“Last month was worst July for wildfires on record, say scientists… Last month was the world’s worst July for wildfires since at least 2003 when satellite records began, scientists have said, as swaths of North America, Siberia, Africa and southern Europe continue to burn.
“Driven by extreme heat and prolonged drought, the ignition of forests and grasslands released 343 megatonnes of carbon, about a fifth higher than the previous global peak for July, which was set in 2014.
““This stands out by a clear margin,” said Mark Parrington, a senior scientist in the EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service…”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/06/last-month-worst-july-wildfires-since-2003
“The World Has Been On Fire For the Past Month. Here’s What It Looks Like.
“Flames light up hillsides in British Columbia. Smoke swells over highways into Athens. A swimming pool in California is surrounded by charred rubble. Thick forests in Siberia lie shriveled and brown.” Photos: https://time.com/6087748/wildfires-around-the-world-photos/
“Wettest summer in Netherlands history.
“This summer was the wettest since weather recordings started in the Netherlands. In the past months, there were 15 days on which 50 millimeters [approx 2 inches] or more rain fell somewhere in the country, breaking the previous record of 14 super wet days in 2006, meteorologist Rico Schroder said on the Weerplaza site.”
https://nltimes.nl/2021/08/06/wettest-summer-netherlands-history
“Germany’s wine country counts cost of devastating summer floods…
“Peter Kriechel, head of the Ahrwein trade association, pointed to empty spaces in the village where vineyards once stood.
“July 2021 in Hungary was the hottest July on record.
“With a nationwide average temperature of 23.8C [74.8F] and an anomaly of 2.3C above the 91-20 baseline…
“The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) announced that Sudan is experiencing a massive wave of floodsdue to heavy seasonal rains, and expected that the rain will extend to southern Egypt in the coming days.
“The EMA said that the competent authorities in Sudan issued weather warnings in the country over the next few days and expects serious flooding.” https://www.egyptindependent.com/ema-warns-of-floods-in-sudan-heavy-rain-in-southern-egypt/
“4th August was another scorching day in the Caucasus.
“Temperatures reached 45.0C [113F] at Isatai in Kazakhstan. The city of Uralsk (also known as Yaitsk), which is geographically in Europe recorded 42.3C [108.1F], its hottest day on record. In Russia 42.1C at Komsomol’ Skij.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1423244895649685508
“Drought compounds humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan as conflict intensifies.
“Millions of Afghans are struggling to put food on the table as prolonged drought disrupts supplies in a country reeling from a surge in violence as U.S.-led foreign troops complete their withdrawal.” https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/drought-compounds-humanitarian-crisis-afghanistan-conflict-intensifies-2021-08-06/
“Six-fold rise in Maharashtra [India] extreme floods in last 50 years: Analysis.
“While extreme floods have hit the country, killing a large number of people, scientific analysis has revealed that there has been a six-fold increase in the frequency of extreme flood events in Maharashtra in the last 50 years.
More than 10.23 million people in the state continue to be exposed to the catastrophic event.”
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/6-fold-rise-in-maha-extreme-floods-in-last-50-years-analysis/articleshow/85084733.cms
“Ladakh glacier retreating, may influence summer and winter pattern.
“Establishing with observations that the Pensilungpa Glacier is retreating due to an increase in the temperature and decrease in precipitation during winters, a study shows how it is possible that the precipitation of summer periods at higher altitudes will change from snow to rain, and that may influence the summer and winter pattern.” https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/schools/ladakh-glacier-retreating-may-influence-summer-and-winter-pattern-293937
“The climate crisis is pushing up temperatures in China at a rate faster than the global average and triggering extreme weather events more frequently, a new government report said this week.
“From 1951 to 2020, the average annual surface temperature in China showed a significant upward trend…” https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-warming-up-faster-than-the-world-govt-report-101628248138867.html
“Typhoon Lupit makes second landfall in southeast China’s Fujian.
“Typhoon Lupit made its second landfall on Thursday in east China’s Fujian Province, bringing heavy downpours and forcing the evacuation of thousands… This was just hours after the ninth typhoon this year landed in the city of Shantou, in south China’s Guangdong Province…” https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202108/1230780.shtml
“Extremely heavy rain advisories issued for 14 cities and counties [Taiwan]…
“In Miaoli, Taichung, Yunlin and Tainan, torrential rainfall of over 350 mm [13.8 inches] in a 24-hour period is expected, while in Nantou, Chiayi County, Kaohsiung and Pingtung, rainfall totals could reach extremely torrential levels of over 500 mm [19.7 inches], the bureau said.”
https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202108070003
“More than 1,100 homes in North Korea were damaged, thousands of people evacuated and farms and roads washed away after days of heavy rains brought flooding, state media reported.
“The reports come as concern grows about damage to crops and the possible impact on food supplies in North Korea, which is cut off from most foreign imports and aid…”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/06/north-korea-homes-wreckeddamaged-and-and-bridges-washed-away-in-floods
“Japan Endless Heat Wave: 6th August saw dozens monthly records beaten and several more absolute records for any month. (see table, courtesy of JMA).
“The oldest POR station which beat its all time record today is Tottori with 39.2C /102.5F (prev. 39.1C in 1994). More records to come!”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1423636675721408519
“Drought hits South America river, threatening vast ecosystem.
“The Paraná River, one of the main commercial waterways in South America, has reached its lowest level in nearly 80 years due to a prolonged drought in Brazil that scientists attribute to climate change.” https://www.independent.co.uk/news/drought-hits-south-america-river-threatening-vast-ecosystem-argentina-brazil-south-america-paraguay-minas-gerais-b1898311.html
“Brazil forest fire season underway and raising concern.
“The season of Brazilian forest fires has begun, and early data plus severe drought is sparking concern that nationwide destruction in 2021 will stay at the high levels recorded in the past two years, despite efforts to tamp down the blazes.” https://www.independent.co.uk/news/brazil-forest-fire-season-underway-and-raising-concern-amazon-brazil-jair-bolsonaro-rio-de-janeiro-new-jersey-b1897856.html
“‘It’s getting dire’: Drought-stricken California tourist town resorts to porta potties and water deliveries by train to survive…
““The town in general is in terrible, terrible shape,” Helen Mackenzie, manager of the town’s Blair Inn, told The Independent. “Over 25 percent of the wells in town have gone dry. Everybody in the village of Mendocino is on a well. A lot of businesses are already having to haul water in.””
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/california-drought-mendocino-water-supply-b1897901.html
“California shuts down major hydroelectric plant amid record-low water levels at Lake Oroville… The loss of power could fuel rolling blackouts as the state struggles with a historic drought and record-breaking heat waves.
““This is just one of many unprecedented impacts we are experiencing in California as a result of our climate-induced drought,” said Karla Nemeth, director of the state’s water resources department.”
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/06/california-shuts-down-major-hydroelectric-plant-amid-severe-drought.html
“West Nile virus: another alarming side effect of US drought…
““During drought, the water levels in pipes and pits and ponds drop, and the water is more likely to get stagnant,” t Cameron Webb, a medical entomologist and senior investigator with the Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology said. “Fish die along with other animals that live in these systems, and the mosquitoes have free rein.””
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/aug/06/drought-west-nile-virus-human-health
“Climate Change Is Hitting [American] Farmers Hard. Insurance claims for crop losses are soaring.
“Sweltering temperatures exacerbated by climate change dealt a multibillion-dollar blow to U.S. farmers and the public insurance program that shields them from devastating losses. Those costs threaten to take a toll on the domestic agriculture sector and American taxpayers…”
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/climate-change-is-hitting-farmers-hard/
“4th August was a very hot day in Western USA/Canada/Alaska.
“Monthly records of temperatures were set as far north at Kotzebue, Alaska with 80F/26.7C (tied record)…
“Nome, Alaska Sees Second Rainiest Week Since The Fall Of 1935…
“Last week’s deluge, which began July 24 and lasted through August 1, earns the distinction of being the second highest 7-day rainfall on record, says Climate Specialist Rick Thoman with UAF’s Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy.”
http://www.nomenugget.com/news/nome-sees-second-rainiest-week-fall-1935
“Major Atlantic Current May Be On The Verge Of Collapse, Scientists Warn.
“The study, which appeared in the journal Nature Climate Change, found several signs that Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), of which the Gulf Stream is a part, is slowing down and might be about to collapse.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/08/05/major-atlantic-current-may-be-on-the-verge-of-collapse-scientists-warn/?sh=c08da3647aa0
“Reduce methane or face climate catastrophe, scientists warn. Cutting carbon dioxide is not enough to solve the climate crisis – the world must act swiftly on another powerful greenhouse gas, methane, to halt the rise in global temperatures, experts have warned.
“Leading climate scientists will give their starkest warning yet – that we are rushing to the brink of climate catastrophe – in a landmark [IPCC] report on Monday.”
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/06/reduce-methane-or-face-climate-catastrophe-scientists-warn
“Almost all emperor penguins will die if no changes made to greenhouse gas emissions, study warns… Emperor penguins rely on sea ice as a breeding platform, and for feeding…
“Emperor penguins were highly adapted to life on the ice, meaning if their habitat disappeared, the birds would disappear with it,” said Australian Antarctic Division seabird ecologist Barbara Wienecke, who co-authored the paper…” https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-06/emperor-penguin-population-under-threat-from-climate-change/100354946
“‘Nature has ceased to trust us’… The Indigenous Arctic peoples losing their home and heritage to the climate breakdown…
““…the changes are happening too quickly, and we do not have time to adapt to them. What used to happen over decades can now happen within one or two years. Nature always loves balance. Therefore, [the old people] say we have lost the trust of nature. The way we dealt with her led to this.””
“These are the words of Viacheslav Ivanovich Shadrin, chairman of the Yukaghir Elders.”
https://theecologist.org/2021/aug/05/nature-has-ceased-trust-us
You can read the previous ‘Climate’ thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an ‘Economic’ thread.
“Record-breaking winter winds have blown large swathes of old Arctic sea ice into warmer waters, putting them at high risk of melting this summer, study warns.
“The perennial ice, which is less prone to melting than new ice and has survived for at least one year, helps keep the Earth cool by reflecting sunlight.
It is also a vital part of the habitat of animals such as polar bears and seals. But its coverage has reduced by about 50 per cent since 1984 and is currently at its lowest on record for this time of year.”
“Phytoplankton blooms hint at changing Arctic waters…
“…recent research has found that coccolithophore blooms are occupying increasingly more space in the Barents Sea. Between 1998 and 2016, coccolithophore summer blooms have expanded poleward and their surface area in the Barents Sea has doubled.”
“A polar bear [Greenland] forced to search new areas for food because of its habitat melting in a heatwave may be killed after it injured humans.
“Hungry polar bears have been wandering further than usual in search of something to eat as Greenland hits temperatures of up to 23.4°C [74.12F]. The record-breaking heat has brought one particular polar bear too close to humans and it has been involved in five separate incidents.”
“Russia Sees Record Wildfire Spread as Siberian Blazes Rage On.
“Colossal forest fires have now devastated 13.4 million hectares of land — an area roughly the size of Greece — in Russia so far in 2021, Greenpeace wrote, citing official data… This year’s wildfires have hit particularly hard in Sakha…”
“Deadly tornado spins across Russian town destroying 1,500 homes and killing three.
“The tornado was filmed by frightened locals in the town of Andreapol in the western Russian region of Tver Oblast on August 2. The tornado reportedly damaged 1,500 homes and upended hundreds of trees.”
“[In 2020] Germany recorded a sharp increase in damaged trees due to drought and parasite infestation as a new record high of 75 percent of logged timber came from damaged trees last year, the Federal Statistical Office said Wednesday.
“According to Destatis, 60.1 million cubic meters of damaged timber was logged last year, which was almost five times higher than in 2015.”
“Devastated by historic floods last month, Germany is now left with waste piles equivalent to a whole year’s worth of refuse.
“”There’s not been anything like it in Germany,” Sascha Hurtenbach, director of the waste management center in Niederzissen, tells Agence France-Presse (AFP), while behind him diggers work to reduce the size of the mounds of debris.”
“When people think of countries facing water crises and water shortages, Belgium is probably not the first to come to mind, especially considering the floods that affected the country on 14 and 15 July.
“However, for the last few years, Belgium has faced a water scarcity problem that has a lot to do with the very issue that, in part, caused the floods: climate change.“
“Heat waves to drastically worsen in Northern Hemisphere, studies warn…
“As global temperatures have increased, extreme heat events in the Northern Hemisphere have occurred with greater frequency and intensity. Deadly, record-crushing heat waves have scorched parts of the United States, Europe and the Arctic in just the past two decades.”
“Hottest temperature [in Greece] on Tuesday clocks in at 47.1C [116.8F], as heatwave continues [close to Europe’s all-time heat record of 48C / 118.4].
“The town of Langadas, near Thessaloniki in northern Greece, recorded the country’s highest temperature on Tuesday, clocking in at a sweltering 47.1 degrees Celsius… In the Greek capital, the highest temperature of the day, 45C, was recorded in the industrial zones of Aspropyrgos and Acharnon.”
“With a 24 hours minimum temperature of 35.2C [95.4F] Plakias, in the island of Crete, just recorded the highest ever minimum temperature in August in the whole Europe.”
“Greek firefighters battle ‘raging’ forest fire near Athens.
““Thank God we haven’t had any loss of human life so far,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said after he toured the affected area on Wednesday, calling the fire a “nightmare” situation. The government will provide hotel rooms for evacuees until they are able to return to their homes.”
“‘Everything is destroyed’: Villagers tell of wreckage as wildfires ravage Greek island of Rhodes.
“As wildfires continue to rage on the Greek island of Rhodes, many residents have been left without electricity and water as fire threatened the Valley Of The Butterflies, a military base, and the village of Psinthos, all of which have been evacuated.”
“Istanbul breaks water consumption record in scorching heat.
“Istanbul’s water utility agency announced that over 3.4 million cubic meters of water had been supplied to Turkey’s most crowded city Tuesday, the highest in its history.”
“Turkish town evacuated as wildfire reaches coal power station.
“A coal-fired power station in south-west Turkey and nearby town on the Aegean Sea were evacuated late on Wednesday as a deadly wildfire reached inside the plant… The defence ministry said it was evacuating villagers by sea as bright balls of orange flame tore through the hills encircling the plant.”
“Massive forest fire near Jerusalem drives residents from homes… A nearby commercial center with a gas station was also cleared of people.
““It seems it was not the weather that started the fire, but there is no doubt it is accelerating it and making it bigger,” Dedi Simchi told Kan, noting there had been no reports of lightning during the day.”
“Heavy rains and flooding in Yemen have affected at least 28,000 people, according to initial estimates released by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Wednesday…
“Meanwhile, more than half of Yemenis are facing crisis levels of food insecurity, and five million people are just one step away from famine.”
“Severe rain triggered flooding in seven provinces of Iran, which has claimed five lives, spokesman or the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has announced…
“Over the last two years, Iran was doused with rain which was unprecedented during the past 50 years, but last year, unfortunately, the country faced drought, which shows a 40 percent decrease in rainfall.”
“Even the wettest place on earth is starting to run dry. Indian region with world’s highest annual rainfall suffers from impact of deforestation…
“Over the years water scarcity has been exacerbated by growing deforestation, which has reduced water retention in the soil. Wider climate change-linked factors have also contributed to less rainfall.”
“23 dead in India’s West Bengal floods… The flood situation in six districts of West Bengal deteriorated on Tuesday, with at least 23 people killed and thousands left homeless or marooned.”
“Lightning strikes kill 16 at Bangladesh wedding. Several lightning bolts hit a Bangladesh wedding party within a few seconds Wednesday, killing 16 people and injuring the groom, officials said…
“Fierce monsoon storms have battered Bangladesh. A week of torrential rains in the southeastern district of Cox’s Bazar left some 20 dead, including six Rohingya refugees.”
“Chinese researchers have found that albedo reduction was an important driver of glacier melting on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its surrounding areas.
“The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as “the water tower of Asia,” houses abundant glaciers vital to the regional water cycle and water resources in downstream areas.
“The glaciers have been shrinking in recent years, mostly due to global warming.”
“China Typhoons Pose Latest Supply-Chain Threat as Ports Shut.
“Extreme weather in China is becoming the latest challenge to global supply chains, as a heavy typhoon season threatens to further delay goods stuck at some of the world’s busiest container ports.”
“Get the ice ready: Marathons in Sapporo [Japan] face record heat wave.
“As of Aug. 3, out of 173 meteorological observation points in Hokkaido, 68 locations marked their highest temperatures on record this summer, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.”
“New Zealand has just experienced its warmest June and July since records began in 1909 and is on track for its second successive warmest winter on record.
“Data from NIWA… showed on Thursday that the temperature for the past two months was an extremely high 1.53 degrees Celsius above the long-term average.”
“With a max. temperature of 50.4C [122.72F] Mexicali beat the record of the highest temperature in August in Mexico which was set just 1 year ago with 50.2C at the same place. Nearest station of Ejido Nuevo Leon was 48.2C.”
“A day after breaking another record in what has already been a historically hot summer, Palm Springs, as well as two other Coachella Valley cities, saw temperatures again reach record daily highs Wednesday.
“The thermometer in Palm Springs soared to 122 degrees Wednesday afternoon… falling just shy of its all-time record of 123.”
“For the first time in 122 years of record-keeping, drought covers almost the entire Western U.S. as measured by the Palmer Drought Severity Index, said Richard Heim, a drought historian and an author of the U.S. Drought Monitor.”
“Millers, bakers fret as drought withers North America’s spring wheat…
“U.S. and Canadian farmers are bracing for a sharply smaller spring wheat harvest due to the driest conditions in decades, as severe weather damages crops across the hemisphere, from heat scorching cherries in the U.S. Pacific Northwest to frost chilling sugarcane in Brazil.”
“Farmers Race to Save Their Cattle From Canada’s Drought…
“Field after field of ranchlands that keep the cattle fed have been stunted, parched or mowed down by an infestation of grasshoppers, with farmers running out of alternatives for food. Many rural municipalities in the provinces of Manitoba and Alberta have declared an agricultural emergency.”
“July was the wettest month on record for Kotzebue, Alaska…
““Western Alaska has just been stuck between those two high pressure systems,” said Rick Thoman, a climatologist with the International Arctic Research Center in Fairbanks. “In the atmosphere between two high pressure systems, you have low pressure.”
“Increase in extreme precipitation in the northeast caused by Atlantic variability and climate change. Recent record-breaking rainfall across the northeastern United States is part of a larger trend.
“From Maine to West Virginia, the Northeast has seen an abrupt increase in extreme precipitation.”
“Atlantic hurricane season is about to ramp up dramatically, as NOAA boosts forecast…
“After a record start to Atlantic hurricane season in May and June, tropical storminess shut down in mid-July. But signs point to a dramatic ramp-up in activity in the next two weeks, with a number of named storms likely to develop in August and an increasing potential for U.S. impacts.”
“Major floods hit Trinidad. Flash floods have destroyed parts of Trinidad after heavy rainfall and thunderstorms hit the island yesterday.
“The flooding left a trail of devastation across the north west of the Caribbean island. Shortly after 2.30pm local time, the excessive rain caused landslides from the steep hillsides.”
“Last month was the third hottest July on record, behind only 2019 and 2016, with unusually high temperatures seen in regions from Finland to the United States, EU scientists said on Thursday.
“It is the latest milestone in a long-term warming trend that saw the last seven years rank as the world’s hottest on record, as emissions of greenhouse gases change the planet’s climate.”
“Siberian heatwave led to new methane emissions, study says…
““I would have expected elevated methane concentration in wetlands, or where the soils are very thick… but it was very surprising that we saw elevated methane in the area with the rock,” the paper’s lead author, Professor Nikolaus Froitzheim told iNews.
““The question is where does this additional methane come from? It must come from below. The only likely explanation is that this is deep gas, natural gas from reservoirs.”“
“Devastating scenes of dark-red skies, and the Sun completely blocked by smog from wildfires are coming today from the Siberian Republic of Sakha.
“Russia’s largest territory, used to be known as the Kingdom of Permafrost is turning into the Capital of Wildfires with this summer catastrophic forest infernos engulfing two million hectares of territory.”
“Russian Arctic losing billions of tons of ice as climate warms.
Glaciers and ice caps in two archipelagos in the Russian Arctic are losing enough meltwater to fill nearly five million Olympic-size swimming pools each year, research shows… Warming of the Arctic Ocean appears to play a key role in accelerating ice loss from two large groups of islands that border the Kara Sea, researchers say.”
“…in Scotland and Northern Ireland July overall was much drier and sunnier than normal. In fact it has been so dry this summer that there are severe water shortages in parts of Scotland.”
“Belgian rail line out of action for another week following floods.
“Since severe floods damaged large parts of the Wallonian rail network two weeks ago, the North Sea-Mediterranean Corridor through Belgium has been blocked. This line is an important rail freight corridor connecting the ports of Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Ghent with the south of Europe.”
“Mediterranean Heat Wave: Another historical day in Albania. 1st August the capital Tirana jumped to 42.2C [108F], tying its highest temperature ever (6 July 1988).
“New all time high at Durres with 40.2C. Few days ago all time highs also at Elbasan with 42.5C and Peshkopi (657m) with 38.6C.”
“Tourists evacuated from Pescara as Italy records more than 800 wildfires.
“At least five people have been wounded and holidaymakers evacuated after wildfires devastated a pine wood near a beach in Pescara, Italy, as one of the worst heatwaves in decades swept across south-east Europe.”
“‘It was raining ashes’: Thousands flee as wildfires devastate Turkish coast.
“Eight people have been killed and more than 10,000 evacuated after wildfires ravaged southern Turkey, in the latest extreme weather event to hit Europe this summer. Almost 120 fires erupted in 32 towns…”
“Heat Wave Grips Israel and the Climate Models Are Melting.
“Heatwave-stricken Israel is still cooler than Canada and Siberia were in June, because global warming is changing reality in ways we can’t predict and didn’t expect yet.”
“2nd August was record hot in Qatar with the temperature reaching 49C [120.2F] at Sudanthile, a new record for August, 0.4C above the previous record set at the Doha International Airport in 2009. [But still not as hot as Lytton, Canada in June.]
“Africa’s most populous city [Lagos] is battling floods and rising seas. It may soon be unlivable, experts warn.
“Residents of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, are used to the yearly floods that engulf the coastal city during the months of March to November. In mid-July, however, the major business district of Lagos Island experienced one of its worst floods in recent years. “It was very bad, and unusual,” Eselebor Oseluonamhen, 32 told CNN.”
“Flooding Kills 7 in South Sudan’s Unity State, Official Says…
“Mayendit County Commissioner Gatluak Nyang told VOA’s South Sudan in Focus that heavy rains had intensified over the past few weeks. Seven people died of drowning, and 17 people have been bitten by snakes, Nyang said.”
“Death toll in Afghanistan floods tops 100, dozens still missing… The death toll from this week’s flooding in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Nuristan has risen to at least 113, with dozens of people still missing, officials said.
“Rescue operations were still under way on Sunday, days after heavy rains overwhelmed Kamdesh district…”
“China floods death toll rises to 302 with 50 people still missing. Authorities in Henan province more than triple the confirmed number of people killed in disaster…
“Zhengzhou’s mayor, Hou Hong, said 39 people were found dead in underground car parks…”
“Extreme torrential rain brought by a southwesterly jet stream yesterday wreaked havoc in central and southern Taiwan, causing flash floods and triggering mudflows and landslides in mountainous areas.
“By 5pm yesterday, the Central Weather Bureau’s observation station in Yuyoushan in Kaohsiung’s Liouguei District had registered accumulated rainfall of 726.5mm [28.6 inches] since 12am on Saturday…”
“North Korea warns of torrential rain after weeks of drought.
“North Korea said the country must prepare for typhoons and potential flooding in August after weeks of record-high temperatures that may have damaged cropsJong In Nam, director of Pyongyang’s Ministry of Agriculture, said in the same article that the rice harvest “could suffer setbacks”…”
“Parts of Northern Japan experienced the hottest July on record!
“In Sapporo, the monthly average temperature was 23.9C [75.02F], which is 2.8C higher than normal. It was the highest since record-keeping began in 1877.”
“Record wildfire burns amid drought on Hawaii’s Big Island…
“Even though Hawaii has a wet, tropical climate that isn’t typically at risk from large fires, blazes could become more frequent as climate change-related weather patterns intensify.”
“Utilities are struggling to keep the lights on as fires, drought plague California.
“The electric grid in the West is being tested like never before amid extreme-weather events, including raging wildfires and severe droughts fueled by climate change. Utility companies are struggling to respond.”
“Palm Springs sees hottest July ever, marking back-to-back months of record temperatures.
“Palm Springs had its hottest July on record this year, marking the second consecutive month that the city saw record-breaking average temperatures, according to the National Weather Service.”
“Salt Lake records hottest month since records began 147 years ago.
“It’s official. July was the hottest month ever recorded at Salt Lake City International Airport. Salt Lake averaged a steamy 85.7 degrees F over the past month, which is the highest recorded temperature since records started in 1874.”
“Carbon offsets going up in smoke as company-linked forests burn.[Oh, the irony!]
“Forests in the US that generate the carbon offsets bought by companies including BP and Microsoft are on fire as summer blazes rage in North America. Corporate net-zero emission pledges rely on such projects to compensate for the carbon dioxide they generate…”
“‘I haven’t seen anything like this’: Washington wheat growers face low yields in record drought year… The record drought’s effects may linger into the next wheat planting season as well.
““There’s no moisture left in the soil; we’re sucked out and it’s all gone,” Aaron Carter said. “Even if we get normal rain in the fall and winter, we’re going into the driest soil we’ve ever had.””
“No relief for hottest and driest areas of the corn belt. Drought conditions likely to worsen in August…
“Looking ahead to August, unfortunately, drier-than-normal conditions look to become a bit more widespread across the Corn Belt, and hotter weather will be likely in current drought areas including the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest.”
“Winnipeg set a new record for the driest July since records began nearly 150 years ago in 1873.
“Rob Paola, a retired Environment Canada meteorologist who still follows weather and weather history in southern Manitoba, says the Winnipeg airport recorded 8.5 millimetres of rain this past July, when the 30-year average is 75.8 millimetres.”
“New record highs in the Yukon and NWT [Canada] on this 2nd day of August.
“The NW winds allowed the usual lake cooling to stay off of Yellowknife, which reached a new all-time high of 32.6°C [90.7F]! (previous 32.5°C Aug 16, 1989).”
“Salmon shortages in Yukon River raise food security concerns as winter looms.
“The reason for the low levels of kings and chum salmon on the Yukon are unknown. “Hypotheses include warming waters from climate change, the proliferation of hatchery fish, and commercial fishing practices in the Bering Sea…””
“Greenland’s ice sheet faces ‘massive melting,’ researchers say. A record-breaking heatwave in Greenland that has seen temperatures more than 10 degrees above seasonal norms caused a “massive melting event” of the island’s ice sheet, Danish researchers reported.
“Since Wednesday, the ice sheet covering the vast Arctic territory has melted by around 8 billion tons a day, twice its normal average rate…”
“Turkish fires sweeping through tourist areas are the hottest on record… The heat intensity of wildfires in Turkey on Thursday was four times higher than anything on record for the nation, according to satellite data passed on to the Guardian.
“At least four people were killed by blazes that swept through the tourist regions of Antalya and Muğla, forcing thousands of holidaymakers to be evacuated from their hotels by a flotilla of boats.”
“Cyprus is sweltering under a sustained heatwave, which could last more than ten days, with maximum temperatures expected to soar to 44 degrees Celsius [111.2F] next week…
“In comments to the Financial Mirror, weather observer Eric Kitas said… Greece and Turkey could be in for their hottest days on record.” [Turkey just had its hottest day on record, so this would be pretty remarkable.]
“Welcome to global warming… Greece warns against unnecessary work as temperatures soar…
“”We are constantly recording maximum record temperatures all these years, which means that climate change is here,” said Stavros Solomos, researcher at the Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology of the Academy of Athens.”
“Mediterranean Heat Wave: Exceptional hot day at Kalymnos Island, Greece.
“The station of NOA (University of Athens) recorded a 24 hours minimum temperature of +32.7C [90.9F] on 29 July. This is arguably the highest 24 hours min. in Greeceand only 0.5C from the European highest Tmin of July.”
“Yorkshire skipper’s yacht ‘attacked’ by pod of killer whales in terrifying encounter off the coast of Spain…
“The encounter with the jet-black marine mammals, also called orcas, happened last Wednesday (Jul 21) on what Mr Samples said was a lovely, sunny afternoon.” [These attacks have become quite the phenomenon. Anyone know what might be causing them?!]
“Champagne growers struggle in one of the wettest summers on record. The rain gauges have been overflowing in Maxime Toubart’s vineyards and that is bad news for his champagne vintage.
“He says his corner of France has seen 300 mm [12 inches] of rain over the past two months, 10 times what he would normally expect…”
“Growing patches of coloured snow in the French Alps could be a sign of the impact climate change is having in the mountains.
“…when the snow algae grow prolifically and are exposed to strong solar radiation, they produce red-coloured pigment molecules known as carotenoids, which act as a sunshield to protect their chlorophyll.”
“Ireland’s largest fish kill of year linked to heatwave’s water temperatures…
“Dr Milton Matthews, director of the north-western river basin district with Inland Fisheries Ireland, said: “Unfortunately, this is a very significant fish kill affecting several year classes of coarse fish…”
“Finland’s worst wildfire in more than half a century scorched the country’s northwest for a fifth day on Friday, tearing through forests left dry by record summer heat…
“Strong winds blowing flames from treetop to treetop had made the fire in the Kalajoki river valley the country’s second-biggest of all time.”
“U.S. Colorado hit by record-breaking heat waves, mudslides.
“Colorado’s unpredictable 2021 summer weather showcased an extraordinary week, where record hot temperatures were recorded on the state’s flat eastern half, while monsoon-like weather in the mountains triggered record numbers of mudslides.”
“An abnormally stormy week helped push Tucson to its wettest July in history with more than 7 inches of rain falling in the southern Arizona city so far this month.
“Tucson had recorded 7.08 inches of rain as of Wednesday, eclipsing the previous July record of 6.80 inches set in 2017…”
“Drought worsens in California as region faces more triple-digit heat, making it tougher to control the wildfires.
“”There isn’t a ‘normal’ anymore. We need to be prepared for anything,” said Norm McDonald, the incident commander for the Bootleg Fire in Oregon, the nation’s largest blaze, which was ignited in early July and was only 53% contained as of Friday.”
“Pacific Northwest in the grips of another heat wave amid worsening drought…
“Temperatures are skyrocketing yet again in the Pacific Northwest… Drought conditions blanket over 93 percent of the Pacific Northwest, a 38 percent leap from just three months ago, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.”
“Heavy frost in Argentina on 29 July: the almost tropical town of Formosa (26N) not far from the Paraguayan border, dropped to -2.5C [27.5F] ,its coldest temperature on record.
“4 days ago it was baking with 33C [91.4F]. -7.4C [18.7F] at Presidencia RS Pena (also 26N), monthly record. It was 34.6C [94.3F] 4 days ago!”
“Brazil gets snow and ice, surprising residents… Brazilians braced themselves for the coldest day of the year on Friday after some locals in southern regions saw snow for the first time…
“While it gave some people the possibility of making their first snowmen, fears have grown that essential export crops like coffee, sugar cane and oranges could be damaged by frost.“
“Brazil’s water crisis adds to world’s supply-chain misery. Drought is making one of Brazil’s most important river systems unnavigable, making it more challenging and costly for the commodities powerhouse to get grains and iron ore out to global markets.
“The Parana River Basin in central Brazil is experiencing its worst water crisis in 91 years, according to the national grid operator…”
“Flooding and landslides have left thousands of refugees cut off from food supplies in Ituango, the conflict-strewn municipality in north-western Colombia.
“Roads have been blocked by mud and debris after heavy rains, while helicopters have been unable to land. As a result, the delivery of food and medical supplies has been stymied, and communications cut off.”
“New day in Hokkaido, Japan? New records of course! 29th July the coastal town of Wakkanai, quite famous for its long cold and snowy winters, recorded 32.7C [90.9F], pulverizing its all time highest temperature of 31.3C set on 22 August 1946.
“North Korea began the summer in a food crisis. A heatwave and drought could make it worse…
“The heat in North Korea is tied to an unusually intense zone of high pressure over the western Pacific. The “heat dome” — similar to ones that have gripped parts of North America this summer — extends over northeast China, the Korean Peninsula and northern Japan, where numerous record temperatures were set Wednesday.”
“China’s ‘Sponge Cities’ That Absorb Rainwater Pushed Past Limits…
“…experts say the storm that drowned Zhengzhou was more than any city’s drainage system could handle. And because of climate change, these kinds of storms are becoming increasingly common around the world.”
“Bangladesh floods displace more than 21,000 Rohingya refugees.
“Heavy monsoon rains triggered landslides and flash floods in refugee camps displacing thousands of Rohingya Muslims in southeastern Bangladesh this week, UN and other officials said on Friday, with further heavy rainfall expected.”
“’10 times deadlier’: Floods devastate town in India’s Maharashtra…
“At least 209 people are confirmed dead… The floods are reminiscent of a similar catastrophe that hit the region in 2005… But residents in Chiplun, home to about 150,000 people, say the tragedy this year was worse.”
“Intensity of severe cyclonic storms in the North Indian Ocean region showed an increasing trend over the past four decades, the Union ministry of science and technology said…
“The scientists expressed their concern over the impact of global warming due to climate change and its effect on extreme weather events…”
“29th July was a terribly hot day in Muscat, capital of the Sultanate of Oman.
“After a terrible minimum temperature of 38C [100.4F], the maximum reached a July record of 48.0C [118.4F] and once again Muscat beat a monthly record this year.“
“Enough ice melted in Greenland on Tuesday to cover Florida in two inches of water, scientists warn…
“While the number of gigatons lost is not as extreme as in 2019, a record melt year, the overall area of the ice sheet that is shedding mass is actually larger, according to Polar Portal…”
“Climate change: Scientists call for ‘refreezing’ of the Arctic after several ‘never before’ events…
“British scientist Sir David King, chair of the CCAG told Sky News, “We can manage this. I believe we’ve got five years to set in train a whole series of a programme of work. And if we do all of that, we will have a safe future for mankind going well into the next century.”
“Otherwise “we are looking at a situation in the near future that is really too grim to to contemplate,” he said.” [FWIW my feeling on this kind of geo-engineering is why not? We may bump up hard against the law of unintended consequences but it’s not like we have a huge amount to lose at this stage.]
“The images, captured by the US Geological Survey’s (USGS) Landsat 8 satellite on 29 May, showed extensive greenery in former tundra conditions – yet further evidence of global temperature rise.
“Dr Uma Bhatt, an atmospheric science professor at University of Alaska Fairbanks, told The Independent that the explosions of plants and shrubbery, over what is typically a frozen tundra landscape, is linked to sea ice decline as the planet heats up.”
“Last ice-covered parts of summertime Arctic Ocean vulnerable to climate change.
“The study focused on sea ice in August 2020 in the Wandel Sea, an area that once was covered year-round in thick, multi-year ice. Satellite images showed extensive open water and a record low of just 50% sea ice concentration on August 14, 2020…”
“The Arctic Is Now Leaking Out High Concentrations of ‘Forever Chemicals’… Polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) don’t originate in the Arctic, but they do settle there…
“The problem is that the planet warms up, cycles of melting and freezing form pockets of highly saline ocean water, packing PFAS into tiny pools. Eventually, those highly concentrated chemicals are released into general circulation.”
“On 28th July there was another record of highest temperature in Greenland: This time in the eastern coast.
“The station of Danmarkshavn (lat 76N) recorded 19.8C [67.64F], its highest temperature on records. Incredible 23.2C at Constable Pynt (near Scoresbysund) at 70N [73.76F] (but short period of records).”
“A ban has been imposed on hunting trout in Scotland’s longest freshwater loch as a heatwave is causing fish to die a painful death before they can be safely released…
“…at the weekend, a number of large trout suffered unintended painful deaths…”
“UK summers are likely to regularly see temperatures above 40°C even if humanity manages to limit global warming to 1.5°C, meteorologists have warned.
“The UK is already seeing increasingly extreme weather, with 2020 the third warmest, fifth wettest and eighth sunniest year on record – the first to fall into the top 10 for all three variables.”
“Temperatures will hit as high as 43 degrees celsius [109.4F] in southeast Europe, as authorities issue a weather warning ahead of an expected heat wave on Thursday.
“In North Macedonia, health officials have urged a pause in construction work and called for municipal-level initiatives to help the elderly and the homeless. All six of the country’s administrative regions are set to be hit by the rise in temperatures.”
“New 2021 Tmaxes today 28th July in some countries: 42.8C [109.04F] at Gjorokaster, Albania (national all time record under threat in the next days), 42.7C at Danilovgrad in Montenegro, 40.1C [104.18F] at Baile Herculane in Romania.
“In Estonia on 27 July 31.7C [89.06F] at Ristna all time record.”
“Extremely hot temperatures and drought conditions exacerbate European wildfires.
“Extremely hot temperatures and drought conditions worsen conditions to fire European wildfires. CNN Meteorologist Pedram Javaheri has the latest.” [Video]
“Lebanon battles wildfires in country’s north, firefighter dies.
“Raging wildfires have burned large swathes of Lebanon’s pine forests in the mountainous north of the country, killing at least one firefighter and forcing some residents to flee, the National News Agency said on Wednesday.”
“A mother and her son were killed in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad where torrential rains triggered by a cloudburst wreaked havoc.
“Several videos on social media showed floodwater sweeping away cars and other vehicles after it rained heavily in Islamabad and Rawalpindi for hours.”
“Dozens missing and seven dead after cloudburst triggers flash flood in India’s Jammu and Kashmir.
“Seven people have died and at least 30 are missing after a cloudburst triggered flash floods in India’s northernmost Jammu and Kashmir state. The cloudburst occurred near the remote Honjar village in the state’s Kishtwar district on Wednesday at 4am local time…”
“Heavy downpours since the weekend caused flooding in several areas… “Hundreds of houses are submerged in water and only their roofs can be seen,” Pyae Sone, a social worker in Hlaingbwe in Kayin State said by telephone.”
“Six killed in landslide, flooding at Rohingya camps in Bangladesh.
“At least six Rohingya Muslims, including children, were killed and several others injured on Tuesday after heavy monsoon rains triggered landslides and flooding in refugee camps in southern Bangladesh, officials said.”
“Hokkaido, Japan: Another waterfall of all time (and many more monthly) records beaten on 28th July.
“For the longest (period of records stations Asahikawa beat its record again with 36.7C [98.1F] and Otaru with 36.2C. It’s not over yet, the extreme heat will go on for some more days at least.”
“Record heat again in the middle of Australian winter: Today 29th July Wyndham in the Western Australia recorded 38.1C [100.6F] which is a new monthly record for the station and just 0.2C from the Australian highest temperature ever recorded in July.
“Drought and Fire Are Pushing Australia’s Platypus to the Brink…
“Following the driest period on record in many parts of southern Australia, the platypus has undoubtedly gone locally extinct in some creeks across its range, said Gilad Bino, an ecologist at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney.”
“New Zealand records largest flood flow in almost century.
“Flood flows on South Island’s Buller River this month were the largest of any river in New Zealand in almost 100 years, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) announced on Thursday. NIWA hydrodynamics scientist Richard Measures said records show even larger flooding of the Buller River in 1926.”
“Bolsonaro’s 1,000km Amazon railway will cause climate chaos. It must be stopped.
“Despite increasing global concern, Jair Bolsonaro is determined to expand his exploitation of Brazil’s crucial natural resources. His latest project, one of the most destructive yet, would rapidly deforest large areas of the Amazon.”
“Floods in Nogales, Mexico drag cars and leave one dead…
“On Tuesday afternoon, heavy rains were registered in Nogales, Sonora… As a result of these torrential rains, a waterspout was registered that dragged dozens of vehicles and left one person dead.”
“Ferocity of US wildfires revealed as blaze engulfs forest camera in California.
“Several huge fires have destroyed dozens of homes in America’s west and the time-lapse video from Indian Falls in northern California shows the moment the camera is engulfed. Thick black smoke appears on the horizon before huge flames come into view, flaring into the sky.”
“Latest heat wave prompts heat and air quality alerts across the US.
“Heat and smoke from wildfires are spreading across the country Tuesday, impacting air quality and prompting heat alerts from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. A ridge of high pressure has expanded over the US bringing a heat wave with high temperatures above average to much of the central portion of the country.”
“Severe storms in the Midwest could produce hurricane-force winds, bringing widespread damage and power outages.
“The Midwest including most of Wisconsin will be at risk from possible tornadoes, strong storms and hurricane-force winds Wednesday as the region is under a level 4 out of 5 threat of severe weather.”
“Video shows salmon injured by unlivable water temperatures after heatwave.
“Salmon in the Columbia River were exposed to unlivable water temperatures that caused them to break out in angry red lesions and white fungus in the wake of the Pacific north-west’s record-shattering heatwave, according to a conservation group that has documented the disturbing sight.”
“‘We need more people’: Exhausted firefighters battle Siberia blazes…. Fuelled by summer heatwaves, wildfires have swept through more than 1.5 million hectares (3.7 million acres) of Yakutia’s swampy coniferous taiga…
“Vast areas of Russia have been suffering from heatwaves and droughts driven by climate change in recent years, with numerous temperature records set.”
“Record-Breaking Heat Waves Have Arrived Decades Earlier Than Predicted…
“We still have a chance to avert the worst possibilities with climate change, but we still have centuries of warming baked in because of greenhouse gas emissions we’ve already put out into the atmosphere. So we have no choice but to adapt.”
“Thousands of scientists warn climate tipping points ‘imminent’…
“The researchers, part of a group of more than 14,000 scientists who have signed on to an initiative declaring a worldwide climate emergency, said in an article published in the journal BioScience on Wednesday that governments had consistently failed to address “the overexploitation of the Earth”, which they described as the root cause of the crisis.”
You can read the previous ‘Climate’ thread here. I should be back tomorrow with an ‘Economic’ thread but I’m seeing my parents for the first time since Christmas 2019 this week, so please forgive me if I am unable to.
“Soaring temperatures and strong winds have sparked wildfires across Greece, Spain and in Italy, where blazes on Sardinia forced 1,000 people to flee their homes.
“As temperatures hit 40C [104F] over the weekend, flames fanned by southwesterly winds reduced 50,000 acres in the Sardinian province of Oristano to a charred, blackened landscape.”
““This is a disaster without precedent,”said Christian Solinas, a local governor.
“A severe heat wave is expected to blaze through Greece for the next week, the National Meteorological Service announced Monday…
“…temperatures are supposed to skyrocket again to 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) in some parts Greece, reminding many of the deadly 1987 heat wave.“
“Far-right accused of aiding German floods clear-up to win support.
“Far-right groups in Germany including Covid vaccine opponents and supporters of the rightwing, populist AfD party are reportedly attempting to win support by offering assistance to salvage operations in flood-stricken parts of the country.”
“The southern Belgian town of Dinant was hit by the heaviest floods in decades on Saturday after a two-hour thunderstorm turned streets into torrential streams that washed away cars and pavements.
“It was the second time in just over a week that downpours have affected the region – more than 200 people died in flooding across Belgium and Germany last week.”
“London floods: Hospital evacuates patients and cancels planned surgery, as more storms on way.
“Heavy rainfall yesterday flooded he basement of Whipps Cross hospital in Leytonstone, east London, damaging the hospital’s electrical system and causing a power outage.”
“Will Boston have its wettest July in history? It’s already the second wettest.
“With just a few days left in the month, Boston is within spitting distance of breaking the record for the wettest July in history (or at least since records began in 1872).”
“Tens of thousands of customers remain without power after tornadoes tore through Michigan.
“Thousands of customers are still without power after three tornadoes tore through Michigan over the weekend… The severe weather resulted in “significant damage to the electric infrastructure,” utility DTE said on its website.”
“Utah: Great Salt Lake water levels hit historic low as ‘mega drought’ grips the region. Average daily water levels fell around an inch below the previous record of 4,191.4ft (1,278m) – set in 1963.
“Candice Hasenyager, deputy director of Utah’s Division of Water Resources, said the new record comes months earlier than when the lake typically hits its lowest level of the year.”
“At least eight killed in 20-car pileup in Utah sandstorm.
“The crashes happened on Interstate 15 near the town of Kanosh on Sunday, the agency said in a news release. Several people were reportedly taken to hospitals in critical condition. Ground and air ambulances were used to transport crash victims.”
“Lake Powell hits lowest level on record in climate change-fueled water crisis.
“As of Sunday, Lake Powell had fallen to roughly 3,554 feet in elevation — just 33% of capacity — according to the US Bureau of Reclamation, below the previous all-time low set in 2005. Lake Powell and nearby Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir, have drained at an alarming rate this year.”
“Thousands of Central Valley farmers [California] may lose access to surface water amid worsening drought.
“As California endures an increasingly brutal second year of drought, state water regulators are considering an emergency order that would bar thousands of Central Valley farmers from using stream and river water to irrigate their crops.”
“At least 85 wildfires torch 1.5m acres across drought-hit US west.
“At least 85 active wildfires have torched roughly 1.5m acres across 13 US states, mostly in the west, where the parched landscape has fueled the fast-moving flames and caused extreme fire behavior that has proved difficult to contain.”
“Heavy rains and floods leave 3 dead and hundreds of victims in Jalisco, Mexico (VIDEOS)…
“The intensity of the precipitation on July 25 reached 120 millimeters per hour [4.7 inches per hour], an amount “far above normal,” according to state government officials during a press conference on Monday.”
“A lagoon in Argentina has turned bright pink due to pollution, a development that has alarmed environmentalists.
“Activists said that pollution in the lagoon in Argentina’s southern Patagonia region is caused by sodium sulfite — an antibacterial product used in fish factories. The chemical is typically used to preserve prawns for export.”
“Hot end to July for Northern Territory [Australia]…
“Unprecedented heat across the Northern Territory has led to multiple records being broken, with more forecast as July daytime temperatures continue to be above average.”
“25th July:Taiwan just recorded its highest temperature on recordin the national CWB secondary nets of stations with 40.6C [105.1F]at Taimali (Taitung county).
This was 0.1C above the previous national record set at the same place just 1 year ago.”
“Search for China flood survivors turns desperate as Typhoon In-Fa hits east coast.
“The painful search for survivors of China’s flood disaster continued in Henan province Monday, as grief and shock turned to frustration among some of the survivors scouring the debris for their relatives.”
“‘The sky has fallen’: Chinese farmers see livelihoods washed away by floods…
“Chinese farmer Cheng wades through knee-deep water, pulling dead pigs behind him one-by-one by a rope tied around their ankles as he lines up the bloated carcasses for disposal.”
“Sandstorm swallows western Chinese city in dramatic footage – video.
“A sandstorm has swept across Dunhuang City in China’s Gansu Province, reducing visibility to just five metres… Videos show the wall-like sandstorm covering urban areas and highways. It is believed to have reached over one hundred meters high.”
“Incredible temperatures at high elevations in Kashmir [India]. The 38.4C [101.f] recorded at Kargil at 2804m above sea level is a world record of highest temperature for its elevation.
“Nine people killed by landslide in northern India state, Himachal Pradesh, as country battles days of heavy rain.
“Nine people have been killed in a landslide in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh after boulders fell and hit a vehicle they were travelling in… Video footage showed boulders falling, hitting vehicles and even causing a bridge to collapse.”
“Rescue teams in India were digging through thick sludge and debris on Monday to find over 60 people trapped in landslides caused by torrential monsoon rains that have so far claimed more than 160 lives four days.
“The western states of Maharashtra and Goa, as well as Karnataka and Telangana in the south are the most affected by heavy rains that have flooded croplands over thousands of hectares and forced authorities to move over 230,000 people to safer places.”
“Iran seems in a perennial record heat wave, one after another. Today 26 July it was the turn of the city of Khorramabad (1150m above sea level) to record its hottest day in history with a temperature of 46.4C [115.5F].
“The city has broken or tied its record for 4 years in a row!“
“Middle East heat Wave: 26th July the Saudi Station of Dammam, located in the NE of the country, recorded a maximum temperature of 50.4C [122.7F] which ties the highest temp. ever recorded which was just 1 year ago.”
“Heavy rainfall set to hit Turkey’s flood-prone Black Sea region [yet again]…
“There is seemingly no respite in sight for locals reeling from floods and landslides over the past two weeks, as authorities warn that heavy precipitation is likely to affect central and eastern parts of the Black Sea region in northern Turkey on Tuesday.”
“Russia’s Sochi region hit by floods for second time in a month.
“Emergency sirens sounded in the southern Russian region of Sochi overnight after rivers burst their banks in heavy rain for a second time this month and flooding closed a motorway.”
“Volunteers pitch in to fight Russia’s raging forest fires.
“More than 5,000 regular firefighters are involved, but the scale is so large and the area is so enormous that55% of the fires aren’t being fought at all, according to Avialesookhrana, the agency that oversees the effort.”
“Climate change: The Arctic reindeer herder whose livelihood is threatened by warmer winters…
“Kemlil lists the ways in which he has noticed changes to the tundra environment… New lakes appearing or disappearing as the permafrost thaws, forcing the reindeer to adopt new migratory routes; less fish in the rivers; fawning season starting 10-15 days earlier with the earlier spring.”
“Global shipping industry disrupted again, this time by floods in Europe and China.
“The floods in China and Europe are yet “another body blow” for global supply chains, the CEO of a shipping firm told CNBC on Monday. “Rarely does a week go past without something new,” says Tim Huxley, CEO of Mandarin Shipping.”
“Timeline of temperature extremes reveals global pattern of record highs…
“FT analysis of national temperature records compiled by weather historian Maximiliano Herrera shows that in 180 of 222 locations, the most recent records have been for highs rather than lows.”
You can read the previous ‘Climate’ thread here. I should be back tomorrow with an ‘Economic’ thread but I’m seeing my parents for the first time since Christmas 2019 this week, so please forgive me if I miss a day or two.
“As far as I know, your work is unique in pulling together stories from all over the world. Very sobering but a better and more complete view. Terrific and necessary work. Thank you!” – Simon
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About This Site
Weekday updates on both climate change and the global economy. Stay current with what’s happening around the world with a quick scan of top news.
“Last month was worst July for wildfires on record, say scientists… Last month was the world’s worst July for wildfires since at least 2003 when satellite records began, scientists have said, as swaths of North America, Siberia, Africa and southern Europe continue to burn.
“The World Has Been On Fire For the Past Month. Here’s What It Looks Like.
“Wettest summer in Netherlands history.
“Germany’s wine country counts cost of devastating summer floods…
“July 2021 in Hungary was the hottest July on record. 
“Mediterranean faces fiercer heatwaves, drought, fires: UN draft report.
“Wildfires burn out of control in Greece and Turkey as thousands flee…
“The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) announced that Sudan is experiencing a massive wave of floods due to heavy seasonal rains, and expected that the rain will extend to southern Egypt in the coming days.
“4th August was another scorching day in the Caucasus.
“Extreme drought in Kazakhstan’s steppes cause mass horse deaths…
“Drought compounds humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan as conflict intensifies.
“A giant bridge in central India has collapsed after heavy rain caused a nearby river to flood.
“Six-fold rise in Maharashtra [India] extreme floods in last 50 years: Analysis.
“Ladakh glacier retreating, may influence summer and winter pattern.
“The climate crisis is pushing up temperatures in China at a rate faster than the global average and triggering extreme weather events more frequently, a new government report said this week.
“Typhoon Lupit makes second landfall in southeast China’s Fujian.
“Extremely heavy rain advisories issued for 14 cities and counties [Taiwan]…
“More than 1,100 homes in North Korea were damaged, thousands of people evacuated and farms and roads washed away after days of heavy rains brought flooding, state media reported.
“Japan Endless Heat Wave: 6th August saw dozens monthly records beaten and several more absolute records for any month. (see table, courtesy of JMA).
“‘Mega-Drought’ In Andes From Climate Change Leaves Some Peaks Snowless.
“Drought hits South America river, threatening vast ecosystem.
“Brazil forest fire season underway and raising concern.
“In drought-plagued northern Mexico, tens of thousands of cows are starving to death.
“‘It’s getting dire’: Drought-stricken California tourist town resorts to porta potties and water deliveries by train to survive…
“California shuts down major hydroelectric plant amid record-low water levels at Lake Oroville… The loss of power could fuel rolling blackouts as the state struggles with a historic drought and record-breaking heat waves.
“West Nile virus: another alarming side effect of US drought…
“‘I’m going to die’: 72-year-old man prepared to shoot himself, dog if he didn’t escape Dixie Fire.
“Central Oregon glaciers, snowpack feeling the heat of climate change…
“Climate Change Is Hitting [American] Farmers Hard. Insurance claims for crop losses are soaring.
“4th August was a very hot day in Western USA/Canada/Alaska.
“Nome, Alaska Sees Second Rainiest Week Since The Fall Of 1935…
“Major Atlantic Current May Be On The Verge Of Collapse, Scientists Warn.
“Reduce methane or face climate catastrophe, scientists warn. Cutting carbon dioxide is not enough to solve the climate crisis – the world must act swiftly on another powerful greenhouse gas, methane, to halt the rise in global temperatures, experts have warned.
“What happens when millions – or billions – of sea animals die on one day?
“Almost all emperor penguins will die if no changes made to greenhouse gas emissions, study warns… Emperor penguins rely on sea ice as a breeding platform, and for feeding…
“‘Nature has ceased to trust us’… The Indigenous Arctic peoples losing their home and heritage to the climate breakdown…
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“When people think of countries facing water crises and water shortages, Belgium is probably not the first to come to mind, especially considering the floods that affected the country on 14 and 15 July.
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“Update on the Greek Heat Wave:
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