You may recall that South Africa saw April heat records fall last week:
“Huge wildfire rages on Table Mountain forcing hundreds of University of Cape Town students to evacuate – as academic library burns and historic 300-year-old mill is destroyed…
“A wildfire is raging on the slopes of South Africa’s Table Mountain, forcing hundreds of students to evacuate on Sunday.”
“Locusts continue to wreak havoc in the Northern Cape.
“The Northern Cape Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform Department says locusts are continuing to cause havoc in the province, particularly in Namaqua and Upington. It says the locusts have added to the devastation that the protracted drought has caused in the area.”
“Firefighters are battling to contain forest fires that erupted on Saturday in southwestern and western Turkey. A fire broke out in Mentese, in southeastern Mugla province, for unknown reasons.
“A total of 150 forest workers, five firefighters and 45 water tankers battled flames that the wind helped spread in a short time over the region.”
“Vedanthangal, a tourist hotspot so beautiful it has inspired songs, is supposed to be protected from pollution. So why are trees wilting, animals dying, skin diseases appearing and farmers abandoning their land?”
“A new small island has suddenly emerged in the district of Loaholu in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia last Wednesday after a severe thunderstorm hit the region caused by the Seroja Tropical Cyclone.
“As reported by Indonesia News, local provincial authorities have begun to take note of the new island which is yet to be identified.”
“Typhoon Surigae will not bring drought relief to western Taiwan.
“The outer system of Typhoon Surigae is expected to bring rain to eastern Taiwan on Thursday (April 22), but no drought relief is in store for the longsuffering western areas south of Taoyuan, meteorologist Daniel Wu said today (April 18).”
“Far North Queensland on flood watch as parts of state prepare for 300mm [12 inches] rain…
“The state’s weather bureau says a trough in the Coral Sea has brought hundreds of millimetres of rain to the region over the past 24 hours, and more is on the way.”
“Japan needs to come clean on disposal of Fukushima water.
“Plans to dump more than 1 million tonnes of treated fluid from destroyed nuclear plant in sea has caused an outcry in both China and South Korea, and greater transparency is called for.”
“On 17th April Saipan International Airport [Marianas] recorded 92F which tied the April territorial record of highest temperature which was set just 1 year ago.
“In the past years Saipan has been at record hot level virtually every day of the year(s) due to the elevated sea-surface temperatures.”
“Bolivia’s Civil Defense reportedly delivered 350 tons of humanitarian aid to help families affected by floods, rains, hailstorms in several regions.
“According to the sector’s deputy minister Juan Carlos Calvimontes, the delivery of food and supplies reached about 100 municipalities of the country’s nine departments, where 24,253 families and almost 2,000 homes were damaged.”
“According to the National Unit for Risk Management, 518 events associated with rainfall have been reported in the country, including 245 mass movements and 100 floods.”
“Climate change is a major factor behind increased migration at U.S. southern border, experts say…
““Climate change is reinforcing underlying vulnerabilities and grievances that may have existed for decades, but which are now leading to people having no other choice but to move,” Andrew Harper, special advisor on climate action for the UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, said…”
“Millions of gallons of water laced with fertilizer ingredients are being pumped into Florida’s Tampa Bay from a leaking reservoir at an abandoned phosphate plant at Piney Point.
“As the water spreads into the bay, it carries phosphorus and nitrogen – nutrients that under the right conditions can fuel dangerous algae blooms that can suffocate seagrass beds and kill fish, dolphins, and manatees.”
“TheNation’s Corn Belt [which stretches roughly from Ohio to Nebraska] Has Lost a Third of Its Topsoil…
“The study estimated that about 35 percent of the region has lost its topsoil completely, leaving carbon-poor lower soil layers to do the work of supporting crops.”
“Wildfire warning as firefighters tackle Oban blaze… Images posted on social media appeared to show the flames dangerously close to the McCaig’s Tower, the Victorian monument which overlooks the Argyll town.
After recent dry weather, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service says there is a “high to extreme” risk of fires across north east, central and east Scotland.
“NatureScot urged people enjoying eased Covid restrictions to be vigilant.”
“‘There are up to 5,000 pieces of plastic per mile on our beloved British beaches’…
“While some bottles and wrappers have been mindlessly left behind or blown out of nearby bins, a vast majority of the plastic choking our seas has entered from rivers.”
“As Siberian ice melts faster and faster, environmental disasters become more likely…
“The impact of the greenhouse effect on temperatures Russia is three times higher than in the rest of the world… If the Russian government does not quickly adopt further measures, the disaster will be inevitable and imminent, this according to Vladimir Katsov, director of the Voeikov Main Geophysical Observatory in St Petersburg.”
“Accordingto a new study published today in the scientific journal Nature Communications, the oxygen content in the oceans will continue to decrease for centuries even if all CO2 emissions would be stopped immediately.”
“Google Earth Now Shows You The Consequences of Climate Change For The Past 37 Years.
“Google Earth gives you a fascinating 3D tour of the planet in your web browser, and the app’s newest feature lets you look back from the current day all the way to 1984 – so you can see how climate change has changed the face of Earth over the last 37 years.”
“Twelve people reportedly lost at sea following the capsizing of a vessel in so-called “microburst” winds off the coast of Louisiana…
“Winds locally topped 100 mph, abruptly whipping up hazardous seas. The ship was south of Grand Isle when the 129-foot vessel issued a mayday call about 4:30 p.m.
“The active weather is the result of a stalled stationary front draped across the area… It’s unclear what exactly produced the 117 mph gust reportedly measured by a ship south of Port Fourchon, La.”
“It’s not done raining yet in southeast Louisiana…
“Cloudy skies and rainstorms will continue to cover southeast Louisiana for at least a few more days, after New Orleans’ second-wettest first half of April on record, the National Weather Service said Thursday.”
“[California’s] wildfire season “is coming quickly and it’s coming earlier.
“That’s the message from meteorologist Eric Kurth and the National Weather Service in Sacramento, California, as the state deals with a crippling drought and vegetation and grasses that are already beginning to brown.”
“Sunshine on Vancouver Island is breaking [daily] weather records this week, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
“On Wednesday, new temperature records were set in Victoria, Nanaimo and the Malahat area… in the Malahat area, temperatures reached 19.8 C [67.6F], smashing the record of 16.7 [62.1F] set in 2014.”
“Drought threatens spring wheat on plains: Things are dry and dusty in the Upper Midwest, the Northern Plains states and the Prairie provinces of Canada.
“This region… is the most important one for spring wheat, the higher-gluten variety that’s used for pasta or mixed with other wheat for all-purpose flour. And that crop is at significant risk…”
“Canada’s methane emissions are likely undercounted, and that makes them harder to cut… FluxLab’s latest paper, which involved measurements at 6,500 sites, found that Canada’s methane emissions are about one-and-a-half times the official estimate.
“Another report just last year, by the government’s own scientists, found that methane emissions are about double the official estimate.”
“Nuclear apocalypse = when winter never ends … like in Denmark recently.
“Following the coldest spring night in any youngster’s living memory, when are the authorities going to fess up and tell us what the hell is going on with the weather?“
“The Algerian General Directorate of Forests indicates in a note that more than half of the country’s flora diversity is threatened with extinction.
“The GDF points an accusing finger at deforestation, urbanisation and the low proportion of Algerian nature reserves, which constitute only 0.007% of the national territory.”
“Changes in India’s monsoon rainfall could bring serious consequences to more than a billion people:
“Global warming is increasing the variability of India’s monsoon rains faster than previously projected, according to a recent study from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).”
“Preparing for floods on the Third Pole… The mountains that include the Himalayan and adjacent ranges are …also called the Third Pole or the Asian water tower because it has the largest ice mass outside the polar regions.
“Increasing temperatures and human interventions have added stress on the region’s hydrological sensitivity and have increased the risks of major flood events.”
“Labor is ramping up pressure on [Australia’s] federal government to send military helicopters to Timor-Leste, which is struggling to provide aid to remote communities devastated by catastrophic floods.
“Much of the focus has been on the capital Dili, which was swamped by floodwaters after torrential rain. But floods and landslides also killed people in more isolated communities, as well as damaging or sweeping away countless roads and bridges across the country.”
“Urgent warning for millions of Australians after a huge spike in crippling mosquito-borne illness… Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus and Kunjin virus were found in the Top End and Barkly regions during routine screening, NT Health says.
“‘The results of recent testing indicate widespread MVE and Kunjin virus activity throughout the Territory, medical entomologist Bill Pettit said…”
“Pollution from Australia wildfires ‘warmed stratosphere by 1°C for six months’…
“The smoke plume from the fires reached a height of more than 20 kilometres and the flames sent 900,000 thousand metric tonnes of smoke particles into the stratosphere, the largest amount ever documented in the satellite era.”
“Tropical Storm Surigae to intensify into powerful Pacific typhoon, brush past Philippines… The Pacific typhoon season is getting an early start this year…
“It comes just days after Tropical Cyclone Seroja south of the equator made landfall in Western Australia, bringing wind gusts over 120 mph as the Category 3-equivalent storm battered cities such as Kalbarri…”
“Hawaii’s famed coral reefs that protect islands from floods could be destroyed by ‘extreme’ heavy rains scientists blame on climate change…
“Hawaii State Climatology Pao-Shin Chu Chu said heavy rains like those which inundated the Aloha State last month wash sediment from the ground into the ocean. This sediment then blocks light reefs needed for photosynthesis…”
“Dryness worries grow for Brazilian corn, sugar producers:
“Dryness in southern Brazil is, after hitting prospects for arabica coffee production, “at risk” of provoking downgrades to the safrinha corn harvest, and expected to bring a slow start to the cane crushing season too.”
“[Meanwhile, further north:] Amazon River reaches severe flooding:
“It has already rained a lot in this area, according to information from the National Institute of Meteorology… in January it rained 518mm and the average is 327mm… Climatempo forecast for the coming days is more rain for the North Region…”
“Brazil demand for U.S. to pay upfront stalls deal to save Amazon forest:
“The United States and Brazil are at an impasse on a deal to stop destruction of the Amazon rainforest, which has surged under right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.”
“Drought scorches 83% of Mexico’s territory… A drought is scorching Mexico…
“…83.9% of the national territory is hit by this phenomenon, which has intensified in March, aggravated by the decrease in rainfall percentage. Also, several states in the country have registered temperatures above 40ºC [104F]…”
“Hundreds of Firefighters Battle Large Forest Fire Near Guadalajara, Mexico…
“Hundreds of firefighters fought the Bosque de la Primavera forest fire near Guadalajara, Mexico, on Wednesday, April 14. Fifteen firefighters were injured on April 13, officials said… Residents have been ordered to stay away from the area and avoid outdoor activities.”
“Trees suffer from noise pollution and biodiversity with it… Nobody wants to live in a noisy building near a highway or airport. It’s the same for insects and pollinating birds…
“American scientists studied trees exposed for 15 years to high man-made noise in New Mexico… They found a 75% reduction in pine seedlings in noisy areas compared to Quieter areas.”
[Another daily heat record for Moscow – 22 C / 72 F]…
“It has been an unusually mild April across western and northern Siberia. Amderma, a community located on Russia’s northern coast with the Kara Sea, has had temperatures above normal every day this month…
“On April 8, temperatures reached 2.8 C (37 F). While it does not sound very warm, temperatures typically remain between -18 C (zero F) for a low and -11 C (13 F) for a high on that date.”
“Russian drivers dice with death as ice starts to thaw on frozen highway across Siberian river:
“Driver filmed desperately trying to cross the highway on Lena River in Russia. Footage shows driver struggling through melting ice and gushing water.”
“Lost polar bear is now 500 miles from its natural habitat: Latest footage shows the animal continuing to run south in Russia where wildlife teams are trying to track it…
“The bear was recently spotted by locals running along the side of a desolate road in the Tomponsky district of Yakutia – Russia’s coldest region.”
“All things considered, my estimate for this melt season is 4.0 million km2 (with a range from 3.4 to 4.6 million km2), the 3rd lowest minimum on record and in line with the long-term trend.
“Now, lets wait and see how mother nature makes a fool of me!”
“Microplastics from the ocean are being transported in the wind and are polluting our air, according to a new study…
“…researchers at Cornell University… found that 84% of the microscopic shards came from road dust, about 11% came from atmospheric sea spray and 5% was derived from agriculture soil dust.
“The researchers have highlighted that this 11% from sea spray is particularly alarming.”
“Tanzania: Floods Kill ThreeAs TMA Warns of More Heavy Rains… Three people have passed away after being swept by flooding rain waters in Tarime District, Mara Region over the weekend.
“The incident happened as the Tanzania Meteorological Agency has forecasted heavy rain in 17 regions together with Unguja and Pemba islands in the next two days.”
“Purple revolution: India’s farmers turn to lavender to beat drought.
“Faced with climate change, farmers in Jammu and Kashmir are switching from maize to essential oils… Many farmers in Kashmir are starting to cultivate the crop, often growing it alongside apple orchards.”
“Deadly Forest Fires in India and Nepal Are Spewing Carbon Into the Atmosphere…
“”It has neither rained nor snowed for several months now,” Bharati Pathak, president of the Federation of Community Forestry Users in Nepal, told the BBC. “That is why even oak forests are burning up — the ground they stand on is totally dry.””
“Australia’s ‘black summer’ of severe weather wasn’t just bad luck:
“First it was severe drought, then record-breaking wildfires, and finally flooding. Through the summer of 2019 and winter of 2020 Australia’s east coast was hit by one extreme weather event after another. Research shows this triple-whammy was not just bad luck.”
“[NZ] Farmers say they’re at rock-bottom as parts of the country are the driest they’ve ever seen at this time of year.
“The worst-hit areas are northern Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago and incomes are down hundreds of thousands of dollars, impacting the wider communities.”
“The Yucatan Peninsula is experiencing one of the most intense heatwaves in recent years. Temperatures of more than 45°C [113F] are expected in several areas.
“The third heatwave of the year in the Yucatan Peninsula is getting more and more intense. It is likely that if it continues like this, it will be close to reaching the intensity of April 2015, when there were records of intense heat and several days with extremely hot temperatures.”
“Drought in US northwest signals rising water-rights tensions:
“Drought on the California-Oregon border could see tensions rise between farmers who need water for agriculture and local tribes who want to sustain endangered fish species.”
“Dozens of rare elk die in California due to drought linked to climate crisis:
“More than 150 elks are suspected to have died because of drought linked to the climate crisis in California as activists fear more animals will be at risk this summer due to soaring temperatures.”
“Hail that was so big and mighty that it was deemed ‘gorilla’-like pounded parts of Texas, smashing windshields and denting other property.
“The extreme weather event was witnessed and recorded by various Texans who were both in awe and likely later in anguish over the amount of destruction on Monday evening.”
“As people flee climate change on the coasts, this Midwest city is trying to become a safe haven:
“In 2019, after conducting a statistical analysis of US cities — including the cost of living, relative vulnerability to climate-related disasters and effects, availability of diverse housing stock, natural resource availability, and so on — Keenan began discussing Duluth, Minnesota, as one of the most climate-friendly places in the United States.”
“Wisconsin poised for devastating wildfire season as hundreds of blazes rage:
“In just the first four months of the year, Wisconsin has lost nearly as much acreage to wildfires as it did in all of 2020. Since January, 365 wildfires have flared across the midwestern state, burning more than 1,500 acres, and 162 of those fires have ignited since the start of April alone.”
“Fields across the Canadian prairies are among the driest on record, raising production risks in one of the world’s key growing regions for canola and spring wheat. Much of the area has received less than half its average rainfall, and there is not much rain in the forecast.”
“Moscow breaks temperature records mid-April… Muscovities seemed to be enjoying the summer-warm day in the middle of spring, they wore light clothes and were seemingly not worried about global warming…
“It’s possible they may set another record on Wednesday, as weather forecasts predict a temperature of up to 73.4 degrees Farenheit (23° C).”
“Climate Change May Be Costing Russia Billions Every Year…
““The unstable climate system is leading to increasing extremes, to a growing number of weather anomalies, including dangerous events,” said Anna Romanovskaya, director of the Moscow-based Yu. A. Izrael Institute of Global Climate and Ecology. “The direction of the trend is undeniable.””
“Permafrost thaw is one of the world’s most pressing climate problems, already disrupting lifestyles, livelihoods, economies, and ecosystems in the north, and threatening to spill beyond the boundaries of the Arctic as our planet continues to warm…
“Already, permafrost degradation is costing millions of dollars due to infrastructure damage in the Canadian North and to Russia’s resource-focused endeavours in the Arctic, and many other northern regions…”
“Wildfires Scotland: ‘Extreme risk’ wildfire warning issued for much of the country: The Scottish fire service has warned of an extreme risk of wildfire in place across North-East, East and Central Scotland.
An extreme risk of wildfire is also in place across Western Scotland from 15th – 17th April.”
“Felling, disease, pollution, and climate change pushing UK woodland to crisis point:
“The UK’s native woodlands are in crisis, according to the Woodland Trust, facing a “barrage” of threats that risk pushing climate targets out of reach and ecosystems to the point of collapse.”
“March in Spain was the driest for sixty years [what a crazy winter Spain has had]…
“In terms of rainfall, this was just 37% of what would normally be expected. The average for the country was 17 litres per square metre. In the Balearics, however, there was twice as much rain as normal. In the southeast of the mainland, there was double the amount of normal rain, while in much of the country, including the Canaries, rainfall was below 25% of the usual amount.”
“Brain Parasite in Rodents Which Is Also Present in Humans, May Allegedly Evolve Resulting in Zombification… Although it seems farfetched, a zombie outbreak is not impossible because of one parasite that infects rodents’ brains, which is also found in humans.”
“Western U.S. may be entering its most severe drought in modern history ...in 2000, the Western U.S. entered the beginning of what scientists call a megadrought — the second worst in 1,200 years — triggered by a combination of a natural dry cycle and human-caused climate change.
“In the past 20 years, the two worst stretches of drought came in 2003 and 2013 — but what is happening right now appears to be the beginning stages of something even more severe. And as we head into the summer dry season, the stage is set for an escalation of extreme dry conditions, with widespread water restrictions expected and yet another dangerous fire season ahead.”
“How climate change is threatening Navajo ranchers’ way of life…
“Two decades into a severe drought on the Navajo reservation, the open range around Maybelle Sloan’s sheep farm stretches out in a brown expanse of earth and sagebrush.”
“How a shocking environmental disaster was uncovered off the California coast after 70 years:
“…this offshore dump site is only a part of the story of environmental damage from years of DDT discharge along the coast of Southern California — a story which likely won’t be closed for decades to come because of its ongoing impact, including a recently discovered alarming and unprecedented rate of cancer in the state’s sea lion population.”
“Scientists alarmed after four gray whales found dead in San Francisco Bay… Four dead gray whales have washed up on beaches in the San Francisco Bay area in the past nine days, in the latest spate of whale deaths in the region…
“These deaths… are ‘just the tip of the iceberg’ for the species, says expert.”
“‘Really unbelievable’: Severe storms in South leave at least 3 dead, thousands without power in Florida…
“A cluster of severe storms swept across the South over the weekend, leaving at least three dead, damaging buildings and leaving thousands without power.”
“Hail estimated to be four inches in size fell on Orange Beach, Alabama, early on April 10 during what the National Weather Service described as an “historic” weather event.
““This is only the second documented 4” hail report in the 20 counties that we serve since 1950,” the NWS’ Mobile office tweeted.”
“Blueberry farm seeks water source after extreme weather devastated its crop [New Brunswick, Canada]… Brett Reidpath, who owns Blue Acres Development, said the farm lost over 70 per cent of its blueberry crop over the last four years because of dry weather and frost.
“He said he can no longer rely on rain and steady temperatures to ensure the 150 acres of wild blueberry fields have a good yield. “It’s devastating, That’s how we make our living,” said Reidpath.”
“‘Historic’ bout of frost decimates French winemakers’ harvest… French fruit growers and winemakers are warning that the majority of their harvest this year has been lost to this week’s frost.
“”No region has been spared: beets, rape, barley, vines fruit trees … All the different kind of support must be activated urgently,” the National Federation of Unions for Farmers stressed.”
“In Slovenia, the weather station Nova vas na Blokah hit -20.6 °C and set the new official lowest temperature for April… 2021 set a new record having temperatures lower in April than January…
“Unfortunately, these temperatures were so extremely low that the ongoing blossoming fruit trees and early growing states of the vegetation were simply burned and destroyed.”
“10th April was a historic day in South Africa with the temperature reaching 43.7C [110.7F] at Vioolsdrif, which tied the national monthly record set at the same place on 5th April 2003 and also the highest temperature ever recorded in April anywhere in Africa south of the Equator.”
“Over 116,000 Somalis have been displaced by extreme water shortages since October 2020, according to a joint statement issued on Sunday by the UN and horn of African country.
“”Most parts of the country are facing critical water shortages, with more than 50 districts facing moderate to severe drought conditions,” said the statement… expressing deep concern about the “worsening drought conditions.””
“Forest fires are spreading across the Indian Himalayan state of Uttarakhand in what officials fear could prove to be one of the worst fire seasons in years.
“The Uttarakhand forest department has recorded 1,500 fire incidents in the state so far this year, with blazes intensifying in April as northern India’s hot, dry summer approaches.”
“Hundreds flee homes as flash floods hit Cotabato town [Philippines]…
““An hour-long heavy downpour last night was followed by rampaging waters with debris hitting communities after the Tatluntalunan river overflowed,” Barangay Luayon councilman Joel Mendoza said as he appealed for help on social media.”
“Drought in Taiwan Pits Chipmakers Against Farmers…
“Chuang Cheng-deng’s modest rice farm is a stone’s throw from the nerve center of Taiwan’s computer chip industry, whose products power a huge share of the world’s iPhones and other gadgets.”
“The West Australian town of Kalbarri has suffered widespread damage in the wake of ex-tropical cyclone Seroja, which tore across the midwest coast overnight.
“Seroja made landfall south of the town, about 8pm on Sunday, as a category three storm with wind gusts up to 170km/h [106mph]. “I’ve never experienced anything in my life like we experienced last night,”resident and caravan park manager Debbie Major told ABC television on Monday.”
“Parasites are going extinct. Here’s why we need to save them.
“They’re “gross and slimy and flaccid and wiggling.” But parasites can be just as important as more charismatic animals—and many may be on the verge of disappearing.”
“If greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, up to a third of endemic species living on land – as well as about half living in the sea – face extinction, a new report has revealed.
“According to the study published in the journal Biological Conservation on Friday, if the planet heats by more than 3C (5.4F), animals and plants face mass extinction.”
“Norway fears cargo ship will run aground, spill oil within hours:
“A Dutch cargo ship that was abandoned at sea during a storm this week is on course to run aground in Norway early on Thursday and could cause an oil spill unless a last-ditch effort to save the vessel prevails, local officials said on Wednesday.”
“Frigid air, spilling south from the Arctic, has invaded Europe and Alaska, setting back spring and challenging long-standing records. In Europe, the cold has come as a shock, gripping the region just days after a burst of summerlike warmth…
“Meanwhile, the temperature in Alaska could plummet as low as minus-50 in the coming days, challenging the lowest mark recorded in …April.”
“Animals killed and nests destroyed in ‘devastating’ wildfire on moors [Manchester, UK]:
“…Volunteers and crews from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were out again across the land this morning dampening down the area, as several “hot pockets” remained across the moorland.”
“French winemakers use fire and tea to protect vines amid record cold:
“Record low temperatures in the north, centre and east of France are set to continue until at least this weekend, prompting producers to take drastic action.”
“Permafrost temperatures in Swiss Alps reach record highs..
“The warming trend observed in permafrost over the last two decades continued in 2019-2020, the warmest hydrological year on record in Switzerland, the monitoring network PERMOS said on Thursday.”
“…with Dapaon setting a new all-time high of 43.0c [109.4F],while Wa in Ghana and Bobo Dioulasso in Burkina Faso both tied their all time Tmax with 42.0C [107.6F].”
“Senegalese villages swallowed by the sea… [I pinched this article off Twitter and just realised it is six years old, rather than my preferred max of 48 hours. I’ll leave it in for interest though and because the situation is, I think it is reasonable to assume, ongoing.]
“The fishing community of Goxu Mbath is one of many districts in the city of Saint Louis, the former colonial capital of French west Africa that, little by little, is disappearing under water.”
“Bangladesh methane gas plumes cause alarm, as country found to be major emitter…
“While the source is unclear, the methane is likely to originate from a combination of rice paddy fields, landfills, leaky natural gas pipelines and coal stockpiles”
“Photo of the Day: Drought turns Taiwan’s Sun Moon Lake into moonscape…
“The water levels at Taiwan’s usually scenic Sun Mook Lake have hit a record low with some parts of the lake drying up completely.
“Netizens have been drawn to the drastically altered landscape, posting photos with paradoxical titles such as “Sailing on Land” and the “Sun Mook Lake Prairie.””
“Timor-Leste, Indonesia, is reeling from record floods and people are just beginning to let it sink in…
“When the floods came, Markus dos Santos lost almost everything. His wife and three children were all buried by a massive avalanche of mud and water which smashed into their house.”
“Cyclone Odette forms off WA coast in rare weather event with Cyclone Seroja, triggering blue alert…
“A second tropical cyclone has formed off Western Australia, triggering a blue alert across a massive section of the state’s coastline stretching from Coral Bay to Lancelin… People in the affected areas are being warned to start preparing for dangerous weather.”
“Brazil’s Amazon Is Under Threat from Proposed Land-Use Laws… New legislation could worsen an already vicious cycle of illegal land invasion and clearing…
“…supporting the current model of land regularization, or changing the laws to make land privatization even easier, will inevitably result in more illegal occupations and deforestation of public land in the coming years.”
“Brazil at high risk of dengue outbreaks after droughts because of temporary water storage…
“The risk of dengue was high in urban areas three to five months after extreme drought. Extremely wet conditions increased dengue risk in the same month and up to three months later. In rural areas, dengue risk was more readily associated with very wet conditions.”
“Forecasters are predicting another abnormally active storm season in 2021, with at least eight hurricanes predicted to hit the US.
“The country saw a record 30 named storms and 13 hurricanes during the 2020 hurricane season, causing severe damage in multiple southern states and in areas across the US.”
“California leaders have announced a $536m plan to address the growing threat of wildfires across the state, as a drought threatens to bring on yet another destructive, deadly fire season.
“The state’s governor, Gavin Newsom, along with the state’s senate and assembly leaders announced the new plan at a news conference Thursday near Shaver Lake…”
“It’s a climate cliché to say the world is on fire, but it is. Right now, wildfires are burning across the Midwest in a major spring burn. The spring flames there are a warning sign of what could be an active fire season out in the coming months.”
“Sioux Falls sees earliest 90 degree temperature… Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was one of the sites that reached 90 degrees Monday, setting a new record high temperature for the date…
“It was also the earliest the city reached the 90-degree temperature benchmark in a calendar year, shattering the old record, which was set in 1954, by nine days.”
“How warming waters at the equator could trigger a mass extinction event… When species fled warming waters for cooler temperatures 252 million years ago, 90 percent of marine life died.
“Scientists are concerned a similar extinction might happen again as sea temperatures rise…”
“Climate change: Polar bears forced to eat seabird eggs as Arctic hunting ground shrinks.
“Polar bears have started scavenging in areas populated by humans, as well as coming ashore at the same time seabirds are nesting and snacking on their eggs.”
“Methane Has Never Risen This Fast in the Atmosphere.
“There’s more methane in the atmosphere than any other time since record keeping began—and levels really spiked last year, despite the fact that we were all inside for most of the time.”
“US Intelligence forecast sees a post-coronavirus world upended by climate change and splintering societies.
“U.S. intelligence officials have little comfort to offer a pandemic-weary planet about where the world is heading in the next 20 years. Short answer: It looks pretty bleak.“
“Historic Day: First April Snow Cover in Split Ever Recorded.
“The first April snow cover in Split was recorded on Tuesday night as weird spring weather ripped across Croatia…
“The peak of the ice wave hit Dalmatia last night at around 9 pm. Snow fell on the entire Split area, including Kaštela. In Inland Dalmatia and Dugopolje, the snowfall was up to 20 centimeters!” [Photos]
“After the heat records observed last week, cold records for the month of April were broken this Tuesday in the northern half of France…
“In Beauvais (Oise), where Météo France measured 24.8c degrees [76.6F] six days ago, -6.9c degrees [19.6F] were recorded in the early morning hours on Tuesday. The previous record for April was in 2017 (-5.4 degrees).”
“Several fires break out as Utah sees first Red Flag warning of the year…
“Utah is under its first red flag warning of the year. The warning comes earlier than usualand indicates it could be a very busy summer for wildfires.”
“California is on the brink of drought – again. Is it ready?
“California is at the edge of another protracted drought, just a few years after one of the worst dry spells in state history left poor and rural communities without well water, triggered major water restrictions in cities, forced farmers to idle their fields, killed millions of trees, and fueled devastating megafires.”
“A California prosecutor filed 33 criminal charges Tuesday against the troubled Pacific Gas & Electric for a 2019 wildfire officials blamed on the utility.
“The Sonoma County district attorney charged the utility with felony and misdemeanor counts in the October 2019 Kincade Fire north of San Francisco.”
“This Tuesday it was announced in a preliminary way that the La Primavera forest fire [Mexico] that occurred over the weekend consumed between 4,500 and 5,000 hectares…
“…in addition… it led to a health alert in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara and surrounding municipalities for three days, due to the high atmospheric pollution.”
“Unseasonably hot and dry weather will continue for some parts of New Zealand this week after a record-breaking Easter weekend.
“Records were broken in Timaru on Sunday when the temperature gauge hit 30.8C [87.4F]… It was the warmest day the town has ever recorded for the month of April, with records dating back to 1885.”
“South Korea recorded its highest average temperature for March last month, with Seoul seeing its earliest cherry blossom bloom on record…
“According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), last month’s average temperature was 8.9 C [48F]… The previous records were 8.1 C in 2018 and 7.9 C in 2020.”
“Taiwan imposes water rationing as drought worsens… More than one million households and businesses in Taiwan’s heavily industrialised central regions were put on water rationing Tuesday, as the island battles its worst drought in 56 years.
“The shortage is expected to particularly impact the water-intensive microchip manufacturing sector…”
“A heavy rainstorm destroyed 19 houses, a children’s playground, and two markets with 60 stalls in front of the Paramax casino in Poipet City, Cambodia on Sunday.
“The hour-long rain which started at about 4pm on the day of Qingming Jie, or Tomb Sweeping Day, also caused five people to suffer injuries and seek treatment.”
“Inside Thailand’s fight against toxic annual wildfires – ‘it’s just getting worse and worse’…
“”It’s very bad, we do not have enough water for the wildfires,” Captain Sakchai Chooim, our pilot from Thailand’s ministry of natural resources, tells me over the radio.”
“Nepal is experiencing its worst fire season in almost a decade, officials said Tuesday, as huge blazes rage across the country’s forests, engulfing the Himalayan nation in a shroud of brownish haze…
“Air quality in the capital Kathmandu was ranked on Tuesday as the worst in the world…”
“Himachal [India] fighting forest fires after prolonged dry spell:
“The prolonged dry spell this year has sparked off fires in the chir pine forests of the lower hills of Himachal Pradesh with 845 such incidents reported in April in Shimla, Solan, Mandi, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, Kangra and Hamirpur districts.”
“March was India’s third warmest in 121 years in terms of monthly average maximum temperature, the India Meteorological Department on Monday said…
“”The all India average monthly maximum temperature during March 2021 with 32.65 degrees Celsius [90.77F] is the warmest in the last 11 years, and third warmest in the last 121 years behind 2010 and 2004…”
“Russian region hit by oil spill at Bashneft field… A major oil spill from an infield pipeline has reportedly left a spring in central Russia heavily polluted.
“Russian authorities have been reporting rising numbers of environmental accidents since the start of this year.“
“Half of global methane emissions come from aquatic ecosystems – much of this is human-made…
“In our paper… we show as much as half of global methane emissions come from aquatic ecosystems. This includes natural, human-created and human-impacted aquatic ecosystems — from flooded rice paddies and aquaculture ponds to wetlands, lakes and salt marshes.”
“Climate change shrinks marine life richness near equator: study [not a hugely surprising finding]…
“While numerous factors like overfishing have impacted tropical species, the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found a strong correlation between species decline and rising temperature.”
“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
“With the inundation of so much depressing news, Justin Panopticon presents it in a succinct format that one can quickly go thru and see the big picture of climate and economics/politics to stay current and if a particle topic is of interest one can delve into the details… I try never to miss any of his posts…I am a Patreon of his work.”
– Karina S.
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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.
You may recall that South Africa saw April heat records fall last week:
“Locusts continue to wreak havoc in the Northern Cape.
“Firefighters are battling to contain forest fires that erupted on Saturday in southwestern and western Turkey. A fire broke out in Mentese, in southeastern Mugla province, for unknown reasons.
“Hailstorm and Heavy Rainfall in the Desert is no longer a Rarity. 
“In India’s oldest avian sanctuary, Vedanthangal, a pollution-free vision turns toxic.
“A new small island has suddenly emerged in the district of Loaholu in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia last Wednesday after a severe thunderstorm hit the region caused by the Seroja Tropical Cyclone. 
“Surigae sweeps past Philippines, after becoming strongest April typhoon on record.
“Typhoon Surigae will not bring drought relief to western Taiwan.
“Far North Queensland on flood watch as parts of state prepare for 300mm [12 inches] rain…
“Japan needs to come clean on disposal of Fukushima water.
“On 17th April Saipan International Airport [Marianas] recorded 92F which tied the April territorial record of highest temperature which was set just 1 year ago. 
“Bolivia’s Civil Defense reportedly delivered 350 tons of humanitarian aid to help families affected by floods, rains, hailstorms in several regions.
“[Colombia’s] first rainy season leaves 49 dead:
“Climate change is a major factor behind increased migration at U.S. southern border, experts say…
“Millions of gallons of water laced with fertilizer ingredients are being pumped into Florida’s Tampa Bay from a leaking reservoir at an abandoned phosphate plant at Piney Point. 
“The Nation’s Corn Belt [which stretches roughly from Ohio to Nebraska] Has Lost a Third of Its Topsoil… 
“‘Entire province faces risk’: British Columbia citizens urged to prepare for above-average spring flooding…
“Klawock, Alaska, has reached 75°F today [18th April]. This is the earliest 75°F+ temp on record in Alaska. 
“Wildfire warning as firefighters tackle Oban blaze… Images posted on social media appeared to show the flames dangerously close to the McCaig’s Tower, the Victorian monument which overlooks the Argyll town. 
“‘There are up to 5,000 pieces of plastic per mile on our beloved British beaches’…
“As Siberian ice melts faster and faster, environmental disasters become more likely…
“Google Earth Now Shows You The Consequences of Climate Change For The Past 37 Years.
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“Morocco’s agriculture sector relies primarily on grain production. Nearly 75% of usable agricultural surface areas (SAU) contain cereal crops… 
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Something to look forward to
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“We’re less than a week into April, but the Phoenix area is already seeing record-breaking heat.
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Powerful wind storm hits Qatar
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