20/deadly-floods-nuristan-afghanistan
“Flash floods wreak havoc in Siran Valley, Balakot [Pakistan].
“Flash floods triggered by cloudburst during a fresh spell of monsoon rains wreaked havoc in Siran Valley and Balakot on Sunday, damaging houses, hotels and roads in several areas.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/2016927
“Himalayan states battle monsoon fury: Red alert in Himachal, floods ravage Arunachal.
“Heavy monsoon rain is battering India’s Himalayan states. Himachal Pradesh is under an IMD warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall… Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh’s crisis is deepening — fresh floods and landslides hit East Siang and Kamle districts, affecting 25 villages in just 24 hours.”
“‘When I get home, my whole body aches’: extreme heat saps health and wages of India’s poorest workers…
“Analysis done by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), and shared exclusively with the Guardian, found that extreme heat is acting as a “poverty multiplier” for hundreds of millions of workers in India’s informal sector.”
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/20/extreme-heat-india-outdoor-workers-poverty
“Bhutan farmers race against time as water shortages delay paddy transplantation.
“By mid-July, farmers in Khagochen village under Kana Gewog, Dagana, would normally have completed paddy transplantation. This year, however, prolonged dry conditions have left many terraces uncultivated, with some fields still planted with maize as farmers wait for rainfall to restore water supplies.”
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN CHINA:
“Hundreds of records have fallen so far this month. Today 21 more monthly records, including 6 all time records. Tomorrow temperatures over 50C [122F] in Xinjiang. HISTORIC.”
[Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2079215445110854030
“Shanghai battles widespread flooding after thunderstorms.
“Shanghai roads were flooded after thunderstorms brought torrential rain to the city on Sunday. More than 200mm (7.9 inch) of rain fell within five hours in Yangpu district, inundating underground supermarkets and malls.”
https://www.scmp.com/video/china/3361285/shanghai-battles-widespread-flooding-after-thunderstorm
“HISTORIC HEAT WAVE IN JAPAN:
“Japan is living one of its most extraordinary heat waves in history with dozens of records smashed every single day. 243 stations >35C [95F] today !
Last Monthly records of High Max and High Mins: those of Kamigori and Tsuyama are also all time records.” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2079106838717501704
“Japanese firms sell ‘fridges for humans’ to cope with heatwave.
“With temperatures in Japan nudging 38C and the government issuing heatstroke alerts, two Japanese companies have teamed up to create a solution to the extreme heat – a human refrigerator.”
“Never ending record heat in THAILAND:
“More records of July highest Temperature: Max. 36.7 [98.1F] Suvannaphum Airport; high Minimum: 29.0 Tak. Records have been falling in Thailand no-stop since early 2023.” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2078785277930197228
“Several areas in Petaling Jaya were hit by flash floods following heavy rain for about two hours this afternoon [Malaysia].
“The incident marked the third time the food court had been inundated, following similar occurrences on April 20 and May 6.”
“Australian ski resorts smash July climate records with temperatures 12C above average.
“Ski areas of Mount Hotham and Falls Creek set July records for their hottest daytime and night-time temperatures and Thredbo also set a new hottest July day, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.”
“Antarctica [very nearly] breaks decade-long cold record with Earth’s lowest temperature.
“Concordia Station, perched high on the Antarctic plateau, plunged to 119 degrees below zero (−84.1 degrees Celsius) on July 18. According to reports, that’s the lowest temperature recorded anywhere on Earth since 2012, and it came within half a degree of Concordia’s all-time record.”
“Chile declares state of emergency over deadly rainfall.
“At least 10 people have died… The “increasingly serious” conditions prompted President Jose Antonio Kast to declare a state of emergency in the affected areas on Monday, he announced to the press.”
“SOUTH AMERICA RECORD HEAT:
“PARAGUAY HOTTEST JULY NIGHT EVER 41.6 Pozo Hondo (Sinarame); HOTTEST JULY DAY IN ARGENTINA (semi-official) 38.5 Rivadavia… HOTTEST JULY DAY IN URUGUAY… 41.6 [106.9F] Pozo Hondo (Sinarame).” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2078976228057309474
“Absolutely insane winter heat wave in ARGENTINA. In the coldest month of the year, the city of Salta [26C / 78.8F] had its HOTTEST NIGHT IN HISTORY for any month, beating the record of summer hottest month by 4C!
“This is one of the most incredible and anomalous events in world climatic history.” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2078772143282700757
“From rivers to mangroves, microplastics are contaminating the Amazon…
“In a single lake in eastern Manaus, researchers found microplastics in the intestines of half the jaraquis — the most consumed fish in Amazonas state. The contamination is related to irregular waste disposal and lack of sewage collection and treatment, which allow household residues to flow directly into water bodies.”
“Tropical Storm Bertha threatens US Gulf coast…
“The storm could trigger flooding and storm surges in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi as it drifts west towards Texas. Some areas could receive 8in (20cm) of rain by Friday, and “isolated” tornados could spawn in Florida, say forecasters.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqjxzzdrl4lo
“Officials in Santa Cruz County say days of heavy rainfall caused deadly flooding in the sister cities of Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Mexico over the weekend.
“Santa Cruz County Undersheriff Gerardo Castillo said search crews were dispatched late last week after bystanders reported seeing a woman in the Nogales Wash, which flows from the Sonoran side into the U.S.”
“Couple and 3 sons killed in flash flooding at scenic Utah canyon.
“The bodies of five family members have been recovered from a southern Utah canyon after heavy rains triggered flash floods on Friday, according to local authorities. The victims include a fire captain from Provo, Utah, his wife and their three sons…”
“Is the Colorado River in a climate doom loop?
“….a new scientific study by the group, Tell The Dam Truth, describes how the massive damming of the Colorado River is a source of greenhouse gas emissions. Not only do the reservoirs and hydropower turbines themselves emit GHGs, but the dry-up of two million acres of wetlands in the Colorado River Delta in Mexico, caused by the dams, is the biggest source of GHG emissions in the whole system.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/ripple/2026/07/20/colorado-river-climate-doom-loop/
“‘People are literally swimming’: New York City paralyzed by flash floods as water pours into subways.
“Parts of New York City were left underwater on Saturday as heavy thunderstorms triggered flash flooding across the metropolitan area, disrupting subway lines and grounding hundreds of flights ahead of the World Cup final.”
“More than 200K acres burn across Oregon.
“More than 200,000 acres were burning across Oregon on Monday as firefighters continued battling multiple major wildfires across the state, using a brief break in the weather to strengthen containment lines before hotter, drier conditions return.”
https://www.koin.com/news/wildfires/more-than-200k-acres-burn-across-oregon-what-to-know/
“Canada issues air quality warnings over US wildfire smoke after Trump tariff threat…
“Officials in the Canadian province of British Columbia warned in an alert on Saturday evening that smoke from US fires, spurred on by thousands of lightning strikes in the north-east, was creating smoky conditions as polluted air drifted north.”
“Kimberley, B.C., city of about 9,000, placed under evacuation alert as nearby out-of-control wildfire grows.
“The alert covers all properties within Kimberley’s municipal boundaries, affecting roughly 9,000 people. Residents are not being ordered to leave but are being told to prepare in case conditions worsen.”
“Rapidly thawing permafrost is acidifying streams across North America…
“Thawing permafrost means acidic groundwater can seep through the soil and react with water, oxygen and soils or bedrock containing sulphide minerals. The chemical reactions resulting from this interaction produce springs containing acid and metals.”
“July could end as the wettest on record, with more rain heading our way…
“Nearly an inch of rain fell across Anchorage Sunday, with very little dry time experienced. While yesterday evening provided some relief from the rain, more widespread activity returned overnight and into this morning. Today is shaping up to be similar to Sunday, in that most of the day will keep rain in the forecast.”
“As of July 19th update, the Nino 3.4 sea-surface temperature is now more than 3.7 standard deviations above the 1991-2020 mean.
“With the warming just getting started, this El Nino is still in charted territory, but just barely.” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/2079267919532560855
“So says CFSv2 on July 18, 2026:
“The peak Nino 3.4 sea-surface temperature anomaly is now forecast to be 4.28°C above the 1991-2020 baseline. The Climate 8-ball is taking the Under.” [Prof Eliots Jacobson]
https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/2078827888435204175
“From ‘Super El Niño’ to Europe’s extreme heatwave: How this year’s weather shocks are rattling commodity markets.
“Markets are underestimating the impact of climate volatility across asset classes, commodity strategists warn… Investment strategists say that the higher temperatures, drought, heavy rainfall and other extreme weather events resulting from El Niño are set to upend bets on commodity assets.”
“I can’t state this enough: Our estimates of high climate sensitivity are based on the best estimates of available observations.
“There is a high probability (from a risk perspective) that climate sensitivity is even higher than our seemingly ‘higher’ (than e.g. IPCC’s +3°C for 2xCO₂) estimates. Uncertainty is rarely our friend, with relation to climate change.” [Prof Jim Hansen collaborator, Leon Simons]
https://x.com/LeonSimons8/status/2078760901533188155
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You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
Another choke point is choked .
” The Kiev regime, by carrying out strikes on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), is seeking to further destabilize the situation on global oil markets, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a commentary. ”
https://tass.com/politics/2162673
I think this is more an indirect consequence than a motive, Ravi, as there is no obvious strategic benefit to Ukraine in destabilizing global oil markets. In fact, Ukraine depends heavily on continued financial and military aid from countries whose economies would be negatively affected by higher energy prices.
Here’s a very sober overview assessment of the 2026 Godzilla El Nino from a gentleman in Massachusetts confined to a wheelchair because of rare neuropathy:
https://www.4hunger.org/p/scorched-harvest-the-strongest-el
What happened to the promise of humanity? Gone forever?
And to prove that maybe the youth in the US aren’t so beaten down by corporate propaganda:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/136507913150251/posts/4090354794432190/
62.9% – now that’s an impressive number of potential C&E readers among the US youth.
And I know Pan-O has to trod a very narrow line of apolitical neutrality as the CEO here, but it’s simply a fact that as of today, the US President’s approval rating in his own party stands at 83%. FFS.
Here’s a good response, in my mind, to all this and all that.
nowtopians.com
Have a great secular day. As KLF asked before before burning a million dollars cash, “What is Love?”
Martin, as you probably know, KLF did that on the neighbouring island of Jura. The locals were… bemused. 😂
That is a great piece on El Nino:
“An El Niño does not destroy one harvest in one place. It reorganizes the rain over half the planet, on a schedule the world’s croplands were never meant to adapt to.”
As I mentioned the other day, if we get a multi-year La Nina afterwards (very likely) the rain is then re-organized again. In other words, global food production now faces sustained pressure.
“The projected rate of climate change based on the type of gradualism indicated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change outstrips the adaptive response of vertebrates by a factor of 10,000 times. Closer to Homo sapiens, mammals cannot evolve fast enough to escape the current extinction crisis. Humans are vertebrate mammals. To believe that our species can avoid extinction, even as non-human vertebrates and non-human mammals disappear, is classic human hubris wrapped in a warm blanket of myth-based human supremacy.”
“Even tardigrades, the go-to survivor for those who deny the impacts of abrupt climate change on life, are unlikely to survive, according to a paper in the January 9th, 2020 issue of Scientific Reports. If the organisms on which we depend do not survive, if even tardigrades do not survive, then humans will not survive.” – https://guymcpherson.com/edge-of-extinction-weve-been-warned/
The Inferior Apes new motto; “Fuck the tardigrades.”