Huge thanks to August’s sponsor, Mick, who wishes to recommend the book “Wild Free and Happy” by Richard Adrian Reese, which can be downloaded for free here. You can also find it in the PDF resource section at the excellent Post-Doom website.
“Collapse of critical Atlantic current is no longer low-likelihood, study finds…
“Scientists have warned previously that Amoc collapse must be avoided “at all costs”. It would shift the tropical rainfall belt on which many millions of people rely to grow their food, plunge western Europe into extreme cold winters and summer droughts, and add 50cm to already rising sea level.”
“The Korea Polar Research Institute announced on August 29 that it has confirmed the eastward spread of Siberian river discharge, organic matter, and sediment into the East Siberian Sea as a result of climate change…
“The research team attributed the phenomenon to the weakening of the Beaufort Gyre—a clockwise ocean current in the Beaufort Sea that normally prevents Siberian river water from spreading eastward.”
“The extraordinary abnormal warmth in SIBERIA expands East: The cold pole Verkhoyansk is still recording maxes >25C and Batamaj has recorded 7 consecutive maxes >25C and 2 more are on the way (never recorded >25C later than now).
“UK’s largest lake faces environmental crisis as rescue plans stall [Northern Ireland]…
“Lough Neagh’s recurrent algal blooms, which choke aquatic life, are caused by an overload of phosphorous and nitrogen entering the lough system. Sixty two percent of these derive from agricultural sources – including farm runoff, fertilisers and animal waste, while 24% comes from creaking wastewater treatment facilities and 12% from septic tank leakage.”
“On Tuesday, the Met Office said this summer would “almost certainly” be the UK’s warmest on record as the mean average temperature for the season stood at 16.13C, based on data up to Aug 25. If this season is confirmed as setting a new high for average temperature, it will mean all of the UK’s top five warmest summers will have occurred since the year 2000.”
“Octopus bloom devastates UK crab industry amid marine heatwave…
““It’s like a perfect storm for us,” Tapper told AFP from Plymouth Harbour, where his three purpose-built crab fishing vessels are idled. The 53-year-old estimates his catch is down by half, and risks dropping by four-fifths in 2025.”
“How flash droughts driven by climate change sparked record wildfires in Spain.
“Unlike traditional droughts, which unfold gradually over months or even years due to prolonged lack of rainfall, flash droughts occur much faster. They typically emerge when low precipitation coincides with abnormally high temperatures, often during heatwaves, along with high winds and shifts in solar radiation.”
“In Europe, which has warmed about twice as fast as the global average, climate change has begun to force difficult questions about the economic and cultural costs of adapting to a dangerously warming planet.”
“New research has revealed how climate change is intensifying supercell thunderstorms in Europe.
“The study, published in Science Advances, warns that the Alpine region and parts of Central and Eastern Europe can expect a significant increase in storm activity.”
“100mph wind gusts nearly overturned an aircraft while it was stopped on the runway at Cagnano Airport in Corsica this morning.
“Dramatic footage shows the plane swaying and struggling to stay upright in the strong wind… storms have uprooted trees, damaged homes and triggered floods as emergency services are pushed to their limits.”
“Verretto, tornado destroys homes, businesses, and vegetation [N Italy].
“There isn’t a single home that hasn’t suffered damage. Even minimal damage. Of the approximately 150 homes in Verretto, a town a short distance from Casteggio, 30 suffered serious damage from Thursday afternoon’s tornado. Some were completely roofless, others destroyed…”
“Water bomb in Margherita di Savoia [N Italy], dozens of calls to firefighters.
“Since late Friday evening, the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani has been hit by a violent meteorological event that has hit the municipality of Margherita di Savoia particularly hard , where heavy rainfall has caused widespread disruption.”
“Here we go: as forecast, spectacular switch from near cold record to near heat record in Eastern Europe.
“Minimum temperatures up to 27C in the Balkans, and also 23C in Slovakia and Poland, although some dropped later in the afternoon. Bielsko Biale missed its record at the last hour.”
““Climate change is amplifying the intensity of extreme weather events,” said Bogdan Antonescu, a physicist specialising in atmospheric physics, quoted in Greenpeace’s press release. “A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture and increases the energy that fuels storms.””
“Greece’s Water Crisis Deepens: Farmers in Larissa Left Without Harvest After Irrigation Fiasco.
“Greece’s breadbasket, Thessaly, faces crop ruin as poor water governance and climate extremes leave farmers without irrigation two years after storm Daniel [pictured]… “Farmers lost their crops. Larissa is heading into a difficult winter”, said Christos Souliotis, president of the Agricultural Cooperative of Thessalian Tomato Producers.”
“MEDITERRANEAN HEAT WAVE. Another scorching hot day (and night) in North Africa:
“Maximum temperatures >46C [114.8F] in Algeria and 45C in Tunisia. Minimums locally >33C. Tunisian 2nd largest city Bizerte had a RECORD HOT NIGHT: Minimum 29.1C.”
“Drought-hit Morocco deploys floating solar panels to protect water reserves.
“Sun-baked Morocco, grappling with its worst drought in decades, has launched a pilot project aimed at slowing water evaporation while simultaneously generating green energy using floating solar panels.”
“Nigeria needs more than simply prayers to solve its food crisis…
“Daniel Obiora, president of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, has echoed similar concerns, pointing out that the government’s failure to invest in dams and climate-adaptive farming practices has been a major factor contributing to the current food crisis.”
“MIDDLE EAST also keeps being hot like an oven with max temperatures still peaking locally >48C and above all, extremely hot night, locally still >35C (Dubai min today was 35.1C / 95F).
“September will witness an avalanche of records also in the area.”
“Worst-Case scenario: Fishermen walk across Tigris [Iraq].
“The Tigris River, once a vital waterway running through the heart of Baghdad, has receded to such low levels that fishermen are now able to walk deep into its bed in search of fish. Iraq currently holds only around eight billion cubic meters of water in its reservoirs — roughly 8% of the country’s total storage capacity.”
“According to a statement from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s media office, the Council, chaired by al-Sudani, instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally approach Ankara over boosting flows in the Tigris and Euphrates, while also approving a technical ministerial meeting with Tehran to discuss releases from the Karun and Karkheh rivers.”
“Nine Million Afghans Affected by Climate Crisis, Says Aid Group.
“Nearly nine million people in Afghanistan have been affected by climate-related disasters such as droughts and floods over the past year, according to the German aid group Help – Help for Self Help. Western Afghanistan has been hit particularly hard.”
“Pakistan is facing a multitude of climate emergencies – its forests are shrinking, glaciers are melting faster than anticipated, and now catastrophic rains are devastating communities. Rampant deforestation has eroded natural buffers, while warming mountain temperatures weaken glaciers…”
“‘The water left nothing’: Pakistan’s Punjab province reels from deadly floods.
“Iman Salim is used to seeing flood waters in the field of lush lilypads next to her home in the village of Kamanwala. But nothing prepared her for this week, when torrential monsoon rains that broke a 49-year record lashed the area, flooding her house with water that rose above her chest.”
“‘Everything has been lost’: Kashmir floods, landslides kill dozens…
“Jammu recorded its heaviest-ever 24-hour rainfall on Tuesday – 380mm, compared with the previous record of 270.4mm in 1988 – triggering widespread devastation across the region… In Jammu, the floods surged through the city and swept away bridges on the Tawi, a major lifeline for the region.”
“Himachal monsoon toll rises to 310; roads, power supply hit across state…
“Road connectivity remains the biggest challenge. Over 670 roads, including three national highways, are blocked. In Mandi alone, 342 roads — including NH-03 — are shut, while Kullu has 131 blockages and NH-305 closed. In Kinnaur, NH-05 is blocked at Nigulsari Tranda.”
“Bangladesh heatwaves hit health hard, making life a costly business.
“As climate change worsens heat stress in Bangladesh, families are seeing their medical, energy and transport bills rise, straining household budgets… Heatstroke, a potentially fatal condition where body temperature rises above 104°F (40C), is also becoming more common.”
“Hong Kong sees record number of tropical cyclone warnings this year.
“The Hong Kong Observatory issued a No. 1 standby signal on Thursday evening, marking the eighth tropical cyclone warning this year—the highest number recorded between January and August since 1946.”
“EAST ASIA ENDLESS RECORD HEAT: Temperatures still >40C [104F] in China,>37C in Korea and Japan (it will approach 40C again next days) with night minimums locally >30C!
“Tonight it was the hottest night in history in the South Korean town of Cheorwon with a minimum of 26.6C.”
“Indonesia’s coastal island faces climate crisis amid seawall debate…
“The government describes the colossal wall as one of its “most vital” initiatives to help coastal communities in Java, which is home to more than half of Indonesia’s 280 million citizens, as well as the fast-sinking capital, Jakarta.”
“Victoria warned to prepare for ‘destruction’ with severe weather and snow forecast [Australia].
“Victoria warned to prepare for ‘destruction’ with severe weather and snow forecast. Gusts reaching up to 130km/h [80mph] expected to push further into south-eastern states on Saturday, bringing showers, hail and thunderstorms.”
“Over 11 gruesome kilometres, teams fill bag after bag of marine life killed by SA’s stubborn algal bloom.
“The circling, squawking gulls show where the bodies are buried. Early on a cold winter’s day, mucky foam and seaweed cover the sand at Grange beach – and the dead fish and leafy sea dragons. Every morning, council workers clear out the carnage…”
“…more summits do not necessarily mean more results: At the 2023 event, Brazil’s goal of getting all eight countries to sign on to a target of zero deforestation was blocked by countries that reportedly included Bolivia, Guyana, and Suriname. (The remaining ACTO members are Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.”
“Garbage is a headache that has become a migraine for Conagua [Mexico].
“Residents across the country are suffering the consequences of flooding this rainy season, a phenomenon that has been aggravated by problems such as garbage accumulation and poor urban planning.”
“Explosion at Louisiana Oil Plant Leaves Black Community Coated in Toxic Fallout…
““They don’t care about us,” said Taylor, referring to both the industrial company and government officials. “There is no way people don’t get sick, because we need help over here and we’re not getting it.””
“Despite the cold snap, record heat now outnumbers record cold by more than 3 to 1 in the US. In a normal climate, they’d be equal.
“After billions of years of natural hot & cold cycles, human forcing has now overtaken nature as the long term driving force of our present & future climate evolution…” [Jeff Berardelli]
“Destructive hailstorms carved 400kmh scar across the Prairies [Canada].
“Two rounds of thunderstorms caused significant and widespread hail damage throughout southern portions of Alberta and Saskatchewan. The storms destroyed crops, shattered windows, and defoliated trees.”
“Before 2023, the global record for fire clouds in a single year was 102.
“But in 2023, Canada alone produced 140 pyroCb, the most ever recorded in one country. And that’s not counting dozens more in the U.S..” [Colin McCarthy]
“Scientist Shuts Himself in 104F Chamber in Quest to Study Heat Stress.
“Earlier this summer, Glen Kenny spent three days confined to a special chamber inside his University of Ottawa lab where the daytime temperature was set at 40C (104F). The purpose was to see how the researcher’s 61-year-old body held up in brutal indoor temperatures observed during a 2021 heat wave that killed hundreds of Canadians.”
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee orbecome a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an “Economic” thread.
Huge thanks to August’s sponsor, Mick, who wishes to recommend the book “Wild Free and Happy” by Richard Adrian Reese, which can be downloaded for free here. You can also find it in the PDF resource section at the excellent Post-Doom website.
“ARCTIC RECORD WARMTH – unprecedented warmth continues with no sign of abating in any foreseeable future:
“Temperatures still >25C above the Arctic Circle and well above freezing at 80 latitude: Golomjanny Island, 79N,yesterday had a 24h min of +5.3C, its highest in history. Vize Island at 79N hasn’t frozen in 6 weeks!”
“Warning of ‘horrendous’ rat infestations after summer heatwaves.
“The UK’s rising temperatures, takeaway culture, and crippling infrastructure create the perfect storm for rats… “It is going to be a bad winter for rats, and people don’t realise – it is going to be horrendous.””
“Anxiety has become an almost universal experience among Britain’s farming community, following the country’s third worst harvest on record last year and an exceptionally dry spring this year…
“According to the study, 98% of British farmers have experienced extreme weather over the past five years. The most common events were heavy rainfall (86%), drought (78%) and heatwaves (54%).”
“Record-low water level measured on Vistula River in Warsaw…
“Bogdan Chojnicki, professor at Poznan University of Life Sciences, said the likelihood of a new heatwave in September could again trigger drought and low river levels, similar to conditions in September 2024.”
“The remnants of Hurricane Erin will contribute to torrential rain across the Swiss Alps over the next two days, raising the risk of dangerous flooding and landslides.”
[As of 2024, Swiss glaciers have lost 25% (15 km3) of their 2010 ice volume, per Melaine Le Roy.]
“France hit by storms: record rainfall, hail, and 17,000 lightning strikes…
“Record rainfall of 109 mm in Vichy (Allier) and 118 mm in Charmes (Vosges) were recorded yesterday, the equivalent of around two months of summer rainfall in the area. Heavy rain was seen throughout the country, including in Gers in the south and in the Auvergne area.”
“EU’s record wildfire emissions highlight threat to forest carbon sinks…
“Forests act as important carbon sinks, but when they burn, they release back into the atmosphere the carbon stored in the trunks, branches and leaves of their trees as well as in the soil.”
“Climate change made deadly wildfires in Turkey, Greece and Cyprus more fierce, study finds.
“Climate change that has driven scorching temperatures and dwindling rainfall made massive wildfires in Turkey, Greece and Cyprus this summer burn much more fiercely, said a new study released Thursday.”
“Türkiye’s wildfires leave lasting scars on marine life, scientist says…
“After the blazes in Türkiye, the main focus was on terrestrial destruction, but aquatic systems also suffered, said Herdem Aslan, chairperson of the Water Ecosystem Protection Association and a marine biologist at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University’s Faculty of Science, in an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA).”
“Lebanese winemaker strains to keep business alive through war and drought.
“Climate change is compounding the difficulties, with Lebanon experiencing its worst drought on record, weather experts say. Maalouf says poor rainfall this year has left him 60 tons short of his target of 80 tons of grapes.”
“Brutal heat intensified today with 47.0C [116.6F] at In Salah, ALGERIA, 44C+ also on the Mediterranean coast (Jijel). Hottest night in history in the port of the capital Algers with a minimum of 30.0C.”
“After the 40C [104F] in South Africa, the heat moved Northeast with 38C/39C in Mozambique and record heat also in MADAGASCAR: 36.0C Majunga breaks its August highest temperature record again after breaking those of all months in 2024 and 2025!”
“Villages swept away as floods ravage parts of Sudan.
“At least 14 people lost their lives to heavy rains and floods in northern and southeastern Sudan, local media said on Wednesday. Witnesses said heavy rains and floods washed away several towns and villages in the River Nile State.”
“Never ending extreme heat with temperatures close to 50C [122F] and night minimums still locally >35C. The extreme heat -mid July like- will go on for weeks. September 1st will see dozens of thousands of records from Eastern Europe all the way to Japan.”
“Iraq’s Water Reserves Hit 80-Year Low, Sparking National Emergency.
“Iraq’s water reserves have hit an 80-year low of 10 billion cubic meters, down from an expected 18 billion, forcing severe agricultural cuts. This critical shortage, worse than last year, is due to low rainfall and reduced river flows, impacting millions and sparking a national emergency.”
“Speaking to the media at Rangpura Chowk, one of the worst-affected localities, the minister said Sialkot had witnessed unprecedented rainfall in its history, with 405 millimetres recorded in a single day followed by another 110 millimetres during the night [over 20 inches].”
“India warns Pakistan to expect flooding after opening major dams near the border.
“At least 33 people have died in flash floods in India-administered Jammu and Kashmir due to unusually heavy monsoon rain. Around 30 Hindu pilgrims were killed on their way to the Vaishno Devi shrine…”
“Jammu, the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, which is facing a flood-like situation due to heavy and incessant rains, received a record-breaking 380mm of rainfall in 24 hours.”
“From August 6th to today, Shanghai has recorded temperatures above 35C [95F] for 21 consecutive days, about to break the record of 24 consecutive days above 35C set in 1926!
“Furthermore, Hangzhou has recorded temperatures above 35C for 24 consecutive days.” [Jim Yang]
“Tokyo registers record 10 days with temperatures of 35°C [95F] or higher.
“This year, Japan [also] experienced its hottest June and July since records began in 1898, and in August, the country recorded its highest temperature ever, with the thermometer reaching 41.8°C in the central city of Isesaki.”
“Heavy Rain and Flooding Trigger Evacuations in Sakhalin [far eastern Russia]…
“Authorities declared a municipal-level state of emergency in the Nevelsky district. Meteorologists said a low-pressure system off the east coast of Sakhalin, an island located near Japan, would continue to produce poor weather conditions in the area into Wednesday night.”
“Torrential rains sweep Thailand, one dead and one missing.
“Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported many homes affected and several people injured by flash floods and landslides in northern provinces. Thailand’s Meteorological Department warned of heavy rains in the northern and northeastern regions on Wednesday.”
“Under the Ice! Huge Hailstorm Damages Homes and Cars.
“A severe hailstorm hit Castro, Paraná, Brazil, covering streets, roofs, and squares with a thick layer of ice. At least 600 homes and several public buildings were damaged. Meteorologists attribute the phenomenon to a cyclonic vortex that brought persistent cold air and intense hail.”
“Droughts making air deadlier in Latin America, study finds.
“When water is below normal levels in Latin America, it’s not just farmers and consumers who suffer. A new study finds that air pollution spikes, and thousands of people die prematurely as a result.”
“Mexico’s Border Heatwave Could Strain Electricity Grid…
“The NWS cautioned that this extreme heat is expected to intensify over the coming days under the influence of a powerful high-pressure system, and will likely persist through the weekend. Cities in the United States like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, and Jackson are already under “extreme heat” alerts…”
“The Colorado River is in trouble. Some groups want the government to step up…
“Chronic overuse, drought and rising temperatures linked to climate change have shrunk water flows. States reliant on the river are approaching a 2026 deadline to decide on new rules for sharing its supplies, and they have until mid-November to reach a preliminary agreement or risk federal intervention.”
“HISTORIC. While most of United States has slipped below average, look where is all the heat: CANADA:
“40.1C today at Lytton 4th consecutive day >40C [104F]: This ties the longest streak in history (July 1941 & June 2021).” [This also made Lytton hotter than anywhere in the US; rare.]
“Canada’s 2023 Wildfires Pushed Air Pollution to Decade-Level Highs…
“The wildfires, which burned 42 million acres of Canadian forest, contributed to air-pollution levels not seen since 1998 in Canada and not seen since 2011 in the US, said researchers at the University of Chicago…”
“Flesh-eating bacteria cases are rising. Climate change is to blame, say scientists…
“Though it’s rare, “many people with Vibrio vulnificus infection can get seriously ill and need intensive care or limb amputation. About 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill,” according to the CDC.”
“Acidic oceans are weakening shark teeth, scientists warn.
“Scientists in Germany say rising carbon dioxide levels may erode the very weapons that predators rely on for survival. Researchers at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf incubated discarded teeth from Blacktip reef sharks in tanks of seawater at different pH levels for eight weeks.”
“Warning unexpected turbulence to become more common…
“PhD researcher at the University of Reading and lead author, Joana Medeiros said: “Increased wind shear and reduced stability work together to create favourable conditions for clear-air turbulence – the invisible, sudden jolts that can shake aircraft without warning.”
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
Huge thanks to August’s sponsor, Mick, who wishes recommend the book “Wild Free and Happy” by Richard Adrian Reese, which can be downloaded for free here. You can also find it in the PDF resource section at the excellent Post-Doom website.
“When water becomes war: The moral failure of global governance in the Middle East…
“The Middle East today is witnessing a transformation that goes far beyond conventional geopolitics or the competition for oil. One of the most urgent yet underexplored dimensions of its crisis is the question of water, which has increasingly become both a scarce commodity and a weapon in the hands of states and non-state actors alike.”
Drought wilts Israeli agriculture, farmers face significant water cuts
Local agriculture faces a crisis as drought and proposed water cuts of nearly 35% threaten farmers, with the Water Authority planning to reduce allocations to 250 million cubic meters by 2026; this could slash local produce, drive up prices and inflict significant economic damage.”
“Timelapse Shows Iran’s Largest Lake Shrinking in Drought Crisis.
“Iran is enduring a historic drought, crippling energy shortages, and relentless heat waves with temperatures regularly surpassing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).”
“Problems multiply as fresh heavy rain pounds Karachi.
“Death toll rises to 11 as Karachi braces for more rain: 245mm of rain floods port city’s roads forcing citizens to abandon cars: Schools shut amid deluge in megacity, Pakistan Army continues relief activities in Karachi.”
“Brutal Monsoon Season Kills at Least 1,860 in India and Pakistan.
“A deadly monsoon season has claimed at least 1,860 lives in India and Pakistan, with flash floods, landslides and inundated cities exposing the region’s growing vulnerability to climate-related disasters.”
“China has endured its second-hottest sanfu period on record this year, and forecasters warn that high temperatures will persist in the south even though the period has ended.”
Record heat never ends in this extremely hot summer (BY VERY FAR the hottest in history ahead of 2024) Records keep falling: The city of Shiga just had its hottest night in history with a minimum temperature of 28.3C. More records are on the way…
“Mid-latitude SSTs are record warm for the time of year in both Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and the N Hemisphere warmth is pushing above the 2023 all-time record (1982-present OISST data).
“In 2023, the North Atlantic was the big story, but now it’s the North Pacific.”
“34.0 [93.2F] Point Salines all time record GRENADA AUGUST NATIONAL RECORD; MIN 28.9 Charlotte Amalie US VIRGIN ISLANDS AUGUST HOTTEST NIGHT; August hottest night Min 27.5 BARBADOS; Min 28.6 Carravelle MARTINIQUE.”
“Southern California Faces Record Heat and Braces for Wildfires.
“A days-long heat wave rolling across parts of the US West is expected to ramp up wildfire risk, prompting California to pre-deploy crews as record-dry vegetation potentially acts as kindling for blazes.”
“Lake Powell risks hitting “dead pool” by year-end… imperils hydropower and cooling for thermal/nuclear plants, complicates data-center siting and fracking. As the U.S. grid already faces a big capex build-out, drought drives operating costs higher.”
“Why are food prices still rising by so much? [UK]…
“In the five years to July, food prices increased by around 37%. That compares with a rise of 4.4% over the previous five-year period… One contributing factor is the climate.”
“Did you know that already more than 1000 glaciers have disappeared in Switzerland over the last 50 years as a consequence of human-caused climate change?
“One of those is Pizolgletscher which I visited today. Always a saddening yet impressive sight…” [Matthias Huss]
“A Water Crisis in Bulgaria Is a Warning for Europe…
“As a national crisis escalates, bathing, flushing toilets and washing clothes and dishes is now difficult from around June to September for as many as half a million people — or 8% of the population — in roughly a third of the country, according to environmental organizations.”
“Nearly a quarter of Chios burned in under a decade.
“Chios has suffered extensive wildfire damage over the past decade, with nearly a quarter of the eastern Aegean island’s land area scorched between 2016 and 2025, according to new data.”
“A Debilitating Virus Surges Globally as Mosquitoes Move With Warming Climate.
“Chikungunya, which can disable victims for years, is spreading rapidly, including in China, France and other places that have not seen major outbreaks before.”
“From sea ice to ocean currents, Antarctica is now undergoing abrupt changes – and we’ll all feel them…
“What’s happening in Antarctica right now will affect the world for generations to come, from rising sea levels to extreme changes in the climate system.”
“Ash dieback triggers hidden surge in carbon emissions from woodland soils, research shows…
“While the loss of carbon from diseased trees themselves and reduced removal of CO2 has been previously noted by scientists, the authors of the latest study say a third impact—the effects on carbon cycling and storage in the surrounding environment—have not been considered before.”
“‘A climate of unparalleled malevolence’: are we on our way to the sixth major mass extinction…
“…while ours is a sturdy planet, resilient to all manner of unthinkable insults to which it is regularly subjected, once every 50-100m years, something truly very, very bad happens. These are the major mass extinctions when conditions on Earth’s surface conspire to become so vile everywhere that they exceed the adaptive capacity of almost all complex life.”
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an “Economic” thread.
Huge thanks to August’s sponsor, Mick, who wishes recommend the book “Wild Free and Happy” by Richard Adrian Reese, which can be downloaded for free here. You can also find it in the PDF resource section at the excellent Post-Doom website.
“How surging summer humidity is making nights hotter.
“A less noticeable but widespread trend is happening across the planet while most people sleep: rising overnight temperatures… Though less intense than the peak of afternoon heat, overnight warmth elevates health hazards by preventing the body from recovering from the heat of the day.”
“29.8 at Egilsstaðaflugvöllur (you spell it first). Icelandic hottest August day in history and highest temperature overall in the country since July 1946… shortly after 10pm the temperature at Kvísker (SE-Iceland) reached 27.0C for a short time. That evening warmth had never happened in Icelandic history.“
“According to new research from eDreams Odigeo, an online travel agent, the UK is becoming an increasingly popular summer holiday destination for southern Europeans.”
“August off and siestas: Isn’t it time Britain’s heatwave-struck workers went continental?
“…It’s particularly difficult to navigate when you’re trying to work. If you’re logging on remotely, you don’t have the luxury of cool air – and even those in air-conditioned offices still have to face hellish commutes on crammed public transport.”
“Paris Braces for a Future of Possibly Paralyzing Heat…
“Imagine Paris at 122 degrees Fahrenheit, or 50 Celsius. The asphalt streets would melt in spots, making it virtually impossible for ambulances and buses to pass. The lights and fans could cut out in neighborhoods if underground cables burned or junction boxes shifted. Cellphone service might go down…”
“Four people have been killed in Spain as southern Europe is hit by its worst wildfires on record.
“Authorities in Madrid have deployed nearly 3,000 troops to help firefighters tackle blazes that have devastated swathes of the country, as temperatures hit highs of 45C.”
“Horror moment ‘Satan’s Storm’ hits Spain sparking tornadoes and sending tourists fleeing freak 40C heat burst…
“Tourists and locals were forced to evacuate beaches as the raging winds sent parasols and sun beds flying into the air in a freak 40C heat burst known as “Satan’s Storm”.”
“Authorities in Chefchaouen province [Morocco] remain on edge after days of battling a massive fire that destroyed large areas of forest in Dardara and Bab Taza…
“Fouad Assali, Director of Afforestation and Climate and Environmental Risk Management at the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF), confirmed to SNRTNews that a fire broke out on Monday morning.”
“Italy’s Ventina glacier has melted so much geologists now can only monitor it remotely…
“After this year’s hot summer, geologists discovered that the simple stakes used as benchmarks to measure the glacier’s retraction each year are now buried under rockslides and debris that have made the terrain too unsteady for future in-person visits.”
“A hailstorm hit Pimentel, flooding Highway 128 near the Samatzai junction. This is just one of the many storms currently affecting the island. A violent disturbance divided into three sections is affecting the central and inland part of the country and the south-western coast.”
“Serbian Armed Forces assist villages facing water shortages.
“In response to a prolonged drought that has led to water shortages, members of the Serbian Armed Forces are assisting with the water supply to households in several villages across the municipalities of Bujanovac, Kruševac, and Sjenica.”
“Türkiye’s tourism boom faces climate change test as record heat reshapes travel patterns…
“”This is no longer just a weather anomaly; it’s part of a long-term trend,” Cagatay Tavsanoglu, a climate change scholar at Hacettepe University in Ankara, told Xinhua. “We’re likely to see a redefinition of Türkiye’s peak tourism season…””
“Climate Change Threatens Sulaimani’s Water Sources and Tourism [Kurdistan].
“In the past year alone, the water levels have dropped by 18 meters, with the shoreline receding by 200 to 300 meters. Dukan District Governor Sirwan Sarhad confirmed that only 1.4 billion cubic meters of water remain.”
“Historic drought, wheat shortage to test Syria’s new leadership…
“”Half of the population is threatened to suffer from the drought, especially when it comes to the availability of bread, which is the most important food during the crisis,” Toni Ettel, FAO’s representative in Syria, told Reuters.”
“Sea of Galilee level edges closer to lower red line after heatwave…
“The Water Authority has reduced pumping from the Kinneret to the bare minimum in light of Israel’s dry year, he went on to say, but with another heatwave such as the one experienced last week, its levels will only continue to decline.”
“Jordan: Temperatures exceeded 40°C [104F] for seven consecutive days for the first time since records begam…
“According to previous climate records, Amman has never witnessed temperatures above 40°C for more than three consecutive days, as occurred during the intense heat wave of 2010 and the one in 2023.”
“Worst situation of glaciers in Central Asia ever…
“Shown here is Grigoriev ice cap (4600 m asl, Kirghizistan). Not a single snow patch left up to the summits, for the first time in over 10 years! [Melaine Le Roy]
“Kyrgyzstan Draws International Attention to Glacier Meltdown…
““Kyrgyzstan is a land of glaciers, and it is our duty to safeguard this unique resource,” Baisalov said. “The shrinking of our glaciers is not just an environmental concern, it is a matter of national security, water stability, and the country’s future development.””
“Four years after war ended, Afghanistan battles unprecedented water crisis.
“As Taliban authorities swept to power and tightened their grip on Afghanistan, they pushed for the country’s water sovereignty, something that Afghanistan had wielded limited control over in the four preceding decades of war.”
“Pakistani villagers scared to go back to deluged homes after floods kill over 340…
“”Everybody is scared. Children are scared. They cannot sleep,” said Sahil Khan, a 24-year-old university student. He was speaking to a Reuters team from a rooftop in the district of Buner, where he and 15 other villagers had climbed to escape any more flooding amid a fresh spell of rain on Monday.”
“New Pakistan monsoon deluge kills 20 people: Local officials…
““A cloudburst in the Gadoon area of Swabi completely destroyed several houses, killing more than 20 people,” a local official in the district told the AFP news agency on Monday. Local Pakistani media also reported on the latest deaths due to the flooding.”
“500mm [19.7 inches] in 84 hrs: 2 dead, 1 missing in Mumbai rain.
“Torrential rain amounting to 500 mm over 84 hours disrupted normal life in the city and surrounding areas on Monday, prompting the IMD to issue the season’s first red alert for Aug 18-19.”
“Heat waves are sweeping every country and Nepal is not an exception. 38.4C [101.1F] on Saturday at Nepalgunj is a new record of August highest temperature.”
“At least nine dead in flash floods in northern China.
“At least nine people died in a flash flood in northern China, state media reported yesterday, with three others still missing, as the East Asian monsoon continues to unleash atmospheric chaos across the world’s second-largest economy.”
“Another exceptional heat wave in China which will last WEEKS and break HUNDREDS of records. Today Xian and Qindu with 40.3C [104.5F] rose >40C for the first time in August. But this is just an appetizer to what’s coming.”
“The new week starts with temperatures up to 39.2C at Toyota: It’s the beginning of yet another heat wave with temperatures close to 40C [104F] the whole week with high humidity and hot nights.”
“Sydney’s wettest August in 27 years has tipped the city’s recent climate into uncharted territory.
“Analysing the complete weather history at Observatory Hill dating back to 1858 reveals rainfall during the past six years has been the most on record.”
“North Pacific waters are acidifying more rapidly below the surface.
“”“We expected some indicators of ocean acidification to be changing more rapidly below the surface, because that was what some global studies have previously discovered, but we were very surprised that this was true for every single ocean acidification indicator.””
“”We have collapsed roads”: Vallenar Municipality warns of flooding in various areas after heavy rains [Chile].
“Videos and photos shared on social media show flooded streets, affected communities, and bridges closed for safety due to the emergency. This Monday, the Municipality of Vallenar , in the Atacama Region, urged the population to “stay off the streets unless necessary” due to the emergency…”
“Emergency in Montería due to heavy rains and thundstorms [Colombia].
“Heavy rains fell on the night of Saturday, August 16, in Montería, the capital of Córdoba, and lasted for more than three hours, collapsing drainage channels. The emergency caused flooding, power outages, downed trees, and collapsed roads.”
“All Caribbean and Central American countries keep smashing records, every single day. Today Minimum of 28.6C [83.5F] Vigie Int. AP ties SAINT LUCIA HOTTEST NIGHT IN HISTORY. August Record highest Minimum also 27.0C Las Americas AP- Dominican Republic.”
“When Hurricane Erin underwent extreme RI from 75 to 130 knots in 12 hrs (a 55-kt change exceeded by only 3 Atlantic hurricanes in the past 50 yrs—2005 Wilma 75 kt; 2007 Felix 60 kt; 2024 Milton 60 kt).
“Climate change made the 1.6 °F hotter ocean SST at this location 100 times more likely.” [John Morales]
“Terrifying! Street vendors swept away after heavy rains in Aguascalientes [Mexico].
“A severe storm struck the city of Aguascalientes, leaving flooding, downed trees, and the dramatic sweeping of two street vendors by the current. The event paralyzed several urban areas and activated Civil Protection’s emergency protocols.”
“El Paso’s Heat Is Killing in Record Numbers. It May Only Get Worse…
“El Paso was the most deadly sector of the U.S.-Mexico border in 2024. And it’s not just migrants who are succumbing to extreme heat. Temperatures are rising faster in El Paso than in almost any other U.S. city.”
“As the Great Salt Lake dries up, clouds of dangerous dust blow into boomtowns.
“What scientists do know is that the dust is full of hazardous chemicals. Sampled from the lakebed, levels surpass federal recommendations for what you should be exposed to in your home and are more concentrated than those from other dust hot spots in Utah…”
“Fire Season Is Starting Earlier Thanks to Climate Change, New Study Finds.
“California’s wildfire season is showing up early — in some regions by more than a month — and a new study says human-caused climate change is a major reason why. In 11 of the state’s 13 ecological regions, the start of peak fire activity has shifted forward by six to 46 days since the early 1990s.”
“Canada’s wildfires could continue into fall, says government…
“Canada’s second-worst wildfire season on record has already burned 7.8 million hectares and could continue for weeks, federal government officials said Monday. Warmer than usual weather forecast from now until the end of September for southern British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan creates a significant risk of new fires…”
“Affordable and nutritious, bananas have long been a supermarket staple for consumers around the globe. But that could soon change, as climate change is contributing to a global shortage of the world’s most consumed fruit.”
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
“Kishtwar cloudburst: Over 1,000 people were at spot, death toll very high, says BJP MLA [Jammu & Kashmir, India].
“At least 45 people, including two CISF jawans, have been confirmed dead after a massive cloudburst hit Kishtwar area in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the incident near the Machail Mata Shrine in Kishtwar “could result in substantial casualties…””
“Is climate change turning India’s Himalayas into a disaster zone?
“Back-to-back natural disasters triggered by heavy rain and flooding in the Indian Himalayan region have highlighted the growing dangers posed by climate change to one of the world’s most ecologically sensitive regions, experts have warned.”
“Landslide In Mumbai Kills 2, Extreme Heavy Rainfall Likely Today…
“Two people died and two others were injured after a landslide struck a house in Mumbai’s Vikhroli area on Saturday amid heavy rainfall… The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red’ alert for extremely heavy rainfall for Mumbai and Raigad today.”
“In cramped, sweaty Hong Kong, climate change is making things worse for the poorest…
“In recent months, Hong Kong has been hit with relentless heat warnings. Yet tens of thousands of residents remain sardined into homes smaller than a parking space, where staying cool is a luxury few can afford as the climate warms.”
“A hailstorm that blanketed a northern New South Wales city in ice was an unusual occurrence for winter, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
“Grafton looked more like it had been dusted in snow than hail after the storm hit late on Wednesday and left a swathe of damage… “It felt like a summer storm in winter. It was like a mixing of the seasons,” Mr Murphy said.”
“OCEANIA RECORD HEAT. Unusual warmth continues all over Oceania from Polynesia to New Caledonia etc.
“Record of high Minimums for August set the past days include: 28.4 [83.1F] Nanumea TUVALU and 22.5 Ile Mare NEW CALEDONIA. Several marine heat waves are present in the Pacific.”
“The Amazon has lost an area larger than Spain in 40 years, report shows…
“Nationwide, the loss over the past four decades amounts to 111.7 million hectares—more than three times the size of Germany—a report by the initiative MapBiomas shows. The network consists of universities, non-governmental organizations and technology companies and examines primarily satellite images.”
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN HONDURAS – 41.3C [106.3F] Choluteca HOTTEST AUGUST DAY IN HONDURAS HISTORY.
“The current heat wave in Honduras plains is arguably the most anomalous heat wave in all tropical history with record heat constantly for months every single day like it was the dry season.”
“Big Tech’s big thirst — AI’s demand for Texas water.
“Texas is seeing massive growth with AI data centers. There has been attention on their incredible energy demands; however, little attention has been paid to their equally incredible water consumption. But it’s becoming clear that if left unchecked, AI water use could impact the availability of water in drought-stricken Texas.”
“In Texas cattle country, ranchers brace for flesh-eating screwworms.
“From 1972 to 1976, a screwworm outbreak in the United States infested tens of thousands of cattle across six states, cost tens of millions of dollars to contain, and was only defeated after a massive eradication effort. Today, the parasitic flies are pushing northward from Central America again…”
“As a mountain crumbled Sunday, Alaska experienced its largest landslide-caused tsunami in a decade.
“Calvey and her two friends — on a summer-long paddling trip from Washington state to Glacier Bay in Alaska — watched in disbelief as the ocean crept up the shoreline more than 15 feet, carrying away many of their possessions.”
“Arctic glaciers face ‘terminal’ decline as microbes accelerate ice melt…
““It felt really scary … like being in the middle of a burning city during a night raid.” Dr Arwyn Edwards is not describing urban warfare but a recent hot and foggy day on a Svalbard glacier, where record-breaking summer heat turned his workplace into a cascade of meltwater and falling rocks.”
“Greenland’s Melting Ice Is Supercharging Life in the Sea…
“NASA-supported researchers found that glacial runoff near Jakobshavn Glacier lifts nutrient-rich deep waters to the surface, fueling summer phytoplankton blooms by up to 40%… Melt on the Greenland ice sheet is projected to accelerate in coming decades, affecting everything from sea level and land vegetation to the saltiness of coastal waters.”
“Britain is on track for its sunniest and hottest year EVER, scientists reveal.
“Almost 1,200 hours of sunshine had been recorded by July this year, according to the Met Office… So far, there have been 79 days where temperatures have exceeded 20°C – the most ever recorded for this stage of the year.”
“25 stations recorded their warmest August night in history,9 of which all time record, me have more than >100 years of data. Minimums up to 24.1C [75.4F].”
“We are living science fiction weather, losing 20th century flourishing climate for deadly and uncharted heights…
“21.2°C [70.2F] as minimum (1671 m asl)! New min. temp. record on top of Jura Mountains [Franco-Swiss border] on 13th Aug. 2025! Record of Aug. 2003 broken by almost 1°C!” [Melaine Le Roy].
“The late afternoon of August 15th brought a sudden change in the weather in Valtellina [Italian Alps], where a violent hailstorm interrupted days of oppressive heat that had also hit the mountainous areas of the province of Sondrio.
“In Livigno, the violent storm caused two significant landslides. Mud mixed with water invaded both the road leading to the Gallo Tunnel, a link with Switzerland, and the road to the Federia Valle.”
“French forest are just… dying this absurd summer!
“Endless and recurrent heatwaves over last decade will defeat these species… … and there are still people who will BS you that you can ADAPT to this (or even to +4°C).” [Melaine Le Roy]
“‘Uncontrollable’ wildfires kill mayor in Portugal…
“Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Portugal’s president, offered his “heartfelt condolences”… The government in Lisbon made a formal request for assistance from the EU’s civil protection mechanism, a firefighting force that can be called upon by countries in need.”
“‘Unlike any other kind of fear’: wildfires leave their mark across Spain…
“Near-disaster in Paüls is latest incident to show Spain’s vulnerability to the effects of the climate emergency“… Since 2017, we’ve seen this change towards more extreme fires …it’s happening because climate change is bringing higher temperatures for much longer periods.””
“Serbia: Endemic spruce at risk of extinction due to heat.
“As temperatures around the world rise, the rare Pancic spruce, a species of coniferous tree, is at risk of extinction… Scientists are trying to save the tree, which is considered a national treasure in both countries, using genetics, dedicated nurseries and even, potentially, planting in Scandinavia.”
“Invasive species thrive as Mediterranean Sea temperature hits record high.
“Rising sea temperatures are fuelling the rapid “tropicalisation” of the Mediterranean, with venomous Red Sea species like lionfish disrupting ecosystems from Turkey to Malta, scientists warn.”
“Türkiye’s reservoirs drop to 42% as major cities face critical water shortages…
“Ankara’s capacity plunged from 32.8% to 9.3%, leaving an estimated three months of supply. In Izmir, levels dropped from 13.2% to 4.1%, equivalent to roughly two months of drinking water.”
“Water shortages plague Beirut after record-low rainfall.
“People are buying water by the truckload in Beirut as the state supply faces its worst shortages in years, with the leaky public sector struggling after record-low rainfall and local wells running dry.”
“Firefighters struggling to battle flames raging through northwest Syria…
“The flames in the northeast Latakia governorate have spread across rugged mountain areas, including forests of the Broma area in Jabal al-Akrad, which forms the northernmost point of the Syrian Coastal Mountain Range.”
“50.3 [122.5F] Ro’i Agro Station (Akol net) AUGUST HOTTEST DAY IN ISRAEL HISTORY. And it’s not over yet: today in EGYPT will be mental with half of the country (East and South) destroying records in pieces.”
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN EGYPT. Records all over the country:
“48.0 [118.4F] Luxor monthly record, 46.7 Shalatin monthly record, 46.0 Sharm el Sheikh all time record tied, MINIMUMS: 34.0 Hurghada all time record, 33.8 Aswan monthly record… Also 45.4 Shawafi JORDAN monthly record.”
“‘Like hell’: Indoor heat overwhelms Saudi Arabia’s cooks, bakers.
“…workers like Ahmed, have no choice but to toil near manmade sources of heat even at midday — the hottest time of the day, which also coincides with busy lunch breaks. “Here by the fire, I suffer on both sides,” he said, caught between the oven and the bakery’s door, which does not shut properly and allows in hot air from outside.”
“Extreme heat as pilgrims commemorate Arbaeen – the world’s largest annual peaceful gathering [Iraq].
“This year, temperatures have reached extreme heights topping 50C [122F], with pilgrims being cooled down with sprayed water during their walk to Karbala before visiting the holy shrines.”
“The planet experienced a record number of dangerously hot, humid days in 2024 as climate change increases global humidity to unprecedented levels.
“The global average number of high humid heat days over land exceeded the 1991-2020 average by 35.6 days last year, 9.5 days more than the previous record set in 2023…”
“Why our broken food system remains a climate disaster: ‘broiling the planet to stuff our faces’…
““We’re clear-cutting and broiling the planet to stuff our faces,” Grunwald writes, adding that “feeding the world without frying it” will be an even bigger task than ending the age of oil. “This carbohydrate problem will be even trickier to solve than the hydrocarbon problem,” he states.”
“Plastic pollution talks fail as negotiators in Geneva reject draft treaties.
“Several countries expressed bitter disappointment, sadness and anger that the Geneva talks had, after the sixth and final round of negotiations, failed to reach a deal… Some NGOs called the failed talks a “blow to multilateralism”, and there was reflection among some delegates on how best to move forward…”
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an “Economic” thread.
“…underwater waves, which can be as tall as skyscrapers, are not visible from the surface but prolong water mixing, bringing a steady supply of warmer water to the surface. This process increases melting and erosion at the glacier’s edge and drives ice calving.”
“‘No country is safe’: deadly Nordic heatwave supercharged by climate crisis, scientists say…
“Norway, Sweden and Finland have historically cool climates but were hit by soaring temperatures, including a record run of 22 days above 30C (86C) in Finland. Sweden endured 10 straight days of “tropical nights”, when temperatures did not fall below 20C (68F).”
“Lithuania declares agriculture emergency after crops damaged by rain…
“About 50-70% of Lithuania’s agricultural harvest has been harmed or destroyed by heavy rainfall this summer, the government said on Wednesday as it declared a national emergency to help farmers. “In many places the farmers cannot harvest their crops because the fields are flooded,” the government said in a statement…”
“Seas off the Yorkshire coast are likely to break temperature records in 2025, according to scientists…
“Prof Rodney Forster, from the University of Hull, said the sea is responding to global warming. He said: “The North Sea appears to be a bit of a hot spot, warming faster than anywhere else and we don’t know yet why that is.””
“Changing weather patterns are exposing the fragility of UK transport networks… Heat has worsened the conditions of already weak road surfaces, the AA said, with worn or damaged tyres more susceptible to failure.”
“Incredible serac fall from Hengsteren Glacier on Wetterhorn (3,690 m, Grindelwald, Switzerland).
“37 [98.6F] degrees in the valley yesterday when this serac carve off. Meanwhile on the Monta Rosa the same day the temp at 3500m was between 6 and 13°C!” [Melaine Le Roy]
“Exceptional hot nights in the French Riviera and Italian Flowers Riviera (Liguria):
“Daily 24h Minimum 31.5C [88.7F] at Alassio (night minimum 32.5C) on 12 August: Arguably one of the hottest nights ever recorded in the world North of 44 latitude.”
“43.5 again in ALBANIA! NIGHT MIN 31.8 [89.2F] Bar, Montenegro HOTTEST NIGHT EVER RECORDED IN THE BALKANS. Min 30.0 Sazan Island ALBANIA HOTTEST NIGHT IN HISTORY; Min 27.9 Ploce, Croatia record; MAX 41.8 Andravida GREECE all time record.”
“Bulgaria’s climate is increasingly mirroring that of northern Greece, climatologist Simeon Matev told BTA, noting that the country has seen record-breaking temperatures become almost routine over the last seven to eight years.”
“Thousands Flee Wildfires Across Greece as Heat Withers Crops.
“Greek coastguard vessels evacuated tourists and locals, while a volunteer firefighter died in Spain as authorities struggled to quell blazes across the Mediterranean… Thousands fled the town of Kato Achaia in northwest Peloponnese — with 550 cars burnt at Patras Customs Office…”
“Spain wildfires are ‘clear warning’ of climate emergency, minister says.
“The heatwave-fuelled wildfires that have killed two people in Spain over recent days, devouring thousands of hectares of land and forcing thousands of people from their homes, are a “clear warning” of the impact of the climate emergency, the country’s environment minister has said.”
“Firefighters struggle to contain forest fires in northern Morocco.
“The blaze started in the Dardara forest on the outskirts of Chefchaouen amid record-high temperatures, an official from the Moroccan National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) said. He added that specialized aircraft and civil protection teams were still working to put out the fires.”
“Cape Verde declares state of emergency after deadly floods.
“Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia told the BBC the floods were “catastrophic”. Rescue teams are desperately searching for missing people, while roads, homes and vehicles have been severely damaged.”
“Several neighborhoods in the urban commune of Siguiri were flooded this Wednesday, August 13 [Guinea].
“This is the result of heavy rain that fell on the city last night. Teleladji, Nanko, Bolibana, and Hérémakono are the most affected areas, according to our information.”
“Aqaba JORDAN min 35.0 max. 49.6 [121.3F] and Eilat ISRAEL min 35.7 max. 48.8. Hottest day & night ever recorded on the Red Sea… There had never been anything like this or even close in the area.”
“Life in Gaza is already incredibly tough, and now a relentless heatwave is making things even worse—adding to the struggle for scarce water, food, and the essentials families need to survive.”
“Blistering overnight conditions near the Dead Sea appear to have broken the record for hottest overnight temperatures recorded in Israel, set only a night earlier.
“Israel Meteorological Service data shows that temperatures at the Sodom weather station in the southern Dead Sea evaporation pools only dropped to 38° C (100.4° F) at 5 a.m. this morning…”
“Iraq’s Tigris and Euphrates near collapse as water crisis deepens.
“…if Iraq fails to reach binding water agreements with upstream states, particularly Turkiye, the capital and multiple provinces may soon face interruptions in municipal water supplies, plunging the country into a full-scale drought emergency.”
“Minimum 32.8 Bunji PAKISTAN 1470m asl August WORLD RECORD hottest night at that elevation (2nd only after that set last month!); Crazy Min 37.8 [100F] Alula SAUDI ARABIA – SAUDI ARABIA HOTTEST NIGHT EVER and WORLD RECORD HIGHEST MINIMUM >600m asl!“
“IMD issues red alert for flash floods, cloudburst risk in Uttarakhand [India], week after Dharali disaster…
“The weather office has alerted the Himalayan states, including the Jammu region, of extremely heavy rainfall up to 210 mm in the next day and heavy rain in the next 6-7 days.”
“Record heat never ends in Japan. More records of Highest Minimums in the past 2 days: 29.2 [84.6F] Nakakoshiki, 27.1 Katori, 26.0 Isa, 25.7 Kihoku.” [Over 7,500 people nationwide were taken to hospitals due to heatstroke in the week leading up to August 10th, reports Volcaholic on X.]
“Three people died amid torrential downpours that swept from the Yellow Sea and across the northern parts of the greater Seoul area on Wednesday, with heavy rains concentrating in Incheon and northern Gyeonggi [South Korea]
“The three people died in Incheon, Gimpo and Pocheon as rainfalls exceeded 100 millimeters (3.9 inches) per hour.”
“Hong Kong Extends Record Rain Warnings as [Typhoon] Podul Skirts City…
“Parts of Hong Kong have received as much as 400 millimeters (15.7 inches) of rain since midnight, with schools shut and residents advised to shelter in place. A black rain warning was issued for a fifth time, breaking a record that was set earlier this month…”
“Perth weather: Record winds and heavy rain fells trees, sends debris flying across metropolitan area and Western Australia]…
“At about 7pm on Wednesday, a gust measuring 117km/h [73mph] ripped through the Jandakot area. This gust is the strongest wind recorded there since 1990, exceeding the previous record of 113km/h.”
“Harden residents await property repairs six months after freak storm [NSW].
“Harden residents and business owners are waiting for homes to be repaired and insurance claims to be approved after a February hailstorm. The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and insurance providers recently met with customers in Harden about their concerns.”
“The Amazon Rainforest Approaches a Point of No Return.
“In “Amazon Tipping Point” — Third-Place Winner of the 2025 Yale Environment 360 Film Contest — Brazilian filmmakers capture striking images of clear-cutting and explore how human activity is so damaging the world’s largest rainforest that it will not be able to recover.”
“Heavy rains cause severe flooding in Havana [Cuba].
“The heavy rains recorded on August 11 once again tested Havana’s resilience against extreme weather events, leaving flooded streets, trapped vehicles, and inundated homes in various parts of the city.”
“Min 29.3C [84.7F] yesterday Belize City Port HOTTEST AUGUST NIGHT EVER RECORDED IN BELIZE AND ALL CENTRAL AMERICA. There is barely a corner in the tropics (bar Peru and Ecuador ) which isn’t breaking records.”
“Torrential rains have forced Mexico City’s main airport to shut down flights for hours for the second consecutive day, stirring chaos in one of Latin America’s busiest airports.
“The flight disruptions come as the Mexican capital experiences one of its heaviest rainy seasons in years, leading to constant flooding in other parts of the city.”
“Climate models reveal how human activity may be locking the Southwest [US] into permanent drought…
“Earth and ocean scientists found that the PDO is now being strongly influenced by human factors and has been since the 1950s. It should have oscillated to a wetter phase by now, but instead it has been stuck. Our results suggest that drought could become the new normal for the region unless human-driven warming is halted.”
“More than 400 people are suspected to have died from extreme heat in Maricopa county, Arizona, so far this summer, according to official figures, as the brutal current heatwave enters its 12th day.
“August is on track to be the hottest on record, with temperatures hitting at least 110F (43C) every day apart from one so far.”
“Flash flooding leaves at least three dead in Tennessee…
“Flash flooding and torrential rain has cost at least three lives in Tennessee on Wednesday and caused havoc on the roads around Chattanooga, as the county mayor declared a state of emergency.”
“Pittsburgh region sees driest start to an August since late 1800s.
“After a spring and early summer that saw several damaging storms and floods, the precipitation well has run dry in August. The last time the Pittsburgh region saw no rain in the first 10 days of August, Grover Cleveland was serving his first term as president in 1887…”
“Floodwaters from glacier near Alaska’s capital city break record levels and prompt evacuations.
“Record floodwaters released by the nearby Mendenhall Glacier crested Wednesday in a river that flows through Alaska’s capital city with no immediate reports of major damage, though officials warned that high water would remain for several hours.”
“Carbon credits: The dark heart of the climate ‘solution’ that simply does not work…
“Carbon market projects almost always fail to provide any real climate benefit. Worse, they have a long history of subjecting host communities to various abuses and human rights violations. They simply do not work.”
“Microplastics in crops may threaten food production…
“…there is growing concern that these particles, once inside plant cells, can interfere with photosynthesis — the process by which plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into energy in the form of sugars. This may impede plant growth, with potentially serious consequences for food production and climate change.”
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
“As far as I know, your work is unique in pulling together stories from all over the world. Very sobering but a better and more complete view. Terrific and necessary work. Thank you!” – Simon
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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.
“Collapse of critical Atlantic current is no longer low-likelihood, study finds…
“The reduction in air pollution (aerosols, blue line) could lead to rapid slowdown of the AMOC.
“The Korea Polar Research Institute announced on August 29 that it has confirmed the eastward spread of Siberian river discharge, organic matter, and sediment into the East Siberian Sea as a result of climate change…
“The extraordinary abnormal warmth in SIBERIA expands East: The cold pole Verkhoyansk is still recording maxes >25C and Batamaj has recorded 7 consecutive maxes >25C and 2 more are on the way (never recorded >25C later than now).
“UK’s largest lake faces environmental crisis as rescue plans stall [Northern Ireland]…
“Floods end UK’s hottest summer on record…
“Octopus bloom devastates UK crab industry amid marine heatwave…
“How flash droughts driven by climate change sparked record wildfires in Spain.
“Climate Change Is Transforming Summer in Europe…
“New research has revealed how climate change is intensifying supercell thunderstorms in Europe.
“100mph wind gusts nearly overturned an aircraft while it was stopped on the runway at Cagnano Airport in Corsica this morning.
“Verretto, tornado destroys homes, businesses, and vegetation [N Italy].
“Water bomb in Margherita di Savoia [N Italy], dozens of calls to firefighters.
“Here we go: as forecast, spectacular switch from near cold record to near heat record in Eastern Europe.
“Romania sees surge in extreme weather alerts…
“Greece’s Water Crisis Deepens: Farmers in Larissa Left Without Harvest After Irrigation Fiasco.
“MEDITERRANEAN HEAT WAVE. Another scorching hot day (and night) in North Africa: 
“Drought-hit Morocco deploys floating solar panels to protect water reserves.
“Nigeria needs more than simply prayers to solve its food crisis…
“Summer in winter continues in SOUTH AFRICA with tropical nights and records:
“MIDDLE EAST also keeps being hot like an oven with max temperatures still peaking locally >48C and above all, extremely hot night, locally still >35C (Dubai min today was 35.1C / 95F).
“Worst-Case scenario: Fishermen walk across Tigris [Iraq].
“Iraq to press Turkiye, Iran for water releases…
“Nine Million Afghans Affected by Climate Crisis, Says Aid Group.
“Behind Pakistan’s repeated floods: Melting glaciers, depleted forests…
“‘The water left nothing’: Pakistan’s Punjab province reels from deadly floods.
“‘Everything has been lost’: Kashmir floods, landslides kill dozens…
“Himachal monsoon toll rises to 310; roads, power supply hit across state…
“Bangladesh heatwaves hit health hard, making life a costly business.
“Hong Kong sees record number of tropical cyclone warnings this year.
“EAST ASIA ENDLESS RECORD HEAT: Temperatures still >40C [104F] in China,>37C in Korea and Japan (it will approach 40C again next days) with night minimums locally >30C!
“Indonesia’s coastal island faces climate crisis amid seawall debate…
“Victoria warned to prepare for ‘destruction’ with severe weather and snow forecast [Australia].
“Over 11 gruesome kilometres, teams fill bag after bag of marine life killed by SA’s stubborn algal bloom.
“Amazon Summit Shows Scant Progress.
“Garbage is a headache that has become a migraine for Conagua [Mexico].
“Explosion at Louisiana Oil Plant Leaves Black Community Coated in Toxic Fallout…
“Despite the cold snap, record heat now outnumbers record cold by more than 3 to 1 in the US. In a normal climate, they’d be equal. 
“Destructive hailstorms carved 400kmh scar across the Prairies [Canada].
“Before 2023, the global record for fire clouds in a single year was 102.
“CANADA HEAT WAVE – intense heat spreads North and East to Alberta and Northwest Territories with temperatures >33/34C north of 60N latitude.
“Scientist Shuts Himself in 104F Chamber in Quest to Study Heat Stress.
“ARCTIC RECORD WARMTH – unprecedented warmth continues with no sign of abating in any foreseeable future:
“Provisional statistics from the Met Office show that summer 2025 will ‘almost certainly’ be the warmest summer on record for the UK.
“Warning of ‘horrendous’ rat infestations after summer heatwaves.
“Anxiety has become an almost universal experience among Britain’s farming community, following the country’s third worst harvest on record last year and an exceptionally dry spring this year…
“Record-low water level measured on Vistula River in Warsaw…
“The remnants of Hurricane Erin will contribute to torrential rain across the Swiss Alps over the next two days, raising the risk of dangerous flooding and landslides.”
“France hit by storms: record rainfall, hail, and 17,000 lightning strikes…
“EU’s record wildfire emissions highlight threat to forest carbon sinks…
“Climate change made deadly wildfires in Turkey, Greece and Cyprus more fierce, study finds.
“Türkiye’s wildfires leave lasting scars on marine life, scientist says…
“Lebanese winemaker strains to keep business alive through war and drought.
“NORTH AFRICA HEAT WAVE:
“Winter heat wave in Southern Africa:
“Villages swept away as floods ravage parts of Sudan.
“Massive floods have struck Mahayel Asir in Saudi Arabia, causing widespread damage and disruption. 
“MIDDLE EAST ENDLESS RECORD HEAT:
“Iraq’s Water Reserves Hit 80-Year Low, Sparking National Emergency.
“Record rainfall submerges Sialkot [Pakistan].
“India warns Pakistan to expect flooding after opening major dams near the border.
“Rain battered Jammu receives record-breaking 380mm [15 inches] rainfall in 24 hours [India].
“From August 6th to today, Shanghai has recorded temperatures above 35C [95F] for 21 consecutive days, about to break the record of 24 consecutive days above 35C set in 1926! 
“Tokyo registers record 10 days with temperatures of 35°C [95F] or higher.
“Heavy Rain and Flooding Trigger Evacuations in Sakhalin [far eastern Russia]…
“Torrential rains sweep Thailand, one dead and one missing.
“Under the Ice! Huge Hailstorm Damages Homes and Cars.
“Droughts making air deadlier in Latin America, study finds.
“HISTORIC HEAT IN THE CARIBBEAN. Absolutely mind blowing record heat every day in every single country of the region.
“Mexico’s Border Heatwave Could Strain Electricity Grid…
“The Colorado River is in trouble. Some groups want the government to step up…
“Burning Man’s so-called Orgy Dome has been destroyed by high winds during a severe dust storm that tore through the Nevada festival site.
“HISTORIC. While most of United States has slipped below average, look where is all the heat: CANADA:
“Canada’s 2023 Wildfires Pushed Air Pollution to Decade-Level Highs…
“Flesh-eating bacteria cases are rising. Climate change is to blame, say scientists…
“Acidic oceans are weakening shark teeth, scientists warn.
“Warning unexpected turbulence to become more common…
“When water becomes war: The moral failure of global governance in the Middle East…
Drought wilts Israeli agriculture, farmers face significant water cuts
“Timelapse Shows Iran’s Largest Lake Shrinking in Drought Crisis.
“Problems multiply as fresh heavy rain pounds Karachi.
“Brutal Monsoon Season Kills at Least 1,860 in India and Pakistan.
“Blistering sanfu over, but extreme heat isn’t.
JAPAN RECORD HEAT
“Mid-latitude SSTs are record warm for the time of year in both Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and the N Hemisphere warmth is pushing above the 2023 all-time record (1982-present OISST data).
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN THE CARIBBEAN:
“Southern California Faces Record Heat and Braces for Wildfires.
“Colorado River Running Out of Water.
“Why are food prices still rising by so much? [UK]…
“Did you know that already more than 1000 glaciers have disappeared in Switzerland over the last 50 years as a consequence of human-caused climate change?
“A Water Crisis in Bulgaria Is a Warning for Europe…
“Nearly a quarter of Chios burned in under a decade.
“Niger floods drive thousands from their homes with at least 47 dead.
“A Debilitating Virus Surges Globally as Mosquitoes Move With Warming Climate.
“From sea ice to ocean currents, Antarctica is now undergoing abrupt changes – and we’ll all feel them…
“Ash dieback triggers hidden surge in carbon emissions from woodland soils, research shows…
“‘A climate of unparalleled malevolence’: are we on our way to the sixth major mass extinction…
“How surging summer humidity is making nights hotter.
“HISTORIC! ALMOST 30c [86F] IN ICELAND
“Scotland lures heatwave-weary Europeans seeking ‘coolcations’…
“August off and siestas: Isn’t it time Britain’s heatwave-struck workers went continental?
“Paris Braces for a Future of Possibly Paralyzing Heat…
“SPAIN HEAT WAVE. The most important records set yesterday include:
“Four people have been killed in Spain as southern Europe is hit by its worst wildfires on record.
“Horror moment ‘Satan’s Storm’ hits Spain sparking tornadoes and sending tourists fleeing freak 40C heat burst…
“Authorities in Chefchaouen province [Morocco] remain on edge after days of battling a massive fire that destroyed large areas of forest in Dardara and Bab Taza…
“Italy’s Ventina glacier has melted so much geologists now can only monitor it remotely…
“Violent hailstorm hits Pimentel [Sardinia].
“Serbian Armed Forces assist villages facing water shortages.
“Türkiye’s tourism boom faces climate change test as record heat reshapes travel patterns…
“Climate Change Threatens Sulaimani’s Water Sources and Tourism [Kurdistan].
“Historic drought, wheat shortage to test Syria’s new leadership…
“Sea of Galilee level edges closer to lower red line after heatwave…
“Jordan: Temperatures exceeded 40°C [104F] for seven consecutive days for the first time since records begam…
“Worst situation of glaciers in Central Asia ever… 
“Kyrgyzstan Draws International Attention to Glacier Meltdown…
“Four years after war ended, Afghanistan battles unprecedented water crisis.
“Pakistani villagers scared to go back to deluged homes after floods kill over 340…
“New Pakistan monsoon deluge kills 20 people: Local officials…
“500mm [19.7 inches] in 84 hrs: 2 dead, 1 missing in Mumbai rain.
“RECORD HEAT IN NEPAL.
“At least nine dead in flash floods in northern China. 
“RECORD HEAT WAVE IN CHINA:
“HARSH HEAT IN JAPAN again.
“Sydney’s wettest August in 27 years has tipped the city’s recent climate into uncharted territory.
“North Pacific waters are acidifying more rapidly below the surface.
“”We have collapsed roads”: Vallenar Municipality warns of flooding in various areas after heavy rains [Chile].
“Emergency in Montería due to heavy rains and thundstorms [Colombia].
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN THE CARIBBEAN:
“When Hurricane Erin underwent extreme RI from 75 to 130 knots in 12 hrs (a 55-kt change exceeded by only 3 Atlantic hurricanes in the past 50 yrs—2005 Wilma 75 kt; 2007 Felix 60 kt; 2024 Milton 60 kt). 
“Terrifying! Street vendors swept away after heavy rains in Aguascalientes [Mexico].
“El Paso’s Heat Is Killing in Record Numbers. It May Only Get Worse…
“As the Great Salt Lake dries up, clouds of dangerous dust blow into boomtowns.
“Fire Season Is Starting Earlier Thanks to Climate Change, New Study Finds.
“Canada’s wildfires could continue into fall, says government…
“Climate Change is Coming for Your Bananas.
“Flash floods triggered by torrential rains have killed at least 321 people in northern Pakistan in the past 48 hours, officials said on Saturday.
“Kishtwar cloudburst: Over 1,000 people were at spot, death toll very high, says BJP MLA [Jammu & Kashmir, India].
“Is climate change turning India’s Himalayas into a disaster zone?
“Landslide In Mumbai Kills 2, Extreme Heavy Rainfall Likely Today…
“Eastern China is under a terrible heat wave with hot and humid days and nights.
“In cramped, sweaty Hong Kong, climate change is making things worse for the poorest…
“A hailstorm that blanketed a northern New South Wales city in ice was an unusual occurrence for winter, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
“OCEANIA RECORD HEAT. Unusual warmth continues all over Oceania from Polynesia to New Caledonia etc.
“The Amazon has lost an area larger than Spain in 40 years, report shows…
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN HONDURAS – 41.3C [106.3F] Choluteca HOTTEST AUGUST DAY IN HONDURAS HISTORY.
“Big Tech’s big thirst — AI’s demand for Texas water.
“In Texas cattle country, ranchers brace for flesh-eating screwworms.
“As a mountain crumbled Sunday, Alaska experienced its largest landslide-caused tsunami in a decade.
“Arctic glaciers face ‘terminal’ decline as microbes accelerate ice melt…
“Greenland’s Melting Ice Is Supercharging Life in the Sea…
“Britain is on track for its sunniest and hottest year EVER, scientists reveal.
“EXCEPTIONALLY WARM NIGHT IN GERMANY:
“We are living science fiction weather, losing 20th century flourishing climate for deadly and uncharted heights… 
“The late afternoon of August 15th brought a sudden change in the weather in Valtellina [Italian Alps], where a violent hailstorm interrupted days of oppressive heat that had also hit the mountainous areas of the province of Sondrio.
“French forest are just… dying this absurd summer! 
“‘Uncontrollable’ wildfires kill mayor in Portugal…
“‘Unlike any other kind of fear’: wildfires leave their mark across Spain…
“Serbia: Endemic spruce at risk of extinction due to heat.
“Invasive species thrive as Mediterranean Sea temperature hits record high.
“Türkiye’s reservoirs drop to 42% as major cities face critical water shortages…
“Water shortages plague Beirut after record-low rainfall.
“Firefighters struggling to battle flames raging through northwest Syria…
“IT’S A REAL HELL IN MIDDLE EAST:
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN EGYPT. Records all over the country:
“‘Like hell’: Indoor heat overwhelms Saudi Arabia’s cooks, bakers.
“Extreme heat as pilgrims commemorate Arbaeen – the world’s largest annual peaceful gathering [Iraq].
“Another incredible minimum of 32.8C [91F] at Bunj PAKISTAN above 1400m asl.
“The planet experienced a record number of dangerously hot, humid days in 2024 as climate change increases global humidity to unprecedented levels.
“Why our broken food system remains a climate disaster: ‘broiling the planet to stuff our faces’…
“Plastic pollution talks fail as negotiators in Geneva reject draft treaties.
“Global sea-ice extent is currently second lowest for the date and roughly 2.5 million square kilometers below the 1991-2020 average.
“Falling ice drives glacial retreat in Greenland…
“‘No country is safe’: deadly Nordic heatwave supercharged by climate crisis, scientists say…
“Lithuania declares agriculture emergency after crops damaged by rain…
“Seas off the Yorkshire coast are likely to break temperature records in 2025, according to scientists…
“How heatwaves are ruining British roads.
“Another record day in FRANCE with temperatures up to 42.1C / 107.8F (4 days in a row 42.1C/43.4C!)
“Incredible serac fall from Hengsteren Glacier on Wetterhorn (3,690 m, Grindelwald, Switzerland).
“Exceptional hot nights in the French Riviera and Italian Flowers Riviera (Liguria):
“EUROPEAN HEAT WAVE [East]:
“Bulgaria’s Climate Shifts Toward Northern Greece’s Heat Patterns, Warns Climatologist.
“Thousands Flee Wildfires Across Greece as Heat Withers Crops.
“Spain wildfires are ‘clear warning’ of climate emergency, minister says.
“Firefighters struggle to contain forest fires in northern Morocco.
“Cape Verde declares state of emergency after deadly floods.
“Several neighborhoods in the urban commune of Siguiri were flooded this Wednesday, August 13 [Guinea].
“ABSOLUTE INSANITY ON THE RED SEA:
“Blistering heatwave escalates Gaza starvation struggle.
“Blistering overnight conditions near the Dead Sea appear to have broken the record for hottest overnight temperatures recorded in Israel, set only a night earlier.
“Iraq’s Tigris and Euphrates near collapse as water crisis deepens.
“INSANE WORLD RECORDS HOT NIGHTS:
“IMD issues red alert for flash floods, cloudburst risk in Uttarakhand [India], week after Dharali disaster…
“JAPAN RECORD HEAT:
“Three people died amid torrential downpours that swept from the Yellow Sea and across the northern parts of the greater Seoul area on Wednesday, with heavy rains concentrating in Incheon and northern Gyeonggi [South Korea]
“Hong Kong Extends Record Rain Warnings as [Typhoon] Podul Skirts City…
“Perth weather: Record winds and heavy rain fells trees, sends debris flying across metropolitan area and Western Australia]…
“Harden residents await property repairs six months after freak storm [NSW].
“The Amazon Rainforest Approaches a Point of No Return.
“Heavy rains cause severe flooding in Havana [Cuba].
“CARIBBEAN ENDLESS RECORD HEAT:
“Torrential rains have forced Mexico City’s main airport to shut down flights for hours for the second consecutive day, stirring chaos in one of Latin America’s busiest airports.
“Climate models reveal how human activity may be locking the Southwest [US] into permanent drought…
“More than 400 people are suspected to have died from extreme heat in Maricopa county, Arizona, so far this summer, according to official figures, as the brutal current heatwave enters its 12th day.
“Flash flooding leaves at least three dead in Tennessee…
“Pittsburgh region sees driest start to an August since late 1800s.
“Floodwaters from glacier near Alaska’s capital city break record levels and prompt evacuations.
“Multiple monthly and all-time heat records today in Eastern Canada! Up to 38.6°C [101.5F] in Miramichi, New Brunswick.
“Global sea-surface temperatures are continuing to be record hot compared to any pre-2023 year.
“Carbon credits: The dark heart of the climate ‘solution’ that simply does not work…
“Microplastics in crops may threaten food production…