“At least 71 people have died after flash floods and landslides hit Indonesia and East Timor on Sunday.Torrential rain sparked widespread destruction in the South East Asian neighbours, with water from overflowing dams submerging thousands of homes.
“The affected area stretched from Flores island in eastern Indonesia to East Timor… officials warn the death toll could rise further.”
“New Zealand town where Easter is all about wiping out bunnies…
“Since being introduced to New Zealand in the 1800s, rabbits have overrun the Central Otago region, posing a significant threat to biodiversity and agriculture.”
“Scientists are closely watching unusually warm waters around the North Island’s East Coast [New Zealand] – and predict “marine heatwaves” could developnear Canterbury and Otago within days…
“An unprecedented event in 2017-18 fuelled New Zealand’s hottest-ever summer and came with dramatic consequences.
“Uttarakhand is witnessing unprecedented forest fires, that too in April when temperatures are yet to touch the maximum range, forest officials said. Higher temperatures generally trigger such fires.”
“Increasing Dust Storms and Heat Waves in Northern India: What’s the matter? …India is the fifth most vulnerable of the 181 countries to the effects of climate change, with its poorest being the most at risk according to Global Climate Risk Index…
“According to various studies been undertaken, the whole of South Asia has a grim future.”
“With mercury levels continuing to rise in the state, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a heatwave warning in six districts of Telangana.
““We might see temperatures as high as 46-47 degree Celsius [116.6F] in some parts of the state…” Nagaratna said, as quoted by Telangana Today.”
“3rd April was another record hot day in the Arabian Peninsula. The station of Swiehan in the United Arab Emirates recorded 44.0C [111.2F], which is the earliest 44C ever recorded in the country.
“The previous earliest 44C was set just 1 year ago in April 2020.”
“The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has confirmed oil spill from its facility at Agbura-Otuokpoti area of Yenagoa [Nigeria], the state capital.”
“Air pollution from Europe’s coal plants could be responsible for up to 34,000 deaths across the continent each year, a new study suggests.
“Coal-fired power is the single-largest driver of global temperature rise and phasing it out of the world’s electricity supply as soon as possible will be key to meeting the world’s climate goals, scientists say.”
“The decline of butterflies in Europe… In the UK, 8% of resident species have become extinct and overall numbers have declined by around 50% since 1976. In the Netherlands, 20% of species have become extinct and overall numbers in the country have declined by 50% since 1990.
“Distribution trends showed that butterfly distributions began decreasing long agoand between 1890–1940 distributions declined by 80%.”
“Satellite images show huge Russian military buildup in the Arctic.
“Russia is amassing unprecedented military might in the Arctic and testing its newest weapons in a region freshly ice-free due to the climate emergency, in a bid to secure its northern coast and open up a key shipping route from Asia to Europe.”
“China Looks to the Arctic to Avoid Another Suez Slowdown.
“Only time will tell if the Transpolar Route will pan out—if climate change and a shrinking polar ice cap will make this a truly viable maritime superhighway. But Beijing is betting it will.”
“Rising demand in wealthy countries for dozens of commodities ranging from coffee to soybeans has stepped up the pace of deforestation in the tropics, researchers said Monday.”
You can read the previous ‘Climate’ thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread, although as with this one, I suspect it will be somewhat brief due to the Easter break.
The news cycle is quietening down for the Easter break. If there’s enough news to put together either an economic or climate thread, depending on which is looking most interesting, I’ll be back on Monday. Failing that, I’ll certainly be back on Tuesday. Have a great Easter weekend in the meantime.
“Record-breaking’ temperatures to engulf US Southwest, with ‘critical’ fire weather conditions possible…
“Phoenix could hit 100 degrees this weekend as a record-breaking air mass brings dangerous heat and fire weather concerns to the region. The heat is in sharp contrast to the unusually cold weather dominating the eastern United States yesterday and today…
“The desert Southwest is still running dry from a virtually non-existent monsoon last summer…
“Since World War II, the average date of Phoenix’s first 100-degree reading has shifted earlier by about three weeks… Last year, Phoenix hit 100 degrees on a record-breaking 145 days.”
“Scientists say a chemical commonly used to kill weeds is increasingly being found in the blood of Florida’s threatened manatees. The concentration of glyphosate detected in their systems has increased from 2009 to 2019.”
“For the first time, scientists have observed the release of blue-green algae toxins into the air.
“Traces of the algal toxin anatoxin-a, or ATX, sometimes called the Very Fast Death Factor, were measured at a Massachusetts pond that frequently hosts large algal blooms.”
“After Week of Record Warmth, Europe Temperatures to Nosedive:
“After a week or more of temperatures from Britain to eastern Europe running as much as 20 degrees above average, forecasters are saying the region will be plunged into record cold next week with a likelihood of snow in some areas.”
Here’s a nice, one-article recap of Europe’s record-breaking March heatwave, covered in the previous thread: “Monthly temperature records smashed in Europe beneath sprawling heat dome…
“Climate historian Maximiliano Herrera has been tracking the records and their historical context, and he describes the episode as “historic.”“
“The city of Karachi, Pakistan has broken a 74-year old record with temperatures up to 44 degrees Celsius [111.6F] being recorded across the city, making April 3 the city’s hottest [April] day since the inception of the country…
“Medical experts say that citizens should not go out in the sun without reason…”
“A national park in the Indian state of Gujarat is trying to help lions and other animals survive the country’s heatwave.
“The wildlife reserve has set up more than 450 artificial ponds by accessing groundwater or by filling them up using hand pumps. It comes as many parts of India are reeling from soaring temperatures…”
“How deadly floods in western China could threaten new Silk Road:
“Global warming is greening the deserts of Xinjiang as rising temperatures lead to doubling of rainfall over half a century, researchers say. Scientists warn infrastructure planning and quality standards need to be updated to prepare for ‘lots of water’.”
“China sandstorms highlight threat of climate crisis:
“Recent sandstorms that shrouded Beijing in a post-apocalyptic orange haze and intensive droughts in other parts of the country are bringing into stark relief the challenges China faces from rising temperatures induced by the climate crisis.”
“April in Hong Kong started just like February and March: with record heat.
“30th March saw a 25.3C [77.5F] minimum temperature, the highest on record. 2nd April saw a maximum temperature of 33.1C [91.6F] at Tai Mei Tuk, the earliest 33+ ever recorded in the territory.”
“New flood alerts have been issued for NSW and Queensland less than two weeks after parts of NSW was ravaged by once in a generation flooding.
“The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued an updated food watch for the NSW Northern Rivers… Queensland has also been issued with a flood watch warning for a large portion of the state.”
“How polar bears maintained highly specialized diets during periods of Arctic warming—until now…
“”Polar bears are so specialized on hunting seals that they may have a harder time adapting to the warming Arctic,” said Larisa DeSantis, paleontologist and associate professor of biological sciences…”
“Evidence of Antarctic glacier’s tipping point confirmed for first time:
“Researchers have confirmed for the first time that Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica could cross tipping points, leading to a rapid and irreversible retreat which would have significant consequences for global sea level.”
This story only available in German but hopefully GoogleTranslate will oblige you. 27.2C [81F] really an extraordinary temperature for Germany in March:
“A new [German] temperature record for March was set at 27.2 degrees [81F] on March 31, 2021 in Rheinau-Memprechtshofen, southwest of Karlsruhe.
“The old record comes from Baden-Baden on March 28, 1989. At that time, a high of 26.6 degrees was recorded. Many weather stations also registered new monthly records.”
National temperature records for March also fall in the low countries:
“A weather record was broken in Arcen on Wednesday. The temperature there rose to 26.1 degrees [79F]. This makes it the hottest day in March ever measured in the Netherlands.”
“The UK recorded its warmest March day in 53 years on Tuesday as temperatures rose above 24C [75.2F], with the Met Office predicting they could get close to the all-time record on Wednesday.
“The mercury peaked at 24.5C [76.1F] at Kew Gardens in west London on Tuesday…”
“Firefighter were battling a huge wildfire in Moray, Scotland tonight. The fierce flames threatened to get out of control near the village of Kingston… The Scottish Fire and Rescue team fought to contain the blaze.
“Six fire appliances and a wildlife unit were eventually called to the scene to tackle the inferno close to the small rural community.”
“The temperature records for a month of March were broken one after the other on Tuesday, March 30, due to a wave of mildness circulating over a large part of France.
“At 6 p.m., the records of more than 200 Météo France stations had been broken.”
“Badajoz [Spain] exceeds 32 degrees on its hottest day in March since there are records…
“For the first time since the records began in 1955, this Wednesday, Badajoz Airport has beaten its highest maximum in March by more than 2 ° C, with 32.4 ° C [90.3F].”
“Middle East Heat wave: On 30 March Oman beat its national monthly record again with 42.8C [109F] at Joba.
“Monthly record shattered also in the southern port of Salalah with 40.0C on 29 March. Salalah has now had 29 consecutive months of above-average temperatures.”
“Iranian authorities are engaged in a large-scale operation across several provinces in southern Iran to battle swarms of migratory locusts that threaten billions of dollars worth of food in farmlands at a critical time for the country.
“Large waves of yellow-coloured desert locusts… have travelled to Iran from the Arabian Peninsula for a third year in a row.”
“Chennai, India, breaks its all-time record of March, the mercury hit the roof with 41.3C [106.3F]…
“Minambakkam, the base station observatory of Chennai recorded a maximum temperature of 41.3°C yesterday. This mercury level with 7°C above the normal amounts to severe heatwave condition.”
“Madhya Pradesh: Two Days On, Authorities Fail To Contain Massive Forest Fire Raging In Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve…
“Spread across an area of 105 sq km, Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Umaria district is home to the Royal Bengal Tigers and flourishing biodiversity. However, a massive fire has engulfed the forest area and is believed to have been spread to several zones.”
“Hundreds of wildfires are burning across Nepal, sending smoke and ash across its cities during one of the worst fire seasons in recent years…
“The country has recorded up to 2,087 forest fires nationwide since November 15, 2020, according to the Nepalese Forest Fire Management. And as of March 25, there were still at least 524 active fires burning across the country, spreading a combination of dust, smoke and ash into the air.”
“Shanghai was hit by the worst pollution on record on Tuesday (March 30), as the air in the country’s commercial centre filled with dust from northern China, which had endured sandstorms earlier in the month.
“The city’s air was classified as “severely polluted”, the worst level of a six-grade scale, with an air quality index surging to the upper limit of 500 as of midday…”
“Scientist: Kyoto’s Earliest Cherry Blooms in 1,200 Years Point to Climate Change: …Osaka University records include court documents from Imperial Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, as well as medieval diaries.
“Cherry blossoms have long historical and cultural roots in Japan, heralding spring and inspiring artists and poets through the centuries.”
“[Australian] farmers’ hopes that rain would wash away mice dashed…
“…farmers in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland seem to be fighting a losing war against the rampant rodents, with the hope that last month’s record rainfall might see some reprieve having been dashed.”
“Major roads in flood-ravaged areas of NSW will take months to reopen as the repairs bill soars into the hundreds of millions of dollars.
“NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance said initial estimates put the cost at $80 million but the total price is impossible to know until complicated geotechnical inspections have been finalised.”
“This Wednesday a heat wave extends through the country mainly affecting the west and south of the country with temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celcius [113F].”
“Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino [California] water levels at record low for this time of year:
“A second year of extremely low rainfall has left water storage in Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino at the lowest levels for this time of year since the reservoirs were filled decades ago, Sonoma County’s water agency said Tuesday.”
“More rain was expected to soak parts of a water-weary South on Tuesday and Wednesday, prompting flood warnings and watches, especially in Middle Tennessee.
“At least six people have been killed and many others had to be rescued in floods that first surged in parts of Tennessee, including Nashville, over the weekend.”
“Lakes on Greenland Ice Sheet can drain huge amounts of water, even in winter:
“Using satellite data to ‘see in the dark’, researchers have shown for the first time that lakes on the Greenland Ice Sheet drain during winter, a finding with implications for the speed at which the world’s second-largest ice sheet flows to the ocean.”
“NASA Finds 2021 Arctic Winter Sea Ice Tied for 7th-Lowest on Record [La Nina keeping it further down the list than it otherwise would be]:
“Sea ice in the Arctic appears to have hit its annual maximum extent after growing through the fall and winter. The 2021 wintertime extent reached on March 21 ties with 2007’s as the seventh-smallest extent of winter sea ice in the satellite record, according to… NASA.”
“Why do whales beach themselves? We’re partially to blame.
“From deceptive tidal patterns to noise pollution and overfishing, there are many reasons why whales—sometimes hundreds at a time—suddenly find themselves on land.”
“Global rainforest destruction increased sharply in 2020:
“Study finds destruction of pristine rainforest increased by 12 percent in 2020, despite global economic slowdown… An area of pristine rainforest the size of the Netherlands was burned or hacked down last year…”
“La Nina has ended, says Australian weather bureau… around a month earlier than had been expected…
“In a climate note, the BOM confirmed its El Nino – Southern Oscillation (ENSO) outlook had moved from La Nina to inactive. That means the climate driver is effectively in neutral – neither a La Nina nor an El Nino.”
Today’s thread dedicated to my diligent and endlessly supportive webmaster, without whom I could not put these threads together and whose birthday it is today:
“Some of the heaviest rainfall in Nashville’s history caused flooding that killed at least six people over the weekend…
“Nashville International Airport recorded up 7.01 inches of rain from late Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning, making this the second-largest, two-day rainfall total on record [Saturday was also Nashville’s wettest March day ever]…
“…a new rain of round is expected Tuesday night through Wednesday, CNN meteorologist Haley Brink said.”
“Newnan tornado was 1 mile wide, had 170 mph maximum wind speed: We’re beginning to learn new details about an intense tornado that devastated parts of Coweta, Heard and Fayette counties [Georgia] last week.
“…it was the strongest-rated tornado since the Ringgold tornado of 2011.”
“‘Active and dangerous scene’: Mount Rushmore closed, 400 homes evacuated as multiple wildfires spread in South Dakota:
“”Dangerous” wildfires have spread through the area just outside Mount Rushmore on Monday, closing the monument and neighborhoods in Rapid City, South Dakota, while fire crews battle threatening high winds.”
“Small-particle pollution spiked in Mexico City to almost six times acceptable limits Sunday, a level not seen for years in the Mexican capital.
“Levels of small particles, known as PM10, reached 581 points in the city’s Iztapalapa borough, on a scale where 100 is considered the highest acceptable level.”
“An international review led by a Sydney-based academic predicts hail severity will increase in most regions of the world while Australia will more frequently experience hailstorms.
“An unstable atmosphere caused by climate change threatens to bring more extreme hail events to Australia’s largest city.”
“Drought, fire and flood devastate Australians in the bush…
“After years of drought devastated crops and livestock, they battled the country’s worst wildfires in a generation in the Southern hemisphere summer of 2019-20, only to face flooding amid a La Nina wet weather event this year.”
“A massive fire has broken out at one of Indonesia’s biggest oil refineries after an explosion turned the sprawling complex into a raging inferno.
“Firefighters battled to contain the fire at the Balongan refinery in West Java, operated by the state oil company, Pertamina, as towering plumes of black smoke rose into the sky.”
“Floods submerge homes after heavy rains hit Indonesia:
“Floodwaters submerged many homes forcing hundreds of people to evacuate in Kota Pekanbaru, Indonesia, on Monday (March 29) after heavy rains hit the Province.”
“Numerous record high temps for March were set in Japan today [29th].
“Northern Japan’s Sapporo had 18.3C [65F], making it the warmest March day since records started in 1877. Migratory birds and spring flowers are already appearing in Hokkaido.”
“China’s Beijing gripped by second dangerous sandstorm in 2 weeks:
“Citizens of Beijing arose Sunday morning to find the city shrouded in thick, hazardous dust as the second sandstorm in two weeks hit the Chinese capital due to winds from drought-hit Mongolia and northwestern China.”
“Vast sandstorms expose Mongolia’s long-ignored ecological crisis: …Landlocked between its two giant neighbors, China and Russia, more than three-quarters of Mongolia is currently vulnerable to desertification…
“Global climate change appears to be driving the increasing frequency of sandstorms in Mongolia.”
“Nepal on Monday ordered schools to close as choking smog enveloped the capital Kathmandu, in the first-ever shutdown of the country’s education sector because of pollution.
“Kathmandu is currently ranked among the most polluted cities in the world, with the air quality index (AQI) readings well above 300…”
“Cyclone Amphan Aftermath: 600 families still living on embankment [India]…
“Shwapon Bain, a 73-year-old victim of the cyclone, recently talked to The Daily Star about the sufferings of his family. “We live under the open sky and are left with no work or income source. How long can we survive like this?” he said.”
“The winter season has ended a while back and the heat season is round the corner, but in the early times, the temperature has broken the record. Today was the hottest day in the last 76 years in the month of March in Delhi. The national capital Delhi today recorded a maximum temperature of 40.1 [104.2F] degrees Celsius.”
“Today 28 March Nawabshah in Pakistan recorded 45.5C [113.9F] tying the reliable pakistani March record of highest temperaturewhich was also set in March 2018 at the same place plus Moen Jo Daro and Pad Idan.”
“Thunderstorm in Madeira: floods and landslides wreak havoc:
“Twelve hours of intense rain, especially in Funchal. There are no victims to mourn but the damage is considerable, due to landslides, floods and electrical failures.”
“Siberian scientists have blocked the publication of a “bombshell” pollution report out of fear of angering voters ahead of this fall’s legislative elections, the Tayga news website reported Friday.
“…78% of Russia’s two dozen most polluted cities are located in Siberia and linked the findings to increased rates of birth defects, childhood disease and cancers in the region.”
“Warming of the Arctic leaves Inuit community in Canada on thin ice: Residents of a small coastal town in Canada’s northeast are used to gazing out at a sea of ice all winter long.
“This year, however, “it was all water — we could have gone out on a boat”, Barry Andersen, who runs Makkovik’s Inuit community, said. “It’s becoming concerning, if this is going to be the norm with climate change.””
“Arctic Noises Could Imperil Seals, Scientists Say:
“As human activity increases in the Arctic, seals might not be able to make enough noise to find mates, according to a new paper in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.”
“Bond Investor Revolt Brews Over Bogus Green Debt Flooding Market:
“…At the forefront of concerns among a small but growing contingent of bond buyers is greenwashing: the possibility that governments and companies are exaggerating or misrepresenting their environmental credentials or sustainability bona fides to tap feverish demand, lower borrowing costs and boost their reputation.”
“Nearly 31% of global farmland is at ‘high risk’ of pesticide pollution that can seep into water supplies and impact human health, study reveals.
“Researchers looked at the use of 92 herbicides, fungicides and insecticides across 168 countries. Nearly two-thirds of farmland had levels of at least one chemicals higher than what’s considered safe.”
“Kuwait Records Hottest March Temperature Ever Amid Dust Storms and Locusts:
“It’s freaking hot in Kuwait right now. On Thursday, the country recorded a temperature of 112.3 degrees Fahrenheit (44.6 degrees Celsius). That’s the hottest temperature the country—and the entire Arabian Peninsula—has ever seen in the month of March.”
[You may recall that Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar all broke their national heat records for March on the 18th.]
“A locust plague hit East Africa. The pesticide solution may have dire consequences. Heavy use of a broad-spectrum pesticide seems to have slowed the desert locust invasion…
“So far, 506,000 gallons (2.3 million litres) of chemical pesticides have been sprayed over 4.7 million acres (1.9 million hectares) at a cost the FAO says is £142 million. The spraying is expected to continue this year.”
“Northern Cape farmers battle ‘horrific’ brown locust outbreak: Jan Marais* knew the brown locusts would be coming but the Northern Cape sheep farmer wasn’t prepared for the scale of the outbreak…
““Our grazing is already compromised from the prolonged drought and now the little bit of food that is coming up is being decimated by the locusts,” he said.”
“Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment on Wednesday warned that the country will face destructive flash floods, strong hailstorms and landslides as the first major rain season starts for the next three months.
“Beatrice Atim Anywar, state minister for water and environment told Parliament that heavy rains above the normal level will lead to flash floods, strong winds and landslides…”
“Hunger is on the rise in Angola as the country “experiences its worst episode of drought in four decades in the south-western provinces,” the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Friday.
““As water supply diminishes, severely impacting crops, with losses of up to 40 percent,” it is “increasing the risk for livestock sustenance,” WFP spokesperson Tomson Phiri said…”
“African elephants living in forests and savannas are increasingly threatened with extinction, according to the latest Red List of the world’s most threatened species, with conservationists stepping up calls for an urgent end to poaching and the destruction of the elephants’ habitat…
““We must urgently put an end to poaching and ensure that sufficient suitable habitat for both forest and savannah elephants is conserved,” said Bruno Oberle, the IUCN director- general.”
“Russia sees record high average temperatures in 2020: Russia in 2020 saw record high average temperatures and a historic decline in summer ice cover on its Arctic maritime route, the country’s weather monitor said Thursday.
“…3.22 degrees Celsius [5.8F] higher than the average for the period of 1961-1990…”
“Kent heatwave next week as UK could break record high temperature for March… The maximum temperature recorded in March was 25.6C (78F), on March 29, 1968, at Mepal in Cambridgeshire.”
“With a high of 83 degrees at 1:53 p.m. — normal for a June 17 — Philadelphia broke a century-old high-temperature record Fridayon warming winds that gusted past 55 mph and knocked out power to more than 10,000 Peco customers.
“A gust of 57 mph was recorded in West Whiteland Township, Chester County…”
“Despite Historic Snowstorm, Wyoming’s Drought Still Here…
“It may not look it, but much of Wyoming has been declared a primary natural disaster area by the U.S. Department of Agriculture due to continuing drought conditions.”
“Alabama tornadoes kill five as homes are destroyed and thousands lose power.
“At least five people have been killed and multiple injuries reported after a string of up to seven deadly tornadoes tore through Alabama, toppling trees, demolishing homes and knocking out power to thousands.”
“Austin, Texas has yet another golf-ball-sized hailstorm on a March 25th: For some reason, the three costliest, most damaging hail storms in the city’s history have all occurred on the same day — March 25 — over the years.
“And oddly enough, hail made another appearance on that day this year, falling overnight Thursday.”
“Texas death toll from February storm, outages surpasses 100.
“Many homes went without power or drinkable water for days after subfreezing temperatures, failing power plants and record demand for heat pushed Texas’ electric grid to the breaking point.”
“New research shows that in the southern part of the U.S. several tropical species of plants and animals are extending their range northward and not all of them will be welcome in their new territories.
“Disease-carrying mosquitos and destructive invasive species such as Burmese pythons are making the transition up north as well…”
“Mass Bird Die-Off Linked to Wildfires and Toxic Gases:
“Using observations from crowdsourced science and weather location data, researchers concluded that wildfires caused a mass die-off of birds in the western and central United States in 2020.”
“Tamuin, under strong downslope winds, recorded 46.7C [116F] on 24 March tying its monthly record set on 29 March 2000 and approaching the WORLD record of highest temperature in March which belongs to Ballesmi, in the same area,with 48.0C [118.4F] in March 1975.”
“Mexico suffers 75 active forest fires, according to the registry presented this Thursday by the Government, which affect 20 states of the country, among which those that occurred in San Luis Potosí, Chihuahua, Coahuila and Nuevo León stand out by quantity and extension…
“…Conafor reported that 15 forest fires occur in 11 Natural Protected Areas (ANP) of the country.”
“This Beautiful Region of Patagonia Was Devastated By Wildfires This Month…
“Earlier this month, I sat on my roof in absolute shock to watch over 75,000 acres of pristine Patagonian forest get completely devoured by wildfire…. The latest fire, on March 9, moved in so fast and was so widespread that it is estimated to have burned 2.5 acres every 3.5 seconds.”
“Heavy rainfall causes flooding across Fiji’s capital city…
“A bus is overturned due to the slippery road caused by heavy rain in Suva, Fiji, March 25, 2021.Heavy rainfall caused flooding across Fiji’s capital city…”
“Concern over Australia’s massive rain event occurring during relatively weak La Nina.
“Australia’s epic floods shouldn’t have been this big, given the La Nina is relatively weak. But a worrying factor may have tipped the scales… climate change is likely to mean it won’t be the last such rain event or curiously strong climate driver.”
“Dumaresq River flood [NSW] sees farmers go from drought to deluge, destroying first good crop in years…
“Major flooding has dealt a savage blow to drought-stricken farmers by destroying their first decent crop in years… “All of our cotton is either in water or completely submerged,” said Cotton farmer Daryl Cleeve.”
“Raw sewage is being pumped down a tributary of a major New South Wales drinking water dam, after heavy rain damaged a sewage treatment plantin the state’s Central West…
“The EPA said the release site was 115 kilometres upstream of Burrendong Dam, the drinking water source for towns including Dubbo.”
“Everything from bandicoots to tiny turtle hatchlings have been washing up dead in NSW, with wildlife rescuers fearing populations already ravaged by prolonged drought and catastrophic bushfires will plummet further.
“Large tracts of NSW went underwater in the past week as rivers filled by torrential rain broke their banks.”
“Europe’s plastics industry is about to boom. U.S. fracking is driving it.
“Even as the European Union rolls out aggressive plans for reducing plastic waste, countries are importing cheap ethane gas to fuel their plastics industries.”
“Oil and natural gas production emit more methane than previously thought:
“The research team found 90 percent higher emissions from oil production and 50 percent higher emissions for natural gas production than The Environmental Protection Agency estimated in its latest inventory.”
“The company behind the Suez Canal blockage spilled 28,800 plastic toys into the ocean in the 1990s:
“28,800 plastic toys were mysteriously dumped into the ocean in the 1990s, prompting investigations. They were eventually traced back to a ship operated by Evergreen Marine.”
“A newly published study from the University of Exeter has revealed that at least 25% of marine mammals are classified as threatened of extinction.
“The findings come after the research team investigated the status of 126 species marine mammals, including whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, manatees, dugongs, sea otters and polar bears.”
“Many tropical cyclone-prone regions of the world are expected to experience storm systems of greater intensity over the coming century, according to a review of research published today in ScienceBrief Review.
“Moreover, sea level rise will aggravate coastal flood risk from tropical cyclones and other phenomena, even if the tropical cyclones themselves do not change at all [which they will, of course].”
“Super-cold thunderstorm sets temperature record… scientists have just published research showing the top of one tropical storm cloud system in 2018 reached -111C. This is very likely a record low temperature.
“It was seen on 29 December that year, just south of the equator in the western Pacific.”
“The vast Russian region of Siberia will face hot and dry weather this year leading to more forest fires, forecasters said on Tuesday, linking the blazes to climate change…
“Last year, a heatwave caused by changing climate in northern Siberia helped spark forest fires that blanketed cities including Yakutsk in smoke.
“Freakishly warm weather across large swathes of Siberia last July saw nearly 300 wildfires blazing at once, causing record high carbon emissions.”
“Climate change is projected to drive a very large increase in fire danger across the whole of the UK, leading researchers to warn that planning rules may need to block the building of new homes in fire-prone areas.
“…even rare wildfires can cause disruption, from the toxic smoke created by massive recent fires on Saddleworth Moor near Manchester to large blazes in west Scotland and Cornwall last month. There is evidence that warming has already increased the number of fires in the UK in recent years.”
“Record precipitation in Whitehorse [Yukon, Canada] this winter, and it’s likely not done yet…
“Doug Lundquist of Environment Canada said the region saw the “wettest-ever” period between November and February, with 123 millimetres of snow or rain falling in those months, compared to the previous record of 120 millimetres in 2008/09.”
“Drought is real and California is now facing water restrictions…
“State and federal water officials have delivered their most dire warning yet of California’s deepening drought, announcing that water supply shortages are imminent and calling for quick conservation.”
“The driest parts of the American West are already in the grips of a “megadrought,” defined as a prolonged drought lasting two or more decades.
“The ongoing drought is the result both of reduced precipitation, including less of the winter snowfall that replenishes water reserves, and punishingly high temperatures, which strips the soil of moisture.”
“Up to 8 inches of rain could cause flash floods as storms move into south Mississippi, forecasts show.
“A flash flood watch was issued for the region early Tuesday and will remain in effect through Thursday night as residents brace for another round of storms. The area could see damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes later this week.”
“Heavy rains in Colombia highest on record for March…
“Heavy rainfall across Colombia forebodes a torrential Easter accumulating to the already historical levels of precipitation recorded during the month of March by the national meteorological agency IDEAM.”
“Hazardous debris is being swept along muddy rivers and dumped on NSW beaches as extensive flooding flushes shipping containers, fridges and gas bottles hundreds of kilometres to the ocean.
“Residents in sodden parts of Sydney and NSW have reported cars, trees, outdoor furniture and dead animals being washed away…”
“...wild weather leads to waterfalls on Uluru… while Sydney is bracing for a ‘plague’ of deadly spiders…
“In the country’s arid centre, water cascaded down the Uluru rock formation, a rare phenomenon described by the national park as “unique and extraordinary”.”
“Towns turned into islands and 2,000kms of road underwater: Western Australia is smashed by floods after torrential downpour…
“Western Australia’s wet season is in full swing with prolonged rainfall prompting flood warnings and turning towns in the state’s north into isolated islands. Some townships have gone several weeks being cut-off from the rest of the country…”
“Seoul saw its first cherry blossom blooming of this year on Wednesday, the earliest in 99 years, the state weather agency said.
“The blooming of cherry blossoms began in the capital on the earliest date on record since observation began in 1922, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said Thursday.”
“Taiwan stepped up its fight against its worst drought in decades, further reducing water supplies to areas including a key hub of semiconductor manufacturing in the central part of the island in an effort to stop reserves from running dry…
” A shortage of semiconductors has slowed output at automakers worldwide, prompting TSMC and its peers to run their fabs at close to full capacity to try and keep up with demand.”
“Singapore’s temperatures rising despite La Nina’s cooling effect…
“An extra-cool spell triggered by the weather phenomenon known as La Nina was not enough to offset soaring temperatures in Singapore, said the weatherman in the country’s annual climate assessment report yesterday.”
“Fatal heatwaves could affect hundreds of millions of people as global temperatures rise, a new study estimates.
“The research, led by international climate change scientists, found that Bangladesh, Pakistan and India are most at risk of catastrophic heat events if climate change targets are missed.”
“With torrential rains battering parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [Pakistan] for the second day on Tuesday, a woman lost her lifeand two people, including a child, suffered injuries in calamity-related incidents…
“The rain-related incidents also led to the destruction of nine houses and partial damage of 14 in different parts of the province.”
“Biodiversity at risk, threatens human survival, UN forum hears:
“As the living tissue of the earth, biodiversity is “intimately linked to human health” the head of the UN’s scientific agency told a global forum on Wednesday, noting that “we are part of that living tissue”.”
“Outbreaks of infectious diseases are more likely in areas of deforestation and monoculture plantations, according to a study that suggests epidemics are likely to increase as biodiversity declines.
“Land use change is a significant factor in the emergence of zoonotic viruses such as Covid-19 and vector-borne ailments such as malaria…”
“One degree of global warming causes a 50% increase in population displacement risk:
“A new study shows that if the population were fixed at current levels, the risk of population displacement due to river floods would rise by ~50% for each degree of global warming. However, if population increases are taken into account, the relative global flood displacement risk is significantly higher.”
“Rivers are a surprisingly large source of greenhouse gases, and water pollution makes their emissions many times worse…
“It’s estimated that rivers and streams release up to 3.9 billion tonnes of carbon each year (around four times the amount of carbon emitted annually by the global aviation industry).
“One of Earth’s giant carbon sinks may have been overestimated:
“The storage potential of one of the Earth’s biggest carbon sinks – soils – may have been overestimated, research shows. This could mean ecosystems on land soaking up less of humanity’s emissions than expected, and more rapid global heating.”
“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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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.
“At least 71 people have died after flash floods and landslides hit Indonesia and East Timor on Sunday. Torrential rain sparked widespread destruction in the South East Asian neighbours, with water from overflowing dams submerging thousands of homes.
“New Zealand town where Easter is all about wiping out bunnies…
“Scientists are closely watching unusually warm waters around the North Island’s East Coast [New Zealand] – and predict “marine heatwaves” could develop near Canterbury and Otago within days…
“Uttarakhand [India] witnessing unprecedented forest fires… 
“Increasing Dust Storms and Heat Waves in Northern India: What’s the matter? …India is the fifth most vulnerable of the 181 countries to the effects of climate change, with its poorest being the most at risk according to Global Climate Risk Index…
“With mercury levels continuing to rise in the state, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a heatwave warning in six districts of Telangana.
“3rd April was another record hot day in the Arabian Peninsula. The station of Swiehan in the United Arab Emirates recorded 44.0C [111.2F], which is the earliest 44C ever recorded in the country.
“Shell confirms oil spill in Bayelsa community…
“‘No one explained’: fracking brings pollution, not wealth, to Navajo land.
“Air pollution from Europe’s coal plants could be responsible for up to 34,000 deaths across the continent each year, a new study suggests.
“The decline of butterflies in Europe… In the UK, 8% of resident species have become extinct and overall numbers have declined by around 50% since 1976. In the Netherlands, 20% of species have become extinct and overall numbers in the country have declined by 50% since 1990. 
“Satellite images show huge Russian military buildup in the Arctic.
“China Looks to the Arctic to Avoid Another Suez Slowdown.
“Rich nation appetites driving tropical deforestation.
The news cycle is quietening down for the Easter break. If there’s enough news to put together either an economic or climate thread, depending on which is looking most interesting, I’ll be back on Monday. Failing that, I’ll certainly be back on Tuesday. Have a great Easter weekend in the meantime. 
“Phoenix could hit 100 degrees this weekend as a record-breaking air mass brings dangerous heat and fire weather concerns to the region. The heat is in sharp contrast to the unusually cold weather dominating the eastern United States yesterday and today…
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“‘What happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic!’ 
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Here’s a nice, one-article recap of Europe’s record-breaking March heatwave, covered in the previous thread
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“Flooding in Indonesia (April 2, 2021): 
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“Melting glacier threatens to shove a mighty river off course.
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National temperature records for March also fall in the low countries: 
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