“Sixth Mass Extinction of Global Biodiversity Is Already in Progress.
“The history of life on Earth has been marked five times by events of mass biodiversity extinction caused by extreme natural phenomena. Today, many experts warn that a Sixth Mass Extinction crisis is underway, this time entirely caused by human activities.”
“After a scorching day, the city of Buenos Aires lived its hottest night in 122 years. For the first time since February 1900 (former station) the overnight minimum temperature didn’t drop below 30.0C [86F].
“Today the conditions are terrible with high humidity and a current temp. of 38C.”
“South America Brutal Heat Wave: Let’s talk about the many records of highest minimum temperatures which are falling day after day:
“On 16 January Overnight Min. temperatures were 31.3C [88.3F] at IPTA-Chaco, Paraguay, 30.5C in Formosa, Argentina and 30.4C in Uruguaiana AP, Brazil.”
“16th January was another terrible day in South America with 45.2C [113.4F] in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. In Brazil Porto Alegre had one of its hottest days ever, while Rio Pardo had its hottest ever with 40.8C. Tomorrow the record heat will move further North in the Iguazu area.”
“Forest fires rage in nine of Argentina’s 23 provinces. Strong winds and unseasonably high temperatures have reignited wildfires in Patagonia which have devastated huge areas of forest in the remote Argentine region.
“And with temperatures climbing upwards, firefighters have now been deployed across Argentina to forest fires raging in nine of out of the country’s 23 provinces…”
“Mother bears and cubs battle for survival as wildfire, drought and traffic take heavy toll [California]…
“The unprecedented surge in deadly vehicle strikes is likely the result of bears fleeing massive wildfires in the Sierra Nevada, as well as the effects of drought, according to biologists.”
“Recent rain not benefitting central Oregon as much as climatologists hoped. Oregon’s received more rainfall and snowfall over the last month, thanks to a La Niña winter.
“The state’s climatologist says that additional precipitation is helping to improve local drought conditions. But, it hasn’t come down evenly across Oregon.”
“Florida tornadoes destroy dozens of homes, leave 7,000 customers without power.
“Two tornadoes struck southwest Florida Sunday morning, destroying at least 28 homes and damaging others in Lee County, while leaving about 7,000 houses there without power, officials said. At least 62 homes are currently “unlivable…””
“The worst drought in over a century aggravates the ‘heat island’ effect in Barcelona [Spain]…
“In Catalonia, the year 2021 confirmed a widespread shortage of rainfall, especially pronounced in Barcelona and the metropolitan area. Since the Fabra Observatory, located in the Catalan capital, began collecting meteorological data in 1914, never before has a year with so little rainfall been recorded.”
“Is South Africa heading for the wettest summer on record?Overflowing Vaal brings a flood of problems…
“Eighteen months ago, marina owner Kathy Manten was almost high and dry, with barely enough water in the Vaal Dam to keep her boats afloat. This week she had the opposite problem. Her boat yard flooded and her harbour walls disappeared under a muddy deluge.”
“At least 62,585 animals have been killed by prolonged drought in Tanzania’s northern district of Simanjiro, an official said.
“Sendeu Laizer, vice-chairman of the Simanjiro district council, told a meeting of councillors in the district that the drought situation in the district was alarming, reports Xinhua news agency.”
“Residents stranded as torrential rains flood roads, cut off neighborhoods [Israel]…
“Heavy storms that have hit Israel since Friday resulted in several areas flooded on Sunday, with some people requiring rescue from stranded vehicles and an entire neighborhood in Lod cut off by water.”
“Rain is causing chaos across the Middle East, with flash flooding in Erbil and the cancellation of outdoor events in Saudi Arabia to protect public safety.
“In the UAE, many areas were affected by rain on Sunday, some of it heavy… Forecasters warned that the rain could return later in the week, making it one of the wettest recent starts to a new year.”
“One of the World’s Wealthiest Oil Exporters [Kuwait] Is Becoming Unlivable.
“Thanks to climate change, temperatures in Kuwait could become too hot for people and wildlife in decades. How is this rich nation facing an uncomfortable future?”
“After months of severe drought, a burst of rain is causing problems [Iran].
“For much of 2021, drought gripped southern Iran, parching crops, drying wells, and fueling protests over water.
“The first week of 2022 brought the opposite problem—a series of potent rain and snow storms overwhelmed rivers and unleashed widespread flooding.” [satellite images]
“Loud sounds in western Iran caused by lightning… “After liaising with the relevant security and military agencies, it was determined that the [loud blasts heard in several cities in western Iran on Sunday] were caused by lightning and no special incident occurred,” ministry official Majid Mirahmadi told the state news agency IRNA.”
“Himalayan Glaciers Are Melting At A “Most Spectacular” Rate.
“For centuries, the balance of melting glaciers in the Himalayas has provided for a stable and secure source of water for millions of people in Asia. And, for this reason, the thinning and reduction of these ice masses is of great concern to people in the region.”
“The Mekong River flows have dropped to their lowest level in more than 60 years for three consecutive years, with 2020 being the Lower Mekong Basin’s driest year when rainfall was below normal levels in every month except October, according to a report…
“…the 2019–2021 period was exceptional due to highly reduced rainfall and worsening climate conditions…”
“Two more elephants die after eating plastic waste in Sri Lankan dump… About 20 elephants have died over the last eight years after consuming plastic in the dump in Pallakkadu village in Ampara district, about 130 miles (210km) east of the capital, Colombo.
“Examinations of the dead animals showed they had swallowed large amounts of nondegradable plastic.”
“Coral reefs near north, south coasts [Taiwan] ‘dysfunctional’…
“The study, conducted with the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium over the past year, was initiated in response to concerns that rising ocean temperatures would worsen coral bleaching around Taiwan, the agency said in a statement.”
“Indonesia’s devastating forest fires in 2019 burned nearly twice as much land as was officially reported… raising concerns among environmental campaigners over the government’s transparency regarding deforestation.
“The Southeast Asian country… has razed large swathes of land to accommodate its palm, pulp and paper industries.”
“Flood-hit Queensland will take years to recover from ‘once in a lifetime’ disaster, mayor says.
“Recovery co-ordinator Paul de Jersey was delivered the sobering verdict while visiting areas hit hard by floodwaters in the Wide Bay-Burnett region that killed two people… Gympie mayor Glen Hartwig said the region was still reeling from the rain…”
“A severe storm brought flash flooding and hail to a Queensland city [Toowoomba] over the weekend, leaving residents and businesses to repair the damage left behind…
“Darren Fielder was “shocked” to find half a metre of hail in the garageof his Redleaf Environmental office in Toowoomba.”
“Last nine years all among 10 hottest-ever… according to an annual report a US agency released Thursday, the latest data underscoring the global climate crisis…
“Thursday itself saw mercury rise to a sweltering 123.3F (50.7C) in the coastal town of Onslow in Western Australia, making it the country’s hottest day on record.”
You can read the previous ‘Climate’ thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an ‘Economic’ thread.
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“Australia Ties Record for Hottest Southern Hemisphere Day – it topped 123 degrees Fahrenheit in Western Australia [50.7C], tying the record for the hottest temperature ever recorded in the southern hemisphere…
“Before this week, Australia has only crossed the 122-degree-Fahrenheit (50-degree-Celsius) mark three times in its history. Now, it’s happened at three locations in one day—and even more intense heat is on the way.”
“Damp start to 2022 flows on from record rainfall [Cowra, NSW, Australia]…
“The Cowra Ag Research Station recorded a whopping 206.7mm of rainfall in November of 2021, surpassing the previous record of 160.9mm set in 1961 by 45.8mm. For the spring season, the Station also recorded 358.4mm, an increase on the 339.4mm record of 1924 by 19mm.”
“Hail has torn leaves off plants, decimating crops in western Victoria [Australia]. Farmers across Ballarat are bracing for more rain as they sift through what is left in their paddocks.
“The damage is estimated to cost more than 25-million dollars so far.”
“Drought, fire, and now floods in just three years for Queensland farmers…
“A deep love of their animals has made the past three years of drought, fire and flood a traumatic experience for the couple. “I think if you’re a farmer, you have an innate love for animals and to see them suffering is incredibly hard,” she said.”
“Northland firefighters brace for cyclone winds at massive Kaimaumau blaze [New Zealand]…
“Firefighters battling Northland’s biggest blaze in more than a decade are bracing for the possible onslaught of cyclone strength winds in coming days… In preparation for high winds, fire breaks had been strengthened so most were now 30m wide. In the most critical areas some were as wide as 60m.”
“The flames of the fire in Bariloche [Patagonia, Argentina] reached Route 40 and many people were stranded…
“The forest fire has been active for a month and the intense heat caused the fire to increase and reach National Route 40 that leads to El Bolsón, Rio Negro.”
“Argentina declares “emergency” situation due to forest fires…
“The Government of Argentina declared on Wednesday the “igneous emergency” throughout the territory for a period of one year in order to adopt the necessary measures to “promote and attend imminently” the fight against forest, rural or grassland fires.”
“The Paiva lagoon [Argentina] disappeared in the midst of extreme drought…
“Various images of the lagoon of Paiva, Santa Fe, completely empty began to circulate on social networks and generated concern among the locals. As it transpired, the water mirror of the disappeared as a result of the extreme drought…”
“The drought, the heat and the downstream of the Paraná River increased the mortality of fish and water turtles…
“Thousands of dead fish and a population of aquatic turtles decimated is the panorama that is observed in internal lagoons in the wetland of the Paraná Delta, in front of Rosario, due to the downstream of the river, the drought and the heat wave.”
“Heat wave: Brazil cuts over 6 million tons from its harvest estimates…
“Brazil’s National Supply Company (CONAB) released its latest monthly estimate for the 2021/22 grain harvest, where December’s positive expectations were completely eclipsed by the heat wave which is severely affecting crops.”
“Heavy rains leave Brazil indigenous group homeless again.
“Three years ago, the collapse of the tailings dam at an iron ore mine forced them to move their homes to higher ground. Now, the rain-swollen Paraopeba River has flooded their new village and left them homeless again.”
“Panama drills more than 500 wells in agricultural areas to face drought.
“The authorities of Panama reported on Wednesday that more than half a thousand wells have been drilled in agricultural areas of the country to face a possible prolonged drought this year.”
“Wildfires and rising temperatures are exposing more and more Americans to an air pollution double-whammy of smoke and smog, a new study warns.
“Researchers found that over the past 20 years, a growing number of people in western states have been simultaneously exposed to high levels of two kinds of air pollution: Fine-particle pollution generated by wildfires, and ground-level ozone.”
“Climate change causing not only more landslides, but bigger and deadlier ones…
“Portland, Oregon – The term “atmospheric river” is becoming more common these days. It is a weather phenomenon used to be called a “pineapple express.” No matter how it’s referred to, one thing is for sure, these systems carry a lot of landslide-causing rain.”
“Florida Orange Crop Shrinks to 77-Year Low, Boosting Juice Costs.
“Orange juice futures surged to the highest in more than three years after government data showed Florida’s orange crop will shrink to the smallest since 1945… Citrus greening disease continues to plague groves in the state…”
“Gulf of Maine waters warmed to highest fall temperatures on record… more than 4 degrees above the long-term average…
“The Gulf of Maine – which has been warming faster than 96 percent of the world’s ocean areas – experienced its warmest fall surface water temperatures on record last year in what scientists tracking it call a “distinct regime shift” for the ecosystem.”
“Tiger sharks expanding range and could increasingly encounter humans as oceans warm due to climate crisis…
“While waters off the US northeast coastline have historically been too cold for tiger sharks, temperatures have warmed significantly in recent years making them increasingly suitable for the species, the researchers said.”
“No English river is free from pollution because a ‘chemical cocktail’ of wet wipes, sewage and car tyre particles is clogging up waterways and putting health at risk, damning report warns.
“Not a single river in England is free from pollution — with waterways fouled by a ‘chemical cocktail’ of raw sewage, slurry, oils, car tyre microplastics and wet wipes.”
“Storm Gyda and an atmospheric river cause flooding and severe damage in Norway.
“In Norway, a powerful storm fueled by an atmospheric river wreaks havoc on strong winds and heavy rainfall. The storm, baptized as Gyda, caused abundant downpours that raised the flow of streams and rivers. Dozens of roads had to be closed due to damage caused by the storm.”
“Greece’s ‘green gold’ at risk, as heatwave fries olive oil industry.
“Standing in his olive grove in Kalamata, Greek farmer Michalis Antonopoulos points to a series of branches bearing rotten fruit. These are the remnants of last winter – a season too warm and dry to produce Greece’s famous olive stock. The following summer saw the worst heatwave in decades…”
“The Eastern Cape has set the ball rolling to declare a provincial state of disaster following torrential rains that left 17 people dead.
“Tuesday night’s decision followed incidents of flooding and other natural disasters, including a tornado, that have affected most parts of the province over the past month, particularly over the past weekend.”
“Driest Conditions in 40 Years Threaten Millions in Somalia, Ethiopia.
“Severe drought is affecting more than three million people in Somalia and southeast Ethiopia, says the aid group International Rescue Committee (IRC). The IRC says the two Horn of Africa nations are among 20 countries in the world most at risk for a worsening humanitarian crisis this year.”
“Antalya’s Manavgat district… saw the precipitation reaching a new high on Wednesday.
“Along with Manavgat, the Serik and Alanya districts were hit by heavy rainfall that led some streams to overflow their banks and damaged orchards in the region, while the basement floors of some buildings were inundated with floodwaters.”
“Floods hit Erbil [Kurdistan] neighborhoods following heavy rainfall…
“Water quickly rose in several neighborhoods in the Kurdish capital following heavy rainfall on Thursday, recording the third flooding since October. Floods hit Erbil province in the early hours of Thursday… Rudaw footage showed water sweeping into people’s houses…”
“Unseasonal rain, hailstorms hit crops in Maharashtra [India]; many houses damaged.
“Crops grown on more than 28,000 hectares of land bore the brunt of unseasonal rain and hailstorms in Maharashtra’s Nagpur division in the last few days, officials said on Thursday… nearly 70 houses were damaged…”
“Food supply hit ahead of Chinese New Year, Ramadan after floods wiped out Malaysian farms…
“The disruptions in the food supply chain – ahead of Chinese New Year next month and Ramadan in April – come after a series of massive floods devastated parts of Malaysia from Dec 18. Malaysia Federation of Vegetable Farmers Association president Lim Ser Kwee said many farmers were badly hit…”
“Rivers speeding up Arctic ice melt at alarming rate, experts say…
“New research… measures how the flow of the Yenisei River — the largest freshwater river that flows into the Arctic Ocean — has changed over the last few hundred years, and describes the impact freshwater has had on the Arctic.”
“Excessive rainfall can cause catastrophic socio-economic losses to a community or nation. An analysis of changes in gross regional product identifies ways in which extreme precipitation affects global economic productivity.”
“We’re already seeing the impact of climate change—today, droughts, heatwaves, and extreme rainstorms are 2x more frequent than they were a century ago. In less than a decade, Earth’s climate is expected to warm another 0.5°C. If this happens, heatwaves will be 4.1x more frequent than they were in the 1850-1900s.”
“Animal decline is hurting plants’ ability to adapt to climate change…
“Declines in bird and mammal species are making plant seed dispersal more difficult, which means plants can’t adapt as effectively to climate change… About half of plants rely on animals to disperse their seeds…”
You can read the previous ‘Climate’ thread here. I’ll be back over the weekend with an ‘Economic’ thread.
If you found value in this content, please help me continue this work by becoming a patron of my work via Patreon. And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It really means a lot.
“11th January was a historic day in Buenos Aires. The City Observatory (OCBA) which data started in 1906, recorded its 2nd highest temperature ever with 41.1C [106F] only behind the Jan 1957 record of 43.3C. All time high at Punta Indio with 41.1C (previous 40.5C in 1957).
“‘Furnace’: Argentina roasts in record-setting heat wave…
“With temperatures up around 45°C (113°F) in parts of the South American nation, hundreds of thousands of people were left without electricity when power grids failed in and around populous capital city Buenos Aires.”
“Drought already affects 40% of [Argentina’s] fields planted with soybeans and corn…
“This week’s extreme temperatures across the national agricultural zone have deepened fears about the water situation of soybean and corn crops… the government… on Tuesday announced emergency measures to alleviate the climate crisis.”
“No change in sight for downspouts [ie lowering of water levels] – particularly of the Paraná river…
“The Paraná River Tuesday recorded once again a minus 46 centimeters downspout in front of the capital of the Argentine Province of Entre Ríos, thus repeating Aug. 18’s all-time low, Argentine Coast Guard confirmed, as the entire country goes through an unprecedented heatwave.”
“Paraguay: Dramatic footage shows firefighters battling raging blaze in Villeta. At least 40 firefighters and eight trucks were mobilised to the scene.
“Firefighters have been battling a raging forest fire in Villeta, Paraguay, for more than eight hours, as it spread through bushes and trees burning around 2,000 hectares.” [Video]
“Torrential rain kills 10 including 11-year-old girl in Brazil.
“Floods and landslides caused by torrential rains killed 10 people, including an 11-year-old girl, in two days in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state, an official report from the State Coordinator of Civil Defense said Tuesday, as it also warned of more intense downpours in the region.”
““I’ve been studying manatees for around 50 years, and I am totally shocked and flabbergasted by this number,” James “Buddy” Powell, president of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and executive director of its research institute, told the Tampa Bay Times.”
“December 2021 in USA had an average temperature of 39.34F, a staggering, exact 5F above the 1991-2020 normal and was by far the warmest December on records.
“The difference within any other December is abysmal. See NCDC graph and top 10 warmest December.”
“Arctic front hits America with lows of -45C [-49F].
“Fifteen million Americans in 12 states were warned about wind chill today after temperatures plunged this week. The United States National Weather Service said wind chills of -35C to -40C were capable of causing “frostbite on exposed skin in as little as ten minutes”.”
“B.C. braces for heavy rain, potential floods as latest atmospheric river arrives.
“The latest atmospheric river to wash over British Columbia was expected to soak parts of the south coast with as much as 150 millimetres of rain in a series of waves that won’t relent until Thursday, Environment Canada said.”
“Canada’s wheat exports are expected to see a sharp fall in this marketing year as the exportable surplus is seen tightening with output at lowest in more than 14 years amid one of the warmest and driest summers on record.
“In MY 2021-22, Canada is likely to harvest 21.7 million mt of wheat, down sharply from 35.2 million mt the year before, AAFC said.”
“Last year was officially the warmest in Montreal’s history… Legault says that “had it not been for this past July, which was colder than usual, 2021 would have shattered the record” rather than coming very close to the second and third place years.”
“German Floods Cost a Record $40 Billion, Munich Re Estimates.
“Germany suffered its costliest natural disaster on record last year, as flash floods led to damages that vastly exceeded the amount covered by insurers. Torrential rainfall that devastated parts of western Germany in July 2021 cost Europe’s biggest economy $40 billion…”
“A elderly woman has died, schools remain closed and transport services significantly disrupted after major flooding hit south west France… In Haute-Garonne and Ariège, the equivalent of one month of rainfall fell in 48 hours.”
“The new floods in Navarre [Spain], a month after the historic flood, keep citizens on alert…
“This weekend the alarms went off again in Navarre before the sudden flooding of the rivers, a consequence of the rainfall of the last hours and the thaw. The increase in the flow has led the Government of Navarre to activate the pre-emergency level of the Special Flood Plan…”
“India’s Deadly Air Pollution Keeps Getting Worse Not Better.
“India is failing in efforts to improve its toxic air quality, with the number of smog-plagued cities increasing since the launch of a national program to tackle the issue… More than 90% of India’s population lives in areas where air quality is below World Health Organization standards.”
“Eight people perish in Papua floods as disasters sweep nation [Indonesia]…
“Heavy rains have led numerous rivers to break their banks flooding entire areas of the province. In recent days, Sumatra (three children dead and 32,000 displaced) and North Aceh have also been hit. Unregulated deforestation and illegal logging at the origin of the floods.”
“The historic town of Lithgow [NSW, Australia] is cleaning up the damage from what locals describe as a storm so ferocious it flooded homes and businesses, on a scale never seen before.
“A weather system that moved from Dubbo to the east hit the main street early yesterday afternoon, and what unfolded caught most people by surprise. In as little as half an hour, more than 70mm fell [around three inches].”
“2021 officially New Zealand’s hottest year on record, Niwa says.
“The country saw an average temperature of 13.56 degrees Celsius, almost an entire degree above the 1981-2010 average. It’s the warmest since records began back in 1908, with the previous hottest year being 2016.”
“Over 4,000 Fijians in evacuation centers due to tropical cyclone.
“Around 4,630 people were taking shelter in 162 evacuation centers across Fiji after TD03F, which later developed into Tropical Cyclone Cody, brought incessant heavy rain and floods over the last couple of days.”
“Study finds recent growth and sudden declines in Antarctic sea ice to be unique changes since the early 20th century.
“A study led by Ohio University researchers shows that the increase of sea ice surrounding Antarctica since 1979 is a unique feature of Antarctic climate since 1905—an observation that paints a dramatic first-ever picture for weather and climate implications on the world’s southernmost continent.”
“In Yakutia, where the permafrost can be nearly a mile deep, annual temperatures have risen by more than two degrees Celsius since the Industrial Revolution, twice the global average. As the air gets hotter, so does the soil.”
“Permafrost thaw places one-fifth of northern hemisphere at risk.
“Half the buildings, roads and other infrastructure in the world’s cold regions will be at risk within 30 years because climate change is thawing the permafrost beneath them… Already [scientists] have found 80pc of buildings in some of Russia’s northern cities showing signs of damage.”
“Greenland ice sheet shrinks for 25th consecutive year.
“The ice sheet in Greenland has shrunk for the 25th year in a row, according to new data from the UN. The report reveals that the melting season was initially delayed by late and heavy snowfall in June but followed a heatwave in July, leading to very large losses of ice.”
“The last seven years have been the warmest on record as planet approaches critical threshold.
“…the world is already feeling unprecedented effects of the climate crisis many are not prepared for, including significant melting events in the Arctic, deadly floods, unprecedented heat waves and historic droughts…. global greenhouse gas concentrations… continue to surge.”
“Hottest ocean temperatures in history recorded last year.
“The world’s oceans have been set to simmer, and the heat is being cranked up. Last year saw the hottest ocean temperatures in recorded history, the sixth consecutive year that this record has been broken, according to new research.”
“The top 10 global weather and climate change events of 2021.
“The most extreme heat wave in modern history, a record four $20 billion-plus weather disasters, and the hottest month on record globally highlighted a remarkable year in weather and climate.”
“Wild weather around the world wreaked havoc on markets for raw materials, lifting prices for everything from electricity and heat to houses and breakfast cereal.”
You can read the previous ‘Climate’ thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an ‘Economic’ thread.
If you found value in this content, please help me continue this work by becoming a patron of my work via Patreon. And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It really means a lot.
“The death toll due to unprecedented snowfall and a rush of tourists in Pakistan’s popular hill station of Murree reached 23 on Sunday after a minor girl, suffering from severe cold and pneumonia, died…
“Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said… that the situation can only be described as a “natural calamity” and that the area had witnessed “extreme snowfall”.”
“Hong Kong cooks after record-breaking hottest year since [records began in] 1884, Observatory says… with 11 months of 2021 being warmer than usual, according to an annual summary from the weather forecaster…
“Last year’s average maximum temperature of 27.5 degrees and minimum temperature of 22.6 degrees were the highest on record.”
“Flooding in Jember District, East Java Province [Indonesia], on Sunday, claimed two lives and rendered one resident missing…
“The flash floods swamped 440 houses, three places of worship, and two shops, thereby affecting 440 families comprising 1,668 people… The floodwaters began to recede, though leaving behind trash and mud in the affected areas.”
“Nine dead, hundreds ill with diarrhoea in typhoon-hit Philippines.
“Nine people have died and hundreds have fallen ill with diarrhoea in areas of the Philippines wrecked by a typhoon last month, with aid officials warning of a health crisis as millions struggle to secure clean water and food.”
“Entire town is ordered to evacuate as a man drowns and a teen girl goes missing amid wild weather and flooding across Australia’s east coast…
“Ex-cyclone Seth dumped a ‘surprise’ 673mm of rain in just 24 hours on Marodian, a community northwest of Gympie on the Fraser Coast. Meteorologists were shocked…”
“Widespread flooding in parts of Ba, Tavua, Nadi and Rakiraki [Fiji]; The Ba river has burst its bank…
“There is now a Tropical Cyclone Warning in force for the whole of Fiji. The Weather Office is also saying that major town centres in Nadi, Ba, Rakiraki and Tavua are at high risk of severe flooding.”
“Extreme heat Warning sign building in [central] South America is going to test infrastructure to the limit and threaten many all-time heat records [50C/122F possible!].
“Some areas are already under exceptional drought conditions. This incoming heatwave cannot be underestimated.”
“Water shortages as Chile’s record drought becomes ‘permanent’”… Chile’s government says a critical water shortage brought on by the longest drought in history is much worse than thought.
“Experts say the country is now facing an unprecedented climate emergency.” [Video]
“Survivor reveals the horrifying moment Brazilian cliff collapsed as death toll rises to ten…
“The region has been under heavy rainfall for two weeks, which officials suggest could have loosened the rock face. On Saturday, a dike overflowed at an iron ore mine about 180 miles to the east, cutting off a major federal highway.”
“Winter drought deepens in Waco region [Texas] after record heat in December.
“The regional drought, which the U.S. Drought Monitor classifies as “severe,” has stunted pastures and row crops, raised wildfire threats and lowered the levels of lakes and stock ponds. Little relief is in sight…”
“Hot December puts Georgia’s fruit growers on edge; Record-high winter temperatures put blueberry, peach crops at risk…
“Georgia’s most important fruit crops rely on a delicate balance of warm and cold temperatures delivered at just the right times. Too much warmth early in winter can cause problems…”
“Snow and record rain fuel flooding threat in US Pacific north-west.
“At least one person was missing, presumed dead as snow turned to rain and deluged the Pacific north-west on Friday, causing flooding, landslides and avalanche danger in the mountains.”
“B.C.’s record rainfall may be the new normal, experts warn…
““It’s very consistent with what climate projections describe [of] the reality coming for us,” said Armel Castellan, a warning preparedness meteorologist with the agency. “This was an example of what we can expect more of.””
“An Arctic blast sets the Northeast and Upper Midwest in a deep freeze as a tornado strikes Alabama.
“As frigid, arctic air engulfs the Upper Midwest and Northeast, some Gulf Coast states are at risk for more tornadoes. About 10 million people are under wind chill advisories in parts of North Dakota, Minnesota…”
“Iceland’s third-largest glacier and the largest glacier mass in Europe is now dissolving at rates never before seen in human history.That’s because of human-caused climate change…
“Iceland has now lost so much ice that with less weight from the glaciers, the land is rising. That’s making some harbors shallower, making it harder for boats to navigate.”
“Extreme risk of forest fires throughout the province [Valencia, Spain]…
“At a time when the usual thing should be that the alerts are warnings for precipitation, both in the form of rain and snow, or for low temperatures, the meteorological anomaly leads to worry about a matter more typical of the hot months.”
“Only 18 Hours of Sunshine in Ljubljana Last December, Despite Record Temperatures Around Slovenia…
“Some of the freakiest weather events [0f 2021] include a record high of 25 Celsius measured in the western Vipava Valley in February and 20.6 degrees below zero in the Bloke area in south central Slovenia in April.”
“Seven killed in Eastern Cape floods, hundreds affected… Hundreds more have now been left homeless…
“…the video footage of some of the rising water levels is nothing short of terrifying…
“Several bridges and roads were seen being completely engulfed by rapid water. Several houses and informal structures were also almost completely washed away.”
“[Western] Cape heatwave: Residents urged to report fires as heatwave continues.
“Over 80 vegetation fires have been reported in the Cape Town metro going into the weekend. Firefighters have managed to contain a blaze on Signal Hill.
“Lightning destroys building in Mandela’s birthplace.
“A fire ignited by a lightning strike has destroyed a tourism building in a South African village where anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela was born, his family announced on Sunday… Mandela was elected as first president of democratic South Africa in May 1994 and held the role until June 1999. He died aged 95 in 2013.”
“Victoria Falls residents [Zimbabwe] are counting their losses after flash floods caused by incessant rains that pounded the city since Friday destroyed pre-cast walls, household property, gardens and washed away some roads.
“The rains started falling on Friday morning until late afternoon before resuming on Saturday morning until evening. It was also raining yesterday.”
“South Sudan – Hundreds of Thousands Still Living in Precarious Conditions Months After Floods…
“Eight months since flooding began, [835,000] people in Unity State continue to suffer, stuck in poor living conditions and at risk of outbreaks of infectious and waterborne diseases. Spread across several makeshift camp sites, they face food insecurity, a loss of income, malnutrition, and a lack of safe drinking water.”
“More than 400 weather stations around the world beat their all-time highest temperature records in 2021…
“Ten countries – Oman, UAE, Canada, the United States, Morocco, Turkey, Taiwan, Italy, Tunisia and Dominica – broke or tied their national highest record, 107 countries beat their monthly high temperature record, and five beat their monthly low temperature record.”
“Record levels of greenhouse gas methane are a ‘fire alarm moment’…
“According to data compiled by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), average atmospheric concentrations of methane reached a record 1900 parts per billion (ppb) in September 2021, the highest in nearly four decades of records. The figure stood at 1638 ppb in 1983.”
You can read the previous ‘Climate’ thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an ‘Economic’ thread.
If you found value in this content, please help me continue this work by becoming a patron of my work via Patreon. And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It really means a lot.
“Another sign things are getting weird: Lightning around the North Pole increased dramatically in 2021…
“Vaisala, an environmental monitoring company that tracks lightning around the world, reported 7,278 lightning strokes occurred last year north of 80 degrees latitude, nearly twice as many as the previous nine years combined.”
“Highest minimum temperatures ever for December recorded at seven weather stations [Ireland].
“If you thought December to be milder than usual, you were not wrong, as seven weather stations in Ireland recorded their highest minimum temperature for December ever last month, Met Éireann has said.”
“Christmas Day broke record for highest daily rainfall in December…
“Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford [Ireland]weather station recorded 58.9mm daily total rainfall on Saturday 25th December, its wettest December day since its records began 80 years ago.”
“Living on the edge! Hundreds of caravans are now just yards from the precipice of Devon cliff [UK] after huge landslide sent tons of cliff crashing onto the beach below…
“It follows a number of cliff falls in the area over the last 18 months, with Exmouth and Sidmouth seeing some of the most severe.”
“5th January was the warmest January day on record for Moldova:
“With 17.4C [63.3F] Tiraspol recorded a new January national record smashing the 16.0C of Dubosari on 21 January 2007. 5 days into 2022 and already 5 countries broke their January record of highest temperature.”
“Deforestation Has Doubled Risk of Flash Flooding in Fast-Growing West African Coastal Cities…
“The frequency of thunderstorms in some fast-growing African coastal cities has doubled over the past 30 years, with much of this increase linked to the impact of deforestation on the local climate, a study has found.”
“In Madagascar, beekeepers persist in the face of fires and forest loss…
“The Anjozorobe Angavo forest corridor is one of the few remaining primary forests in the Central Highlands of Madagascar. Home to a number of rare and endemic species, this primary forest is undergoing a rapid decline, driven primarily by fires.”
“Failed Rainy Seasons Bring Famine Concerns to Eastern Africa.
“Following three consecutive failed rainy seasons, more than 20 million people in eastern Africa now face some of the worst food security risks in 35 years. Climate and agriculture experts are advising governments and relief agencies to expect a significant need for food assistance in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia.”
“Torrential rain wreaks havoc in Kasur, Balochistan [Pakistan]… At least three people on Thursday have lost their lives while six others sustained severe injuries in two separate rain-related mishaps in Kasur…
“Balochistan is facing worst rain disaster as emergency has been imposed in Kech and Pasni.”
“Afghanistan: 11 killed, 23 injured in snow avalanches, floodsacross Afghanistan on Wednesday… [I hope this at least brings some drought relief.]
“Citing officials of the Taliban-led Afghan government, Bakhtar News Agency said that 90 per cent of the country’s territory witnessed snow or rainfall that led to financial loss besides the deaths and injuries…”
“Pahang floods [Malaysia] claim lives of over 17,000 animals.
“The floods in Pahang have claimed the lives of a total of 17,403 livestock and pets, incurring an estimated loss of over RM1.4 million as of Wednesday, said state Veterinary Services Department director, Dr Kamaliah Ghazali.”
“Nadma orders disaster control centres in Sabah, Sarawak [Timur Malaysia] to brace for floods.
“State and district level disaster operation control centres in Sarawak and Sabah have been ordered to make preparations, including activating on-site control posts, to face the possibility of floods.”
“Jayapura in Papua is currently devastated by widespread flooding as the region experienced heavy rainfall on Thursday, January 6. It caused a number of landslides that unfortunately killed seven people and injured six.
“The Papua Disaster Mitigation Agency announced that other areas affected by the 2-3 meter floods are North Jayapura, Abepura, and Muara Tami, Antaranews reported.”
“Australia Links Increasing Megafires to Climate Change.
“Climate change has driven a measurable increase in Australia’s forest fire activity over the last 30 years, finds new research conducted by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO… Australia’s mean temperature has increased by 1.4 degrees Celsius since 1910, with a rapid increase in extreme heat events….”
“Heatwave to hit Argentina, further stressing corn, soybean crops.
“Most of Argentina’s agricultural region will be hit in the coming days by a heatwave accompanied by little or no rainfall, adding pressure to adverse conditions that its corn and soybean crops have suffered for weeks, the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange said on Thursday.”
“The Paraguayan government announced a series of contingency measures to help the productive sector affected by the drought, the Paraguayan Information Agency (IP) announced…
“…he highlighted the climatic factor that is already hitting the country…”
“The bodies of four swimmers have been found mauled by piranhas in a spate of attacks that has sent shockwaves throughout South America.
“The attacks happened in Paraguay, where people have visited local rivers in large numbers during the current [unprecedented] heatwave in order to cool down.”
“On 1st January the station of Gallinas in Mexico, with fohn effect, rose to 41.7C [107.1F], the highest reliable temperature ever recorded in North America in January (previous 41.5C in San Miguel, El Salvador in 1959) and at record levels for the whole Hemisphere in the 1st decade of January.“
“Heavy rains, warm winters and broken records: 2021 was a year of weather extremes in El Paso [Texas]. Scientists agree that climate change caused by human activity pushes up temperatures across the United States, particularly in the Southwest.
“2021 will be remembered as one of El Paso’s hottest years and wettest monsoon seasons dating back to 1879…”
“Dust Is a Growing Problem [US]. What Role Does Farmland Play?
“As hurricane force, record-breaking winds blew through eastern Colorado in mid-December, the skies took on an eerie sepia glow… a massive dust storm roiled through the Great Plains states, impacting 100 million people. Two weeks later, high winds and severe drought led to the devastating Marshall wildfire in urban northern Colorado.”
“‘Everything is at risk’: flood survivors urge Congress to change inadequate insurance.
“With towns and cities across the US increasingly deluged by ferocious storms and rising sea levels, a group of disaster survivors has pleaded with the federal government to overhaul a flood insurance system they say is ill-equipped for an era of climate crisis.”
“Early data ranks 2021 as Earth’s fifth warmest year. The ranking signals that the temporary cooling influence of a moderate La Niña event in the tropical Pacific Ocean cannot do much to dampen the influence of human-caused global warming.“
“Since the 1960s, the extent of open ocean with low oxygen has increased by roughly the area of the European Union. More than 500 low-oxygen sites have been identified in coastal waters. These “dead zones” can cause mass killings of fish and are contributing to climate change. But the problem starts on land, with chemical pollution.”
You can read the previous ‘Climate’ thread here. I’ll be back over the weekend with (probably) an ‘Economic’ thread.
If you found value in this content, please help me continue this work by becoming a patron of my work via Patreon. And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It really means a lot.
“Saudi Arabia: Man, two daughters, die as vehicle swept away by floods.
“A Saudi man and his two teenage daughters died on Sunday after their vehicle was swept away by floodwaters in a valley in Balqarn Governorate in Asir region, media reported.”
“Tornado, thunderstorms spotted in Saudi Arabia’s Hail region.
“The authorities explained that the weather phenomenon witnessed in Hail is rare, and is associated with severe thunderstorms, in which wind speed may exceed 60 km/h.”
“At least eight people have been killed in flash flooding in Iran’s south due to heavy rains expected to last until later this week, state media has reported.
“A local official had said on Monday that at least two people were killed in flash flooding in the province. Heavy rain damaged “agriculture, infrastructure, urban and rural housing”, Azadi said.”
“About 24,000 people have been evacuated and two children killed in floods on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, authorities said Tuesday.
“Torrential rains lashed the island for several days, causing rivers to burst their banks and water levels to rise in residential areas, the national disaster agency said.”
“Filipinos count cost of climate crisis as typhoons get ever more destructive…
“Lost lives continue to climb two weeks on. Vast numbers of buildings were destroyed – from houses to schools; food crops lost to flooding. At first, I did not know what to feel – anger, helplessness? Later, I knew what I wanted: climate justice.”
“Siargao’s Sugba Lagoon before and after Typhoon Odette.
“In case you’ve already forgotten the extent and severity of Typhoon Odette, check out GMA reporter Nico Waje’s photos of Siargao’s famous Sugba Lagoon before and after the devastating typhoon…”
“Temperatures in Queensland Outback towns are climbing toward the mid-40s and one town ‘feels like’ nearly 50C with some places “on track” to break January recordsas a heatwave continues to develop across the state.
“Longreach in Queensland’s north-west has already hit 43.6C [110.5F] after climbing above 40C by 10.20am…”
“There were reports of trees falling on homes and roads, fallen powerlines, localised flooding, and water damage across Canberra. ACT State Emergency Service have received 436 requests for assistance as of 6.30am Tuesday morning, 4 January.”
“‘Extreme marine heatwave’: waters off Sydney set to break January temperature records.
“Waters off Sydney are undergoing an extreme marine heatwave with temperatures likely at their highest levels on record for January. Satellite data is showing the ocean surface off the coast of Sydney at 3C above normal…”
“All New Zealand sweltered in scorching temperatures as many places in North Island of the country hit record high temperatures in the first days of the new year…
“The MetService agency reported that Taupo… reached 33.2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, making it an equal-warmest January day since records began in 1950.”
“Niwa climate scientists say New Zealand recorded four to five times more extreme high temperatures in the past decade than would be expected in a climate with no long-term warming….
“Even with climate change considered, New Zealand still had two to three times more extreme high temperatures than would have been expected in the past decade.”
“Mass die-off of Magellanic penguins seen during 2019 heat wave…
“On Jan. 19, temperatures at the site in Punta Tombo, on Argentina’s southern coast, spiked to 44 C, or 111.2 F, and that was in the shade. As the team reports in a paper published Jan. 4 in the journal Ornithological Applications, the extreme heat wave killed at least 354 penguins…”
“An imported tree fuels Patagonia’s terrifying summer fires…
“In Patagonia, that ultimate wild frontier at the end of the world, the arrival of summer used to come as a blessing. Snow receded. Lakes filled with fresh, clear snowmelt… Recently, though, summer has become a cause for fear.”
“Argentina, Chile and Uruguay affected by massive forest fires…
“In Argentina, fires have broken out in eleven of the country’s 24 jurisdictions, prompting the Ministry of Environment and the Federal Council for the Environment (Cofema) to declare a so-called “fire emergency” for 12 months.”
“Ministers visit area affected by worst fire in Uruguay’s history.
“The Ministers of Environment, Adrián Peña, and Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Fernando Mattos, travel to western Uruguay to know the extent of the damage caused by the fires registered in the area, which affected 22,000 hectares in recent days.”
“Inumet maintains alert for heat wave and Metsul forecasts “Middle East temperatures” for South America…
“According to the Brazilian meteorological agency, “an exceptionally hot air mass covers central South America, and prolonged dry weather, associated with prolonged drought, favors extreme heat in most of the region.””
“Drought in Argentina and Brazil puts soybean and corn markets on alert.
“…the Office of Agricultural Risk (ORA) warned that the areas under drought conditions for early corn crops have increased in the last week due to the heatwave, with maximum temperatures above 40°, which was not accompanied by rains.”
“From record high temperatures to snow, these [US] towns are shivering in shock Monday… Millions woke up this morning with a weather whiplash like no other…
“Dozens of high temperature records were broken over the weekend. Jacksonville, Florida hit a high of 84 on Sunday, breaking a record. It snowed in parts of the Florida Panhandle Monday morning.”
“2 days ago it was all air-conditioning and swimming pools in Southern Texas with an incredible record of 99F/37.2C (tbc). On 3rd January the very same station Falcon Lake dropped to a freezing 23F/-5.0C.From air conditioning to stoves in 2 days!”
“December tornadoes on the rise [for Illinois] as ‘tornado alley’ appears to shift east…
“Few people expect tornadoes in December, let alone one strong enough to collapse the 11-inch-thick concrete walls of a sprawling, new Amazon warehouse. But the EF3 tornado that wrecked the facility near Edwardsville, Illinois… could be a sign of things to come.”
“Winter Returns To Denali National Park [Alaska] In A Record-Setting Way…
“Measurements from the park’s weather station, which has tracked weather since 1923, show just how snowy December was in Denali: 74.5 inches of snow fell this December through the 29th, making this the snowiest December on record.”
“Puerto Rico remains under drought patterns since May 2020.
“For the third consecutive year, Puerto Rico begins a new year under drought parameters, an event that has not been taking place on the island since 2015, according to the United States Drought Monitor (USDM). That year saw an extreme drought that caused multiple rationing.”
“Thousands of starfish killed by extreme weather are washed up on a beach in Wales after storms at sea.
“Beach-walkers were left horrified at the sight of large piles of the stranded sea creatures after they were tossed ashore onto rocks and sand. The Marine Conservation Society has said extreme weather is the likely cause of the starfish washing up…”
“UK towns and cities hit by flash flooding 51 times since 2007…
“The analysis, carried out by the Conservative-leaning thinktank Bright Blue, says that with increased flooding due to the climate emergency, the government must do more to improve the resilience of communities, businesses, and other infrastructure.”
“On 4th January The Principality of Liechtenstein had its hottest January day on records.
“The official station of the capital Vaduz (managed by Meteo Swiss) tied its monthly record with 17.9C, while the private station of Balzers Muhle (Wetterring net) rose to 18.2C with fohn.”
“On 3 January the Portuguese semi-autonomous territory of Madeira rose to 27.4C [81.3F] at Funchal Lido, therefore beating again the record of the highest January temperature on records.
“A difficult situation for Jon and the Samis.” I really recommend giving this eight minute mini-documentary a watch, as it demonstrates, in visceral fashion, how climate change is impacting the far North.
Some of the footage is distressing, as the Sami lose many of their reindeer when a lake that should be frozen gives way beneath the herd.
“Wildfires Are Digging Carbon-Spewing Holes in the Arctic…
“Soaring temperatures are rapidly thawing permafrost, leading to huge sinkholes called thermokarst. Northern fires are making the situation even worse… New research shows how wildfires are exacerbating this land-gouging in north Alaska.”
You can read the previous ‘Climate’ thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an ‘Economic’ thread.
If you found value in this content, please help me continue this work by becoming a patron of my work via Patreon. And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It really means a lot.
“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.
“Sixth Mass Extinction of Global Biodiversity Is Already in Progress.
“The City of Florida equalled the absolute record for the highest temperature in Uruguay, recording 44 °C [111.2F]…
“After a scorching day, the city of Buenos Aires lived its hottest night in 122 years. For the first time since February 1900 (former station) the overnight minimum temperature didn’t drop below 30.0C [86F].
“South America Brutal Heat Wave: Let’s talk about the many records of highest minimum temperatures which are falling day after day:
“Forest fires rage in nine of Argentina’s 23 provinces. Strong winds and unseasonably high temperatures have reignited wildfires in Patagonia which have devastated huge areas of forest in the remote Argentine region.
“Mother bears and cubs battle for survival as wildfire, drought and traffic take heavy toll [California]…
“Recent rain not benefitting central Oregon as much as climatologists hoped. Oregon’s received more rainfall and snowfall over the last month, thanks to a La Niña winter.
“Florida tornadoes destroy dozens of homes, leave 7,000 customers without power.
“The worst drought in over a century aggravates the ‘heat island’ effect in Barcelona [Spain]…
“Is South Africa heading for the wettest summer on record? Overflowing Vaal brings a flood of problems…
“At least 62,585 animals have been killed by prolonged drought in Tanzania’s northern district of Simanjiro, an official said.
“Residents stranded as torrential rains flood roads, cut off neighborhoods [Israel]…
“Rain is causing chaos across the Middle East, with flash flooding in Erbil and the cancellation of outdoor events in Saudi Arabia to protect public safety.
“One of the World’s Wealthiest Oil Exporters [Kuwait] Is Becoming Unlivable.
“After months of severe drought, a burst of rain is causing problems [Iran].
“2021 was the hottest year on record for some areas of Central Asia and 2022 also started quite mild.
“Himalayan Glaciers Are Melting At A “Most Spectacular” Rate.
“The Mekong River flows have dropped to their lowest level in more than 60 years for three consecutive years, with 2020 being the Lower Mekong Basin’s driest year when rainfall was below normal levels in every month except October, according to a report…
“Two more elephants die after eating plastic waste in Sri Lankan dump… About 20 elephants have died over the last eight years after consuming plastic in the dump in Pallakkadu village in Ampara district, about 130 miles (210km) east of the capital, Colombo.
“Coral reefs near north, south coasts [Taiwan] ‘dysfunctional’…
“Indonesia’s devastating forest fires in 2019 burned nearly twice as much land as was officially reported… raising concerns among environmental campaigners over the government’s transparency regarding deforestation.
“Flood-hit Queensland will take years to recover from ‘once in a lifetime’ disaster, mayor says.
“A severe storm brought flash flooding and hail to a Queensland city [Toowoomba] over the weekend, leaving residents and businesses to repair the damage left behind…
“Last nine years all among 10 hottest-ever… according to an annual report a US agency released Thursday, the latest data underscoring the global climate crisis…
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