Huge thanks to this month’s sponsor, Kimberley Hare, Facilitator of ‘The Edge’ Retreat, and Author of “At the Edge: What is Mine to Do, and Who Can I do it With?” She was kind enough to interview me for this book.
With apologies, this will be the last thread until Saturday, when I’ll be back with another climate thread. I have to accompany my youngest to the mainland for a medical appointment.
“Has global warming accelerated?”
“Yes!”
“If the warming trend of the past decade (about +0.36 °C per decade) continues, it will become more and more unlikely that temperatures end up below the 1970-2008 linear trendline (+0.18 °C/dec).”
“Breaking news! November, 2024, came in at the second warmest in recorded history, at 1.62°C above the pre-industrial baseline.
“Starting in June, 2023, there have now been 18 consecutive months above the pre-2023 record high, likely the hottest string of 18 months in the last 120,000+ years.”
“Ocean warming drives immediate mass loss from calving glaciers in the high Arctic.
“Glaciers in the Arctic have lost considerable mass during the last two decades… The immediate response of frontal ablation to seasonal ocean warming suggests that marine-terminating glaciers in high Arctic regions exposed to Atlantification are prone to rapid changes…”
“Killer whales have found new homes in the Arctic Ocean, potentially reshaping marine ecology…
“The vast ice sheets that historically kept killer whales out of the Arctic Ocean are melting as the region rapidly warms. Two small, genetically distinct groups of killer whales now live in the Arctic, after migrating from more southern regions of the Atlantic Ocean.”
“Record heat. During Sunday morning, Tafjord in Møre og Romsdal broke the Norwegian record for December temperature three times, 18.5C at 10am, 18.6C at 11am and 18.7C [65.7F] at 12pm [also a December record for Scandinavia].
“Could Tenbury Wells be the first UK town centre abandoned over climate change?
“…Locals said they hope the headlines draw attention to the existential threat facing Tenbury – that, without help, it could become the first UK town centre abandoned due to flooding exacerbated by climate change.”
“Storm Bora brings days of flooding to Greece, with more rain ahead.
“The weather pattern fueling Storm Bora is similar to the one that caused severe flooding in Spain this fall… A trapped area of cold air and spin overhead, cut off from the jet stream flow and feeding off the warm Mediterranean Sea, is the primary culprit for the downpours.”
“A Greek party town has been left devastated by flash floods as Storm Bora – which has claimed the lives of three people – wipes out roads and bridges.
“Rhodes has been left covered in mud and debris after the deadly storm battered Greece over the weekend, and over 30cm of rain fell over the popular tourist island.”
“Spain breaks yet another temperature record with the hottest November ever.
“Last month has just been crowned the warmest November on record in Spain, with temperatures soaring a whopping 3°C above average. This marks a new milestone in the country’s climate history, with the average temperature reaching a balmy 12.4°C, a staggering 2.8°C above the norm.”
“Several December records in the same areas where November records where smashed. In Canary Islands 28.6 [83.5F] Santa Cruz de Tenerife yesterday: hottest December day in history.
“Records in Portugal including in the Azores with 25C and mins up to 19C.”
“SUMMER IN WINTER IN MOROCCO – unbelievable 26C at 2am at Rabat, well above a typical summer night, before dropping few hours later. Tropical night at Sidi Ifni.
“November average at Tan Tan was an unbelievable 26.7C [80.1F], its hottest month of 2024!”
“Insane heat in TANZANIA. Minimums temperatures up to 27C [80.6F], unprecedented for November in the country.
“Morogoro, after breaking its November heat record yesterday (and 2nd highest ever for any month), tonight had its hottest night in history for any month with a Tmi of 25.0C.”
“”Disaster response teams, coordinated by national government administration officers, are monitoring the situation in various parts of the country and providing support to those affected,” the ministry said.”
“Study: Middle East Could Warm by Staggering 9 Degrees Celsius by 2100…
“In its press release, the American Geophysical Union calls the predicted increase “staggering.” Deadly also works. After the arbitrary cutoff point of 2100, things are expected to get even worse – but let’s burn down one tree at a time.”
“Hailstorm breaks 42-year record in Duki as winter intensifies across Pakistan.
“A historic hailstorm in Duki, Balochistan, has shattered a 42-year-old record, amplifying the cold wave in the region. The storm caused significant damage to solar panels and trees in affected areas.”
“This November was warmest on record in north India.
“This Nov was the warmest on record in north India with the average mean temperature in the region crossing 20 degrees Celsius for the first time in records going back to 1901. Across the country, too, the month logged the second highest maximum temperatures, lower than only the Nov of 2016.”
“At least 19 dead as Cyclone Fengal devastates southern India with heavy rain and flooding.
“Cyclone Fengal has continued to cause widespread disruption across southern India, with heavy rainfall triggering floods, school closures, and travel bans in multiple states.”
“As of 10 am on December 2, Uthangarai in Krishnagiri received 503 mm [19.8 inches] of rain, and Harur in Dharmapuri recorded 331 mm. Visuals from both districts show widespread damage to roads, bridges, and crop fields.”
“”This year was 1.97 degrees Celsius higher than usual… making it the hottest autumn since 1898, when statistics began,” the Japan Meteorological Agency said Monday on their website.”
“Unprecedented Rainfall Surges Beyond Expectations, Triggering Massive Floods in East Coast [Malaysia]…
“Heavy rainfall in Kelantan and Terengganu has led to severe flooding, with levels recorded from November 26 to 30 exceeding typical six-month averages. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlighted that rainfall reached over 1,761 mm [69.3 inches] in some areas…”
“Malaysia-Thailand border region braces for more rain after deadly floods…
“Peninsular Malaysia, particularly its northeastern coast, and southern Thailand have been battered by torrential rains which fuelled floods that killed dozens of people, and damaged homes, transport links, and thousands of acres of rice crops.”
“Wettest November on record for parts of Queensland…
“Roads and cars were inundated in parts of Brisbane as a short, sharp burst of rain dumped 50 millimetres in the CBD in 30 minutes. Meanwhile, Springbrook National Park and the wider Scenic Rim had 265mm in the 24 hours to 9am on Sunday.”
“Australia sweats through hottest spring on record as temperatures soar 2.5C above pre-industrial levels…
“Another heatwave is predicted across Australia this week, as the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) confirms the nation just sizzled through its hottest spring on record.”
“A bushfire emergency warning is in place for people in WA’s Great Southern region, with fires threatening homes in the communities of Broomehill East and Broomehill Village.
“Emergency WA is urging residents living in the area… to evacuate immediately.”
“Antarctica is in crisis and we are scrambling to understand its future.
“The last two years have seen unprecedented falls in the levels of sea ice around Antarctica, which serves as a protective wall for the continent’s huge ice sheets. Researchers are now racing to understand the global impact of what could happen next.”
“Hail larger than an apple and winds of up to 120 km/h: what the storm left behind [Uruguay]…
“Sunday was marked by heavy rains and winds that occurred in several parts of the country, affecting, above all, the north. The Uruguayan Institute of Meteorology (Inumet) issued a red alert due to the strong storms that continued until the end of the afternoon.”
“3 injured as wildfire rages through Chile’s Chacabuco Province…
“A wildfire in Chile’s Tiltil Commune, Chacabuco Province, scorched 200 ha (494.2 acres) of land on Saturday afternoon, November 30, 2024, prompting evacuations, injuring three people, and raising suspicions of arson before being controlled by firefighting teams.”
“Insane heat allover the CARIBBEAN – it’s like August! With widespread minimum temperatures between 26C and 29C [84.2F], unprecedented for December…
“CURACAO min 28.6 max 33.4 DECEMBER HOTTEST NIGHT AND DAY IN HISTORY BOTH; ANGUILLA 26.1; Cayenne AP- FRENCH GUIANA 26.1; ST KITTS AND NEVIS 27.1 at Charlestown – national records of December highest minimum.”
“An extreme heat wave off California’s coast seemed like an anomaly 10 years ago. But as the ocean warms, the catastrophe may be a glimpse of the future… Under the surface, the food web broke down and ecosystems convulsed…”
“December temperature record set to be broken in Phoenix already…
“The first week of December started off on a warm note, with 79 degrees on Sunday and 80s already. That’s over 10 degrees above average… November 2024 will go down as tying the driest November on record since records began in 1895. This is now the 102nd day without measurable rain since Aug. 22.”
“D.C. just experienced its warmest November on record…
“In the first week of November, it reached 80 degrees or higher three times, including 84 on Nov. 7, the highest temperature on record so late in the year.”
“Climate researcher: Amherst and Hartford, Conn., saw driest fall on record…
“The Northeast saw record-breaking dry conditions this fall… The dryness was caused by “unusual, dry winds coming in from the west and Northwest,” said Michael Rawlins, the associate director of the Climate System Research Center.”
“The fall average temperature wrapped up at 55.4 degrees, which makes it the warmest on record for the metro — beating out the 1931 average by almost a full degree. Another interesting note is that 2016, 2015, 2023 and 2021 all made it in the top six.”
“Historic snowfall blankets Northern Michigan as record-breaking totals reported…
“”The highest one-day total we observed was 24.8 inches on Friday, Nov. 29, here in Gaylord,” Christensen said. “To put that into perspective, the average total snowfall for the entire month of November in this area is just 18 inches.”
“Scientists are measuring burps and farts. It could help save the planet.
“Starting in February, researchers led by Jacobo Arango will feed sheep — which have very similar digestive systems to cattle — different kinds of plants, such as legumes and grasses. Then they’ll put the animals inside the chambers with more food to measure how much methane the animals produce.”
“Three billion people globally impacted by land degradation…
“Globally up to 40 per cent of the world’s land is degraded, which means its biological or economic productivity has been reduced. This has dire consequences for the climate, biodiversity and people’s livelihoods.”
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 coffeeor become a Patreon supporter. A huge and heartfelt thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back to business as usual with a “Climate” thread on Saturday.
Very many thanks to this month’s kind sponsor, John Bee, who wishes me to exhort, “Go Steelers!”
“Global wine output to hit lowest level since 1961…
“”Climatic challenges across both hemispheres are once again major contributors to the reduced global production volume,” OIV said in a report. “The preliminary estimates reveal a complex landscape of climatic disruptions across EU wine regions due to climate change,” it said.”
“Arabica coffee prices soar to multi-generational high.
“Brazil, the world’s biggest coffee producer, faced severe drought earlier this year, raising doubts about the next season’s crop size… At the time of writing, Arabica coffee futures were priced at $3.25 a pound, the highest on record.”
“Chocolate prices rise as climate change threatens cocoa harvest in West Africa.
“Chocolate prices are on the rise this holiday season, in part because climate change is threatening the cocoa harvest in West Africa, the largest region for cocoa production in the world. For consumers buying chocolate in the U.S., it will likely be more expensive this year.”
“‘Climate-induced poisoning’: 350 elephants probably killed by toxic water…
“The deaths in Botswana’s Okavango delta were described by scientists as a “conservation disaster”. Elephants of all ages were seen walking in circles before collapsing and dying.”
“Some Zimbabwe farmers turn to maggots to survive drought and thrive…
“Donors and governments have pushed for more black soldier fly maggot farming in Africa because of its low labor and production costs and huge benefits to agriculture, the continent’s mainstay that is under pressure from climate change and Russia’s war in Ukraine.”
“Every country East to West is smashing heat records: November hottest nights ever: Tmins: 27.0 Cocos Island AUSTRALIA; 28.0 Male MALDIVES; 26.9 Malindi KENYA; Tmax record for Nov 36.7C at Morogoro (520m asl).”
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN MIDDLE EAST AND CENTRAL ASIA:
“Mind blowing unseasonal warmth with MINIMUMS up to 28C [82.4F] in Oman and tropical nights in Uzbekistan; MAX 21C at 1000m in Kazakhstan. Hundreds of records for this time of the year smashed.”
“Caspian Sea on UN climate summit doorstep ebbs towards record low…
“”One of the main challenges facing the Caspian Sea region is climate change and its impacts. Extreme weather events, increased frequency of natural disasters and changes in biodiversity – all of that require joint efforts for adapting to new realities…””
“Himachal faces unprecedented dry spell, Sparking concerns over water and agriculture…
“From October 1 to November 29, districts like Shimla, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kullu, Sirmour, and Solan saw no rainfall at all… This prolonged dry spell is a stark reminder of the growing unpredictability of weather patterns, leaving people increasingly worried about how climate change is affecting both water resources and farming…”
“12 Dead, Thousands Displaced As Sri Lanka Faces Flash Floods Amid Fengal Cyclone.
“Sri Lanka is reeling from flash floods triggered by heavy rains from a slow-moving deep depression in the Bay of Bengal, resulting in 12 deaths, including six children who drowned when their vehicle was swept away.”
“Record heat is all over the world, in all Continents.
“And once again, like every single month of the past 15, is affecting Bangladesh with temperatures up to 34C [93.2F, never seen so late in the season.”
“In Depth: Warming Climate Threatens Chinese Farmers’ Livelihoods.
“Xu planted earlier than usual this year, in line with the spring rains, which had come early in mid-April. Xu’s case, while alone seemingly unremarkable, reflects a much larger shift happening in China’s climate and the impact it is having on the country’s agricultural industry.”
“Flooding driven by heavy rains in southern Thailand has killed nine people and displaced more than 13,000, officials said Saturday, as rescue teams using boats and jet skis worked to reach stranded residents.”
“Malaysia set for its worst ever floods after heavy monsoon rains…
“Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Thursday that floods this year were expected to be worse than 2014, when more than 250,000 people were displaced and 21 killed.”
“Indonesia: Floods, landslides kill 31 in North Sumatra.
“The Indonesian province of North Sumatra has been battered by a week of relentless rainfall leading to floods and landslides in several parts. Scores have died while rescue efforts are underway to search for the missing.”
“Residents told it’s ‘too late to leave’ as wildfire in Western Australia triples in size.
“Emergency warnings remain in place for communities in Wedge Island, Grey, Cervantes, Nambung, and Cooljarlo, but the residents have no way to get out.”
“Paraguay’s Indigenous Paĩ Tavyterã communities fight invaders, fires and drought…
“In 2019, the environment ministry published a report showing that cycles of drought and flooding in Paraguay have intensified and that the frequency of heat waves tripled from 1980 to 2019.”
“In Guaratiba, in the west zone, a house collapsed, killing two people and leaving two injured. In the community of Rocinha, in the south zone, a landslide killed one person… Since Wednesday night, the city has been in a crisis stage, the most serious on a three-level scale.”
“Unprecedented stifling hot nights continue into the “coldest” part of the year with records smashed everywhere, every day. Today hottest November night in history at BONAIRE (Dutch Caribbean) with a Min of 28.7C [83.7F].”
“Americans spending Thanksgiving in tents after Helene as heat, electricity, food still hard to find…
“”Just looking at it in person [versus] seeing the pictures, it’s just hard to imagine how bad it is. … I went through Katrina, and this is Katrina-like to me,” Pearson said. “The damage is every bit as bad. It’s just different because it’s in the mountains…””
“My bountiful backyard garden is a scary Thanksgiving sight.
“When I picked a brilliant red cherry tomato off my backyard vine and enjoyed the burst of sweet flavor, I knew it was a guilty pleasure. That’s because it was Nov. 20, and I live in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The tomato I tasted is a cherry bomb of climate change.”
“New York state and Michigan brace for lake-effect snow that could snarl travel and disrupt football…
“After an unusually mild fall, as much as 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) of snow were possible along Lake Erie and south of Buffalo from lake-effect bands notorious for pummeling the region with snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) per hour.”
“Guardsmen Deliver Food to Alaska Community Hit by Typhoon.
“Alaska National Guardsmen delivered nearly 14,000 pounds of frozen beef, chicken and pork this month to Toksook Bay, Alaska, helping residents still recovering from losses sustained when Typhoon Merbok flooded thousands of communities in September 2022.”
“Researchers reveal a relationship between Arctic dust and Arctic warming…
“…while the Arctic undergoes warming, ice and snow free areas spread, which leads to more dust particles being released into the air. This dust helps ice crystals in clouds to form. This has a knock-on effect.”
“Spain introduces paid climate leave after deadly floods…
“The new measure aims to “regulate in accordance with the climate emergency” so that “no worker must run risks”, labour minister Yolanda Díaz told public broadcaster RTVE.”
“Less than a month ago, it was reported that 700,000 trees across 20,000 hectares had been affected by the lack of rainfall. Today, that number has skyrocketed to nearly 1 million trees across 23,000 hectares.”
“35 [95F] DEGREES CANARY ISLANDS – 35.2 La Aldea de San Nicolas.
“After night temperatures up to 30C, afternoons still reach 35C in this mad absurd November in Morocco and Canary Islands, where >50%/60% of the days and nights of the month have been much hotter than average summer. Historic.”
“Wildfire warnings to UK travellers visiting the Canary Islands.
“Popular destinations like Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, and Fuerteventura are currently under “pre-alerts” due to unseasonably high temperatures and dry conditions… Wildfires in winter might sound ridiculous, but the pre-alerts have been given for good reasons.“
“Air pollution from fires linked to 1.5 million deaths a year…
“Around 450,000 deaths a year from heart disease were linked to fire-related air pollution between 2000 and 2019, the researchers said. A further 220,000 deaths from respiratory disease were attributed to the smoke and particulates spewed into the air by fire.”
“When climate change upends sacred rituals, the faithful adapt.
“The effects of a warming planet are changing the ways humans pray. From the peaks of Peru to the shores of Thailand, centuries-old rituals are transforming as the world continues to heat up.”
“International court to begin hearings that may shape global climate litigation…
“The hearings begin a week after developing nations denounced as woefully inadequate an agreement reached at the COP29 summit for countries to provide $300 billion in annual climate finance by 2035 to help poorer nations cope with climate change… Vanuatu will be the first of 98 countries… to present arguments to the ICJ.”
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 and heartfelt thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an “Economic” thread.
Very many thanks to this month’s kind sponsor, John Bee, who wishes me to exhort, “Go Steelers!”
“A strange new climate era is beginning to take hold…
“…in a year expected to be the hottest on record, the aspiration of that era [ie keeping 1.5 alive] appears dead… Rob Jackson, a climate scientist at Stanford University said in an email: “I never expected the world to blow past the 1.5 °C threshold so casually, as we’re doing today,” he said. “Two decades ago, no one believed that could happen.”“
“Scientists trying to figure out why the last two years have been so hot…
““We’re now 11 months going on 12 months after the peak of the El Niño event and global temperatures are still exceptionally high,” said Zeke Hausfather, a research scientist at Berkeley Earth, a non-profit climate analysis organization.”
“Unexplained heat-wave ‘hotspots’ are popping up across the globe…
“A new study provides the first worldwide map of such regions, which show up on every continent except Antarctica like giant, angry skin blotches. In recent years these heat waves have killed tens of thousands of people, withered crops and forests, and sparked devastating wildfires.”
“If it seems like the Northern Hemisphere pattern has been volatile this month, you’re not wrong.
“Based on 45-90°N daily variability of 500mb heights, November so far has been the most volatile since 1985. Centers of action have been over SW Alaska, Baffin Island, and N Europe.”
“Polar ice sheets decisive contributors to uncertainty in climate tipping points…
“Despite this, there is large uncertainty in their behaviour and more progress is needed in their modelling, observation, and theoretical understanding.”
“The melting of Greenland: a climate challenge with major implications for the 21st century…
“Greenland’s glaciers are melting at an alarming rate. Two recent studies, one coordinated by the University of Liège and published in Geophysical Research Letters, the other published in a scientific press release, reveal the scale of the problem.”
“Finally, Greenland is believed to have significant natural resources, including gold, silver, copper, oil, uranium and rare earth minerals… As Greenland looks to separate from Denmark, the U.S. should be ready with a hand extended.”
“The weather in Finland this autumn has been exceptional in many ways… Northern Lapland saw record high seasonal temperatures in November, and storms with near-hurricane winds swept through half of the country.”
“Heavy rain and melting snow, combined with unusually warm weather in late fall, have caused severe flooding in Finland, leading to the temporary closure of a major highway on Tuesday.”
“2024 already ‘wettest year ever recorded in Belgium’.
“Never before has so much rain been recorded in Belgium than this year. So far 1088.8 mm of precipitation have been recorded at the Met Office in Ukkel (Brussels) this year. It is already more than the record of 1088.5 mm set in 2001.”
“Thawing permafrost threatens dozens of mountain huts in Switzerland…
“Today, guests can still see a glacier from almost a third of the 152 SAC huts dotted across the Alps. By 2050, this will only be true for 10% of all SAC accommodation – and none by the end of the century.”
“Images reveal how climate change is upending life in Morocco’s oases…
“…limited rainfall and rising heat have dramatically affected these unique ecosystems and the culture they sustain. Morocco has lost two-thirds of its oases – lush, fertile areas in the desert – in just a single century.”
“South Africa will issue import permits for genetically engineered white and yellow corn from the US after a mid-summer drought that caused 22% drop in local production…
“South Africa could import about 800,000 tons of corn in the marketing year that runs from May 2024 to April 2025…”
“More records of November hottest night in SOUTH AFRICA (east part):
“24.0 [75.2F] Tzaneen; 22.8 Kruger; 21.1 Bourke; 18.8 Machadodorp… Today Fort Dauphin in Madagascar had a minimum temperature of 25.1C,its hottest November night in history”
“At least 24 people were injured and 620 homes destroyed on Wednesday when a tornado hit parts of Randfontein, west of Joburg.
“The injured were at the Umphakathi Mall when the tornado hit at about 1.15pm, Most of them had minor injuries and were shoppers at the Boxer supermarket. The tornado hit Randfontein, Mohlakeng and Toekomsrus.”
“Children among the dead and missing as heavy rains trigger floods in Sri Lanka…
“Sri Lanka has experienced heavy downpours and strong winds over the past two days that have flooded homes, fields and roads and forced authorities to suspend train services in tea-growing mountain areas.”
“Climate change is the final straw for Myanmar’s farmers…
“The net results are emerging food shortages across the central states where two million people are facing a potential famine and the United Nations is warning of a “total economic collapse” after late and heavy rains were blamed by farmers for ruining the recent planting season.”
“Starting on Tuesday, many areas in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces in northeast China have been experiencing a sharp temperature drop of more than 10 degrees Celsius.
“In Hegang City of Heilongjiang, the cumulative snowfall from 8 a.m. Tuesday to 8 a.m. Wednesday notched up 49.7 mm, breaking the local historical record for single-day snowfall in November.”
“Seoul has recorded its heaviest November snowfall since records began over a century ago in 1907.
“It caused significant disruption across the country, with local media reporting that flights had been grounded, roads closed, and that there were delays to transport services.”
“Endless record heat in the PHILIPPINES. The island of Cuyo is recording minimum temperatures >28C [82.4F] almost every day.
“Today min 26.6C at Borongan is a record hottest night for November. There is no end in sight to these hot and humid nights and this is the cool season.”
“Floods ravage four southern provinces [Thailand]…
“The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts that heavy rain in the eastern part of the South, driven by a strong northeast monsoon and a low-pressure system, will persist until Saturday.”
“Malaysia PM Says Tens of Thousands of People in Six States Hit by Flooding.
“The Meteorological Department on Wednesday issued a red alert warning for continuous heavy rain – indicating dangerous levels of downpour – in Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu states.”
“Heavy rains and flash floods in parts of Southeast Asia have hampered work at palm and rubber plantations, interrupted power supply and forced the evacuation of thousands of people.
“Indonesia and Malaysia, the world’s two biggest palm oil producers, have been hit by deadly landslides and power outages…”
“Disasters prevent millions from casting their votes in Indonesia’s regional head polls.
“Some 30 percent of 25,223 polling stations in North Sumatra failed to carry out the voting process after heavy rainfall triggered massive floods and landslides in various parts of the province.”
“Australia Facing Elevated Risk of Wildfires as Summer Looms.
“Some of Australia’s key wine growing regions, along with vast tracts of grazing land and regional towns, are facing higher risks of wildfires this summer, according to a seasonal outlook.”
“How Sydney Airport was the hottest place in the world on Wednesday…
“Sydney and other areas in eastern NSW are in the middle of a severe heatwave that’s making the end of spring feel more like the middle of summer. This early-season heat was so intense on Wednesday that the Sydney Basin briefly became the hottest place in the world.”
“Drought relief for South Australia farmers struggling with driest years on record.
“Upper South East and Mallee farmer Robyn Verrall said it was a “hand-up, not a handout”. “The next couple of months are going to be really hard,” she said. “Most areas are down by about 200 [millimetres] to 300mm of rain, so it’s not going to be any easier.””
“‘Tragic’ mass fish die-off devastates Amazon River channel amid historic drought…
“On the night of Nov. 12, fishers from the riverine community of Igarapé do Costa, near the city of Santarém in northern Brazil, began noticing fish dying in large numbers along the Aramanaí Channel, a waterway connected to the Amazon River and home to hundreds of fishing families.”
“Heavy rains cause deaths, flooding and landslides in Salvador [NE Brazil]…
“According to Climatempo, in November, Salvador recorded a volume of rainfall that exceeded the historical average for the month by more than 100%, recording 219.5 mm of rain…”
“HISTORIC HEAT IN THE CARIBBEAN – absolutely unprecedented heat nights with MINIMUMS up to 28.5C [83.3F] at Bonaire (never happened anywhere in the Caribbean so late).
“NOVEMBER HOTTEST NIGHT IN HISTORY: ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA Tmin 27.0; ST KITTS AND NEVIS Tmin 27.8 at Nevis.”
“Three days of torrential rainfall have caused severe damage to the road network in East and West Portland [Jamaica], with multiple landslides affecting several communities…
“Disaster Coordinator for the parish, Denise Lewis told The Gleaner on Tuesday that emergency teams are on high alert to deal with any eventuality.”
“[Massachusetts] cranberry farmers are turning bogs into wetlands through a federal program that pays them to stop farming the most challenging bogs…
“…falling prices, competition from cranberry growers in Wisconsin, Quebec and Chile, and climate change have made it increasingly difficult for the state’s farmers to continue on…”
“As the Great Lakes basin hits record-warm temperatures, it reminds us of what’s coming: Intense, lake-effect snow.
“These powerful, natural, snow-making machines will enhance lake-effect snow early in the season… Minimal ice cover from the previous winter played a role, meaning the lakes held more heat heading into this season.”
“‘Unprecedented’ climate extremes are everywhere. Our baselines for what’s normal will need to change…
“…extreme variations are now occurring in periods of ten years or even shorter. Consequently, multiple increases and decreases can cancel each other out over a 30-year period. This would hide the large changes in statistics of weather variables within that period.”
“COP29 saw a mix of victories and letdowns, but it failed at the fundamental objective of UN climate negotiations — to steer global cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and encourage national plans to contribute to those cuts.”
“Fifth UN plastics treaty talks mired in division as halfway point approaches…
“Petrochemical-producing nations such as Saudi Arabia and China have strongly opposed efforts to target plastic production, over the protests of countries that bear the brunt of plastic pollution such as small island nations and low- and middle-income countries.”
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 coffeeor become a Patreon supporter. A huge and heartfelt 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.
Very many thanks to this month’s kind sponsor, John Bee, who wishes me to exhort, “Go Steelers!”
“What we are witnessing is so insane it rewrites WORLD CLIMATIC HISTORY.
“The Moroccan Airport of the coastal town of Essaouira had a MINIMUM of 27.3C [81.1F], the highest in all its climatic history. In summer it has never been as high as today – the 24 November. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE HEMISPHERE.”
“Not only does it destroy the Moroccan National November record by >4C but it’s just 0.5C from the highest minimum ever recorded so late in the whole NORTHERN HEMISPHERE. Absolutely historic.”
“Record heat also in Mozambique. Pemba on the coast 3 days ago had a record high minimum of 26.5C [79.7F].
“Insanity in South Africa, with records destroyed every single day. Incredible minimum of 23.5C on the highlands at Postmasburg 1321m asl. Min 20.3 Addo.”
“Severe Flooding due to heavy rainfall in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“Severe flooding has hit Jeddah Governorate in Saudi Arabia due to heavy rainfall. The roads in the area are flooded, causing disruptions in traffic flow. The southern part of the city experienced the heaviest rain, leading to water accumulation and damage to vehicles.”
“Rescuers recover 20 bodies from flash floods and landslides on Indonesia’s Sumatra island…
“Torrential rains over the weekend caused rivers to burst their banks in four hilly districts in North Sumatra province, washing away houses and destroying farms.”
“Wedge Island fire: Residents north of Perth told to evacuate as bushfire escalates to an emergency…
““You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said. “There is a threat to lives and homes. Leave in a northerly direction towards Cervantes, if it is safe to do so.”
“Harsh heat wave between Paraguay, Northern Argentina, Bolivian plains and parts of Brazil with night temperatures up to 30C and daytime 42C. It will last the whole week before a cooling in the next weekend.”
“Coffee Prices Surge to 26-Year High Amid Brazil’s Drought and Supply Woes…
“The considerable increase in coffee prices this year results from major disturbances in important growing areas. A protracted drought has harmed coffee trees in Brazil, which raises questions about a smaller crop next season.”
“Heavy rains in Bolivia send mud crashing into the capital, leaving 1 missing and destroying homes…
“Torrential rain on Saturday caused a river to spill its banks, dislodging mud from a southwestern La Paz neighborhood where low-slung, shoddily built dwellings dot the hillside.”
“American Airlines Flight to Miami Makes Emergency Diversion After Passenger Breaks His Leg During Severe Turbulence…
“American Airlines flight AA930 from Sao Paulo made a more than four-hour flight to nowhere after turbulence struck the 24-year-old aircraft as it was flying at around 37,000 feet, prompting the pilots to return immediately from where the plane had taken off.”
“If you’ve noticed your flights feeling bumpier, you’re not alone. Scientists say that increased turbulence is becoming more frequent—and it has a lot to do with our changing climate.
“Turbulence occurs when an aircraft flies through irregular airflows. These are often caused by colliding air masses or obstacles like mountains.”
“Since 2000, the intensity and size of Western U.S. droughts have been dominated by heat, not lack of precipitation…
“Recent NOAA-funded research found that across the western United States, the climate factors driving drought intensity underwent a role reversal at the start of the 21st century. The West has entered a new era in which drought intensity and size are driven more by drying heat than lack of precipitation.”
“‘Bomb cyclone’ adds to growing extreme weather trend.
“The “once-in-a-decade” storm that devastated the Pacific Northwest last week caused widespread outages, damage, and at least two deaths. Data shows the storms are becoming more common. Could climate change be a key driver?”
“Tropical Storm Helene terrorized Western North Carolina’s farms in late September. Recovering is no easy task. And Helene was the not the first calamity that farmers across the state faced in 2024.”
“Northeast Ohio’s warm November may break weather records for area.
“CLEVELAND — It’s been a record warm November… *SO FAR*! At Cleveland Hopkins, the average temperature has been 50.8° for Nov. 1-23. That makes it the warmest on record for that period.”
“Record rainfall dampening spirits [Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada].
“A new record was set over the weekend in St. John’s. as of Sunday morning we reached a new monthly rainfall record for November. NTV’s Marykate O’Neill has more.”
“As Arctic climate warms, even Santa runs short of snow.
“Rovaniemi (Finland) (AFP) – With a month to go until Christmas, Santa Claus is busy preparing, but the warming climate and lack of snow in his Arctic hometown have him worried… on a recent visit, rain poured down from a gloomy slate sky and the temperature was well above freezing…”
“A mystery in Finnish Lapland, and what it means for the climate crisis…
“…recently, something has changed: Finland’s carbon sink is no longer working. In fact, in barely over a decade, its forests and peatlands have become a net emitter of carbon dioxide…”
“Forecasters and flood defences under scrutiny after UK’s Storm Bert ordeal…
“A huge clear-up is under way across swathes of Wales and England, with hundreds of properties flooded and a former Welsh mining town hit by a landslip from a coal tip, leaving buildings deep in sludge and mud.”
“More flooding likely this week after rain from Storm Bert, UK minister says…
“Mike Silverstone, the deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “On Tuesday night we’ll see outbreaks of rain spreading north-eastwards, which could be heavy at times.”
“Denmark strikes new weather record for warmest ever November night.
“The average temperature in Denmark on Sunday night was a highly unseasonal 13.3 degrees Celsius [55.9F], making it the warmest November night ever recorded in the country.”
“This Sunday was officially the warmest November 24 ever recorded in the Netherlands, Weeronline reports.
“At the De Bilt weather station, 14.7 degrees were measured around midday, putting the old record from 1980 out of the books. The old record stood at 14.4 degrees.”
“Temperatures of 26C [78.8F] recorded overnight in south-west France.
“Measurement smashes the national November record and comes only days after snow covered parts of the country. Parts of France are experiencing record-breaking temperatures only days after a fierce storm battered the country and caused up to 10cm of snow in some areas.”
“Violent winds in Lyon: a supermarket urgently evacuated, OL Vallée closed.
“Météo France has placed the Rhône on orange alert this Monday, November 25, 2024, due to strong gusts of wind in Lyon and the department. Emergency measures have been taken.”
“Rains cause flooding in the streets of Bollullos (Huelva), which activates the local emergency plan [SW Spain]…
“The heavy rains recorded on Monday morning in Bollullos Par del Condado have caused pipe vaults to break in streets, flooding some of them, which is why the City Council has activated the Territorial Emergency Plan for Civil Protection at Local Level.”
“Rich Countries Provide No Haven From Climate Doom, Study Finds…
“Investors largely agree that climate risks aren’t fully priced into markets, and academics are now studying what they’re calling the climate-sovereign debt doom loop to calculate the potential costs to countries.”
“How late $300bn deal left a sense of dissatisfaction and betrayal at Cop29…
“Yet rich countries said the deal was as much as they could deliver. “Developed countries have gone quite a long way to try and find a way through this, and at a time when public finances really are stretched,” said Ed Miliband, the UK’s energy secretary.”
“The climate crisis and all the evil in the world drives me to despair…
“I work in climate change and am having to pretend every day that there is still a chance we can prevent catastrophic climate change. I find it ever harder to be around people who don’t get just how bad things are.”
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 and heartfelt 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.
Very many thanks to this month’s kind sponsor, John Bee, who wishes me to exhort, “Go Steelers!”
“‘A harbinger of what’s to come:’ NASA satellites show massive drop in global freshwater levels…
Since 2015, our planet’s lakes, rivers and aquifers have lost 290 cubic miles (1,200 cubic km) of fresh water, the equivalent of emptying Lake Erie two and a half times… the freshwater levels have yet to recover — and may never come back.”
“Carbon Levels Soar As Natural Sinks Reach Their Breaking Point…
“…fires and droughts led to substantial vegetation loss, weakening the land ecosystem’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. This was further compounded by a particularly strong El Niño, which historically reduces the carbon absorption capacity in the Tropics.””
“Could UK have the lowest oilseed rape planted area since the 80s?
“…A 17% decline in the oilseed rape planted area is forecast for next year. This could be its lowest area in the UK for 42 years. The final area could be even lower depending on damage from pests.”
“Spain’s floods force some UK sellers to buy oranges from southern hemisphere…
“Some British retailers and wholesalers have been forced to switch to sourcing oranges from South Africa and South America early after last month’s “catastrophic” floods in eastern Spain left farmers struggling to harvest and ship their crops.”
“Spectacular turnaround in Western Europe: For example, Paris is having full winter conditions with snow but, with the hot air moving up from Morocco, will have a night min. temperature around +16C on Monday, typical of July!
“Hundreds of records of late November warmest nights will fall.”
“Depression Caetano results in November snow records in Switzerland…
“The heavy snowfall has led to record snow cover for November in various places in German-speaking Switzerland. In Lucerne, 42 centimetres of fresh snow were measured, in Glarus 36 centimetres and in Zurich and Basel 28 centimetres each.”
“Every day, until the end of the month, we will see temperatures up to 30/35C [95F], typical of mid summer with locally very hot nights as well. The same in Morocco. Very warm with tropical nights also in Madeira.”
“A Nigerian reserve, once a stronghold for chimps, is steadily losing its forest to farming…
“Oluwa is situated in the humid tropics, where nearly all fires are caused by human disturbance such as slash-and-burn agriculture …unlike ecosystems such as boreal forests that evolved hand-in-hand with fire, humid tropical forests are not adapted to fire and less likely to naturally recover.”
“South Sudan: Conflict and flooding fuels food crisis with 30% more children to face malnutrition.
““Large swathes of South Sudan are currently under water… Earlier this year, schools were closed across the country as scorching temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) threatened the lives of millions of school-going children.”
“Today the scorcher reached the Iranian coast with an exceptional 37.3C [99.1F] at Bandar Lengeh, a new record of highest temperature for November. The record heat will go on for any foreseeable future and will break all records for December as well.”
“Tajikistan: Over 1,000 Glaciers Have Melted in 30 Years (Minister)…
““Over the past 30 years, out of 14,000 glaciers in Tajikistan, more than 1,000 glaciers of vital importance to the entire region have disappeared,” stated Daler Djouma, the Tajik Minister of Energy and Water Resources, at an event held at COP29 in Baku, as reported on the ministry’s website.”
“Afghanistan: Caught between climate change and global indifference…
“In 2024, Afghanistan experienced severe flooding that devastated vital agricultural land in the northern provinces, and hundreds of people were killed. Before this, the country was ravaged by drought for three consecutive years.”
“Climate breakdown. Location Guangdong, China; Disaster Extreme rainfall, 2024. This is Jie’s story…
“”Over the past few years, I’ve become very aware of how the weather is affecting agriculture. The changes have been quite drastic. This spring, there was a lot of rain. With constant rain, there’s not enough sunlight so the seeds would get mouldy.””
“Typhoon Yagi disrupts Vietnam’s Tet crop supply, driving up prices.
“Super typhoon Yagi, striking Northern Vietnam in early September, affected traditional craft villages in Hanoi, notably impacting the peach and kumquat gardens in the Nhat Tan, Phu Thuong, and Tu Lien wards of Tay Ho District.”
“Bandung’s Cisunggala River Dam Collapses After Heavy Rains [Java, Indonesia]…
“Several areas remain inundated. In Bojongosang Village, floodwaters reached depths of 50-110 centimeters, while in Bojongsari Village, the depth ranged from 30-80 centimeters.”
“Preparing for climate chaos in Timor-Leste, one of the world’s most vulnerable nations…
“In Orlalan, the evacuation process during a disaster follows a meticulous five-step plan. First, national authorities issue an early warning of the impending danger. Community leaders then meet to assess escape routes and identify safe shelters.”
“Temperatures have soared about 15C above average as a heatwave moves through southeastern parts of Australia…
““Coonawarra in southeastern South Australia had its warmest November day, it got to 37.8C on Friday… places like Mount Gambier, Ballarat and at Essendon Airport around Melbourne Creek all [set] records for the warmest November night.”
“Elephant seal colonies in Argentina face long recovery after ‘catastrophic’ avian flu…
“The 300-kilometer (186-mile) coastline of the Valdés Peninsula, a popular breeding area for southern elephant seals, saw 17,400 of the 18,000 pups die at the end of last year, according to a December 2023 study in Marine Mammal Science.”
“Serious flooding reported in Mesitas del Colegio [Colombia]…
“Serious emergencies were reported on the night of Wednesday, November 20 due to torrential downpours that fell in the municipality of El Colegio, popularly known as Mesitas, where a river overflowed and, in addition, there was a collapse in the sewage system…”
“The city of La Ceiba, in the Caribbean of Honduras, is once again facing a serious flooding crisis, after the first cold front of the season generated intense rains in the region.
“During the early hours of Thursday, rainfall caused rivers and streams to overflow, affecting numerous neighborhoods and nearby communities.”
“Cuban agriculture reels as Hurricane Rafael worsens food shortages…
“Cuban farmer Leonardo Abreu… lost beans, yucca, mango and avocado trees and an almost unfathomable number of bananas. Fences, too. His power lines are down, his generator broken. He has not had electricity for two weeks. He has no water to irrigate crops.”
“Historic storm breaks Santa Rosa’s all-time three-day rainfall record [California]…
“As of 4 p.m. Friday, 12.47 inches had fallen on Santa Rosa since a massive atmospheric river barged into the North Bay early Wednesday. That volume of precipitation, said Rick Canepa, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, was the most since the service began keeping records on June 1, 1902.”
“Flash Drought Gripping US Threatens to Raise Food Prices in 2025…
“A flash drought that has taken hold of much of the US is threatening to push beef prices higher and could damage winter wheat crops across the Great Plains… ‘It meets the criteria of a flash drought,” Mark Svoboda said. “It really is the textbook definition of a rapidly intensifying drought.””
“So far in the month of November, 23 tornadoes have been recorded in Oklahoma. That’s nearly double the original record set in 1958. It’s possible that record will continue to grow, as tornado surveys are still ongoing.”
““We have already had more wildfires this fall than we had in the spring and we have burned almost three times the amount of acres this fall than we had in the springtime of this year,” Stelter said.”
“Lake St. Clair water temps: Almost hard to believe how warm it is…
“The current water temperatures on Lake St. Clair are blowing away the previous warm water record for mid-November… Lake St. Clair currently has the largest anomaly of surface water temperatures on the Great Lakes system.”
“Meteorological fall, which runs from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30, has been exceptionally warm for much of the eastern half of Canada… Quebec is no exception. Temperatures have run several degrees above seasonal for much of November…”
“Cop29: $250bn climate finance offer from rich world an insult, critics say…
“Juan Carlos Monterrey Gómez, Panama’s climate envoy, told the Guardian: “This is definitely not enough. What we need is at least $5tn a year, but what we have asked for is just $1.3tn.”
“Islam, nature, and climate change: faith-inspired solutions for a greener future…
“At Cop29, religious climate change activists are taking part in a “Faith Pavilion”, organised by the Muslim Council of Elders, a UAE based organisation, with a programme of workshops, plenary sessions and speeches offering spiritual, moral and ethical perspectives on climate action.”
“Proclaiming Jesus Christ in a time of climate crisis…
“If we regularly meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist personally, interpersonally and cosmically, then I think we will be ready and very willing to take up our responsibility for God’s creation and our common home.”
“Zen meets sustainability: Shaolin abbot champions Buddhist wisdom to combat climate crisis.
“Shi Yongxin, abbot of China’s Shaolin Temple, emphasised the need to shift humanity’s values and behaviours, promoting simplicity, respect for nature and “spiritual environmentalism” as key to achieving harmony with the planet.”
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 and heartfelt 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.
Very many thanks to this month’s kind sponsor, John Bee, who wishes me to exhort, “Go Steelers!”
“130-Year Record Broken: Mount Fuji Bare Again After Fleeting Snow.
“The volcano’s first snow of the season fell in early November 2024—the latest in a 130-year record—only to apparently vanish within a few days… the unprecedented delay follows a summer of record-high temperatures across Japan, including an unusually warm fall…”
“Disaster-hit Noto still struggling to recover two months after torrential rain…
“The record rainfall on September 21 claimed the lives of 15 people in Ishikawa Prefecture. Officials confirmed that the number of inundated or damaged houses rose to 2,168 as of Tuesday. In the cities of Wajima and Suzu, a total of 367 residents continue to live in shelters.”
“Storm Barrage Threatens Philippine Growth After Crops Flattened.
“Six powerful storms late in the season that ravaged crops and drenched vast areas of the Philippines have put the nation on track for record rice imports and raised concerns over elevated food inflation.”
“Charleville [Queensland] gets 68.2mm in an hour in intense downpour.
“The total is more than the mean rainfall for the entire month of November in Charleville, 44.7mm… Lesdale, a property about 28 kilometres out of Charleville, recorded 153 mm in the space of two hours.”
“South-eastern Australia will endure its first big heatwave of the season in the coming days, elevating fire risks and potentially straining the power grid in some states.
“Dean Narramore, a senior Bureau of Meteorology forecaster, said day and night temperatures would be as much as 8-14C hotter than usual for this time of year.”
“As the glaciers of South America retreat, the supply of freshwater is dwindling and its quality is getting worse. Peru’s… glaciers have shrunk by more than 40 percent since 1968, uncovering rocks that, when exposed to the elements, can trigger chemical reactions that leach toxic metals into the water and turn it acidic.”
“Blackouts, explosions, deaths: why the Caribbean is waking up to the increased threat of lightning…
“The Caribbean has experienced an increase in damaging lightning strikes over the past two decades, says Laing, who oversees the Severe Weather Forecasting Programme in the Caribbean in partnership with Météo-France in Martinique.”
“HISTORIC HOT NIGHTS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO & CARIBBEAN: BELIZE Min 28.7C [83.7F] HOTTEST NOVEMBER NIGHT IN CENTRAL AMERICA HISTORY.
“CURACAO min 28C RECORD HOTTEST NOVEMBER NIGHT; MEXICO Min. 27.9C Chetumal, 5.4 Merida Nov. records… November high temperature record: 37.6C in the Airport of Campeche in MEXICO.”
“2024’s record ocean heat revved up Atlantic hurricane wind speeds: study.
“Human-driven warming of ocean temperatures increased the maximum wind speeds of every Atlantic hurricane in 2024, according to a new analysis released Wednesday, highlighting how climate change is amplifying the destructive power of storms.”
“New threat emerges as atmospheric river combines with once-in-a-decade bomb cyclone on the West Coast…
““Life-threatening flooding across coastal Northwest California is expected due to the very strong and long duration atmospheric river,” the center warned. “Dangerous flooding, rock slides, and debris flows are likely.””
“…Sudden and extreme shifts from wet to dry seasons, which will become increasingly common as the world heats up, experts said, feed a cycle of vegetation growth that then dries out rapidly, providing ample fuel for fires.”
“Lake Erie incredibly warm for this time of year, shattering record…
“Lake Erie’s average surface water temperature on Sunday, Nov. 17, was 57.1 degrees. It is incredible that a Great Lake has almost a 60-degree water temperature in mid-November.”
“Lake Ontario at record warm levels, surpassing eight years ago…
“Lake Ontario is like Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Erie with record warm surface water temperatures… Lake Ontario isn’t just warmer than average now. The lake has spent most of 2024 warmer than normal.”
“Canada imports US electricity as droughts curb hydropower…
“…surging power demand linked to digitisation and the reshoring of manufacturing has collided with reduced electricity supply because of drought, complicating Canada’s energy transition and its trade relationship with its powerful neighbour.”
“‘My legs were getting smashed in. My face was burning’… This is climate breakdown.
“Olivia Dene is a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation… In 2023, she was caught up in the massive evacuation when the Wood Buffalo Complex fire broke out, burning more than 500,000 hectares in and around the national park. Across Canada, the 2023 wildfire season was unprecedented in its scale and intensity.”
“‘The land is tearing itself apart’: life on a collapsing Arctic isle.
“…on a late July afternoon, a team of Canadian scientists dived into the Beaufort Sea, bobbing and splashing in a sheltered bay for nearly two hours. Later, as they lay sprawled on a beach, huge chunks of the island they were studying slid into the ocean.”
“Weatherwatch: Fewer birds migrating to UK in winter due to ‘short-stopping’…
“Even if they do migrate, many are travelling shorter distances than before: stopping off in the Baltic states or the low countries, where again the late autumn and winter weather is far milder than it used to be.”
“‘Bluebottle’ jellyfish: Is climate change bringing them to Britain?
“According to the results of the Marine Conservation Society’s annual Wildlife Sighting report – released to coincide with World Jellyfish Day earlier this month – citizen scientists participating in the survey have recorded a 16% increase in Portuguese man o’ war sightings on the year prior.”
“Spain floods: Gruelling cleanup in town still haunted by the ghosts of deadly floods.
“Catarroja in Valencia province was ravaged by deadly floods which hit Spain at the end of October. Volunteers are helping with the “horrible” and “difficult” cleanup after basements were submerged in filthy water.”
“Kefalonia: Argostoli streets turn to rivers [Greece].
“After an hour of heavy rain, streets in the center were flooded – Water was even coming out of the wells… athletes were trapped under the stands of the “Andreas Vergotis” stadium as it was impossible to leave…”
“Two forest fire outbreaks in Tenerife: Emergency services mobilised.
“Both fires are affecting pine forest regions, with one located in the Tágara pine grove and the other below Montaña Teresme. The rugged terrain is complicating firefighting efforts.”
“Records of highest minimum temperatures broken today, list [on link] courtesy of ZA Meteorological Service. Note how some records were broken with huge margins up to 3C/4C,this shows how exceptional it was.”
“Madagascar’s huge ocean algae bloom was caused by dust from drought-stricken southern Africa…
“It is difficult to say exactly how many phytoplankton cells made up the bloom. However, this bloom off the Madagascar coast covered an estimated 2,000km².”
“…due to low rainfall, high temperatures and population pressure, the Maasai people in the Mara find themselves confronting a new challenge: finding clean water.”
“Israel sets a new all-time rainfall record in just 4 hours.
“A historic 196 mm (7.72 inches) of rain fell in Zikhron Ya’akov on Tuesday morning, November 19, 2024, marking Israel’s heaviest downpour on record and triggering widespread floods across the country.”
“Turkish strikes in Syria cut water to one million people…
“The attacks have added to the humanitarian crisis in a region reeling from a years-long civil war and four years of extreme drought exacerbated by climate change. Water had already been scarce, but attacks on electricity infrastructure in October last year shut off power to the region’s main water station…”
“Study raises concerns about the climate change and global conflict crises…
“The researchers revealed that climate-induced stress is already exacerbating existing socio-political tensions, often leading to the outbreak or escalation of conflicts.”
“Due to insufficient rainfall and recent droughts, now about two million hectares out of the three million hectares area of the country’s wetlands are dry and turned into sand and dust spots.”
“Cloudburst in Ramanathapuram triggers torrential rainfall, red alert issued…
“The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai confirmed the extreme weather event, with Pamban weather station recording a staggering 28 cm of rainfall by 5.30 pm, including 10 cm in a single hour from 1 pm to 2 pm.”
“A global overview of marine heatwaves in a changing climate.
“In recent decades, episodes of warm ocean temperature extremes have been associated with more intense and frequent impacts on marine organisms, ecosystems and reliant human industries around the world”.
“Climate change charts a dangerous course for the world’s largest fish…
“Warmer oceans are putting two giants of the sea on a collision course. Even at the size of a school bus, whale sharks — the world’s largest fish — are no match for cargo ships in busy shipping lanes: When the two collide, the sharks always lose.”
“The climate and biodiversity crises are entwined, but we risk pitting one against the other…
“…the biodiversity summit exposed troubling gaps between climate and biodiversity policy. For instance, key language addressing the need to transition away from fossil fuels and warning about the dangers of bioenergy was deleted from the summit’s final text.”
“Climate change is spoiling food faster, making hundreds of millions of people sick around the world…
“Extreme heat can hasten food spoilage by allowing bacteria to multiply faster, experts say. Rising waters from severe floods can contaminate crops with sewage or other unwanted waste products, while higher humidity can promote growth of salmonella bacteria…”
“Vatican in row at climate talks over gender rights…
“The Vatican has blocked discussions over women’s rights at the UN climate summit following a row over gay and transgender issues… Pope Francis’ representatives have aligned with Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, and Egypt to obstruct a deal…”
“Cop29 climate finance deal hits fresh setback as deadline looms…
“Faith in the ability of the Azerbaijan presidency to produce a deal ebbed on Thursday morning, as the draft texts were criticised as inadequate and providing no “landing ground” for a compromise.”
“Australia and Turkey in standoff to be host of crucial 2026 climate talks.
“Australia is locked in a standoff with Turkey over which will host vital UN climate talks in 2026, where the question of whether the world can limit global heating in line with scientific advice is likely to be decided.”
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 and heartfelt 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.
“Has global warming accelerated?” 
“Breaking news! November, 2024, came in at the second warmest in recorded history, at 1.62°C above the pre-industrial baseline.
“La Niña is here! The most recent El Niño wasn’t very strong!
“Ocean warming drives immediate mass loss from calving glaciers in the high Arctic.
“Killer whales have found new homes in the Arctic Ocean, potentially reshaping marine ecology…
“Record heat. During Sunday morning, Tafjord in Møre og Romsdal broke the Norwegian record for December temperature three times, 18.5C at 10am, 18.6C at 11am and 18.7C [65.7F] at 12pm [also a December record for Scandinavia].
“Could Tenbury Wells be the first UK town centre abandoned over climate change?
“Storms, droughts, Mediterranean hurricanes: Are marine heatwaves making natural disasters worse?
“Storm Bora brings days of flooding to Greece, with more rain ahead.
“A Greek party town has been left devastated by flash floods as Storm Bora – which has claimed the lives of three people – wipes out roads and bridges.
“Spain breaks yet another temperature record with the hottest November ever.
“Several December records in the same areas where November records where smashed. In Canary Islands 28.6 [83.5F] Santa Cruz de Tenerife yesterday: hottest December day in history.
“SUMMER IN WINTER IN MOROCCO – unbelievable 26C at 2am at Rabat, well above a typical summer night, before dropping few hours later. Tropical night at Sidi Ifni.
“Insane heat in TANZANIA. Minimums temperatures up to 27C [80.6F], unprecedented for November in the country.
“Kenya issues floods alert amid heavy rains…
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT ALL OVER THE TROPICS – thousands of records are being destroyed all over the tropics locally with margins never seen before.
“Study: Middle East Could Warm by Staggering 9 Degrees Celsius by 2100…
“Hailstorm breaks 42-year record in Duki as winter intensifies across Pakistan.
“This November was warmest on record in north India.
“At least 19 dead as Cyclone Fengal devastates southern India with heavy rain and flooding.
“Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri receive record rainfall…
“EXCEPTIONAL HEAT IN SRI LANKA – records of December hottest nights destroyed:
“In 2024, China’s average temperature hit new highs again and again, average temperatures in spring, summer and autumn all reaching historical highs.
“Japan witnesses warmest autumn on record.
“Unprecedented Rainfall Surges Beyond Expectations, Triggering Massive Floods in East Coast [Malaysia]…
“Malaysia-Thailand border region braces for more rain after deadly floods…
“Wettest November on record for parts of Queensland…
“Australia sweats through hottest spring on record as temperatures soar 2.5C above pre-industrial levels…
“A bushfire emergency warning is in place for people in WA’s Great Southern region, with fires threatening homes in the communities of Broomehill East and Broomehill Village.
“Antarctica is in crisis and we are scrambling to understand its future.
“Hail larger than an apple and winds of up to 120 km/h: what the storm left behind [Uruguay]…
“3 injured as wildfire rages through Chile’s Chacabuco Province…
“Insane heat allover the CARIBBEAN – it’s like August! With widespread minimum temperatures between 26C and 29C [84.2F], unprecedented for December…
“A Warning From a California Marine Heat Wave…
“December temperature record set to be broken in Phoenix already…
“D.C. just experienced its warmest November on record…
“Climate researcher: Amherst and Hartford, Conn., saw driest fall on record…
“This fall was warmest on record for Twin Cities…
“Historic snowfall blankets Northern Michigan as record-breaking totals reported…
“Scientists are measuring burps and farts. It could help save the planet.
“Three billion people globally impacted by land degradation…
“A strange new climate era is beginning to take hold…
“Scientists trying to figure out why the last two years have been so hot…
“Unexplained heat-wave ‘hotspots’ are popping up across the globe…
“If it seems like the Northern Hemisphere pattern has been volatile this month, you’re not wrong.
“Polar ice sheets decisive contributors to uncertainty in climate tipping points…
“The melting of Greenland: a climate challenge with major implications for the 21st century…
“Why Trump Really Should ‘Buy’ Greenland…
“Snowless Finns suffer ‘eco-grief’…
“Finland hit by rare autumn floods.
“2024 already ‘wettest year ever recorded in Belgium’.
“Thawing permafrost threatens dozens of mountain huts in Switzerland…
“Storm Bert broke the all-time windspeed record for mainland Spain and Portugal, and the Balearic Islands:
“Images reveal how climate change is upending life in Morocco’s oases…
“South Africa will issue import permits for genetically engineered white and yellow corn from the US after a mid-summer drought that caused 22% drop in local production…
“More records of November hottest night in SOUTH AFRICA (east part):
“At least 24 people were injured and 620 homes destroyed on Wednesday when a tornado hit parts of Randfontein, west of Joburg. 
“Eternal record heat in this little island Juan de Nova [Indian Ocean]; it sweeps every record every month.
“Children among the dead and missing as heavy rains trigger floods in Sri Lanka…
“Climate change is the final straw for Myanmar’s farmers…
“Starting on Tuesday, many areas in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces in northeast China have been experiencing a sharp temperature drop of more than 10 degrees Celsius.
“Seoul has recorded its heaviest November snowfall since records began over a century ago in 1907.
“Endless record heat in the PHILIPPINES. The island of Cuyo is recording minimum temperatures >28C [82.4F] almost every day.
“Floods ravage four southern provinces [Thailand]…
“Malaysia PM Says Tens of Thousands of People in Six States Hit by Flooding.
“Heavy rains and flash floods in parts of Southeast Asia have hampered work at palm and rubber plantations, interrupted power supply and forced the evacuation of thousands of people.
“Disasters prevent millions from casting their votes in Indonesia’s regional head polls.
“Australia Facing Elevated Risk of Wildfires as Summer Looms.
“How Sydney Airport was the hottest place in the world on Wednesday…
“Drought relief for South Australia farmers struggling with driest years on record.
“OCEANIA UNSTOPPABLE RECORD HEAT – tropics are boiling every day, more and records set during the 2023 Nino beaten one by one.
“‘Tragic’ mass fish die-off devastates Amazon River channel amid historic drought…
“Heavy rains cause deaths, flooding and landslides in Salvador [NE Brazil]…
“HISTORIC HEAT IN THE CARIBBEAN – absolutely unprecedented heat nights with MINIMUMS up to 28.5C [83.3F] at Bonaire (never happened anywhere in the Caribbean so late).
“Three days of torrential rainfall have caused severe damage to the road network in East and West Portland [Jamaica], with multiple landslides affecting several communities…
“EXCEPTIONAL HEAT IN MEXICO – absolutely Insane temperatures in the highlands at high elevations, typical of mid summer. 
“[Massachusetts] cranberry farmers are turning bogs into wetlands through a federal program that pays them to stop farming the most challenging bogs…
“As the Great Lakes basin hits record-warm temperatures, it reminds us of what’s coming: Intense, lake-effect snow.
“‘Unprecedented’ climate extremes are everywhere. Our baselines for what’s normal will need to change…
“COP29: Failure at the Foundations.
“Fifth UN plastics treaty talks mired in division as halfway point approaches…
“What we are witnessing is so insane it rewrites WORLD CLIMATIC HISTORY.
“Unbelievable MINIMUM 28.7C [83.7F] Sidi Ifni MOROCCO – 10C ABOVE JULY AVERAGE.
“Record heat also in Mozambique. Pemba on the coast 3 days ago had a record high minimum of 26.5C [79.7F]. 
“Two Britons are believed to be among more than a dozen people missing after a boat sank in the Red Sea off the Egyptian coast…
“Severe Flooding due to heavy rainfall in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“SE ASIA RECORD HEAT – exceptional heat continues unabated since March 2023,with records every single day.
“Rescuers recover 20 bodies from flash floods and landslides on Indonesia’s Sumatra island…
“Wedge Island fire: Residents north of Perth told to evacuate as bushfire escalates to an emergency…
“SOUTH AMERICA.
“Coffee Prices Surge to 26-Year High Amid Brazil’s Drought and Supply Woes…
“Heavy rains in Bolivia send mud crashing into the capital, leaving 1 missing and destroying homes…
“American Airlines Flight to Miami Makes Emergency Diversion After Passenger Breaks His Leg During Severe Turbulence…
“If you’ve noticed your flights feeling bumpier, you’re not alone. Scientists say that increased turbulence is becoming more frequent—and it has a lot to do with our changing climate.
“Long-term exposure to wildfire smoke in fire-riddled Southern California has been associated with diagnoses of dementia, researchers said Monday.
“Since 2000, the intensity and size of Western U.S. droughts have been dominated by heat, not lack of precipitation…
“‘Bomb cyclone’ adds to growing extreme weather trend.
“Worst year ever for farms in North Carolina.
“Northeast Ohio’s warm November may break weather records for area.
“Record rainfall dampening spirits [Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada].
“As Arctic climate warms, even Santa runs short of snow.
“A mystery in Finnish Lapland, and what it means for the climate crisis…
“Forecasters and flood defences under scrutiny after UK’s Storm Bert ordeal…
“More flooding likely this week after rain from Storm Bert, UK minister says…
“Denmark strikes new weather record for warmest ever November night.
“EXTRAORDINARY EVENT ONGOING IN EUROPE. Hundreds stations tonight were much warmer than a July average.
“This Sunday was officially the warmest November 24 ever recorded in the Netherlands, Weeronline reports. 
“Temperatures of 26C [78.8F] recorded overnight in south-west France.
“Violent winds in Lyon: a supermarket urgently evacuated, OL Vallée closed.
“Rains cause flooding in the streets of Bollullos (Huelva), which activates the local emergency plan [SW Spain]…
“Rich Countries Provide No Haven From Climate Doom, Study Finds…
“How late $300bn deal left a sense of dissatisfaction and betrayal at Cop29…
“The climate crisis and all the evil in the world drives me to despair…
“‘A harbinger of what’s to come:’ NASA satellites show massive drop in global freshwater levels…
“‘The 12-month moving-average global temp continues to be near record warm at 1.64 °C above the 1850-1900 average.’
“How hot is 2024?
“More climate trivia — here is a graph showing the single hottest day of each year, 1940 – 2024.
“Carbon Levels Soar As Natural Sinks Reach Their Breaking Point…
“Could UK have the lowest oilseed rape planted area since the 80s?
“Spain’s floods force some UK sellers to buy oranges from southern hemisphere…
“Spectacular turnaround in Western Europe: For example, Paris is having full winter conditions with snow but, with the hot air moving up from Morocco, will have a night min. temperature around +16C on Monday, typical of July!
“Depression Caetano results in November snow records in Switzerland…
“For the first time since records began, the Czech Republic’s average annual temperature is expected to surpass 10 degrees Celsius.
“This summer marked the hottest on record in the Aegean, Ionian and Cretan seas, with water temperatures surpassing 28 Celsius in extensive areas.
“Summer never ends in the Canary Islands.
“A Nigerian reserve, once a stronghold for chimps, is steadily losing its forest to farming…
“South Sudan: Conflict and flooding fuels food crisis with 30% more children to face malnutrition.
“Endless record heat in Middle East.
“Tajikistan: Over 1,000 Glaciers Have Melted in 30 Years (Minister)…
“Afghanistan: Caught between climate change and global indifference…
“Climate breakdown. Location Guangdong, China; Disaster Extreme rainfall, 2024. This is Jie’s story…
“Typhoon Yagi disrupts Vietnam’s Tet crop supply, driving up prices.
“Bandung’s Cisunggala River Dam Collapses After Heavy Rains [Java, Indonesia]…
“Preparing for climate chaos in Timor-Leste, one of the world’s most vulnerable nations…
“Temperatures have soared about 15C above average as a heatwave moves through southeastern parts of Australia…
“Climate Change: Australia’s Great Barrier sees hottest sea surface temperatures on record.
“Elephant seal colonies in Argentina face long recovery after ‘catastrophic’ avian flu…
“Serious flooding reported in Mesitas del Colegio [Colombia]…
“The city of La Ceiba, in the Caribbean of Honduras, is once again facing a serious flooding crisis, after the first cold front of the season generated intense rains in the region.
“CARIBBEAN RECORD HEAT – record warm nights in Honduras with 2 minimums in a row >27C [80.6F] at Roatan Island.
“Cuban agriculture reels as Hurricane Rafael worsens food shortages…
“Here is the anomaly chart for Gulf of Mexico sea surface temps… 4.2 standard deviations above the 1982-2011 mean…
“Historic storm breaks Santa Rosa’s all-time three-day rainfall record [California]…
“Flash Drought Gripping US Threatens to Raise Food Prices in 2025…
“Oklahoma shatters record for November tornadoes.
“Pennsylvania sees record wildfires this fall…
“Lake St. Clair water temps: Almost hard to believe how warm it is…
“Montreal Headed for Its Warmest Fall on Record…
“Cop29: $250bn climate finance offer from rich world an insult, critics say…
“Islam, nature, and climate change: faith-inspired solutions for a greener future…
“Proclaiming Jesus Christ in a time of climate crisis…
“Zen meets sustainability: Shaolin abbot champions Buddhist wisdom to combat climate crisis.
“130-Year Record Broken: Mount Fuji Bare Again After Fleeting Snow.
“Disaster-hit Noto still struggling to recover two months after torrential rain…
“Storm Barrage Threatens Philippine Growth After Crops Flattened.
“HISTORIC HEAT IN INDONESIA – 36.9C [98.4F] today at Sabu Island. HOTTEST DAY IN HISTORY FOR SABU ISLAND.
“Charleville [Queensland] gets 68.2mm in an hour in intense downpour.
“South-eastern Australia will endure its first big heatwave of the season in the coming days, elevating fire risks and potentially straining the power grid in some states.
“Where Glaciers Melt, the Rivers Run Red.
“Blackouts, explosions, deaths: why the Caribbean is waking up to the increased threat of lightning…
“HISTORIC HOT NIGHTS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO & CARIBBEAN: BELIZE Min 28.7C [83.7F] HOTTEST NOVEMBER NIGHT IN CENTRAL AMERICA HISTORY.
“2024’s record ocean heat revved up Atlantic hurricane wind speeds: study.
“New threat emerges as atmospheric river combines with once-in-a-decade bomb cyclone on the West Coast…
“I am growing increasingly concerned about a major flooding situation in northeastern Butte County, near Oroville and Chico. 
“Is the Northeast Entering Its Wildfire Era?
“Lake Erie incredibly warm for this time of year, shattering record…
“Lake Ontario at record warm levels, surpassing eight years ago…
“Canada imports US electricity as droughts curb hydropower…
“‘My legs were getting smashed in. My face was burning’… This is climate breakdown.
“‘The land is tearing itself apart’: life on a collapsing Arctic isle.
“Weatherwatch: Fewer birds migrating to UK in winter due to ‘short-stopping’…
“‘Bluebottle’ jellyfish: Is climate change bringing them to Britain?
“Spain floods: Gruelling cleanup in town still haunted by the ghosts of deadly floods.
“Kefalonia: Argostoli streets turn to rivers [Greece].
“Two forest fire outbreaks in Tenerife: Emergency services mobilised.
“Record heat again in the Cameroonese port of Douala.
“Update on SOUTH AFRICA Heat wave:
“Madagascar’s huge ocean algae bloom was caused by dust from drought-stricken southern Africa…
“Kenya’s Maasai Face Deepening Water Crisis.
“Israel sets a new all-time rainfall record in just 4 hours.
“Turkish strikes in Syria cut water to one million people…
“Study raises concerns about the climate change and global conflict crises…
“Water scarcity haunting Hour al-Azim wetlands [Iran]…
“Cloudburst in Ramanathapuram triggers torrential rainfall, red alert issued…
“A global overview of marine heatwaves in a changing climate.
“Climate change charts a dangerous course for the world’s largest fish…
“The climate and biodiversity crises are entwined, but we risk pitting one against the other…
“Climate change is spoiling food faster, making hundreds of millions of people sick around the world…
“Vatican in row at climate talks over gender rights…
“Cop29 climate finance deal hits fresh setback as deadline looms…
“Australia and Turkey in standoff to be host of crucial 2026 climate talks.