“Breaking News! Code UFB!!! Global sea surface temperatures have once again broken the 21°C barrier.
“On Feb. 16, 2025, global SSTs hit 21.013°C. Since 1982, the only other years to see global SSTs breaking 21°C were 2023 and 2024.” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
“Reintroducing wolves to the Scottish Highlands could help address the climate emergency, experts say.
“The animals could lead to an expansion of native woodland which could take in and store one million tonnes of CO2 annually, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Leeds.”
“Flooding victims say they feel anxious and abandoned [Somerset, England]…
“Ms Dawson explained the flooding has become “more frequent”. During the poor weather in January, her garden flooded for the first time. “Undoubtedly that’s a part of climate change,” she said.”
“New record low temperature of -41.1°C observed in Poland [station only extant since 2022, though].
“Measurements indicate that the temperature last night dropped to -41.1°C (roughly -42°F) in one part of Poland’s southern Tatra mountains. If officially confirmed, that would be the lowest temperature ever recorded in the country.”
“Global Warming Could Be Making It Less Windy in Europe.
“Global warming is driving down wind speeds during European summers, putting additional stress on the region’s energy systems as soaring temperatures boost cooling demand, new research shows.”
“Climate change opens the door to a vine disease that Europe avoided 150 years ago.
“A team of scientists has analyzed the global spread of Pierce’s disease, which has been moving through the Mediterranean for a decade and causing significant damage to vineyards in the affected regions.”
“Project helps Spain’s flood survivors restore family photos – in pictures.
“In the days after flash floods killed more than 200 people in Valencia last year, volunteers and students sifted through the wreckage for photos belonging to families who had survived the disaster to see what could be saved.”
“The rainfall over the last three hours [Madeira] has already exceeded the red warning level (for a six-hour interval).
“The Chão do Areeiro climatological station, at an altitude of 1,500 meters, recorded an accumulated rainfall of 80.5 liters per square meter (mm), with a limit of 60 liters per square meter in six hours.”
“Around Burundi’s largest lake, women and children bear the brunt of floods.
“In April 2024, unusually heavy rain in south-western Burundi caused a landslide that flattened nearly 500 homes in the village of Gabaniro, Rumonge province… For those whose houses remain, it feels a precarious peace.”
“Saudi Arabia: Riyadh mobilises emergency plan as heavy rains, hailstorms sweep the city.
“More than 6,500 personnel—including engineers, inspectors, and workers—were mobilized, supported by approximately 1,800 specialized vehicles and equipment for rapid intervention.”
“Egypt furious over Israeli report speculating attack on High Dam [not climate related but an, er, interesting thought experiment]…
“The Nziv website, which focuses on military analysis, described a scenario in which bunker-penetrating missiles could be used to demolish the High Dam, leading to catastrophic flooding…. casualties could reach 10.5 million… leading to famine, disease, and total state failure.”
“Türkiye faces deepening water crisis as drought, mismanagement drain resources…
“The impacts of climate change, excessive water extraction, and poor agricultural practices are accelerating the depletion of the country’s freshwater reserves.”
“Warming triggers snowfall fraction loss Thresholds in High-Mountain Asia…
“High-Mountain Asia …stretches from the Tien Shan Mountains to the southern foothills of the Himalayas and from the Hindu Kush Mountains to the eastern end of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau… HMA has experienced a significant increase in warming rates, exceeding those in the Northern Hemisphere.”
“Kashmir’s Rivers at Record Lows Amidst Dry Spell.
“The snowless winter and prolonged dry spell have deterred the recharging of water reservoirs with majority of the streams and river Jhelum flowing at below ‘zero level’.”
“Unprecedented forest fires threaten Kashmir’s green cover due to dry spell.
“Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a concerning rise in forest fires, with over two dozen incidents reported in the past two months, driven by an ongoing dry spell. The extended lack of precipitation has raised alarms among forest officials…”
“Alarming Rise in Maharashtra Forest Fires Amid Soaring Temperatures…
“With an average January temperature of 31.3°C—1.5°C above normal—and Pune registering a record-breaking 35.9°C, the impact of climate change is evident. February, too, has seen unprecedented warmth…”
“Min 27.9 [82.2F] Penang HOTTEST FEBRUARY NIGHT IN MALAYSIA HISTORY. Also Records at: 25.7 Sitiawan MALAYSIA; 27.0 Rach Gia VIETNAM; 27.0 Amini Divi INDIA. Next post: insane heat in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.”
“TMINIMUM 27.8 [82F] Cuyo is HOTTEST FEBRUARY NIGHT IN PHILIPPINES HISTORY; Also High Minimums records in Luzon: 24.5 Tayabas, 24.4 Tuguegarao. And… INDONESIA: 26.4 Tanah Merah; INDIA: 26.4 Puri.”
“Pilbara cattle stations left under water after Tropical Cyclone Zelia [Western Australia].
“Pastoralists in WA’s Pilbara region are facing livestock losses as floodwater continues to spread. Rivers reached major flooding after record rainfall in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Zelia.”
“Windy Harbour and Northcliffe under threat as WA authorities fight multiple bushfires.
“Bushfires are threatening several communities across Western Australia’s South West. An emergency warning remains in place for Windy Harbour, while other alerts remain for Northcliffe, Wokalup and Uduc.”
“Hailstorms are shifting south with changing climate [Australia]…
“”Places like Sydney, Canberra, that part of the country, are seeing more hailstorm days. “Places which get a lot of hail on the other hand, like Brisbane, are actually starting to see a slight decrease in the number of hailstorm days.””
“A small Central Pacific pool of colder than average waters is surrounded by maritime heat waves. Therefore all Oceania is breaking heat records. Particularly impressive Saipan, Northern Marianas in an almost permanent record heat.”
“It’s technically the rainy season for most of Hawaii, but the entire state is in drought, according to the National Weather Service. The situation worsened for the entire Big Island in the span of a week in January.”
“Rio de Janeiro recorded its hottest day in at least a decade when temperatures reached 44 degrees Celsius (111 F) on Monday as residents flocked to the ocean to try to cool off.
“It was the highest temperature since the southeastern Brazilian city started a climate alert system just over 10 years ago.”
“After LA, fire crisis reaches Latin America — from Mexico to Argentina.
““There is an environmental transformation in which fires spread and things become more complicated now, under the effects of climate change on a global scale,” said Enrique Jardel, a Mexican fire management specialist…”
“Wildfires in the Andes cause severe soil degradation and hinder ecosystem recovery…
“Unlike Mediterranean ecosystems, where vegetation has evolved strategies to withstand fire, the volcanic soils of Arequipa—one of the driest regions in the world—are not adapted to wildfire disturbances.”
“At least four people died and another was injured Monday in a landslide in western Ecuador’s Manabi province following heavy downpours, according to Xinhua.
“The early morning landslide collapsed a house in the city of Portoviejo, The National Risk Management Secretariat said.”
“Costa Rica Water Crisis: Talamanca Battles Drought & Old Infrastructure…
“The Talamanca region, known for its natural beauty and protected areas, today faces a complex reality due to a severe water shortage… it appears that there is still a long road ahead before authorities can resolve the problem.”
“Citrus fruits are fetching record prices in Jamaica due to a severe shortage locally and across the globe, caused by both disease and climate events.
“A 90-pound field box of oranges costs about $15,000, which is up from about $800 about 15 years ago before the local stock was ravaged by the citrus greening disease.”
“USDA lowers Florida orange forecast to 11.5 million boxes, down 36% from last season.
“The 2024-2025 Florida all-orange forecast released today by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 11.5 million boxes, down 500,000 boxes from the January forecast. If realized, this will be 36 percent less than last season’s final production.”
“For some L.A. wildfire survivors, rebuilding won’t be an option.
“Displaced homeowners and renters are facing an economic landscape rife with long-standing affordability and equity concerns, illuminating the gulf between those who can afford to start over from scratch and those who cannot.”
“‘Everything we had floated away’: Hurricane Helene survivors help each other as disinformation swirls…
““The trees went snap, snap, snap. A bear came running down from the mountain. Our home, our vehicle, everything we had floated away … It was crazy and so sad to watch,” said Twila Little Brave, 47, a member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe.”
“At least 14 dead in multi-state floods as rivers rise and rescues continue.
“More than a month’s worth of rain deluged much of Kentucky in less than 24 hours and set the deadly flooding into motion. “We just got hit by one of the most significant natural disasters we’ve seen in our lifetime,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said at a Monday news conference.”
“It’s official: Montreal breaks historic snowfall record with back-to-back snowstorms.
“The city of Montreal received more snow between last Thursday and Sunday than during any other four-day period on record, and services are being interrupted.”
“On the night of February 12-13, the station of Pond Inlet [72.4°N] reached an exceptional high of -0.7°C (30°C above average!). This is a new MONTHLY record, smashing the previous record by a huge margin (-3.3°C in 1986).”
“Monday ice update – Arctic sea ice extent is currently the *lowest* on record (JAXA data).”
• about 570,000 km² below the 2010s mean • about 1,140,000 km² below the 2000s mean • about 1,670,000 km² below the 1990s mean • about 2,040,000 km² below the 1980s mean [Zack Labe]
“Extreme weather is our new reality. We must accept it and begin planning…
“We are firmly in the post-climate change world now, and the serious implications of this demand honest acknowledgment. The reality is that we are living now in a time of continual disasters that are unfolding alongside our slower, planetary scale disaster… we need to prepare.”
“Shipowners take aim at biofuels amid warning decarbonisation drive will make climate change worse…
“Shipping’s drive to decarbonise by 2050 could actually worsen climate change because of the side effects of ramping up biofuel production, according to campaigners… biofuel use could lead to area size of Germany being cleared for plant-based oils.”
“Across the world, conservation projects reel after abrupt US funding cuts…
“U.S. funding has been spent on a wide range of conservation activities, such as support for wildlife rangers, community conservancies, and forest mapping… conservationists around the world say the effects of the disruption are arriving fast.”
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“Climate change is not linear: why we need to update the Paris Agreement…
“…you might not have heard of a ‘cascade’, in which multiple tipping points are crossed at once and some of the resulting changes eventually cross another cluster of tipping points, and so on…. “‘Based on this analysis of tipping cascades and taking a risk-averse approach, we suggest that a potential planetary threshold could occur at a temperature rise as low as ∼2.0 °C above preindustrial’.”
“‘Researching climate change feels like standing in the path of an approaching train’…
“Studying the impacts of extreme weather events can exact a heavy mental toll… Daniel Gilford, a meteorologist who works at Climate Central [says], “I can see it coming with all of its weight and heaviness, and I’m screaming ‘Stop. Stop the train. Stop the train.’”
“Scientists have a new explanation for the last two years of record heat…
“Two new studies offer a potential explanation: fewer clouds. And the decline in cloud cover, researchers say, could signal the start of a feedback loop that leads to more warming.”
“Over the 5 days to 13 February, the combined extent of Arctic and Antarctic sea-ice was 15.76 million sq km (6.08 million sq miles)… This breaks the previous 5-day record low of 15.93 million sq km (6.15 million sq miles) from January-February 2023.”
“‘I don’t know whether it’s sustainable’: climate crisis and TikTok change face of mountain rescue work in Lake District [NW England]…
“…thanks to climate change, the Lake District is no longer a winter destination for experienced mountaineers, and instead their rescues often involve ill-prepared novices who are chasing the sunsets and vistas that they have seen on Instagram and TikTok.”
“Four wildfires break out across Wales on same day…
“Crews in north, mid and south Wales fought gorse fires on the Llyn Peninsula, Gwynedd coast, Ceredigion and on Gower. The largest of the fires near Llanddewi Brefi, Ceredigion, covered an area of approximately 1,000 hectares which was tackled on 12 fronts.”
“Austria is facing one of its driest winters in decades, with snowfall levels well below average in many parts of the country.
“While some fresh snow arrived this week, conditions in the Alps remain worse than they have been for years, and in some areas, they are the lowest in decades. This creates challenges for ski resorts, water reserves, and agriculture.”
“As Israel Faces Driest Winter in a Century, Israel Portnoy Releases ‘Geshem’.
“With the Water Authority reporting that this winter is on course to be the driest in a century, singer-songwriter Israel Portnoy releases “Geshem,” a song deeply rooted in the symbolism of rain as a blessing in Judaism.”
“Severe weather batters Greek island of Kefalonia, families trapped in cars.
“Severe weather battered the Greek island of Kefalonia on Thursday, triggering floods and landslides that trapped families in their vehicles and prompted emergency rescue operations.”
“Severe Flash Flooding Hits Elba Island, Emergency Services Respond [Italy]…
“Flash flooding caused by unprecedented rainfall struck Elba Island on February 13, 2025, leaving the Municipality of Portoferraio grappling with severe emergencies. Over 65 mm of rain fell within just one hour [2.6 inches], prompting immediate evacuations and rescue operations.”
“A powerful tornado ripped through a Spanish city after a freak storm hit.
“Pozo del Camino in Huelva, Spain, suffered a freak storm this week, as heavy wind and rain pelted down on the town. The extreme weather also included the arrival of a huge tornado which crashed through the popular town in the south of the country.”
“As climate science and journalism are finally starting to widely cover the effects of IMO 2020 [introduction of shipping pollution regs], there’s still very little reporting on what will happen over the Mediterranean next year.
“Life in and around the Mediterranean can’t adapt to this rate of regional climate change!” [This will be an interesting test case for the aerosol termination shock theory now that its exponents have an idea of what they think will happen.]
“Morocco’s farming sector is facing dim prospects if there is no rainfall this winter, agriculture minister Ahmed El Bouari said. The current farming season has received insufficient rainfall, 53% less compared to the average of the last 30 years, El Bouari said.”
“Children in Southern Africa ‘on brink of disaster’ after worst drought in 100 years…
“In October 2024, a third successive seasonal planting window was disrupted by unusually high temperatures and lack of rain… It’s estimated 21 million children in the region are suffering from malnutrition and harvests in 2025 again look set to be poor.”
“Local farmers devastated by total failure of annual crops: ‘Threatens this economic foundation’ [Kenya]…
“Plum orchards have gone belly up in Nyandarua County… “The current decline threatens this economic foundation while simultaneously depriving communities of a crucial nutritional resource,” the outlet stated, noting plums’ vitamin A “is critical for young children and breastfeeding mothers.””
“Breathtaking rescue operation of pregnant mother trapped in Floods [Fars, Iran].
“The rescue operation by Fars Red Crescent rescuers to save an 18-year-old pregnant woman who was surrounded by floods in the village of Rudbal… in Fars province, and the roads leading to the place were blocked due to heavy rainfall, was successful after nine hours.”
“Black carbon from dust storms accelerates Himalayan glacier melt…
“Dwindling ice in the Himalayas has long troubled researchers and decision makers in southern Asia. Nearly two billion people rely on the water produced by Himalayan snowmelt, and glacier loss could lead to water shortages and an increase in extreme floods.”
“Kerala’s midlands and coastal areas witness sizzling heat [India]…
“India Meteorological Department Kerala region director Neetha K Gopal said that the day-time temperature has stayed above normal from the latter half of December 2024 with the winter not making much impact… Meteorologists say the soaring temperature is indicative of a harsh summer ahead.”
“Marine Heatwave Linked To Record Rainfall In Japan…
“With the likelihood of increased ocean temperatures and resulting marine heatwaves, the study’s findings also call for monitoring how such events may lead to more frequent and severe weather extremes not only across Japan but potentially across regions like the Northeastern United States.”
“Unseasonable weather conditions in Japan are impacting vegetable prices, leading to increased costs for staples like cabbage and Chinese cabbage.
“A record-breaking heat wave followed by heavy snowfalls has reduced crop yields, causing consumer prices for eight main types of vegetables to rise between 117% and 336% over the past five years.”
“Record heat continues with the hottest February days in history: 39.2 [102.6F] Chachoengsao, 38.2 Ratchaburi, 38.2 Krabi, 36.7 Bang Na, 36.5 Phuket AP.”
“More record heat with 2 capitals breaking their February records: Jakarta INDONESIA Max. 35.8 [96.4F] and Manila AP PHILIPPINES Tmin 26.7 February hottest night.”
“Price hikes and shortages flagged after banana crops ‘cop a flogging’ in north Queensland floods.
“Australians can expect banana shortages and price hikes as the clean-up begins in flood-ravaged north Queensland, which grows almost 94% of Australia’s banana crop, growers say.”
“Pilbara community [WA] evacuated by helicopter over Cyclone Zelia flooding risk…
“A record 500mm [20 inches] of rain fell in just three days in parts of the Pilbara, with 278mm recorded at Upper North Pole in just 18 hours. The small town of Telfer, about 400km south of Broome, copped 93mm in one hour.”
“Tasmania fires destroy huge swath of wilderness and could ‘burn for weeks’…
“The fires follow similar outbreaks in the state’s wilderness area over the past decade as lightning strikes combined with heat and wind to create hazardous conditions. In 2018-2019 fires burned 2.9% of the state, killing nearly two-thirds of its tallest known trees.”
“Worst avian flu crisis ever recorded spreads across Antarctica…
“An expedition led by Spanish virologist Antonio Alcamí has confirmed the presence of the virus “in all animal species detected at each site” on six islands in the north of the Antarctic Peninsula, according to a report sent to the Spanish Polar Committee and international authorities.”
“How climate change is spreading dengue across the world.
“A new study has revealed insights into how weather influences spread of dengue fever across the world. The study published in Science Advances confirms the influence of temperature and rainfall as the critical factors that aid in the spread of the disease.”
“A new fierce heat wave is about to sweep through Northern Argentina, Eastern Bolivia, Paraguay and Eastern Brazil with temperatures locally >43C [109.4F].
“The heat will linger in the city of Rio de Janeiro for the rest of the month: 2 weeks of hellish heat 24/7 are awaiting the “cariocas”.”
“Deforestation boom in Gran Chaco raises alarm over Argentina’s forest law…
“The Gran Chaco was hit by a rise in deforestation in 2024, damaging the dry forest ecosystem that spans an area more than one and a half times the size of California across Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil.”
“Brazil soy lobby tells growers to reject EU anti-deforestation rule in contracts.
“A powerful Brazilian soy grower lobby is recommending farmers reject the inclusion in soy purchase and sale contracts of the obligation to comply with the European Union anti-deforestation law, according to a statement on Friday.”
“Cargill weakens Amazon no-deforestation vow, raising concerns about wider backslide.
“Commodity-trading giant Cargill recently signaled that it will weaken its no-deforestation commitments in the Amazon Rainforest, an investigation by Repórter Brasil has revealed.”
“Every single month Ecuador is smashing heat records, with a typical Nino pattern and opposite of a Nina’s. Hottest February nights in history: Tmin 26.5 [79.7F] Manta, 26.4 Guayaquil… RECORD HEAT IN PERU – Tacna had a minimum temperature of 22.0C on the 10th tying its Hottest night in history.”
“Several rescued from bus in Peru after becoming stuck in flooded river.
“Officials had issued a red alert for more than a dozen regions across the South American country after heavy rainfall caused rivers and streams to swell… Several hundred miles east, police reported helping families in the San Martín region deal with the torrential rainfall.”
“Rain in Bogotá [Colombia] today: flooding reported…
“On February 13, the capital authorities confirmed the activation of two Unified Command Posts (PMU), after 53 emergencies were attended to due to the heavy rains that have been recorded in Bogotá in recent days.”
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN MEXICO; WORLD CLIMATIC HISTORY REWRITTEN:
“Brutal 43.5C [110.3F] at Gallinas on 12th… is the highest temperature ever recorded so early in the whole Northern Hemisphere. 42.0C also at Padilla and Santa Rosa, nearby.”
“If you’re looking for which bodies of water are currently experiencing sea surface temperature records, the place to cast your gaze is the Gulf of Mexico, which I have henceforth renamed the “Gulf of Karankawa.”
“The sea surfaced temperature for the Gulf of Karankawa (formerly, Gulf of Mexico) continues to set new daily records…” [Prof Eliot Jacobson in humorous form]
“FLORIDA & GULF RECORD HEAT – up to 93F [33.9C] at Ochopee Florida, close to the State historic winter record.
“Monthly records fell in some places like 90F at St Augustine; extreme heat on the Gulf in MEXICO, February record hot nights: Tmin 24.4 Merida, 22.6 Tuxpan.”
“After heavy rains, debris flows hit Southern California community scarred by fire.
“Residents of a Southern California mountain community near the Eaton Fire burn scar dug out of roads submerged in sludge Friday after the strongest storm of the year swept through the area, unleashing debris flows…”
“Insurance claims paid so far after LA wildfires exceed $6.9bn…
“On January 23rd, Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued an order on directing insurance companies to provide advance payments for replacing personal property or contents without requiring itemized claims… Additionally, insurers were also instructed to pay at least four months’ worth of living expenses as an advance.”
“US wildfire suppressants rife with toxic heavy metals, study finds.
“The US federal government and chemical makers have long concealed the contents of pink wildfire suppressants widely spread by firefighting aircraft to contain blazes, but new test results provide alarming answers – the substances are rife with cadmium, arsenic, chromium and other toxic heavy metals.”
“A ‘recipe for extinction’: can the US’s envied nature protections survive Trump and his ‘God squad’?
“…“Burgum and Trump are strapping dynamite to basic rules that protect our natural world,” says Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity.”
“World’s largely unprotected peatlands are ticking ‘carbon bomb’, warns study.
“…draining or disturbing peatlands for farming, mining or roads and other infrastructure exposes the carbon to the air and leads to CO2 being released into the atmosphere. In total, the carbon stored in peatlands is equivalent to more than half a century’s worth of current global emissions.”
“Warming climates force plants to compete with each other.
“Climate change is reshaping ecosystems at an alarming rate. While much attention goes to the loss of animal species, plants are also vanishing. Since 1750, around 600 plant species have gone extinct, a number twice as high as animal extinctions.”
“Climate change outpaces tree migration, human intervention may be needed: Study.
“A new Colorado State University study of the interior U.S. West has found that tree ranges are generally contracting in response to climate change but not expanding into cooler, wetter climates—suggesting that forests are not regenerating fast enough to keep pace with climate change, wildfire, insects and disease.”
“Goodbye Gouda and farewell French mustard: Signature foods on the brink of climate extinction…
“Imagine Belgium without its exquisite chocolates, or a French ‘jambon beurre’ baguette without any Dijon mustard. Turkish mezze may have to be served without hummus, Scandinavian ‘smørrebrød’ could lose its staple ‘gravlax’ (smoked salmon)…”
“Mapped: How extreme weather is destroying crops around the world.
“Carbon Brief has used the events found within the media analysis to create the map below, which shows 100 cases of crops being destroyed by heat, drought, floods and other extremes in 2023-24.”
“Brake pad dust can be more toxic than exhaust emissions, study says…
“This research shows that even with a move to electric vehicles, pollution from cars may not be able to be eradicated… the study found that these “non-exhaust” pollution sources are now responsible for the majority of vehicle particulate matter emissions in the UK and parts of Europe.”
“Revealed: ‘extremely concerning’ industry influence over UN aviation body…
“Aviation industry delegates outnumbered those from green groups by 10 to one at the previous conference of the UN’s committee on aviation environmental protection (CAEP), an analysis has found.”
“Climate change is one aspect of the man-made environmental catastrophe, which is the biggest crisis humanity has ever been confronted with. It is unprecedented in seriousness and impact, short, medium, and long-term. The speed of change is surprising everyone…”
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.
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“Massive methane leaks detected in Antarctica, posing potential risks for global warming
“A Spanish scientific expedition has discovered columns of gas emerging from the seabed. Geologists also warn about the possibility of huge landslides that could generate tsunamis.”
“Wildfires Rage in Chile as Red Alert Remains in Place.
“Several wildfires continued to burn in central and south Chile on Tuesday, February 11, prompting a red alert in the Araucanía region and an extended curfew until 6 am Wednesday.”
“After Patagonia, Argentina’s northern prairies consumed by fires.
“Wildfires have consumed up to 250,000 hectares of land in northeast Argentina since January, local officials said Tuesday as firefighters continue to battle blazes in the remote southern region of Patagonia.”
“Extraordinary hot days (45C / 113F Argentina) AND NIGHTS
The Tmin of 30.8C (to be verified because a discrepancy) of Catamarca would be the
HIGHEST FEBRUARY MINIMUM IN SOUTH AMERICA. Also 29.2 CMN PARAGUAY Hottest February night ever in Paraguay.”
“Brazil: Severe Flooding Hits Sao Paulo After Heavy Rain.
“Sao Paulo and the entire metropolitan area were placed on alert after heavy rain hit the region on Monday afternoon, February 10. The city of Guarulhos was severely impacted.”
“A viral video on social networks shows the development of an impressive “fire tornado” in a forest fire in the Santa Elena sector of the Galvarino commune, in the La Araucanía region [Ecuador].
“…you can see how this column of air, similar to that of a traditional tornado, causes part of the flames and black smoke generated by the same incident to rise and rotate by consuming the plant material present in the place.”
“Ukraine war forces planes to take longer routes, raising CO₂ emissions.
“Global aviation carbon dioxide emissions increased by 1% in 2023 because planes had to fly longer routes to avoid Russian airspace, according to a new study.”
“Climate change takes a back seat in Germany’s 2025 election.
“Ahead of Germany’s election, topics like migration, security and the German economy dominate the debate. Even though 2024 was the hottest year of record, German politicians are avoiding the topic of climate change.”
“…it is no coincidence that the green backlash has emerged as countries stop merely setting net zero goals and start launching policies to meet them. This was always going to be fraught, especially during a cost of living crunch. Support for Germany’s AfD surged in 2023 after it exploited contentious government efforts to decarbonise home heating.”
“Catastrophic flooding in Chad disproportionately affects women and girls.
“Over 2 million people have been impacted by the catastrophic flooding in Chad. The climate crisis has also become a personal crisis for women like Gloria and Chanceline, who lost everything.”
“‘Without help, we will starve’: Tanzania farmers left struggling as US climate aid disappears…
“For five years, USAID-funded experts trained Kiroka farmers on the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), improving yields without constant flooding… Then, early this year, the support vanished.”
“Why African nations may turn to EU as Trump slashes aid.
“The Trump administration’s decision to exit the Paris Climate Agreement and World Health Organization, and shutter USAID, may be a chance for the European Union to build better relations with African nations.”
“Dry winter: prelude to water woes, crop failures and wildfires [Nepal].
“Nepal has received just 5.7 mm of rainfall this winter, only 9.5 per cent of the seasonal average of 60 mm, indicating the severe drought in the country.”
“EXTRAORDINARY DAY- AUSTRALIA CLIMATIC HISTORY REWRITTEN.
“Both South Australia and Queensland had their hottest February days on record after weeks and weeks of hundreds of records pulverized. Records are falling allover Oceania and SE Asia. Never happened a month like this.”
“After setting an all-time record minimum on February 9th, the 365-day running mean for global sea-ice extent is headed back towards “gobsmacking bananas” territory.”
“Two new studies suggest Paris climate goal is dead. One scientist is going even further.
“If the world experiences 18 consecutive months at or above the 1.5 degree limit [it has], it will be “virtually certain” the Paris agreement has been breached, the report found.”
I rely on donations and tips from my readers 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.
“The Hot Money in Commodities Is Betting on the Tropics.
“That’s a harbinger of the financial damage that climate change will continue to wreak across the world… Uniquely vulnerable to the vagaries of the weather, tropical forest crops are like canaries in the coalmine of global warming.”
‘Most at risk on the planet’: Polar heritage sites are slipping into the sea but can one island live forever online?
“The climate crisis is increasing landslides, permafrost thaw and floods on Qikiqtaruk (also known as Herschel Island), putting its Arctic heritage at risk.
On Qikiqtaruk, off Canada’s Yukon coast, scientists are wielding virtual-reality cameras, 3D models and digital archives to protect the island’s history and culture before it disappears.”
“Train service on Bosnia’s Sarajevo-Capljina route, which passes through the tourist hub of Mostar, resumed Monday after a four-month suspension due to flood damage.
“Service was halted after devastating floods last October which hit five cities and left 29 people dead.”
“Bosnian students protest government inaction after deadly floods.
“The disaster has laid bare the difficulties of channelling funds in the fragmented Balkan country whose multiple governments have struggled to respond.”
“Iraq’s water crisis is deepening as reserves dwindle due to severe drought, poor resource management, and reduced water flows from upstream countries.
“The shrinking Tigris and Euphrates rivers, widespread agricultural land degradation, and rising pollution levels have exacerbated the crisis, raising concerns over food security…”
“Kerala on the brink of becoming India’s heat capital, warns climate report…[India]
“The report… reveals a significant rise in the state’s average temperature over the past decade. Over the past ten years, the most alarming increase was recorded in April, with temperatures soaring by 1.85 degrees Celsius.”
“China’s Disastrous Summer Floods Linked to Unusually Warm Spring in Tibet.
“The modeling study found that unusual May heat in Tibet was connected to heavy June rainfall in southern China, where flooding killed dozens of people and displaced tens of thousands more, largely in Guangdong Province.”
“Xi Jinping orders all-out search after landslide…
“First responders continued the search for at least 28 missing people after a deadly landslide affected a village in Yibin, Sichuan, killing one person, Chinese state media said.”
“Palawan province recorded its heaviest 24-hour rainfall as the shear line continued to affect the area. [Philippines]
Shear line is the zone where intense thunderstorms form from the convergence of the cool northeast monsoon or Amihan and the warm and moist easterlies.
“Puerto Princesa City received 352 millimeters of rain between 8 a.m. February 9 and 8 a.m. February 10, according to PAGASA data.”
“More data is out- Paluma Cottage saw **745.2mm** [29 inches] in just 1 day on the 3rd. This is the 5th wettest February day ever recorded in QLD and 8th wettest in Australia!!
“An insane **1466.7mm** fell in just 2 days, potentially one of the highest 2 day totals ever recorded in Australia.”
“Chile Imposed Curfews in Wildfire Impacted Regions.
“”These temperatures are not normal at all, they are above the normal ranges. Unfortunately, with climate change, they seem to be more and more frequent,” Andres Moncada, a meteorologist at Chile Meteorology Service, told Reuters.”
“New research shows that the tipping point thresholds for warm-water coral reefs (upon which hundreds of millions of people rely) have already been breached!
“Considerations for determining warm-water coral reef tipping points.”
“Trading Hope for Reality Helps Me Parent Through the Climate Crisis…
“If you are someone like me who has children and lies awake terrified for their future, you should not let hopelessness about climate change paralyze you. In fact, I would argue that right now the bravest thing to do — even braver than hoping — is to stop hoping.”
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.
With apologies, I must leave for the mainland shortly on urgent business. Kali is going to be enormously kind and keep the threads going whilst I’m away. I’ll be back on Friday with an “Economic” thread.
“The ocean is losing its ability to store heat as the planet warms up…
“Until now, 90 per cent of the excess heat created by greenhouse gas emissions has been drawn down into the ocean, but this capacity for heat absorption is now being lost… The team was shocked at the scale of the changes and says there appears to have been a fundamental shift…”
“Will global sea surface temperatures hit new record daily highs later this year after La Nina fades? They have been trending higher even as the current La Nina peaks.
“Grab some popcorn, this is going to get interesting. The Climate 8-Ball says: “What the f&%k?”” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
“An Arctic meltdown is accelerating global warming: How will we adapt?
“…Before current global warming, the Arctic Ocean would reliably freeze over in the winter and partially melt in summer. But now that the globe has surpassed 1.5 degrees of warming, a greater portion of winter ice melts with every passing summer, leaving more and more ocean exposed through late fall.”
“EXCEPTIONAL WARMTH IN THE ARCTIC: temperatures locally >+12C [53.6F].
“19 monthly records in Norway! (see list below) and… FINLAND 6.5 Utsjoki Kevo, 6.4 Enontekiö Kilpisjärvi; SWEDEN Naimakka, 6.4 Karesuando; RUSSIA 7.2 Nikel,5.2 Vajda Guba.”
“Global sea-ice area is now over 5 standard deviations below the 1981-2010 average, reaching yet another all-time record daily low… Graphics: Kevin Pluck; Data: NSIDC.” [Eliot Jacobson]
“Antarctic snow harbors microplastics: New technique uncovers hidden pollution…
“Scientists have discovered microplastics in the snow near some of Antarctica’s deep field camps, revealing how far-reaching plastic pollution has become. While not new, it’s the first time these tiny pieces of plastic have been found in remote locations.”
“Alaska’s ice is melting in front of our eyes, staggering satellite shots show…
“”Since December 2024, temperatures across the state have been 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (3 to 6 degrees Celsius) above normal, according to NOAA, and isolated areas have experienced even greater anomalies,” NASA Earth Observatory wrote.”
“It is clear that most people don’t realize the biggest asset of NOAA is their raw weather data collection and processing.
“Satellites, Radar, METARs, aircraft obs, etc., all being processed by massive servers so that literally any ‘weather app’ is able to function.” [Ethan Moriarty]
“Scientists on alert as NOAA restricts contact with foreign nationals.
“Staff members at a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have been told this week to stop all contact with foreign nationals, including on international treaties and seafood catch limits, stoking confusion and fear…”
“Elon Musk’s journey from climate champion to backing EV-bashing Trump…
““If the tax credit is removed Tesla could survive and have less competition, they have more headroom to withstand a decrease in the market size,” Shapiro said. Stock in Tesla surged following Trump’s election win.”
“Another monthly record of February highest temperature was the exceptional 69F [20.6C] set yesterday at Salt Lake City, UT which tied the same temperature of Feb 28th,1972.
“But now we are at the beginning of the month and it’s 5/6F warmer than anything happened that early.”
“FEMA workers responding to LA fires reportedly told to say ‘alien’ instead of ‘immigrant’…
“The email instructs employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) to cease calling undocumented immigrants “migrants” and instead call them “aliens”. It also directs employees to replace “gender” with “sex”.”
“Hurricanes lead to $120 million impact on Disney theme park operations…
“Disney has revealed that the 2024 hurricane season caused a loss of approximately $120 million due to reduced theme park attendance and the temporary shutdown of some operations, according to the company’s quarterly financial report.”
“A flash flood hit Nazca in Peru’s southern Ica province on Thursday (February 6) following five hours of heavy rainfall. Onlookers watched on in the city as a storm drain, also known locally as an ‘quebrada’, surged dramatically, sweeping away mud, stones, and trees, according to local media.”
“People took to social media earlier this week to express their shock when they noticed that the Lima river was flowing with bright pink water [Peru].
“The Rímac is described as the most important source of potable water for Lima and Callao. Roughly 10 million people living in Lima depend on it for drinking water.”
“River near Buenos Aires turns bright red after suspected industrial dye leak…
“The violent hue of the Sarandí, which runs through the municipality of Avellaneda, six miles (9.6km) south of the Argentinian capital, alarmed local residents, who have long complained about industrial pollution in the area.”
“Brazilian states push back on Amazon protections.
“Brazilian Amazon states are rolling back environmental regulations, with Mato Grosso leading efforts to weaken deforestation controls and challenge international conservation agreements.”
“Scorching heatwave sends Brazilians flocking to Rio’s beaches as temperatures soar…
“Brazil is facing an intense heatwave, driving thousands to Rio’s beaches even at night to escape the scorching temperatures. Forecasters warn that the extreme heat will persist in the coming days.”
“SOUTH AMERICA. The February worst heat wave in history will just get worse.
“A nightmarish week is ahead with temperatures up to 45C in Argentina,43/44C in Bolivia and Paraguay and 42C+ in Chile, Uruguay and Brazil. Dozens of records will be pulverized starting tomorrow in Chile.”
“Fire in El Bolsón: firefighters will work all night due to the out-of-control fire [Argentina].
“The wind once again played against the firefighters fighting the fire in El Bolsón and, combined with the heat of this Friday, spread the fire to new areas, which had to be evacuated according to the municipality.”
“Flying into danger: how climate change threatens migratory birds…
“A new study published by the Hellenic Ornithological Society (BirdLife Greece) delivers a stark warning: climate change is rapidly making the treacherous journey of migratory birds even more deadly.”
“Britain has a new snake species – should climate change mean it is allowed to stay?
“Aesculapian snakes (Zamenis longissimus) are nonvenomous reptiles that mostly eat rodents and are native to central and southern Europe, reaching almost to the Channel coast in northern France.”
“Village still cut in half two months after storm… [England]
“The storm struck Shropshire in November but more than two months on, the road in Bronygarth, near Oswestry, remains closed, and residents said there were no signs of repairs starting.”
“Many departments in southern France are now facing drought warnings despite rainfall over the winter…
“Basins in the area are usually replenished by winter rains, before filling up further in spring and summer as snow from Alpine mountains flows into the Durance river and then makes its way underground.”
“Huge retreat and large morphological change at the front… In 2023, the front was still gentle, while it has turned into a 7-8 m high cliff by 2024, with a new ice cave!”
“Greek farmers have decided to escalate their protests by staging three-hour highway blockades, demanding better compensation coverage for climate-related damage.
“The decision to intensify demonstrations was made at a meeting in Palamas, northeast of Karditsa in central Greece, on Friday.”
“Two cyclones ready to “merge” over Sardinia: heavy rains on the way…
“This weather configuration – the experts continue – will give rise to “strong phenomena” that will begin in Sardinia between today and tomorrow and will then gradually extend to Sicily and the rest of Italy.”
“Marbella [Spain] puts its emergency flood plan to the test.
“The aim of the drill involving more than 100 personnel was to glean information to be able to deal with this type of situation in the future and ensure the best possible outcome.”
“No fuel for water tankers as city is out of budget [eThekwini, South Africa].
“THE eThekwini Municipality was unable to dispatch water tankers from their Ottawa depot to some communities in need in the northern parts of Durban because they couldn’t afford the diesels costs.”
“Record heat never ends in the tropical islands of the Indian Ocean. Today the Plaisance Int. AP in MAURITIUS had a minimum temperature of 26.7C [80.1F], the highest ever in February and just 0.1C from its hottest night in history.
“The heat will go on and on with no end in sight.”
“Heavy snowfall and rain in Gilan province, Iran, have caused rivers to flood and flood roads, and many people in flooded areas have been forced to evacuate their homes.
“On Friday, February 8, Hadi Haghshenas, the governor of Gilan, announced that in the past 24 hours, Rasht has recorded 107 mm of rainfall…”
“India drops funding for climate-friendly lifestyle initiative…
“Mission Life, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed to cut emissions by promoting personal choices like reducing plastic use and car travel. The initiative struggled due to a lack of financial incentives…”
“4 forest fires erupt across Tibetan areas. A major blaze near Nepali border is still not contained after 2 weeks…
“The region supports a diverse range of wildlife, including long-tailed gray leaf monkeys, leopards, musk deer, elk, peacock pheasants, snow chickens and herds of wild donkeys.”
“A joint search and rescue (SAR) team is still looking for four of the eight persons who went missing in the flash floods in Bima district, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province, on Sunday. [Indonesia]
“We are still searching for four victims,” Muhammad Hariyadi, head of the Mataram SAR Office, informed in Mataram city, NTB, on Friday.”
“From paradise to hell and back: why leaving isn’t an option for some flood-hit north Queenslanders…
“The family watched chicken coops, sheds, freezers, a trailer, sweep across their three-acre block. Then, suddenly, the Bluewater – now a dirty brown – was upon their back porch.”
“Camels drink troughs dry, technology struggles as remote Australia swelters in extreme heat.
“Heatwaves are rolling through remote communities and smashing weather records across Australia. Cattle station residents are worried their camel surveillance cameras will malfunction in the heat…”
“Hydropower, the leading source of renewable energy, is facing significant challenges due to climate change-induced droughts and environmental concerns. Droughts have decreased hydropower production in several regions…”
“Over half of world’s glaciers on pace to disappear, scientists warn…
“Glaciers vanishing from the face of the earth will be disastrous to humankind as it will also mean that freshwater, which the world’s populations depend on for drinking, will diminish enormously.”
“The Future of Sea Level Rise with Professor Peter Wadhams.
““All of these changes, we can plot them and if we look exponentially, we see catastrophic effects in the next few years, certainly in the next decade or two the world will be completely different… I think we’re at the last minute now.””
“Hottest January on record called ‘terrifying’ by climate scientists after defying expectations…
“Climate scientist Professor Chris Brierley told The Independent: “I don’t know why the La Nina had so little effect – it’s taken me and the community by surprise.”
“Record January heat suggests La Niña may be losing its ability to keep global warming in check…
“Recent research shows human caused warming of the ocean is accelerating – so a year on year rise in temperature is itself getting bigger – and this is dominating to an ever greater extent over El Niño and other natural oscillations in the climate.”
“And that’s right — the annualized mean growth rate for CO2 is now at a record high 3.55 ppm as of January, 2025. Atmospheric CO2 is growing at the fastest rate in recorded history.
“This is not going to end well for global industrial civilization, children and other living things.” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
“Raphael Calel of Georgetown University, USA, and colleagues provide systematic evidence on carbon offset misallocation by examining wind farms constructed in India through to 2013… If the same rate of misallocation applies to all CDM projects across the world, it could lead to 6.1 billion more tonnes of CO2.”
“‘Backsliding’: most countries to miss vital climate deadline as COP30 nears…
“The vast majority of governments are likely to miss a looming deadline to file vital plans that will determine whether or not the world has a chance of avoiding the worst ravages of climate breakdown.”
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 Friday with an “Economic” thread.
Special sponsor for February 2025 is [you?]. Contact me here if you fancy helping me out and spending a month atop the C&E wall of fame.
“Climate change target of 2C is ‘dead’, says renowned climate scientist.
“The pace of global heating has been significantly underestimated, according to renowned climate scientist Prof James Hansen, who said the international 2C target is “dead”.”
“Just half a degree rise of global warming will triple the size of the area of Earth that is considered to be too hot for humans.
“The new area will be equivalent to the size of the US… “Our findings show the potentially deadly consequences if global warming reaches 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit),” Dr. Tom Matthews, Senior Lecturer …at King’s College London, said…”
“Ancient Climate Reconstruction Links Past and Future…
“For instance, paleoclimatology tells us that smaller ice sheets in the Pliocene caused sea levels to swell more than 20 meters higher than today. Is such a rise in store for the rest of the century?”
“Temperatures at the north pole soared more than 20C above average on Sunday, crossing the threshold for ice to melt…
“The Copernicus data showed daily average temperatures were more than 20C above average near the north pole on Sunday… The findings were confirmed by an Arctic snow buoy, which logged absolute temperatures of 0.5C on Sunday.”
“Since 1979, January has lost 1.88 million square kilometers (726,000 square miles) of Arctic sea ice, which could cover the state of Alaska and then some.
“Ministers are topping up flood defence investment in England to a “record” £2.65bn, after accusing the previous government of “putting lives at risk” by under-spending.
“An extra £250m is being pledged on top of the £2.4bn previously announced, to shore up defences and protect an extra 66,500 properties from flooding…”
“Particles from vehicle tyre wear are the biggest source of nanoplastic pollution in the high Alps, a pioneering project has revealed…
“Millions of tonnes of plastic waste are dumped in the environment and much is broken down into small fragments. Microplastics were already known to have polluted the entire planet, from the summit of Mount Everest to the deepest oceans.”
“Moroccan government blames unemployment on drought…
“Morocco’s prime minister Aziz Akhannouch defended his government’s job creation policy despite a surge in unemployment which he blamed on drought… The unemployment rate surged to 13.3% in 2024 from 13% a year earlier, with the farming sector losing most jobs.”
“How climate change is causing ‘ecological grief’ for farmers in Ghana…
“In addition to crop failures due to extreme weather, individuals can experience ecological grief in response to declining yields and other changes, particularly where this directly impacts their lives and livelihoods.”
“Women at Risk: The Gendered Dimension of Climate Change and Migration in West Africa…
“Women’s social restrictions and economic disadvantages contribute to the fact that they are 14 times more likely to die in climate disasters. Women are often literally left behind by climate change migration: Cameroon, for instance, prevents women from applying for a passport without the written consent of a male family member.”
“Rubio Will Skip G20 In South Africa Because Of Its Land And Climate Change Policies.
““South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote ‘solidarity, equality, & sustainability.’ In other words: DEI and climate change,” Rubio said on X.”
“The sea was once a blessing for the Pakistani city of Gwadar. But it’s become a curse…
“Rain battered Gwadar for almost 30 consecutive hours last February. Torrents washed out roads, bridges, and lines of communication, briefly cutting the peninsula town off from the rest of Pakistan.”
“Kashmir’s saffron growers experiment with indoor farming as climate pressures mount.
“Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall pose a risk to saffron production, which has dropped from 8 metric tons in the financial year 2010-11 to 2.6 metric tons in 2023-24.”
“As Lychee Harvests Dwindle, Guangdong’s Farmers and Artists Ponder How to Take on Climate Change.
“In the face of increasingly extreme weather conditions, unlikely bonds are being forged in the southern province between concerned citizens and the growers of their produce.”
“Record-breaking snowfall is continuing to cause significant disruption to parts of Japan.
“The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued warnings for heavy snowfall not only along the Sea of Japan coast but also on the Pacific side, where such conditions are uncommon…”
“Monsoon rains have led to the worst floods in modern history in North Borneo with over 9000 people displaced from their homes in six districts in Sarawak.
“The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) forecasts a second wave of flooding to inundate the region between February 8 and 12.”
“It’s official: Australia’s ocean surface was the hottest on record in 2024…
“Rapid warming of Earth’s oceans is setting off a raft of worrying changes. It can lead to less nutrients in surface waters, which in turn leads to fewer fish… Warm water causes coral bleaching… Hotter oceans are also linked to weather extremes…”
“Overland Track remains closed as crews battle bushfires in Tasmanian wilderness area.
“Fire crews are responding on the ground and in the air to 17 incidents on Tasmania’s west coast, with the Overland Track still closed after a dry lightning strike ignited a fire on Monday.”
“Patagonia engulfed in flames: one dead, 18,000 hectares burned.
“Patagonia is weathering the onslaught of four massive wildfires, which have led to the death of a beloved local, the destruction of almost 20,000 hectares, and over 1,000 evacuations. Social media is awash with calls for financial aid from those who have lost their homes…”
“Brazil Faces Dual Weather Crisis With Heatwave And Heavy Rains…
“…the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul is enduring remarkable heat… with Quaraí recording 43.8C [110.8F], marks the highest temperature recorded in the state in over 115 years of monitoring.”
“Never ending record heat in the CARIBBEAN. Montego Bay JAMAICA, after having its hottest January night in history, had also its hottest February night with a minimum of 24.7C [76.5F] .
“100% of the tropics are smashing heat records no-stop, the exact opposite trend of a Niña’s.”
“Water is the other US-Mexico border crisis, and the supply crunch is getting worse…
“Growing water use is already overtaxing limited supplies from nearly all of the region’s cross-border rivers, streams and aquifers. Many of these sources are contaminated with agricultural pollutants, untreated waste and other substances, further reducing the usability of available water.”
“Toxic dangers lurk in LA, even in homes that didn’t burn.
“Even as firefighters douse the deadly LA wildfires, a more insidious danger remains. Chemicals from the ashy residue of thousands of burned homes and cars, scorched plastic pipes and even lifesaving fire retardants have blanketed parts of the region.”
“Russian River [Nothern California] reaches flood stage, threatening homes in low-lying areas.
“The rain-swollen Russian River reached flood stage in multiple places Wednesday morning in the wake of an atmospheric river-fueled storm that brought a deluge of rain and lashing winds to the Bay Area.”
“Trump’s radical plan to root out top government scientists who believe in climate change.
“More than 1,000 EPA employees, including scientists involved in climate change research and policy, have been put on immediate notice by the Trump administration.”
“Doge staffers enter NOAA headquarters and incite reports of cuts and threats…
“Project 2025, written by several former Trump staffers, has called for the agency to be “broken up and downsized”, claiming the agency is “harmful to US prosperity” for its role in climate science.”
“Jeff Bezos’s $10bn Earth Fund cuts ties with climate group.
“Jeff Bezos’s $10bn philanthropic fund has stopped backing the world’s leading voluntary climate standard setter, following rising scrutiny over its influence on the body, in a move seen as the billionaire’s latest effort to curry favour with US President Donald Trump.”
“Most big polluters to miss UN deadline for 2035 climate targets…
“The EU, Australia, South Africa and India are among the big polluters expected to miss a UN deadline for new climate targets, coming up against economic constraints and political pressure following the Trump election.”
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
“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.
“Breaking News! Code UFB!!! Global sea surface temperatures have once again broken the 21°C barrier.
“North Atlantic Sea Surface Temperatures are back above pre-2023 records.
“Reintroducing wolves to the Scottish Highlands could help address the climate emergency, experts say.
“Flooding victims say they feel anxious and abandoned [Somerset, England]…
“New record low temperature of -41.1°C observed in Poland [station only extant since 2022, though].
“Global Warming Could Be Making It Less Windy in Europe.
“Climate change opens the door to a vine disease that Europe avoided 150 years ago.
“Project helps Spain’s flood survivors restore family photos – in pictures.
“The rainfall over the last three hours [Madeira] has already exceeded the red warning level (for a six-hour interval).
“Around Burundi’s largest lake, women and children bear the brunt of floods.
“Saudi Arabia: Riyadh mobilises emergency plan as heavy rains, hailstorms sweep the city.
“Egypt furious over Israeli report speculating attack on High Dam [not climate related but an, er, interesting thought experiment]…
“Türkiye faces deepening water crisis as drought, mismanagement drain resources…
“Warming triggers snowfall fraction loss Thresholds in High-Mountain Asia…
“Kashmir’s Rivers at Record Lows Amidst Dry Spell.
“Unprecedented forest fires threaten Kashmir’s green cover due to dry spell.
“Alarming Rise in Maharashtra Forest Fires Amid Soaring Temperatures…
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT WAVE IN CENTRAL/EAST ASIA:
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA:
“Pilbara cattle stations left under water after Tropical Cyclone Zelia [Western Australia].
“Windy Harbour and Northcliffe under threat as WA authorities fight multiple bushfires.
“Hailstorms are shifting south with changing climate [Australia]…
“AUSTRALIA SUMMER COLD SPELL:
“OCEANIA RECORD HEAT:
“What wet season? All of Hawaii is in a drought…
“Rio de Janeiro recorded its hottest day in at least a decade when temperatures reached 44 degrees Celsius (111 F) on Monday as residents flocked to the ocean to try to cool off.
“After LA, fire crisis reaches Latin America — from Mexico to Argentina.
“Wildfires in the Andes cause severe soil degradation and hinder ecosystem recovery…
“At least four people died and another was injured Monday in a landslide in western Ecuador’s Manabi province following heavy downpours, according to Xinhua.
“Costa Rica Water Crisis: Talamanca Battles Drought & Old Infrastructure…
“Citrus fruits are fetching record prices in Jamaica due to a severe shortage locally and across the globe, caused by both disease and climate events.
“USDA lowers Florida orange forecast to 11.5 million boxes, down 36% from last season.
“For some L.A. wildfire survivors, rebuilding won’t be an option.
“‘Everything we had floated away’: Hurricane Helene survivors help each other as disinformation swirls…
“At least 14 dead in multi-state floods as rivers rise and rescues continue.
“Mount Washington Observatory records 161 mph wind speeds…
“It’s official: Montreal breaks historic snowfall record with back-to-back snowstorms.
“Record mildness in Nunavut [Arctic Canada]!
“Monday ice update – Arctic sea ice extent is currently the *lowest* on record (JAXA data).”
“Meanwhile, Antarctic sea-ice extent is now ranked third lowest for the day — behind (surprise!) only 2023 and 2024.
“Extreme weather is our new reality. We must accept it and begin planning…
“Shipowners take aim at biofuels amid warning decarbonisation drive will make climate change worse…
“Across the world, conservation projects reel after abrupt US funding cuts…
“Climate change is not linear: why we need to update the Paris Agreement…
“‘Researching climate change feels like standing in the path of an approaching train’…
“Scientists have a new explanation for the last two years of record heat…
“World’s sea-ice falls to record low…
“ARCTIC EXCEPTIONAL WARMTH:
“‘I don’t know whether it’s sustainable’: climate crisis and TikTok change face of mountain rescue work in Lake District [NW England]…
“Four wildfires break out across Wales on same day…
“Austria is facing one of its driest winters in decades, with snowfall levels well below average in many parts of the country. 
“As Israel Faces Driest Winter in a Century, Israel Portnoy Releases ‘Geshem’.
“Severe weather batters Greek island of Kefalonia, families trapped in cars.
“Severe Flash Flooding Hits Elba Island, Emergency Services Respond [Italy]…
“A powerful tornado ripped through a Spanish city after a freak storm hit.
“As climate science and journalism are finally starting to widely cover the effects of IMO 2020
“Morocco’s prolonged drought compromises 2025 crop, diminishes livestock.
“Children in Southern Africa ‘on brink of disaster’ after worst drought in 100 years…
“Local farmers devastated by total failure of annual crops: ‘Threatens this economic foundation’ [Kenya]…
“Breathtaking rescue operation of pregnant mother trapped in Floods [Fars, Iran].
“Black carbon from dust storms accelerates Himalayan glacier melt…
“Kerala’s midlands and coastal areas witness sizzling heat [India]…
“Marine Heatwave Linked To Record Rainfall In Japan…
“Unseasonable weather conditions in Japan are impacting vegetable prices, leading to increased costs for staples like cabbage and Chinese cabbage. 
“HISTORIC HEAT WAVE IN THAILAND:
“SE ASIA RECORD HEAT:
“Price hikes and shortages flagged after banana crops ‘cop a flogging’ in north Queensland floods.
“Pilbara community [WA] evacuated by helicopter over Cyclone Zelia flooding risk…
“Another brutally hot day in AUSTRALIA with 47.1C [116.8F] at Ballera (Feb record) and an insane MINIMUM of 34.3C at Birdsville.
“Tasmania fires destroy huge swath of wilderness and could ‘burn for weeks’…
“Worst avian flu crisis ever recorded spreads across Antarctica…
“How climate change is spreading dengue across the world.
“A new fierce heat wave is about to sweep through Northern Argentina, Eastern Bolivia, Paraguay and Eastern Brazil with temperatures locally >43C [109.4F].
“Deforestation boom in Gran Chaco raises alarm over Argentina’s forest law…
“Brazil soy lobby tells growers to reject EU anti-deforestation rule in contracts.
“Cargill weakens Amazon no-deforestation vow, raising concerns about wider backslide.
“ENDLESS RECORD HEAT IN ECUADOR:
“Several rescued from bus in Peru after becoming stuck in flooded river.
“Rain in Bogotá [Colombia] today: flooding reported…
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN MEXICO; WORLD CLIMATIC HISTORY REWRITTEN:
“If you’re looking for which bodies of water are currently experiencing sea surface temperature records, the place to cast your gaze is the Gulf of Mexico, which I have henceforth renamed the “Gulf of Karankawa.”
“FLORIDA & GULF RECORD HEAT – up to 93F [33.9C] at Ochopee Florida, close to the State historic winter record.
“After heavy rains, debris flows hit Southern California community scarred by fire.
“Insurance claims paid so far after LA wildfires exceed $6.9bn…
“US wildfire suppressants rife with toxic heavy metals, study finds.
“A ‘recipe for extinction’: can the US’s envied nature protections survive Trump and his ‘God squad’?
“World’s largely unprotected peatlands are ticking ‘carbon bomb’, warns study.
“Warming climates force plants to compete with each other.
“Climate change outpaces tree migration, human intervention may be needed: Study.
“Goodbye Gouda and farewell French mustard: Signature foods on the brink of climate extinction…
“Mapped: How extreme weather is destroying crops around the world.
“Brake pad dust can be more toxic than exhaust emissions, study says…
“Revealed: ‘extremely concerning’ industry influence over UN aviation body…
“And Still Growth Is All They Talk About.
“Massive methane leaks detected in Antarctica, posing potential risks for global warming
“Wildfires Rage in Chile as Red Alert Remains in Place.
“After Patagonia, Argentina’s northern prairies consumed by fires.
“SOUTH AMERICA HISTORIC HEAT:
“Intense heatwave in southern Brazil forces schools to suspend return.
“Brazil: Severe Flooding Hits Sao Paulo After Heavy Rain.
“A viral video on social networks shows the development of an impressive “fire tornado” in a forest fire in the Santa Elena sector of the Galvarino commune, in the La Araucanía region [Ecuador].
“A large forest fire has erupted in the commune Tuszów National [Poland].
“Ukraine war forces planes to take longer routes, raising CO₂ emissions.
“Climate change takes a back seat in Germany’s 2025 election.
“The great climate disconnect…
“Spain to give legal status to 25,000 migrants affected by Valencia floods.
“Catastrophic flooding in Chad disproportionately affects women and girls.
“‘Without help, we will starve’: Tanzania farmers left struggling as US climate aid disappears…
“Why African nations may turn to EU as Trump slashes aid.
“Dry winter: prelude to water woes, crop failures and wildfires [Nepal].
“EXTRAORDINARY DAY- AUSTRALIA CLIMATIC HISTORY REWRITTEN.
“Floods, heatwaves, possible snow and a cyclone: what is happening with Australia’s weather?
“After setting an all-time record minimum on February 9th, the 365-day running mean for global sea-ice extent is headed back towards “gobsmacking bananas” territory.”
“Two new studies suggest Paris climate goal is dead. One scientist is going even further.
“Around 95% of countries have missed a UN deadline to submit new climate pledges for 2035, Carbon Brief analysis shows.
“The Hot Money in Commodities Is Betting on the Tropics.
‘Most at risk on the planet’: Polar heritage sites are slipping into the sea but can one island live forever online?
“Less acid rain has actually posed problems for Maritime corn crops [Canada]…
“Coffin burials are being stopped at a cemetery in Lincolnshire [England] because of problems with flooding.
“Train service on Bosnia’s Sarajevo-Capljina route, which passes through the tourist hub of Mostar, resumed Monday after a four-month suspension due to flood damage.
“Bosnian students protest government inaction after deadly floods.
“The La Viñuela reservoir in Malaga province [Spain] remains in a state of emergency as the region continues to struggle with severe drought.
“Iraq’s water crisis is deepening as reserves dwindle due to severe drought, poor resource management, and reduced water flows from upstream countries.
“Kerala on the brink of becoming India’s heat capital, warns climate report…[India]
“China’s Disastrous Summer Floods Linked to Unusually Warm Spring in Tibet.
“Xi Jinping orders all-out search after landslide…
“Palawan province recorded its heaviest 24-hour rainfall as the shear line continued to affect the area. [Philippines]
“Flooded north Queensland towns face continuing isolation with more rain forecast.
“Storms sweep NSW and Victoria with 21 people rescued from vehicles in Sydney flash floods…
“More data is out- Paluma Cottage saw **745.2mm** [29 inches] in just 1 day on the 3rd. This is the 5th wettest February day ever recorded in QLD and 8th wettest in Australia!!
“Chile Imposed Curfews in Wildfire Impacted Regions.
“New research shows that the tipping point thresholds for warm-water coral reefs (upon which hundreds of millions of people rely) have already been breached!
“Trading Hope for Reality Helps Me Parent Through the Climate Crisis…
“The ocean is losing its ability to store heat as the planet warms up…
“Will global sea surface temperatures hit new record daily highs later this year after La Nina fades? They have been trending higher even as the current La Nina peaks.
“An Arctic meltdown is accelerating global warming: How will we adapt?
“EXCEPTIONAL WARMTH IN THE ARCTIC: temperatures locally >+12C [53.6F].
“Breaking News! Code UFB!!!
“Antarctic sea ice area was 1.05 million km² on Feb 22, 2023, and was 1.50 million km² on Feb 6, 2025. 
“Antarctic snow harbors microplastics: New technique uncovers hidden pollution…
“Alaska’s ice is melting in front of our eyes, staggering satellite shots show…
“It is clear that most people don’t realize the biggest asset of NOAA is their raw weather data collection and processing.
“Scientists on alert as NOAA restricts contact with foreign nationals.
“Elon Musk’s journey from climate champion to backing EV-bashing Trump…
“Another monthly record of February highest temperature was the exceptional 69F [20.6C] set yesterday at Salt Lake City, UT which tied the same temperature of Feb 28th,1972.
“FEMA workers responding to LA fires reportedly told to say ‘alien’ instead of ‘immigrant’…
“Hurricanes lead to $120 million impact on Disney theme park operations…
“EXCEPTIONAL HEAT – 100F [37.8C] in Texas (Rio Grande) is one of the earliest 100F ever recorded in US history (behind Feb 5th, 2008).
“Heavy rains trigger flash flood in Peru.
“People took to social media earlier this week to express their shock when they noticed that the Lima river was flowing with bright pink water [Peru].
“River near Buenos Aires turns bright red after suspected industrial dye leak…
“Brazilian states push back on Amazon protections.
“Scorching heatwave sends Brazilians flocking to Rio’s beaches as temperatures soar…
“SOUTH AMERICA. The February worst heat wave in history will just get worse.
“Fire in El Bolsón: firefighters will work all night due to the out-of-control fire [Argentina].
“Flying into danger: how climate change threatens migratory birds…
“Britain has a new snake species – should climate change mean it is allowed to stay?
“Village still cut in half two months after storm… [England]
“Many departments in southern France are now facing drought warnings despite rainfall over the winter…
“Morteratsch Glacier [Switzerland] 10.10.2023 | 23.10.2024
“Greek farmers have decided to escalate their protests by staging three-hour highway blockades, demanding better compensation coverage for climate-related damage.
“Two cyclones ready to “merge” over Sardinia: heavy rains on the way…
“Marbella [Spain] puts its emergency flood plan to the test.
“No fuel for water tankers as city is out of budget [eThekwini, South Africa].
“Record heat never ends in the tropical islands of the Indian Ocean. Today the Plaisance Int. AP in MAURITIUS had a minimum temperature of 26.7C [80.1F], the highest ever in February and just 0.1C from its hottest night in history.
“Heavy snowfall and rain in Gilan province, Iran, have caused rivers to flood and flood roads, and many people in flooded areas have been forced to evacuate their homes.
“India drops funding for climate-friendly lifestyle initiative…
“4 forest fires erupt across Tibetan areas. A major blaze near Nepali border is still not contained after 2 weeks…
“A joint search and rescue (SAR) team is still looking for four of the eight persons who went missing in the flash floods in Bima district, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province, on Sunday. [Indonesia]
“From paradise to hell and back: why leaving isn’t an option for some flood-hit north Queenslanders…
“Camels drink troughs dry, technology struggles as remote Australia swelters in extreme heat.
“Drought Dims Hydropower’s Promise…
“Over half of world’s glaciers on pace to disappear, scientists warn…
“The Future of Sea Level Rise with Professor Peter Wadhams.
“Hottest January on record called ‘terrifying’ by climate scientists after defying expectations…
“Record January heat suggests La Niña may be losing its ability to keep global warming in check…
“Breaking News! Code Yikes!
“And that’s right — the annualized mean growth rate for CO2 is now at a record high 3.55 ppm as of January, 2025. Atmospheric CO2 is growing at the fastest rate in recorded history.
“Ineffective carbon offset…
“‘Backsliding’: most countries to miss vital climate deadline as COP30 nears…
“Climate change target of 2C is ‘dead’, says renowned climate scientist.
“Just half a degree rise of global warming will triple the size of the area of Earth that is considered to be too hot for humans.
“Ancient Climate Reconstruction Links Past and Future…
“Temperatures at the north pole soared more than 20C above average on Sunday, crossing the threshold for ice to melt…
“Since 1979, January has lost 1.88 million square kilometers (726,000 square miles) of Arctic sea ice, which could cover the state of Alaska and then some. 
“A man died after medical technology including sleep apnoea equipment stopped working as a result of Storm Eowyn, the Irish parliament has been told.
“Ministers are topping up flood defence investment in England to a “record” £2.65bn, after accusing the previous government of “putting lives at risk” by under-spending.
“Particles from vehicle tyre wear are the biggest source of nanoplastic pollution in the high Alps, a pioneering project has revealed…
“Moroccan government blames unemployment on drought…
“How climate change is causing ‘ecological grief’ for farmers in Ghana…
“Women at Risk: The Gendered Dimension of Climate Change and Migration in West Africa…
“Rubio Will Skip G20 In South Africa Because Of Its Land And Climate Change Policies.
“New February record in the Rodrigues Island (autonomous island of Mauritius) – 33.7 [92.7F] Plaine Corail.
“The sea was once a blessing for the Pakistani city of Gwadar. But it’s become a curse…
“Kashmir’s saffron growers experiment with indoor farming as climate pressures mount.
“Odisha [India] is reeling under a severe heat wave, with temperatures soaring above 35°C in at least 10 cities across the state…
“Climate change poses threat to winter crops in Rajshahi [Bangladesh]…
“As Lychee Harvests Dwindle, Guangdong’s Farmers and Artists Ponder How to Take on Climate Change.
“Record-breaking snowfall is continuing to cause significant disruption to parts of Japan.
“SE ASIA RECORD HEAT; never ending record heat in INDONESIA, which has been breaking records for nearly 700 days, every single day.
“Monsoon rains have led to the worst floods in modern history in North Borneo with over 9000 people displaced from their homes in six districts in Sarawak. 
“It’s official: Australia’s ocean surface was the hottest on record in 2024…
“Queensland confirmed another death on Tuesday as the premier described the devastation caused by the recent historic floods as “incredible”.
“Temperatures could soar to 50 degrees [122F] this week in remote parts of Australia as a severe heatwave washes over the continent.
“Overland Track remains closed as crews battle bushfires in Tasmanian wilderness area.
“Patagonia engulfed in flames: one dead, 18,000 hectares burned.
“EXTRAORDINARY EVENT. WORLD CLIMATIC HISTORY REWRITTEN.
“Brazil Faces Dual Weather Crisis With Heatwave And Heavy Rains…
“Never ending record heat in the CARIBBEAN. Montego Bay JAMAICA, after having its hottest January night in history, had also its hottest February night with a minimum of 24.7C [76.5F] .
“Water is the other US-Mexico border crisis, and the supply crunch is getting worse…
“Toxic dangers lurk in LA, even in homes that didn’t burn.
“Russian River [Nothern California] reaches flood stage, threatening homes in low-lying areas.
“Trump’s radical plan to root out top government scientists who believe in climate change.
“Doge staffers enter NOAA headquarters and incite reports of cuts and threats…
“Jeff Bezos’s $10bn Earth Fund cuts ties with climate group.
“Most big polluters to miss UN deadline for 2035 climate targets…