“Canadian food banks prepare for ‘tidal wave’ of new clients.
“”A volatile combination of high housing costs, pandemic job losses, rising food costs and an anticipated further pull-back on government supports is creating a ‘perfect storm’…” the Food Banks Canada HungerCount 2021 report said in part.”
“‘We are struggling every day’: Supply chain crunch threatens to leave some of the neediest Americans without enough to eat…
“As families across the country deal with wide ranging impacts of the congested supply chain — from delayed furniture to rising car prices — others are facing a more acute problem: finding enough to eat.”
“US GDP growth slows sharply in Q3 as consumers downshift spending.
“The United States economy grew at a slower pace in the three months ending September, as a wave of COVID-19 cases, supply chain bottlenecks, surging inflation and ebbing federal financial lifelines downshifted the pace of the nation’s economic recovery.”
“Energy crisis: UK consumers face rising fuel poverty this winter.
“Some 4.5 million Britons are desperate, facing cuts to welfare, rising energy prices and a long, cold winter… over a dozen small energy suppliers have gone bust since September…”
“France Threatens to Raise Energy Prices in U.K. Fish Fight…
“France could lift prices for the electricity it provides via undersea cables to the British Channel Islands off the country’s northwest coast, Clement Beaune, junior minister for European affairs, said Thursday on broadcaster Cnews.”
“Fears Of Rising Baguette Prices Pose Crunch For The French.
“A hike in the cost of wheat is alarming French households who fear a possible rise in the price of the prized baguette, seen by many as a barometer of the country’s economic health.”
“Germany: Inflation reaches 28-year high amid surge in energy prices.
“The annual inflation rate continued to soar for the fourth month in a row, rising to 4.5% in October, with energy prices shooting up 18.6%, estimates from the German federal statistics agency Destatis showed.”
“Energy costs push Spain’s inflation to 29-year high, threatening recovery.
“Spanish inflation surged to a 29-year high in October as national consumer prices rose 5.5% year-on-year, flash data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) showed on Thursday, threatening the economic recovery.”
“Europe’s energy crisis: Spain presses Algeria to guarantee natural gas supply.
“For the second time in a month, a Spanish minister met with Algerian officials on Wednesday to guarantee the European country’s [only] supply of natural gas after Algeria closes a pipeline that runs through Morocco this weekend.”
“Japan’s factory output hit by supply snags as outlook darkens.
“Japan’s factory output shrank for the third straight month in September as the auto sector was hit by a persistent global supply shortage, raising the risk of an economic contraction in the third quarter and throwing the recovery into doubt.”
“China’s Manufacturing Likely Contracted Again on Power Shortages.
“China’s factory slump showed no signs of letting up in October, with activity likely contracting for a second straight month as electricity shortages and soaring commodity prices hit manufacturers.”
“Why China’s economic downturn warrants more than a shrug from global investors…
“The failure to reckon with a much sharper than expected slowdown in China is a grave mispricing of risk at a time when global growth is slowing sharply and central banks are preparing to tighten monetary policy.”
“Third of Chinese developers could face debt problems as Evergrande contagion grows…
“Even if the embattled developer Evergrande manages to meet its latest debt repayment on Friday and head off a potentially disastrous default, analysts at the credit rating agency S&P warned that many other property companies could be heading towards bankruptcy.”
“Vegetables have become so expensive in China recently that they are sometimes pricier than meat, sparking fears about food inflation in the country.
“The sharp rise in prices is due to heavy rain destroying crops earlier this month in major growing regions and soaring coal prices fueling electricity prices…”
“North Africa, one of the world’s biggest grain importers, is increasingly feeling the impact of higher food costs on grocery bills… [Food price] peaks in 2008 and 2011 are linked with food riots and, in tandem with broader inequity, unrest in areas including North Africa.“
“Zimbabwe: Violent Clashes Erupt As Zanu-PF Blocks Chamisa Entourage in Hurungwe.
“Gun-totting Zanu-PF activists and MDC Alliance supporters engaged in violent clashes at Zvipani business centre in Hurungwe Wednesday after the former attempted to disrupt MDC Alliance president, Nelson Chamisa’s scheduled public address.”
“Somalia: Renewed clashes dim hopes of a credible election.
“Several days of fighting between government troops and militia have heightened political uncertainty over the long-overdue national polls. In addition, there is still no agreement on the electoral procedure.”
“Death toll rises as Sudan’s capital rocked by more clashes…
“Security forces have clashed with protesters furious over a military coup that derailed a fragile transition to democracy and sparked an international outcry, with the United States and United Nations dialling up the pressure on Sudan’s new military government.”
“The Central Bank of Brazil implemented its largest rate hike since 2002 on October 27, in a fresh bid to tame rising inflation and respond to concerns on fiscal sustainability.
“The monetary policy committee unanimously voted to increase the key Selic rate by 150 basis points to 7.75%.”
“Colombians say role in protests made them targets of vengeful authorities…
“Roughly 95 percent of cases brought against people arrested in anti-government demonstrations fell apart after “extremely exaggerated charges” were brought against them…”
“Ecuador president calls for dialogue with Indigenous protesters.
“Indigenous and rural Ecuadorans have blocked roads in several provinceson the second day of protests against rising fuel prices amid a state of emergency as the president called for dialogue.”
“Gangs Rule Much of Haiti. For Many, It Means No Fuel, No Power, No Food…
“With gangs holding up fuel trucks at will, truck drivers have refused to go to work, setting off a nationwide strike by transportation workers and paralyzing a nation dependent on generators for much of its power.”
“Black swan meat now on the menu in North Korea as food supply problems persist.
“Industrial breeding of ‘delicious’ black swan meat kicked into high gear at new farm facility, state media says… Kim Jong Un declared a food crisis in June and urged workers last month to come up with ways to solve the country’s persistent “food problem.”
“Here’s what every degree of heat rise could do to the global economy.
“… the financial damage from runaway climate change could surpass the amount of money that currently exists on the planet, according to one estimate.” [an odd way of framing the issue but…]
You can read the previous ‘Economic’ thread here. I’ll be back over the weekend with a ‘Climate’ 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 means a lot.
“Sicilian cyclone drops a year’s rain in 48 hours and kills at least two people as roads are submerged after four-day storm…
“Footage shows roads submerged under raging flood water and roads and buildings being left overwhelmed after almost 20 inches of rain fell in just 48 hours.”
“Farmers in the southern Italian region of Puglia have warned local institutions that the severe drought that hit the country will result in lower olive oil yields than previously expected.
“They asked for compensation and for the strategic overhauling of critical infrastructures, such as irrigation…”
“One of Austria’s largest ever forest fires is raging.
“In Lower Austria, around 115 hectares of forest have been destroyed in a huge forest fire that was not under control as of Wednesday morning. The fire is located in Hirschwang an der Rax…
“A total of 300 firefighters worked to fight the blaze, their work made difficult by steep vertical slopes in the area and strong winds.”
“French corn farmers are being told to leave crops unharvested in the latest sign of how soaring energy prices are heightening the risk of global food inflation.
“The grain typically needs to be dried down after it’s collected to ensure the proper moisture content, a task that’s becoming increasingly costly as natural gas prices skyrocket.”
“Thousands of sea creatures are washing up on beaches in the North East of England in ‘waist-deep’ mountains with fears pollution could be to blame.
“Dead and alive crabs, lobsters and other crustaceans are continuing to wash up on the sand along the Teeside coast, between Marske and Saltburn, and local residents are calling it the ‘worst’ they’ve ever seen.”
“Glasgow hit by floods just days before city hosts COP26 – with warning of more heavy rain to come.
“Footage and pictures on social media shows cars driving through flood water in some streets as heavy rain lashes the city and causes disruption to transport.”
“A large storm that hit the US north-east has been labeled a “bomb cyclone” – a storm that rapidly intensifies and features plunging air pressure within a 24-hour period, according to meteorologists…
“The Nor’easter became a bomb cyclone after the storm system’s pressure dropped from 1,008 millibars to 980 as 31m under a flood watch.”
“Dramatic videos showed tornadoes in Louisiana and Texas, with one twister seen striking a powerline moments after touching down on a freeway, while another lifted an ATV into the air…
“Another in Orange, Texas, captured an ATV flying through the air, after it was lifted off the ground by the force of the extreme weather event.”
“Colombia saw 42,600 hectares deforested in Amazon through June this year. [Better than 2020 but this is still irreplaceable forest.]
“Some 42,600 hectares (105,267 acres) of rainforest were destroyed in Colombia’s Amazon across three of the Andean country’s provinces in the first half of 2021, the government said on Tuesday.”
“Scientists discover how forest fires influence rain cloud formation in the Amazon.
“A Brazilian study published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment shows how wildfires and forest burning for agriculture influence rain cloud formation in the Amazon.”
“36.1C [97F] – hottest October day in history for Buenos Aires, in ferocious spring heatwave. Records go back to 1906 and beats the record of 35.6°C from 2014.”
“Argentina Heat Wave Day 2 – Another extraordinary record breaking day is ongoing in Argentina and Uruguay with several monthly records falling by a huge margin.
“The coastal city of Bahia Blanca with 37.2C [99F], and rising, is already destroying its October record of 34.9C.”
“Temperature soars to 28.9C [84F] as Napier [NZ] records second-warmest early spring day…
“The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) said Wednesday’s maximum temperature was the second highest recorded in the Hawke’s Bay city between September 1 and October 27 since records began in 1870.”
“Huge storms smashes Adelaide bringing golf ball sized hail and power outages.
“There are reports that more than 6000 homes are without power, 2500 of those in the Adelaide Hills. Several schools have been closed. Social media users have called the sudden pelting of the city with hail as “incredible” and “crazy”.”
“Perth’s October rainfall record broken after storm moves over west coast, bringing hail.
“Perth has recorded its wettest October since records began, after a low-pressure system delivered heavy downpours and hail to the south-west corner of the state last night.”
“Fertiliser scarcity hits Punjab, Rajasthan, three other states, crops affected.
“Farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh have complained of a shortage of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertiliser for weeks, saying the shortage will affect crops.”
“Tehran suffering worst drought in 50 years, says water official.
“The Iranian capital is suffering its worst drought in half a century, a water resources official says, citing a 97 percent drop in monthly rainfall compared with last year.”
“Turkey’s second largest lake, Lake Tuz, dries up amid drought and farm use in country.
“All 643 square miles of Lake Tuz have dried up this year, amid droughts and farming demand on water. Environmental activist, Fahri Tunc, said: ‘The situation is catastrophic…” [Video]
“Morocco’s Marathon des Sables is famously challenging, covering 155 miles of Saharan dunes. This year, dropouts reached an all-time high, and a runner died…
“Some outlets report a recorded high of a staggering 132F for the race. While isolated days of extreme heat are standard on the MdS, many consider this year’s race unusually hot from start to finish.”
“World faces growing threat of ‘unbearable’ heatwaves.
“From Death Valley to the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent to sub-Saharan Africa, global warming has already made daily life unbearable for millions of people.”
“Wildfires, deforestation and global heating turn 10 Unesco forests into carbon sources.
“Forests in at least 10 Unesco world heritage sites have become net sources of carbon since the turn of the millennium due to wildfires, deforestation and global heating, says a new report.”
“Siberia’s permafrost melt is causing swamps, lakes, making land difficult to live on.
“…in Siberia climate change is literally re-shaping the landscape, as rapidly warming temperatures start to alter what has long been a given in much of Russia’s vast hinterland: that the ground is frozen.”
“Scientists are increasingly warning that the melting Arctic could push the planet into a vicious cycle of uncontrolled heating as vast stores of carbon in thawing ground release powerful greenhouse gases.”
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 means a lot.
“the UN’s World Meteorological Organization… said every part of the region had been affected with the 38C registered at Verkhoyansk in Russia recorded provisionally as the highest known temperature anywhere north of the Arctic Circle.”
“‘Nowhere is safe’: Philippine typhoon victims live in fear.
“Albay climate change activist Bill Bontigao said Goni was a “wake-up call” and urgent action was needed to prepare the region for stronger cyclones. “I’m worried that the next generations, my nephews and nieces, won’t have a good future,” Bontigao, 21, told AFP.”
“Oodnadatta holds the record for Australia’s hottest temperature and it looks set to get even warmer…
“The town is one of several remote areas included in what’s known as South Australia’s unincorporated area, which covers about 60 per cent of the state’s land area but is only home to just under 4000 people.”
“Authorities reported that due to the torrential rains that were registered on Saturday night by Hurricane Rick, a 35-year-old man died in the municipality of Tepoztlán, Morelos [Mexico]…
“According to the authorities, the man died when he was dragged by the current of the water on Netzahualcóyotl street, in the Santísima Trinidad neighborhood, in Tepoztlán.”
“Record-breaking California bomb cyclone linked to climate change…
“As the storm system pushed on land, its barometric pressure dropped to 945.2 millibars, making it the strongest storm ever recorded to hit the West Coast of the United States.”
“The National Weather Service called preliminary rainfall totals “staggering,” including 11 inches (28 centimeters) at the base of Marin County’s Mount Tamalpais…
“Northeast of San Francisco, 5.44 inches (13.82 centimeters) fell on downtown Sacramento, shattering the one-day record for rainfall that had stood since 1880.” [after the longest dry-spell on record, ie 212 days]…”
“Not a drought-buster. The rainstorm pelting Sacramento and Northern California will help remedy the state’s woeful water situation. But it won’t be nearly enough to end the epic California drought…
““We’re basically missing two years of ‘precip’ in this basin.””
“It’s been a tough season for U.S. apple growers. Climate change made it worse.
“From late-spring frosts in western Michigan to triple-digit heat in the Pacific Northwest, apple growers saw a nearly 19 percent drop in fresh-market apple holdings in June 2021 compared with June 2020…”
“Vancouver Island’s glaciers are disappearing — and fast.
“About 40 of the ice packs exist — on average, about a third of a kilometre in size along the long mountainous spine of the Island — but none of them will last much longer, says a glaciologist. “They are receding before our eyes,” says Brian Menounos…”
“Arctic wildfires threatening North America’s black spruce trees.
“The black spruce is a common species in North American boreal forests and it needs wildfires to survive, but the blazes are now so frequent that the spruces are struggling.”
“Lake Michigan is experiencing record-breaking high temperatures for late October…
“”In fact, as of this morning the average surface water temperature on the lake is around 2°F warmer than 2016, which had been warmest on record dating back to 1995,” the Chicago office report.”
“New Jersey and New York issue states of emergency ahead of nor’easter…
“New Jersey’s state of emergency began at 8 p.m., Gov. Phil Murphy said. “Severe weather conditions will impact the state starting tonight through the next several days,” he said.”
“A new study shows an increase in mercury levels in Nordic sea birds, RÚV reports. More particularly, higher levels of mercury are found in birds south of Greenland than anywhere else in the North Atlantic.”
“Britain’s migratory birds ‘may stop flying south for winter’…
“Analysis of more than 50 years of bird records from the Gambia and Gibraltar has found that some migratory species that cross the Sahara are [already] spending between 50 and 60 fewer days on average in Africa each winter.”
“Record rainfall pushed 60 million litres of London’s raw sewage into Thames…
“It’s a consistent problem in London, usually linked to dramatic rainfalls that overwhelm old sewers that handle both stormwater and sewage and ultimately the city’s wastewater treatment plants.”
“Concern grows as MPs vote against blocking water companies from discharging sewage into rivers…
“Environmental campaigners have condemned a parliamentary vote against amending a bill to stop water companies dumping raw sewage into Britain’s rivers.”
“Drought alerts continue in Dordogne and other French departments.
“Several areas of France are under ‘crisis level’ restrictions, as 2021 proves to be one of the driest years in last half-century… The maximum alert level (Crise or ‘crisis’) has been imposed on upstream areas around the Céou river, as well as Tournefeuille…”
“Man dies as Mediterranean hurricane batters southern Italy.
“Fierce storms battered southern Italy for a second day on Monday, killing at least one person, triggering landslides and leaving roads and fields flooded, police said.”
“In Thala, a town in northwest Tunisia, two people aged 20 and 27 died after their car was washed away by surging waters, agency spokesman Moez Triaa said. A 24-year-old died in floods in Borj Chakir near the capital Tunis, added Triaa.”
“Tears of relief for farmers: Rain falls in drought-stricken Karoo [South Africa]…
“Farmers in the Karoo were crying — and singing — after rain fell over the area, which has been in the grip of a prolonged drought. But while there were tears of joy, more rain is needed, and soon.”
“Kashmir reels under bitter cold after record rainfall…
“The summer capital Srinagar recorded a cumulative rainfall of 66 mm on Friday and Saturday. The previous extreme rainfall record for the month of October for 48 hours in Srinagar was 65.4 mm in 1966, the official said.”
“Unseasonal rains and hailstorms have damaged crops in Varpal village of Amritsar [Punjab, India].
“While speaking to ANI, Mandeep Singh, a farmer, said, “Vegetables and crops got damaged due to heavy rain and hailstorms. In the coming days, it will be difficult for the farmers to survive.””
“1,500 mm [59 inches] and counting: Delhi’s annual rainfall this year highest since 1933.
“Having already received 1,502.8 mm of rainfall so far this year, Delhi is poised to break the all-time record for annual precipitation… Delhi witnessed one of the most delayed and erratic monsoons this year…”
“‘It still gives me nightmares’: the firefighters on the frontline as the world burns.
“As global heating sees a surge in wildfires, we hear from those tackling the blazes, who face injury, death and trauma, often without proper equipment or support.”
“Carbon stores, long locked in the permafrost, are now seeping out.
“Between carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane, permafrost contains some 1,700 billion tonnes of organic carbon, almost twice the amount of carbon already present in the atmosphere.”
“Climate scientists fear tipping points (maybe you should too).
“Anyone who has leaned back in a chair balancing on two legs knows there is a threshold beyond which you irrevocably crash to the floor. That portal between two stable states — in this case, an upright versus a fallen-over chair — is a tipping point, and Earth’s complex, interlocking climate system is full of them.”
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 means a lot.
“Climate change is changing the cradle of civilisation to a grave: where civilization emerged between the Tigris and Euphrates, climate change is poisoning the land and emptying the villages…
“…as climate change produces extreme warming and water grows scarcer around the Middle East, the land here is drying up. Across Iraq’s south, there is a sense of an ending.”
“Turkey on the precipice of climate disaster as lakes dry and forests burn.
“Hit by a blistering heatwave this summer, parts of Turkey recorded the country’s highest temperatures yet… Prolonged dry spells along with diminished groundwater levels caused sink holes to open in central Anatolia, while a revolting “sea snot” caused by an explosion of phytoplankton plagued the Sea of Marmara.”
“The drought in the Guadalquivir basin [Spain] forces to restrict water to 4.3 million people.
“The government decree will foreseeably arrive in 10 days and leads to water savings in 554 municipalities in Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura.”
“In the Alps, climate change is turning glaciers into lakes… glacial lake outbursts are no longer a distant threat but a reality…
“Stephan Lempen, the town councillor of Lenk im Simmental, has vivid memories of the day the Faverges Lake suddenly burst open. “A huge amount of water flooded our village. It happened so fast. People had to be evacuated,” he recalls.”
“‘Shock, despair, anger’: French winemakers reveal the emotional impact of this year’s harvest…
“In the wake of this year’s climatic disasters, some producers have emphasised a need for more empathetic distributors, who understand that in some cases price increases are unavoidable.”
“Deaths in Poland as Storm ‘Aurore’ wreaks havoc across Europe.
“Four people have died in Poland while rail disruption in Germany, power outages in France and injuries in the Netherlands, were reported. Weather services have warned of further storms.”
“A mini-tornado has created havoc after rampaging through a sleeping Cornwall town overnight…
“Weather experts were checking out reports of a tornado in Falmouth, West Cornwall… Meanwhile, Devon County Council’s emergency centre said highways teams responded to 90 call-outs overnight as flooding hit parts of the region.”
“As of Oct. 21, there have been 16 days with minimum temperatures recorded at or above 10 C this month on Toronto Island, tying a record 2007 and 2017.
“Based on the forecast for the next nine days, this record is likely to be shattered… The jet stream has created a temperature divide cutting the continent in two…
“Severe storms with tornadoes threaten the central US this weekend…
“A system developing in the Southern Plains on Friday will become the focus of severe weather Saturday and Sunday. This system will move into some very warm and moist air, creating the perfect environment for impactful thunderstorms.”
“A “bomb cyclone” with hurricane-like strength and a chart-topping “atmospheric river” will coincide Saturday night into Sunday to unleash flooding rains, wet snow, strong winds and coastal surf across the western US.
“This will be the third and strongest in a series of storms to strike the West Coast this week.”
“A Northern California family found mysteriously dead in August on a hiking trail in the Sierra most likely died from heat stress…
“The news sheds light on a case that has confounded investigators… and raised new questions about outdoor recreational activities in an era of rising temperatures and climate fuelled extreme weather.”
“The population of Pacific salmon and trout are declining rapidly not only because climate change is getting worse, but also because of 40 years of changes in their marine and freshwater environments, a new study has found.
“Five different species of Pacific salmon… are all seeing drastic declines in numbers in the Keogh River, near Port Hardy on Vancouver Island.”
“Tons of garbage dam rainwater channels and generate floods in Montería villages [Colombia]…
“”The canal grew and got inside my house and everything was flooded, and I lost all the belongings , mattress, the dining room and everything got wet,” said Idia Sánchez, injured.”
“Some scientists fear we are nearing a point of no return in the Amazon rainforest, which exerts power over the carbon cycle like no other terrestrial ecosystem on Earth.
“Evidence is mounting that in certain areas, localized iterations of irreversible damage may already be happening.”
“Coffs Harbour [NSW, Australia] has been declared a disaster zone after a freak hailstorm tore through the region yesterday, sparking evacuations and causing widespread damage…
“Coffs Harbour SES Unit Commander Martin Wells said the damage caused by the storm is “five times as bad” as the tornado that hit Armidale last week.”
“Tornado damages Brisbane airport as supercell storm batters south-east Queensland…
““This was a very dangerous storm and there have been reports of either a tornado or a water spout within this. With the storm that went through Brisbane airport, we’ve already had a report of 101mm in 60 minutes.”
“Extreme heat in Northern Australia. The Australian hottest settlement, Wyndham on 21 October rose to 45.1C [113.2F], a new record for October…
“[This was] 0.9C from its all time record and the first 45C in the Southern Hemisphere so far this season, surpassing the 44.6C set few weeks ago in Paraguay.”
“A sea change in weather pattern behind excess rains, frequent cyclones threatening Kerala [India].
“The structural changes in monsoon clouds is one of the main reasons for the recent, recurring flash floods in Kerala. Though the number of rainy days has been decreasing each year, a corresponding dip in the amount of rainfall has not been recorded. This has been attributed to climate change.”
“At least 250 km [155 miles] of forest land has been washed away in the past two days in Kumaon division of Uttarakhand [India] which has seen record-breaking rainfall, according to an estimate by the forest department on Thursday…
“Wildlife habitats have been impacted adversely in the rainfall…”
“Iqaluit’s water crisis [Nunavut, Canada] unveils a bigger problem: There’s no recycling in the Arctic.
“A week-long water crisis that has left residents of Nunavut’s capital city Iqaluit without drinking water is also exposing a chronic problem for many northern communities: It’s almost impossible to safely get rid of garbage.Close to 750,000 plastic water bottles have flooded the city in recent days…”
“Impossible to deny climate change when disasters became ‘almost a norm’ — Putin.
“The Russian president stressed that, “We can keep having scientific discussions about the mechanisms of the ongoing processes, but it is impossible to deny that these processes worsen and that something must be done about it.””
“The heat is on: from the Arctic to Africa, wildlife is being hit hard by climate chaos…
“We know mass die-offs are becoming more common as heatwaves sweep terrestrial and marine ecosystems, but incremental increases in temperature, which are much harder to study, are harming almost all populations on our planet.”
“Marine heatwaves don’t just endanger ecosystems—they have significant socioeconomic impacts…
“”The global annual number of marine heatwave days has risen by 54 percent over the past century, with eight of the 10 most extreme marine heatwaves ever recorded occurring after 2010,” A/Prof. Sen Gupta said.”
“Plastics Will Create More Climate Pollution Than Coal In U.S. By 2030, New Study Finds.
“Plastics are everywhere. From the stomachs of deep-sea fish to human feces, Arctic snow to gusts of wind in the remote wilderness, the oil and gas byproduct has, barely a century after it was first synthesized in a laboratory, become a ubiquitous feature of virtually every ecosystem…”
You can read the previous ‘Climate’ thread here. I’ll be back on Monday 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 means a lot.
“The global energy crisis could escalate into a world food crisis leading to famine in vulnerable countries unless urgent action is taken, one of the world’s biggest producers of fertiliser has warned.
“Svein Tore Holsether, the chief executive of Yara, which produces 8.6m tonnes of the key fertiliser ingredient ammonia annually, said high gas costs meant it was curbing production in Europe by 40%.”
“Supply-Chain Crisis Fuels Latest Retreat From Globalization… The supply-chain crisis of 2021 is fueling the retreat from globalization, much as the global financial crisis of 2008 did.
“Covid-19, climate and geopolitics shatter integrated global production, threatening to end an era of low costs and endless variety.”
“Biden says he’s considering deploying the National Guard to ease supply chain crisis.
“President Joe Biden said Thursday evening he’s considering deploying the National Guard to help ease stress on the US supply chain as it prompts growing concern about the economy, prompting a White House official to swiftly throw cold water on the plan.”
“‘Striketober’ suggests US workers have less heft than they were told. Labour shortages were meant to have given low-wage Americans new bargaining power…
“Workers say that, despite their need for labour, many employers refuse to compromise.”
“Oil Prices Could Explode As U.S.’ Largest Storage Hub Nears Empty.
“…in the clearest example yet of market tightness, Cushing crude storage fell to 31.2 mb last week as noted in the chart above. And because operational tank bottoms are likely 20-25% of capacity- or about 20 mb – JPM predicts that “we could be just weeks away from Cushing being effectively out of crude…””
“Fears grow as UK factories hit by worst supply chain shortages since mid-70s…
“The latest survey of 263 manufacturers, held against a backdrop of severe supply chain disruption caused by Covid and Brexit, also reported rising concern over staff shortages holding back industrial output over the coming months.”
“Energy boss claims 20 more [UK] suppliers face bankruptcy over ‘£5bn’ price cap bill.
“Scottish Power’s chief executive argues that the current market is unsustainable and could force a return to the days of only a ‘big six’ group of suppliers without urgent action.”
“Germany’s Inflation Dilemma Is a Threat to Europe… After years of malaise, inflation is suddenly back as a real issue to consider. That puts pressure on the European Central Bank, which has kept base rates negative since 2014.”
“Poland vows not to give into EU ‘blackmail’ at summit…
“”We will not act under blackmail pressure attempts,” the Polish PM said as he arrived at the EU summit in Brussels, where several leaders said they were concerned over Poland’s recent court ruling that questioned the primacy of EU law.”
“Energy Crisis Exposes EU Tensions With Few Solutions for Leaders.
“Soaring energy prices are exacerbating divisions in the European Union as national leaders brace for heated talks about how to protect the most vulnerable and avoid a backlash against the bloc’s ambitious climate change plan.”
“Spain is set to stop receiving natural gas shipments through its main pipeline [the Maghreb-Europe pipeline] from November, accelerating the start of a potential energy supply crisis…
“The halt of the conduit would leave Spain’s energy industry highly vulnerable ahead of the winter months as Europe contends with a broader energy crisis…”
“South Korean workers channel “Squid Game” to protest economic woes.
“Thousands of people staged demonstrations in Seoul and elsewhere on Thursday, many in costumes inspired by the gruesome show that was itself inspired by the dire economic conditions facing many South Koreans.”
“China new home prices hit by first month-on-month fall since 2015.
“Prices of new homes across China’s biggest cities fell in September, the first month-on-month decline since April 2015 and a sign that sustained weakness across the country’s real estate industry was feeding through into the property market.”
“Isolated and unpaid, Mongolian coal drivers queue at Chinese border…
“Last year, resource-rich Mongolia exported over 35 million tonnes of coking coal to China — this year so far is less than a third of that. Terrified any outbreak might make China slam the border shut, Mongolia has imposed strict coronavirus rules.”
“India Looks To Create Strategic Coal And Gas Reserves.
“One of the world’s largest energy consumers and importers, India, is weighing the possibility of keeping strategic reserves of imported coal and natural gas in order to fend off future supply and price shocks, according to a senior government official.”
“Taxi drivers blocked roads in Beirut on Thursday in protest at spiralling petrol prices… Gasoline today is about 10 times more expensive at the pump than it was just a few months ago.”
“Venezuelans Break Off Flakes of Gold to Pay for Meals, Haircuts…
“To fathom the magnitude of Venezuela’s financial collapse, travel southeast from Caracas, past the oil fields and over the Orinoco River, and head deep into the savanna that blankets one of the remotest corners of the country…
“A one-night stay at a hotel? That’ll be half a gram. Lunch for two at a Chinese restaurant? A quarter of a gram. A haircut? An eighth of a gram, please.”
“The revenge of the old economy… It is tempting to blame today’s shortages in the “old economy” — everything from energy to other basic materials, and even agriculture — on a series of temporary disruptions driven largely by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“But outside of a few labour issues, these bottlenecks have little to do with Covid. Instead, the roots of today’s commodity crunch can be traced back to the aftermath of the financial crisis and the following decade of falling returns and chronic under-investment in the old economy.”
“Climate policies could spark an ‘even worse’ energy crisis, Saudi finance minister says…
““If we are not careful about what we are doing to achieve our targets, we may end up having [a] very serious energy crisis like what we are seeing now, and it could be even worse in the future,” said Mohammed al-Jadaan, though he noted that climate policies are “very important.””
“‘Tired of broken promises’: climate activists launch hunger strike outside White House…
“The protest came a day after the US president threatened to water down his $3.5tn social and environmental legislation and with Washington’s commitments about to face scrutiny at the COP26 summit in Glasgow.”
“The climate crisis is an ’emerging threat’ to financial stability, US regulators say.
“Climate change is an “emerging threat to the financial stability of the United States,” Stephen Ledbetter, the executive director and director of policy at the FSOC, said during a call with reporters Thursday.”
You can read the previous ‘Economic’ thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with a ‘Climate’ 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 means a lot.
“More than 150 people have died in devastating floods across India and Nepal, after some of the heaviest rainfall in over a century triggered flash flooding and landslides.
“In the north Indian state of Uttarakhand, at least 46 people died and 11 were missing after record-breaking rainfall caused by cloudbursts, an intense deluge of rain, on Monday and Tuesday.”
“Record rainfall in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon, Mukteshwar breaks 107 year record.
“The previous records of 24-hour rainfall in Uttarakhand was held by Pant Nagar that received 228 mm [9 inches] rainfall on July 10, 1990, but was now broken by the current 403.2 mm [15.9 inches] rainfall.”
“Onion Prices Surge In India As Heavy Rainfall Damages Crops…
“After the cost of fuel and edible oils hit record highs, Indian consumers like Patil are likely to be further squeezed by a rally in onion prices after heavy rainfall in the country’s key growing regions damaged the summer-sown crop and delayed winter crop planting.”
“Australia’s ‘biggest-ever’ hailstones damage cars and shatter windows in Queensland.
“Giant hailstones bigger than 16cm (6.3 inches) appear to have fallen in Queensland, according to Australia’s weather agency. If confirmed, it’s believed to be a new record for the country.”
“Rain leaves a trail of destruction in Belo Horizonte [Brazil] and Civil Defense warns for the next few days.
“The rains between 6 pm and 9 pm yesterday (18) caused a series of damages in Belo Horizonte. The Fire Department was called by residents for cases of landslides, floods and inspections in various regions of the capital.”
“Climate change was the main cause of the extremely heavy rainfall that led to severe flooding, deaths and massive damage in cities across Minas Gerais state, Southeast Brazil, in January 2020…
“The authors of the study also quantified the damage caused by the extreme event, estimating that over 90,000 people were made temporarily homeless…”
“Level 5 atmospheric river to unleash flooding across drought-stricken California.
“After nearly a year without rain, a series of potent Pacific storms are directed at Northern California this week, potentially bringing as much as a foot of rainfall and up to three feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada.”
“The record-breaking heatwave that hit Whatcom County earlier this summer did a number on the raspberry harvest, and now we know by how much.
“….farmers brought in slightly less than 44.5 million pounds, according to the Washington Red Raspberry Commission. That’s down 30.2% compared to 2020 harvest and down 40% compared to the peak year.”
“Drought closes lake, causes cloudy tap water in North Carolina city homes and businesses…
“Officials blamed low water levels at Lake Fisher, one of the city’s drinking water sources, for the Oct. 14 closing and the murky water in taps announced Wednesday. The 534-acre lake is off Interstate 85 near Kannapolis, just north of Concord.”
“Tornado in Widnes leaves fallen trees and collapsed walls as North West [UK] is battered by torrential rain…
“Residents have shared footage of fallen trees, broken fences and walls, and trampolines being returned to gardens. The tornado appears to have ripped through Camberwell Park Road and other streets in the area around Sunnybank Woodland Park.”
“Heavy rain and strong winds overnight have led to flooding of homes and businesses, and the closure of roads and rail lines across the South East [UK].
“Knockholt in Kent had the highest rainfall figures in the country. The M23 was closed in both directions between Crawley and Pease Pottage…”
“‘Climate change is hitting us’: French beekeepers expect worst honey harvest in half a century [ie on record]…
““This will be worst harvest in the history of our organisation, the worst in at least 50 years,” UNAF president Christian Pons said on Tuesday. Pons said beekeepers across Europe have been hit by bad weather and climate change will have a lasting impact on honey production.”
“Climate Chaos Helped Spark the French Revolution—and Holds a Dire Warning for Today…
“In 1775, severe grain shortages in France caused by successive years of poor harvests resulted in bread riots throughout the kingdom… Compounding the worsening climate, the Laki volcanic fissure in Iceland erupted in June 1783.”
“Seville [Spain] becomes the first major city in the world to categorize and name heat waves…
“The city’s mayor, Juan Espadas, said in a statement on Monday that he’s proud that Seville, located in one of the hottest regions of Spain, is the first city to start naming and categorizing heat waves.”
“Venice flooding worsens off-season amid worsening impact of climate change…
“”I can only say that in August, a month when this never used to happen, we had tides over a meter five times. I am talking about the month of August, when we are quiet,” St. Mark’s chief caretaker, Carlo Alberto Tesserin, told The Associated Press.”
“‘We are losing a national treasure’: desperate Lebanese cut ancient trees for heating.
“Last month, policeman Abdelhakim Assayed was shocked to discover that a large, centuries-old fir tree on a high plateau near his home in north Lebanon had been cut down and carried away overnight.
““If you had seen it, you would have cried,” he said, as he walked around the small branches scattered around what was left of the tree’s trunk. “It’s like killing your child.””
“Leaks from moored tankers, underwater pipelines and wastewater systems are turning the Syrian coast into a major environmental hotspot, said a report released on Tuesday.”
“UN blames worst South Sudan floods since 1962 on climate change…
“Weeks of heavy rain have caused unrelenting floods, affecting more than 700,000 people across the country, UNHCR Representative in the country Arafat Jamal said on Tuesday. The rains have swept away homes and inundated farmlands, forcing families to seek safety…”
“Government has said more than one million people staying in mountainous areas and those bordering water bodies and landing sites have been affected… A number of schools, roads, bridges and health facilities worth more than Shs200 billion have also been washed away or submerged.”
“Microplastics making their way up to belugas in Arctic through prey, says new study.
“Hundreds of thousands of tiny bits of plastic waste have been found in the prey of belugas, proving that the pollution in the whales is making its way even to the most remote Arctic waters, a new study says.”
“Rising Arctic Temperatures Mean Migrating North No Longer Worth It for Many Species, Study Finds…
““These findings are alarming. We have lived with the notion that northern breeding grounds represent safe harbors for migratory animals,” Vojtěch Kubelka, a biologist at the Global Change Research Institute in the Czech Republic and lead author of the study, said.”
“Without radical changes, climate breakdown will continue to reduce international access to imported food, well beyond any historical precedent. Higher prices will reduce food security, and if there is one solid law of social science, it’s that hungry people take radical steps to secure their livelihoods—especially where leaders are perceived to have failed.”
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 bybecoming a patron of my work via Patreon.And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It 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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About This Site
Weekday updates on both climate change and the global economy. Stay current with what’s happening around the world with a quick scan of top news.
“Global Food Prices Set To Soar As The Oil And Gas Crunch Continues…
“Canadian food banks prepare for ‘tidal wave’ of new clients.
“‘We are struggling every day’: Supply chain crunch threatens to leave some of the neediest Americans without enough to eat…
“US GDP growth slows sharply in Q3 as consumers downshift spending.
“Energy crisis: UK consumers face rising fuel poverty this winter.
“France Threatens to Raise Energy Prices in U.K. Fish Fight…
“Fears Of Rising Baguette Prices Pose Crunch For The French.
“Germany: Inflation reaches 28-year high amid surge in energy prices.
“Energy costs push Spain’s inflation to 29-year high, threatening recovery.
“Europe’s energy crisis: Spain presses Algeria to guarantee natural gas supply.
“Japan’s factory output hit by supply snags as outlook darkens.
“China’s Manufacturing Likely Contracted Again on Power Shortages.
“Why China’s economic downturn warrants more than a shrug from global investors…
“Third of Chinese developers could face debt problems as Evergrande contagion grows…
“Vegetables have become so expensive in China recently that they are sometimes pricier than meat, sparking fears about food inflation in the country.
“Food Security Alarm Bells Ring in North Africa.
“The prices of major staple food items surged to record high across major markets in Lagos State [Nigeria]. 
“Zimbabwe: Violent Clashes Erupt As Zanu-PF Blocks Chamisa Entourage in Hurungwe.
“Somalia: Renewed clashes dim hopes of a credible election.
“Death toll rises as Sudan’s capital rocked by more clashes…
“The Central Bank of Brazil implemented its largest rate hike since 2002 on October 27, in a fresh bid to tame rising inflation and respond to concerns on fiscal sustainability.
“Colombians say role in protests made them targets of vengeful authorities…
“Ecuador president calls for dialogue with Indigenous protesters.
“Gangs Rule Much of Haiti. For Many, It Means No Fuel, No Power, No Food…
“Black swan meat now on the menu in North Korea as food supply problems persist.
“‘Apocalypse soon’: reluctant Middle East forced to open eyes to climate crisis.
“Here’s what every degree of heat rise could do to the global economy.
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