Thank you, all, for bearing with me in my absence, and huge thanks to August’s sponsor, who wishes to remain anonymous. At his request, I’m sharing a link to his brief but fascinating essay about Shakespeare’s The Tempest and the origins of Britain’s enslavement of Africans. He welcomes feedback in the comments section.
“Earth’s oceans just hit their hottest temperature ever—it’s only going to get worse…
“Average ocean temperatures hit a record 21.10 degrees Celsius (69.98 degrees Fahrenheit) on August 22, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service… The previous high, with a temperature of 21.09 degrees C (69.96 degrees F), occurred in March 2024.”
“Study suggests that climate change is intensifying El Ninos…
“El Ninos are more than 36% stronger than they were before the industrial age began in the mid 1800s, with a 16% jump in just the last 40 years showing that the increase is accelerating, according to a study in Thursday’s journal Science.”
“It’s an incredible 4.32°C degrees warmer than average in the Niño 1+2 region near Peru and Ecuador — closing in on the all-time record of 4.67°C set in 1983.
“In the central Pacific’s Niño 3.4 region, daily records have been set for 88 straight days. This El Niño means business.” [Ben Noll]
“The latest data for the global surface temperature has August 26th at 1.81°C above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial baseline.
“As a reminder, the rest of the year has to average 1.84°C or more above the baseline for 2026 to become the hottest year on record.” [Prof Elliot Jacobson]
“A new global study has revealed that permafrost is degrading across the globe at an unprecedented rate, with some mountain regions experiencing active layer thickening at more than 36cm per year… The active layer has increased significantly at 55% of Arctic sites and 38% of Antarctic sites between 2000 and 2024.”
“Siberia’s methane emissions have surged, and wildfires are only half the story…
“Since 2010, methane out of the region has risen about 5% a year, a new analysis estimates. By 2020 the annual total was more than double what it had been in 2010. That is warming making its own methane, on top of what people emit.”
“The total area of forest fires in Russia has reached the size of a small European country..
“The area burned by fire since the beginning of this year has reached 5 million hectares, equaling the territory of Slovakia, the Republic of Dagestan, and the Smolensk region… the total area of 4,5 million hectares has already been exceeded by half a million hectares compared to the same period last year.”
“The average temperature over the past three months at the institute’s main station in De Bilt reached 19.3C (66.7F), according to Dutch public broadcaster NOS. The figure surpassed the previous record of 18.9C (66.02F), registered in 2018.”
“Strict rules on French cheesemaking relaxed as farmers battle record heat and drought.
“Depleted grasslands have forced farmers to temporarily supplement their cows’ diets with feed from elsewhere. Widespread drought and record-breaking heatwaves have forced France to relax some of its famously strict rules on cheese production…”
“”It was the apocalypse”: a violent hailstorm hits the town of Pouligney-Lusans in the Doubs [France]…
“In Pouligney-Lusans, a town located between Besançon and Baume-les-Dames, particularly intense hailstorms fell around 7 p.m. The damage is very significant according to the mayor of the commune Jonathan Mesnier and the firefighters, contacted by ICI Besançon.”
“Southern Germany lashed by strong winds and supercell storms on Friday.
“The German weather service (DWD) warned of heavy rain, gale force winds and hail with hailstones up to 6 centimetres in diameter. Photos from the region showed fallen trees on broken rooftops, over railway tracks and on roads.”
“86-year-old hiker receives lost backpack 63 years after he fell into Austrian glacier…
“His long-lost belongings were preserved in glacial ice, but its melting led to their discovery last month when a hiker stumbled upon a backpack, an ice axe, a camera, and a pipe dating from the 1950s or 1960s, Austrian authorities said.”
“Violent hailstorm, grains like golf balls: cars massacred and tourists fleeing [italy].
“A very violent hailstorm hit yesterday, around 5.30 pm, in the territory of Abano, a town in the province of Padua. The sky suddenly black, a very strong storm, then the hailstones as big as golf balls.”
“Mussel die-off in Emilia-Romagna due to heat, farms issue SOS.
“Emilia-Romagna mussel farms are issuing an SOS due to a major die-off caused by high temperatures and the resulting critical conditions of marine habitats, which has already decimated the local clam industry.”
“Fifth heat wave, shocking temperatures: eight degrees above average [Sardinia; some record hot nights]…
“Lucifer’s grip is relentless, and yesterday it brought temperatures up to 46 [114.8F] degrees Celsius. The thermometer stopped at 45.8, recording the highest reading in Jerzu, in the heart of Ogliastra, while in Cagliari it reached 40.”
“Photos show European fishers on the brink as summer drought parches rivers, lakes and farms.
“Persistent drought and scorching heat this summer have ravaged ecosystems and businesses across the region, from a lake in Slovenia and the side channel of the Danube in Serbia, to fish farms in Bosnia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary.”
“Sea off Málaga Cools from 28°C to 16°C in a Week — New Record Set…
“…the record-cold water appeared [due to sudden upwelling] off Málaga at precisely the moment the Mediterranean as a whole is experiencing record heat. As of Tuesday, August 25, the average sea surface temperature across the Mediterranean stood at 28.3°C — 1.8°C above normal.”
“Algeria continues to battle wildfires that have officially killed 12 people and injured 54 others across the provinces of Jijel, Bejaia, and Tizi Ouzou.
“However, social media reports say the toll is much higher… According to Algeria 360, citing the Civil Protection, authorities recorded 174 fires between Thursday and Friday morning, including fires affecting forests, agricultural land, palm groves, and haystacks.”
“EXTRAORDINARY 50 DEGREES [122F]. MOST EXTREME HEAT WAVE IN AFRICA HISTORY.
“All-time records: ALGERIA – 49.4 Tarf, 48.6 Annaba etc. TUNISIA – 49.2 Beja, 47.0 Siliana etc… 33.4 Bilma HOTTEST AUGUST NIGHT EVER RECORDED IN NIGER… 46.8C Faya HOTTEST AUGUST DAY IN CHAD HISTORY (after the 47C record in July)… 29.8 Dori HOTTEST AUGUST NIGHT EVER IN BURKINA FASO.” [Extreme Temps]
“EXTRAORDINARY 43 DEGREES IN WINTER – ONE OF THE MOST EXTREME EVENTS IN WORLD HISTORY:
“Mind blowing winter heat in NAMIBIA – 42.5 [108.5F] at Walvis Bay AP right on the ocean is HOTTEST WINTER DAY EVER RECORDED IN SOUTHERN AFRiCA.” [Extreme Temps]
“Dramatic weather hits Saudi Arabia as lightning illuminates Mecca, sandstorm engulfs Medina.
“Dramatic weather conditions swept across Saudi Arabia, with lightning illuminating the skies over Mecca during thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, while strong winds brought a dust and sandstorm to Medina.”
“India: Data centers boom as water supply runs low.
“More than half of India’s data centers are located in water-stressed regions, according to a recent report by World Resources Institute (WRI) India. The city of Ghaziabad is one of the regions where groundwater remains overexploited.”
“A massive glacier collapse triggered the deadly Nepal Tibet disaster.
“Some background: The glaciers in this Langtang region have lost ~41% of their area since ~1815 – and the rate of loss has increased 4X since the 1970s – as these high elevations warm roughly twice as fast as the global average. ” [Jeff Berardelli]
“Search-and-rescue operations halted as another dam collapses along Nepal-China border.
“A dam has collapsed for the second time in two days in the Himalayan region along the Nepal-China border… Nepali authorities suspended rescue operations and ordered on-site personnel and residents to evacuate immediately after the latest incident.”
“On the evening of August 27, Panyu District in Guangzhou [south China, nr Hong Kong] experienced 260mm [10.2 inches] of rainfall in 6 hours due to thunderstorms, causing flooding on some roads.”
“The water level in Ningming, Guangxi [south China], rose to its highest point today, exceeding the warning level by 7.69 meters and surpassing the historical record by 1.07 meters!”
“Repeated Typhoons Deepen Congestion at Shanghai and Ningbo Ports…
“The latest disruption comes from Typhoon Saudel, following earlier closures caused by Typhoons Bavi and Dolphin during July and August. With ports repeatedly suspending operations and vessels falling behind schedule, congestion has continued to build across two of the world’s most important container shipping hubs.”
“How typhoons and extreme weather could undermine Taiwan Strait combat readiness.
“The record heat and extreme weather seen across East Asia this summer have prompted warnings that climate change will be an increasing challenge for military planners focused on potential flashpoints such as the Taiwan Strait.”
“According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, over the 12 hours through 9 a.m. on Aug. 27, rainfall reached 317.5 millimeters in Hakui, Ishikawa Prefecture, and 317 mm in Himi, Toyama Prefecture. Both figures were record highs, with rain equivalent to about 1.7 times the average August total in each location falling in a short period.”
“JAPAN RECORD HEAT. Record heat never ends in Japan:
“Hundreds of records have fallen non-stop since mid July. Terribly hot and humid nights and more – ALL TIME HIGH MINIMUMS RECORDS: 28.8 [83.8F] Arikawa, 28.7 Yamaguchi, 28.2 Kudamatsu, 27.6 Tomogashima Island. September will smash every record!” [Extreme Temps]
“Sea-ing red: Marine heat wave days nearly quadruple, 4.8 million fish dead [South Korea].
“The seas around Korea are running a fever. Marine heat waves have occurred 3.7 times as often over the past decade as the long-term average. The prolonged heat is already taking a mounting toll on fish farms and marine ecosystems.”
“MINIMUM 30.2C [86.4F] Tak is HOTTEST AUGUST NIGHT EVER RECORDED IN THAILAND. Broken a dozen times already this month (14 times that of August)… Since early 2023, Thailand has been breaking and rebreaking every record non-stop.” [Extreme Temps]
“Climate Change and Financial Losses Force Farmers to Cut Cassava Planting Up to 40% [Cambodia]…
“Rising temperatures and lowland flooding are harming cassava crops, with cultivation land declining by up to 40 percent, prompting farmers to scale back cultivation and shift to higher ground despite improving market prices.”
“HOTTEST AUGUST NIGHT EVER IN INDONESIA – 25.6 [78.1F] Padang. AUGUST RECORDS: 38.0 Phattalung THAILAND… HIGHEST MINIMUMS MALAYSIA – 26.7 Kuching, 26.4 Kuala Trengganu, 26.3 Alor Setar.” [Extreme Temps]
“‘Everything is covered in ash’: Indonesia wildfires leave people in crisis.
“As wildfires burn across Indonesia, forcing schools to close and thousands to seek medical treatment for exposure to thick haze and ash, locals in West Kalimantan say the situation is more serious than it has been in years.”
“Another MINIMUM of 29.0C [84.2F] at Infanta is HOTTEST AUGUST NIGHT EVER RECORDED IN THE PHILIPPINES. Record broken and tied already several times this month.” [Extreme Temps]
“LUBAO, Pampanga, Philippines — The provincial government of Pampanga ordered a mass evacuation of residents living in danger zones after heavy rain spawned by the southwest monsoon caused damage to the Sta. Rita Dam…
“Gov. Lilia Pineda issued the order after the dam failed to contain the water, triggering flooding in several areas.”
“Spring scorcher to follow record warm winter for Australia’s south-east capitals…
“For Sydney and Melbourne, winter has been the warmest on record, with a mean temperature above all previous years in the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) meteorological history for both cities dating back to the 1850s. Canberra also saw its highest ever winter temperatures…”
“Tanker pays record $5.3m to transit Panama Canal amid El Niño drought.
“A tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas paid a record $5.3 million (€4.5 million) for priority passage through the Panama Canal ahead of El Niño-related restrictions, the waterway’s deputy administrator told AFP on Thursday.”
“28.8C [83.8F] yesterday in La Molina Station, it’s a new metropolitan record of the August highest temperature in history. Previously this month, the maritime Callao Int. Airport also broke its August record with 25.7C.”
“Peru Is Losing a Battle Against Illegal Gold Mining in Its Rainforests.
“As wealthy people and governments seek refuge in gold from inflation, wars and geopolitical instability, the heyday of the precious metal has turned mining into such a magnet that, since last year, illegal miners have deforested an area equivalent to roughly 700 soccer fields within Tambopata…”
“Strong storm in Santa Fe: trucks overturned on the roads and the alert for storms with hail remains in place [Argentina]…
“The Zonda wind caused the overturning of approximately 10 trucks, to which they continue to evaluate the magnitude of the damage caused by the storm: “The trucks were left on the side of the road because the weather affected traffic; the most affected is the urban area”.”
“EXTRAORDINARY RECORD – 39.6C [103.2F] yesterday in the famous tourist town of Santa Marta COLOMBIA. It destroys in pieces its ALL TIME RECORD.
“Over 220 countries and territories (>95% of the total) are breaking heat records these weeks. There has never been anything like this.” [Extreme Temps]
“Record heat keeps sweeping the Caribbean. No country or island has been sparred by heat records, except for Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao (but only for now). Tonight it was BARBADOS’ turn: the MIN. of 27.5C [81.5F] in The Int. AP was the highest ever recorded in August.” [Extreme Temps]
“Extreme Ocean Heatwave South Florida. Coral rescues are ongoing.
“NOAA: Highest Alert possible (Alert Level 2). Coral have now been under 17 weeks of heat stress, an event only 2nd to the unprecedented 2023 heatwave. If you are a diver/snorkeler like me you’ve seen first hand the damage to our ecosystem.” [Jeff Berardelli]
“Ross Fire Burns 85,000 Acres: Flash Drought Whiplash Fuels North Texas Record.
“The Ross Fire, which ignited in Palo Pinto County on the afternoon of Monday, August 24, has burned 85,000 acres — approximately 133 square miles — across North Texas ranchland and was 26% contained as of Thursday evening, August 27, making it the second-largest wildfire in North Texas history.“
“I keep looking at these September forecasts [for the US] thinking: surely not again.
“July: hottest on record. August: certain to be hottest on record. September: now threatening the record. We may genuinely be staring at three consecutive record warm months across the CONUS. I can hardly believe what we’re watching unfold.” [The Global Warmer]
“Arizona heat shows no mercy to homeless families living in cars…
“When Valley temperatures hit a record high Wednesday, Candice Ortiz said despite working two jobs, her car was the best she could offer her family. She said they have been living this way for seven months. “There’s four of us. Sometimes, five,” Ortiz said.”
“Northern Nevada Public Health has declared a local public health emergency following the Hawk, Bug and Stallion fires.
“In a post on social media, they say the ash, debris and hazardous materials at properties destroyed or damaged by the fires can include chemicals, fuels, household products and other substances that may be toxic, cancer-causing, flammable, corrosive or reactive.”
“Nevada’s Colorado River Suit Previews Future Water-Scarcity Wars.
“A recent lawsuit challenging federally mandated cuts to Colorado River water use previews legal battles likely to intensify as river basins providing water for millions begin to dry up amid climate change and increasing water demand in the West.”
“Extreme weather has cost California farmers over $800 million this year.
“This year’s snow levels in the Northern Sierra and Cascade mountains fell to 0% of their typical June average. These snow packs are needed each year to melt slowly throughout the summer and fall providing crucial water supply to the state.”
“Los Angeles reached a 73°F dew point, tying the highest hourly dew point ever observed there, with records extending back to 1931. Even more remarkably, 5 separate all-time hourly dew point records were set or tied today. Truly tropical air for coastal Southern California.” [Extreme Temps]
“Trump official faces inquiry over claims he diverted wildfire resources to his own property.
“Donald Trump’s administration is facing calls to launch an investigation into allegations that Michael Boren, a senior official who oversees the US Forest Service, pressed agency staff to deploy additional resources to fight a fire burning near his Idaho ranch.”
“Trump rollback of US forest protections could accelerate extinction of 400 endangered species…
“The Trump administration moved last week to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, citing “outdated restrictions [that] have kept tens of millions of forested acres off-limits to the very treatments that improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk to our communities”.”
“COP31 President ‘encouraged by growing momentum’ ahead of Antalya Summit.
“COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum has acknowledged the world faces both “challenges” and “opportunities” as it works to tackle the escalating climate crisis… Kurum emphasized that …working together with shared responsibility can deliver inclusive, practical, and ambitious climate outcomes.”
“What ‘The Odyssey’ can teach us about climate chaos.
“”The Odyssey” — a post-Trojan War survival story — is set during the Bronze Age collapse of civilization. A new study links that collapse to a severe climate shift. And the authors warn of “implications for the future.””
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You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an “Economic” thread.
Huge thanks to August’s sponsor, who wishes to remain anonymous. At his request, I’m sharing a link to his brief but fascinating essay about Shakespeare’s The Tempest and the origins of Britain’s enslavement of Africans. He welcomes feedback in the comments section.
“AI analysis reveals dramatic rise in global ocean algae blooms.
“An analysis of 1.2 million satellite images powered by artificial intelligence has uncovered a massive expansion of floating seaweed across the world’s oceans, which scientists say could damage and reshape marine habitats and coastal ecosystems.”
“Lough Neagh algae crisis deepens as local businesses and wildlife suffer [Northern Ireland].
“The ecological crisis in Lough Neagh, the UK and Ireland’s largest freshwater lake, has significantly worsened as toxic blue-green algae blooms continue to devastate local businesses, wildlife, and public health.”
“Swimmers are being warned not to enter the water at the first official bathing site on the River Thames, in south-west London, because of toxic blue-green algae in the water.
“The blue-green algal blooms are rare in moving water but are likely to be caused by the extreme heat, low river flow, and nutrient pollution from sewage waste.”
“A new Nature Communications study reveals that around half of European rivers and streams are affected by salinisation, while more than 23,000 km of the river network (around 2%) exceed 1 mS/cm, a salinity level well above available international standards for the protection of aquatic life.”
“Millions in France report eco-anxiety after summer of heatwaves and wildfires.
“Record-breaking heatwaves, drought and wildfires are driving a surge in eco-anxiety across France, with some sufferers “paralysed” by panic attacks, unable to work and, in the most severe cases, experiencing suicidal thoughts.”
“French farmers dip into winter fodder as drought leaves pastures bare.
“Repeated heatwaves and drought have made it a punishing summer for French farmers – scorching pastures, straining livestock and driving up costs. With grass disappearing from fields, cattle farmers across the country are already dipping into fodder meant to feed their herds through winter.”
“Scorching summer triggers record rockfalls in Alps, scientist says.
“This year “will undoubtedly be a record year” both in terms of the frequency of rockfalls and the sheer volume of rock breaking away from the mountains on an almost daily basis, the research director at CNRS, France’s national scientific research centre, told AFP.”
“Monaco Marine Heatwave Shatters Records as Sea Temperatures Stay Above 28°C for 39 Days.
“The situation is unprecedented. For several weeks, record-high temperatures have been recorded across the Mediterranean. But behind the striking figures lies another phenomenon that is even more concerning for ecosystems: the length of these heat episodes.”
“Spain ends August with unusual-for-summer storm and very heavy downpours.
“Meteored forecasts that coming weather system will bring a marked increase in instability in its wake, triggering warnings of storms accompanied by locally heavy rain and other adverse weather conditions.”
“Thunderstorms in Liguria, train struck by lightning and flooding in Tigullio. Portofino isolated [Italy].
“More than 100 millimeters [4 inches] of rain are being exceeded, in two hours, in the Bisagno basin of Genoa. Likewise, 103 millimeters were recorded in one hour in Chiavari. The village of Portofino is isolated due to a landslide…”
“Deadly overnight storms batter Germany as tornado hits region.
“A tornado struck the town of Fürstenwalde, 78 kilometers (49 miles) southeast of Berlin. Roofs were torn off and several cars were damaged by falling trees, and one person was injured, according to dpa.”
“RECORD HEAT IN THE BALKANS – both Western and Eastern Europe are again with record heat!
“Today it was scorching hot also in The Balkans, locally >40C. In Particular, the BOSNIA town of Gradacac had its hottest day in history with 41.0C [105.8F]. More records tomorrow.” [Extreme Temps]
“Wildfires across Greece amid late-summer heatwave.
“Water-dropping aircraft and firefighters on the ground battled to contain at least five wildfires across Greece amid high late-summer temperatures Friday… A heatwave is forecast to persist through the middle of next week, with temperatures hitting a maximum 42 degrees Celsius [107.6F].”
“‘Another kind of lockdown’: Inside Europe’s hottest town transformed forever by climate change…
“The shift is clear across the town of 20,000 near Syracuse, on Sicily’s south-eastern coast. Piazza del Popolo, long the central gathering spot with its cafes, palm trees and civic buildings, now stands largely empty for much of the day.”
“Climate change is raising diarrhea risk for children across Africa.
“According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is also a leading cause of malnutrition in young children. The viruses, bacteria, and parasites behind the disease tend to thrive in warmer, wetter conditions. As the planet heats up, these pathogens are expected to spread further.”
“EXTRAORDINARY – WORLD CLIMATIC HISTORY REWRITTEN; 40c 1[04F] IN WINTER IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.
“We are witnessing something beyond any imagination with records smashed every day and full summer Temperatures. SOUTH AFRICA HIGHLANDS – 37.0 Augrabies Falls, 33.6 Brandvlei, MADAGASCAR, 36.0 Mahajanga.” [Extreme Temps]
“Sudan farms lie barren as El Nino leaves Nile banks dry.
“Along the bone-dry riverbanks of the Nile in Sudan, farmers struggle to pull water to their crops. Others gather to pray for rainfall over cracked earth. Across the country, farmland that could feed the world’s largest hunger crisis many times over lies fallow, as weary farmers once again find themselves in the crosshairs of faraway destruction.”
“Record heat never ends in Central Asian Republics: temperatures still reach 44C [111.2F] in Turkmenistan with Minimums locally >30C. Earlier this month TAJIKISTAN had its hottest August night in history: min 28.7C at Parkhar, after breaking that of July.” [Extreme Temps]
“Record rainfall in several districts of Punjab [Pakistan]…
“Several districts of Punjab have received record rainfall during the sixth spell of the monsoon that began on August 16.. According to statistics released by the Housing Department Punjab, Jhelum recorded the highest rainfall, with an average of 368.6mm and a maximum of 498mm [19.6 inches].”
“Indian elephants are being squeezed out of their habitats.
“India’s elephant population has declined 18% since 2017 to 22,446, as infrastructure development fragments habitats and forces conflicts with humans… wild elephants are now restricted to a mere 3.5% of their historical range, driven out by rapid agricultural expansion, mining, highways, and rail tracks.”
“‘It was a tsunami’: Floods leave death trail in India’s Assam…
“Kukil Das, a 30-year-old Facebook vlogger in Debiram’s village of Nepali Khuti, told Al Jazeera that “the torrent of the flood was like an apocalyptic event seen in the movies. “Trees as tall as 30 to 40 metres (100-130ft) came down from the hills, flooding the river, and wiped out everything as they crashed against our homes,” he said. “There is no home left. It was a tsunami.””
“The death toll from a recent typhoon in China’s southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has reportedly spiked. State media say the figure now exceeds 150.
“Typhoon Maysak caused extensive damage and flooding last month. On July 9, local authorities said 39 people had died. China Central Television says the figure as of Friday stands at 159, adding that more than 1.65 million people were affected.”
“President Lee Jae Myung Declares Geoje, Tongyeong Special Disaster Zones [S Korea].
“Regions declared as special disaster zones will receive additional national funding to cover part of the local government’s share of recovery costs. Affected residents will be provided with disaster relief funds, along with deferred payments for national and local taxes, and reduced public utility fees.”
“Philippines floods fuel anger over alleged corruption.
“Weeks of monsoon rain have flooded northern Philippines, where residents are demanding answers over alleged corruption in flood-control projects. Al Jazeera’s Jamela Alindogan is there.”
“Record heat never ends in Indonesia. Today more records of August Highest MINIMUMS were broken: 26.3 [79.3f] Miri, 26.0 Bengkulu… Kuantan in MALAYSIA also had its hottest August day in history with 36.1C.”
“Wildfire Smoke Disrupts Flights at Airports Across Kalimantan.
“Forest and land fires in parts of Indonesia’s Kalimantan have begun disrupting air travel, with thick smoke affecting operations at Singkawang Airport in West Kalimantan and causing flight delays at Iskandar Airport in Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan.”
“Smoke transport in the Arctic and intense seasonal fires in Indonesia.
“Wildfire emissions have significantly increased in some regions in the past two weeks, as seasonal fires start to increase in Indonesia, and are expected to be enhanced by El Niño. Wildfires in North America and Eurasia sent thick columns of smoke around the Northern Hemisphere, including the Arctic…”
“Australians are set to battle record-breaking temperatures this Spring as the country is expected to also record its wettest El Nino year on record.
“Across the country, frequent rainbands persist into August while temperatures are expected to rise as El Nino takes full effect through the end of winter and into spring.”
“Antarctic krill fishing is now concentrated in the exact pattern conservation rules were designed to prevent.
“The companies fishing for Antarctic krill have harvested so much so quickly that the season had to close in August 2026, three months before it was scheduled to end. That’s the second consecutive year of an early closing… [but] what currently concerns me most is how locally concentrated that harvest has become.”
“Storm-Battered Hawaii Faces Torrential Rain, Mudslide Threat…
“Another five to 10 inches of rain are expected through the weekend, with as much as 15 inches in some parts of the Big Island, according to an update from the US National Hurricane Center. The system is forecast to reach tropical-storm strength Friday, when it would be assigned the name Moke.”
“Peru rescues people trapped by landslides on highway for nearly a week.
“Authorities have begun helicopter evacuations in Peru’s Arequipa region after heavy rains and landslides destroyed sections of the Southern Coastal Highway, leaving dozens of people and vehicles stranded for six days.”
“Endless Extraordinary Heat in Tropical Americas RECORDS ARE FALLING IN EVERY COUNTRY.
“Last Records of August Highest MINIMUMS – 28.7 Liberia COSTA RICA, 20.9 Chilpancingo MEXICO, 25.2 St Georges and St Laurent FRENCH GUIANA. Still >40C [104F] in COLOMBIA where records are falling every day.” [Extreme Temps]
“Climate Change Is Driving More Warm Summer Nights in U.S. Cities…
“New analysis shows that the number of unusually warm summer nights has risen since 1970 in 95% of 243 major U.S. cities. On average, these cities now experience 24 more such nights each summer than they did in the early 1970s.”
“Congress must act now to keep the Rio Grande flowing…
“The river has already lost 85% of its natural flow, delivering just 15% of its historic volume to the Gulf. Meanwhile, snowmelt that sustains the basin has dropped 17% since the year 2000 and is projected to decline another 16–28% as the climate warms. The consequences are profound.”
“The US has a plan to save the Colorado River. Experts say it won’t be enough to stop the crisis.
“Under the new federal framework, California, Arizona and Nevada could collectively lose up to 3m acre-feet of water – roughly 40% of their supply – per year… The document doesn’t spell out how exactly those cuts would be handed out.”
“Hundreds of America’s wild horses reportedly sent to slaughter under Trump.
“This week, the New York Times reported that several hundred of America’s wild horses have been sold to slaughter, in a total betrayal of public trust, congressional direction and the historic legislation that first set the stage for their protection in the mid-twentieth century.”
“Microburst hurls Alabama sunroom 225 feet into front yard.
“Footage from a home in Ashford, Alabama, captured the moment a microburst obliterated a sunroom during an evening of severe storms. The video shows wind and rain lashing the house, knocking down an exterior wall along with windows and furniture.”
“A Flooded Basement, A Failing Heart: Real Face of Climate Change in Brooklyn…
“In Brooklyn, thousands of seniors and immigrant families live in basement apartments. During devastating storms, these homes — the last frontier of affordable housing — become deathtraps.”
“Rare Tornadoes Hit New York City as Storm Drenches Mid-Atlantic.
“Rare tornadoes struck New York City and Long Island on Thursday evening, as severe weather drenched parts of the Mid-Atlantic and disrupted traffic on some major highways… The Long Island tornado damaged cabanas and buildings at Sun and Surf Beach Club…”
“Say what you will about the tropical Pacific ocean, but the North Atlantic, with its lack of tropical weather and ample amounts of Saharan dust, is nearing record daily highs.
“Here’s a snapshot of August 19th, 1982-2026:” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
“Hurricane forecasters watch ‘unusual’ activity in Atlantic.
“An area of low pressure off the coast of Portugal may transition into a tropical storm over the weekend… No hurricane has ever made landfall on mainland Portugal, according to the historical database.”
“…with the new Westerly wind burst and a reduction of tradewinds… along with a historically strong oceanic kelvin wave… I would give two or three weeks and sea surface temperatures and anomalies will really start skyrocketing upward not just a little bit but potentially at very alarming rapid rates…
“Also it is worth noting that the sub surface Max anomaly is around 11.1°C above average and I’m not saying that lightly either. We are seeing the highest subsurface anomalies out of any previous El Niño…” [David Schlotthauer]
“…increasing global climate anomalies, poleward shifting of climate zones, increased rainfall extremes, more rapid flash droughts and fires, and marine heat waves are a result of accelerating human-made global warming. The abnormal El Nino strength is itself likely human-driven.” [Prof Jim Hansen]
“We’re now on day 83 of record breaking daily global sea-surface temperatures. There’s still an outside chance that this year could break the all-time daily record set back on April 24, 2024.
“The Climate Casino is taking the Over.” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
“A study by the University of British Columbia (UBC) found that temperatures during the wine growing season have drastically increased around the world. “That kind of change can affect harvest times, grape ripening, and thus the taste of the wine,” reports UBC’s Elizabeth Wolkovich, one of the study authors.”
“”Wheat is one of the world’s most important food crops, which means climate-related production problems can quickly have global consequences. This study shows that we need to view drought as an international challenge rather than a series of isolated local events,” says Jørgen E. Olesen.”
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 coffeeorbecome a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an “Economic” thread.
Huge thanks to August’s sponsor, who wishes to remain anonymous. At his request, I’m sharing a link to his brief but fascinating essay about Shakespeare’s The Tempest and the origins of Britain’s enslavement of Africans. He welcomes feedback in the comments section.
“The Iran war energy crisis is just getting started.
“The Iran war has pushed the global oil refining industry to the brink, signalling that diesel and gasoline prices may remain elevated for years. Deal or no deal, the global energy inflation shock is far from over.”
“Western oil refinery closures set to continue despite war shock.
“North America and Europe to lose further capacity to turn oil into petrol, diesel and jet fuel because of investor wariness… European oil refinery capacity is set to shrink by a fifth over the next decade… In the US, S&P expects a 7 per cent fall in the 10 years to 2035…”
“Iran goes on offensive as diplomacy with US stalls.
“Tehran appears to have concluded that “if confrontation becomes unavoidable, Iran should escalate earlier and more forcefully rather than wait for the United States or Israel to define the terms of the conflict”, says one analyst.”
“Trump threatens Iran’s trade partners, as military strikes make way for economic pressure…
““Today, I am announcing the most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Any country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face tremendous economic consequences.””
“Iranian Oil Supply to Chinese Refiners Squeezed by US Blockade…
“The US renewed its blockade in mid-July, and a growing flotilla of Iranian ships are now trapped. At least 41 million barrels of oil is now stuck on vessels inside the Persian Gulf, as are 22 empty tankers, according to Kpler…”
“How China and Russia could hobble Trump’s plans to isolate Iran.
“Russia is already under sweeping US sanctions and operates largely outside the US-led economic framework. China, meanwhile, has repeatedly shown it is willing to ignore US sanctions when doing so serves its own economic interests.”
“Pentagon quizzes NATO allies on political loyalty, documents reveal.
“The Pentagon has handed NATO allies of the United States a long list of questions about whether they are adhering to President Donald Trump’s vision for the transatlantic alliance, according to documents obtained exclusively by Al Jazeera.”
“Denmark has sent conscripts to Greenland for the first time as Copenhagen steps up its Arctic military presence following US President Donald Trump’s claims on the territory.
“Copenhagen has increased its military presence in Greenland… and has now deployed conscripts for the first time to the island’s capital, Nuuk, and Kangerlussuaq air base, the military announced on Tuesday.”
“US government debt hits $40tn as borrowing rises at historic rate…
“In the past 10 years alone, the overall debt burden has doubled. Debt held by the public — a key metric monitored by markets that excludes intragovernmental holdings — now exceeds $32tn, roughly equal to the size of the US economy.”
“U.S. bond intervention is like ‘paying your mortgage with your credit card,’ JPMorgan’s Sullivan says…
“The Treasury is effectively buying back longer-duration bonds while issuing shorter-dated bills, a strategy that can provide temporary relief but leaves the underlying debt burden intact, James Sullivan, JPMorgan’s co-head of global fundamental research, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Friday.”
“‘Rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic’: Bonds erase the impact of Treasury’s intervention…
“Asked about the latest oil price hikes Thursday, Bessent conceded, “I’m not sure why oil has popped up.” He also claimed to have “asymmetric information” that he said was better than what investors and traders have.”
“It Won’t Take Much to Burst the US Stock Market Bubble…
“On the way up, higher demand leads to wider profit margins that sustain equity market valuations. On the way down, the outlook for earnings deteriorates quickly as the shortfall of demand relative to expectations is exacerbated by a collapse in profit margins.”
“Anthropic Expects to Match SpaceX’s Record IPO Size or Top It…
“A first-time share sale topping SpaceX would easily power 2026 to become the best year on record for US IPO volume, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Newly listed companies have already raised $160.6 billion through August 19…”
“You’re Already Funding the AI Bubble — and You’ll Pay for the Bust…
“”The bailout has already been legislated,” Ortkiese states. “It runs automatically, jurisdiction by jurisdiction, the moment the receiver’s assessment goes out.””
“Walmart posts weakest growth in years, a worrying sign of inflation-weary Americans…
“Signs of inflation weariness are starting to appear at some of the nation’s most important retail giants, raising doubts about how long consumers can keep up strong spending.”
“Japan bond yields rise as oil gains stoke fresh inflation concerns.
“Japan bond yields rose, with the 5-year hitting a record and the 2-year its highest since 1995, as oil gains on Middle East risk add to inflation concerns. Rising yields haven’t yet supported the yen, with US CPI due Wednesday the next test.”
“Japan’s historic yen intervention has ‘turbo-charged’ the carry trade.
““The intervention only addressed a ‘symptom’, but [is] not curing the ‘disease,’” said Francis Tan, Asia chief strategist at Indosuez Wealth Management, referring to the structural forces including Japan’s low borrowing costs and wide interest-rate differentials with other major economies.”
“Private credit risks remain at large. Regulators and investors should pay attention to the strain in the direct loan market…
“Some on Wall Street characterise concerns over private credit markets as media hype, but the pockets of instability are real. Even some private lenders have themselves suggested in recent comments that cyclical dynamics may now be at play.”
“Private Credit’s Next Big Thing Is $1 Trillion in British Pensions…UK pension insurers are the most exposed in Europe to private credit….
“This massive capital migration has sparked direct warnings from international credit agencies and microprudential watchdogs… Regulators are flag-marking the increasing use of offshore reinsurance and complex structuring.”
“Councils across the UK are increasingly turning towards Artificial Intelligence (AI) as they try to fill a looming £4bn financial black hole.
“But local government experts say it is not the “silver bullet” to save a system from “the brink of collapse”. There are also ethical concerns around the increasing use of AI in assessing the level of care vulnerable people need.”
“John Healey warned to limit Budget borrowing amid bond sell-off [UK]…
“Investors are on edge around the world given a sell-off in US long-term government bonds, which were hit by fresh selling on Thursday. The yield on 30-year Treasury bonds was up as much as 0.07 percentage points at 5.27 per cent in New York morning trading.”
“Record German debt sales deepen strains for Europe’s battered bond market.
“Germany and the broader euro zone are selling record amounts of bonds, adding to the pressures driving European bond yields to multi-year highs as the continent continues to borrow heavily amid crises ranging from COVID-19 to the Iran war.”
“Europe’s Energy Reserves Worked. The Next Test Will Be Harder…
“Strategic reserves can absorb the first impact of an energy shock. They cannot make an import-dependent energy system permanently secure. And after using part of its oil buffer, Europe is now heading toward winter with a much less comfortable gas position.”
“Heatwaves and energy crunch: Can Europe withstand a double shock?
“Heatwaves are squeezing growth and productivity while the Iran war drives up Europe’s energy costs. Wildfires are burning, crops are failing and rivers are running dry. Europe is baking under its fifth heatwave of the year. Economists warn extreme heat is becoming an economic risk…”
“Europe’s hollowed-out armies: The race to find 100,000 soldiers…
“Even before the European Commission unveiled its €800 billion plan to rearm Europe, the European Parliament raised concerns over the manpower shortage. In 2024, it adopted a report warning that “European armed forces face severe recruitment and retention problems.””
“Russia, Ukraine Trade Strikes as Zelenskyy Seeks More Missiles…
“The exchanges are taking a rising toll on both countries. Russian strikes on Ukraine are getting more deadly, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to step up calls for allies to provide more interceptors. Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, meanwhile, have put fuel supplies in the nation under pressure.”
“Moscow Gas Stations Reimpose Fuel Limits as ‘Second Wave’ of Shortages Hits Russia.
“Fuel purchase restrictions are beginning to make a comeback in some regions as persistent shortages continue to dog the domestic market following months of Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries, in what Russian media is calling the “second wave” of the summer fuel crisis.”
“Myanmar military offensive targets land for Russia-backed port project…
“The offensive around the Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) — that includes a planned deep-sea port and power plant on the Andaman Sea — is the clearest sign yet that Myanmar’s military-backed government is willing to use force to revive a project touted as a strategic alternative to the Strait of Malacca.”
“North Korea fires 10 missiles day after Trump curtails South Korea joint drills.
“North Korea has launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles towards the sea, South Korea’s military said, a day after Pyongyang shrugged off Donald Trump’s order to scale back US military drills with South Korea in an apparent attempt to resume diplomacy.”
“China to build environmental monitoring station near disputed Scarborough Shoal.
“China has approved the construction of a marine environmental observation station to monitor an area that includes the disputed Scarborough Shoal, a persistent flashpoint in tensions with the Philippines in the South China Sea.”
“Hundreds of Tibetans protest China’s ethnic unity law by shaving heads.
“A protest organised by hundreds of Tibetans in New Delhi led many exiles to shave their heads, calling out and criticising China’s ethnic unity and progress law.”
“Pakistan Says It Shot Down Taliban Drone, Rejects Afghan Strike Claims…
“The statement came after Afghanistan’s Taliban-led Defense Ministry announced that it had conducted strikes against what it described as Islamic State-linked sites in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.”
“Pakistani forces kill five militants in restive southwest amid surge in attacks…
“The development comes during one of the deadliest outbreaks of violence in Balochistan this year, where coordinated attacks have killed dozens of security personnel and prompted large-scale military and intelligence-based operations.”
“US military presence in Middle East could be cut back after Iran war ends: report.
“Troops could be withdrawn from the Persian Gulf, officials told The Washington Post, following months of attacks by Iranian forces that have targeted U.S. bases across the region since the war began in late February.”
“Israeli opinion article says Turkey’s Nato protection does not apply to troops in Syria…
“The piece comes two days after Israeli air strikes destroyed parts of a disused air force base in northern Syria, close to the Turkish border, where Israel believed Turkish troops were on the cusp of moving in.”
“Israeli warplanes carry out overnight strikes in southern Lebanon…
“Lebanon has demanded an end to Israeli attacks and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, while Israel has tied further withdrawals and security arrangements to steps aimed at preventing Hezbollah from maintaining a military presence near its border.”
“Houthis and government trade attacks as Yemen slides back to full-scale war…
“Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which supports the Houthis, warned on Thursday that Saudi Arabia would be “unable to contain” the Houthis as the rebels ramp up attacks on the kingdom.”
“Gunmen seize tanker off Yemen amid resurgence of Somali piracy…
““UKMTO have received confirmation that the tanker has been boarded by six armed persons who are now in control of the vessel and redirecting to Somalia,” UKMTO said in a statement… The maritime security monitor provided no further details and did not say whether the tanker or its crew were safe.”
“Somalia faces another hunger crisis and the UN food agency head says it has far less funds to help…
“Six million people in Somalia are facing acute food insecurity while the World Food Program has only a tenth of the resources it had in 2022 when it helped avert famine in the drought- and conflict-stricken East African nation…”
“Fighting breaks out in western Tigray as Ethiopia and TPLF trade blame.
“Fighting has broken out in western Tigray, in one of the most serious breaches yet of the three-year-old peace deal between Ethiopia’s federal government and fighters in the northern region.”
“Over 200,000 people newly displaced in Sudan’s Kordofan as fighting rages.
“More than 200,000 people have been newly displaced across Sudan’s Kordofan region due to intensified fighting since late last year, the United Nations has said, as continued drone attacks target critical water and electricity infrastructure in the region’s biggest city, el-Obeid.”
“Ebola outbreak out of control in Democratic Republic of the Congo, WHO says: ‘It is spreading faster than our ability to contain it’…
““We have to be frank: the outbreak is far from under control. It has pulled well ahead, and we are still playing catch-up. What worries me most is where people are dying: at home, within their communities, outside healthcare centers and off the lists of identified contacts,” he [Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus] acknowledged.”
“Anti-government protesters take to Tunisia’s streets for second month.
“Protesters in Tunis said on Thursday that they reject “one-man rule” and “a slide towards dictatorship”, and urged the release of jailed opposition figures, activists and journalists.”
“US pummels Cuban economy with new sanctions on mining, construction.
“A notice posted on the US Treasury Department’s website on Thursday showed Cuba’s Ministry of Construction of Cuba among the sanctioned entities, as well as government-controlled import companies.”
“First group of deportees arrives in troubled Haiti after US ends TPS program.
“The U.S. deported more than 160 people to Haiti on Thursday for the first time since the Trump administration won a legal battle to end Temporary Protected Status for some 350,000 Haitians.”
“US military assists Ecuador in 1st land operation against cartels…
“The United States and Ecuador carried out a joint military operation against “designated terrorist organizations in Ecuador… The operations are a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism,” U.S. Southern Command wrote in a post on X.”
“If civilian ships become habitual targets in wars and almost-wars, their owners will have to spend money installing protective technology, and that expense will eventually be passed on to consumers.”
“‘Perfect storm’ brews for global food supply this winter as grain prices soar.
“Russia and Ukraine continue to attack one another’s port infrastructure, blocking shipments from the “breadbasket of Europe” and driving up wheat prices, and adding to a grim cocktail of factors afflicting global food supply.”
“Governments brace for historic El Nino impacts on global weather extremes.
“Governments are preparing for heightened risks of drought, flooding, extreme heat and wildfires as a rapidly strengthening El Nino raises the prospect of a historic climate event later this year.”
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 coffeeorbecome a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Economic” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with a “Climate” thread.
Huge thanks to August’s sponsor, who wishes to remain anonymous. At his request, I’m sharing a link to his brief but fascinating essay about Shakespeare’s The Tempest and the origins of Britain’s enslavement of Africans. He welcomes feedback in the comments section.
“In this paper, the key point is that the Earth Energy Imbalance has been increasing faster than previously expected, supporting the possibility that the climate may be more sensitive to greenhouse gases than earlier estimates suggested.
“EEI is increasingly more positive, which means Earth is gaining more energy faster. That excess energy is mostly stored in the oceans and that drives continued warming.” [new paper, as summarised on X by Jeff Berardelli]
“2026 has now broken the record for most days over 17.0°C, reaching that mark for the 19th time on August 16th. This beats the previous record of 18 days set way back in 2024.
“Will 2026 see a 20th day above 17.0°C?” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
“The most recent Niño 3.4 sea-surface temperature for August 17th was 2.73°C above the 1991-2020 average. This marked the 80th consecutive day setting a new record daily high, and was 0.92°C above the previous record for the day set back in 1997.”
“The Strongest El Niño on Record Lands on the Tightest Energy Market in Years…
“The real damage is on the supply side: hydropower, solar output, reactor cooling and Panama Canal drafts, all hitting a system Hormuz has already stripped of slack.”
“Giant whales move into Greenland waters as ice disappears…
“That is the conclusion of a decades-long study that has recorded – and filmed – hundreds of the world’s biggest whales including humpbacks, minke and fin whales, feeding in ice-free seas along the coast in summer. None of these marine mammals were historically found here…”
“Extreme drought is changing Britain’s wildlife – and some effects won’t be seen until next year…
“In some parts of the world, species have evolved to adapt to extreme heat and drought. However in Britain, which has a history of cold winters, cool summers and abundant rain, there hasn’t been any pressure to evolve such adaptations.”
“North Sea reaches warmest temperature ever recorded in Dutch waters.
“The North Sea reached a record-high average temperature of 21.5 degrees [70.7F] over the weekend, according to the KNMI… The record was measured at the Goeree Light Island, a monitoring platform located roughly 30 kilometers off the coast of Hoek van Holland.”
“Climate change is driving record heat in Europe’s seas, scientists say.
“Human-caused climate change has added about 2C of warming to the Mediterranean and around 1.4C to Western European seas… “This has the potential to completely reshape ecosystems that coastal communities rely on for food and income, and drive damaging extreme weather on land too,” said Claire Bergin…”
“France measures more than 7,300 excess deaths – and counting – during historic heatwaves.
“More than 7,300 excess deaths have been recorded in France over the historically hot summer as Europe grapples with worsening heatwaves, wildfires and droughts… France has suffered a record-breaking 52 days of heatwaves since mid-June…”
“In drought-stricken France, tankers supply drinking water.
“Since early August, huge silver tanker trucks have been paying a visit to the town of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines in Alsace, eastern France, twice a week. They aren’t delivering heating oil or milk, but drinking water from the nearby town of Liepvre.”
“Amid extreme heat, water grows scarce around Berlin.
“For years, Petra Liesenfeld has witnessed falling groundwater levels in her hometown of Baruth. She has to water her garden far more often than she used to, and has seen some local trees completely dry out. At the same time, two beverage companies are looking to expand production in the area.”
“Lake Zurich sees water level hit record low amid drought…
“The water level in the lake, which extends southeast of Switzerland’s biggest city, on Wednesday did not exceed 404.45 metres above sea level, falling below the previous record of 405.46 metres, measured there in 1952, a year after measurements began at the station.”
“‘Climate Camp’ trains kids for future droughts in Hungary…
“Since 2021, the Balastya Motivation School in the village of Balastya has made climate education a key part of its extra-curricular program. Students learn about climate science and practical ways people can confront the climate crisis, lessen its effects, and adapt to the changes we are already seeing.”
“Fires erupt on Greek island of Corfu, several parts of mainland…
“Seven water-bombing aircraft were flying sorties to help 20 firefighters and five fire engines tame a blaze burning through forest and farmland near the village of Temploni in northern Corfu, the Kathimerini newspaper reported, citing the Fire Service.”
“A two-day severe weather outbreak is expected across the western, central, and northern Mediterranean.
“Multiple rounds of intense supercells and multicells are forecast from eastern Spain across the Balearic Islands, southern France, Switzerland, Austria, north-central Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. Large hail, severe winds, torrential flooding rain, and tornadoes are possible.”
“The Balearic Sea is warming and has set a new temperature record…
“The series of temperature records being set in the Balearic Sea is no longer just a scientific anomaly; it has become a cause for concern across all sectors, from environmental conservation to port management and tourism planning.”
“Portuguese men o’ war plague Europe’s warming beaches…
“Sightings of unwelcome jellyfish in Europe this year have coincided with a historic marine heatwave in the region and increased interest from researchers in the species’ ability to thrive in oceans warmed by climate change.”
“EXCEPTIONAL WINTER HEAT – hotter and hotter in this insane winter heat wave in Southern Africa Highlands.
“In particular, Gobabis NAMIBIA at over 1400m asl rose to 36.7C [98.1F], pulverizing its record of winter highest temperature in history with another summer-like max.” [Extreme Temps]
“Mass sardine die-off: new threat to African Penguins?
“Seabird researchers and marine scientists are watching anxiously to see whether the mass death of sardines along the Cape coastline may have a ripple effect on the already critically endangered African Penguin population… The current sardine die-off in South African waters could be partly the result of a viral infection…”
“Sudan war: 200,000 newly displaced as fighting and floods intensify…
“Heavy rainfall in North Darfur destroyed or damaged nearly 1,350 shelters in Tawila’s sprawling camps last week, displacing more than 1,000 families. Additional flooding in the towns of Kabkabiya and Shangil Tobaya – also in North Darfur – forced dozens of families into temporary shelters.”
“Nairobi Shivers as Atlantic Currents Drive Unusual August Cold Spell.
“Meteorologists attribute Nairobi’s biting August chill to Southern Hemisphere winter systems and the Benguela current, warning highland residents to prepare for sustained low temperatures through late August.”
“Super El Niño: Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia brace for torrential rains.
“… the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) has forecasted an 81% probability of a powerful “Super El Niño” driving torrential rainfall and potential flooding in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia. This climate event, driven by warming Pacific waters, echoes severe historical patterns from 1985, 1997, 2015, and 2023–2024.”
“PMD issues flood alert for Leh Nullah as heavy rains continue to batter Rawalpindi and Islamabad [Pakistan]…
“The department said that 122mm of rainfall had been recorded at Shamsabad, 121mm at Kutcheri Chowk, 119mm at Kattarian, 118mm at Pirwadhai, 100mm at Zero Point, 100mm at Bokra, 95mm at Saidpur and 94mm in Golra.”
“Pakistan’s ‘red chili capital’ faces a climate crisis threatening its signature crop.
“In a country where ‘food is chili and everything else is an addition,’ extreme heat, floods and rising production costs are threatening one of Pakistan’s most iconic crops and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.”
“The Drying Tears of the Himalayas: Why Kashmir’s Water Crisis is a Warning to the World.
“518 out of 697 lakes in Jammu and Kashmir have either completely vanished or significantly shrunk due to pollution and urban encroachment… Crucial high-altitude glaciers, such as the Thajwas Glacier, have experienced an estimated 17% area loss, drastically cutting summer water supplies.”
“Ladakh glaciers losing speed as ice melts, new study warns.
“Glacier velocity in the Zanskar Himalayas dropped 16% between 1992 and 2023, with the slowdown accompanied by accelerated ice thinning. Glaciers at lower elevations lost speed faster than those higher up. The slowdown signals reduced water security for the rain-shadow region of Ladakh…”
“Prayagraj Flood Situation Worsens As Ganga Water Levels Continue To Rise [central eastern India]…
“Homes and roads near the riverbanks are under water, disrupting daily life and forcing residents to move to safer, higher ground. Authorities have advised people living in vulnerable areas to remain alert and evacuate if water levels rise further.”
“Arunachal cloudburst leaves 5 soldiers missing [NE India, on Chinese border].
“A cloudburst and landslide in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley district have left seven Army personnel missing, including Agniveer soldier Aditya Kumar from Hajipur, Bihar. Two personnel have been rescued, but several days after the incident, there is still no information about Aditya’s whereabouts.”
“5 killed, 17 injured in rain shelter collapse as torrential rainfall batters SW China’s Sichuan, leading to relocation of 21,784.
“According to the office of the geological disaster prevention and control command of Sichuan Province, heavy to torrential rain hit areas such as Chengdu and Zigong in Sichuan, with some areas experiencing extreme heavy rain.”
“Japan’s Urban Vulnerabilities Exposed by Torrential Downpours in Chiba Prefecture.
“Floodwater …inundated the basements of residential complexes, medical facilities and commercial buildings, submerging electrical equipment and triggering prolonged power outages. Chiba University Hospital canceled all surgeries Wednesday after pumps draining the basement broke down…”
“Geoje, Tongyeong Mobilize Full-Scale Recovery After Historic Floods.
“A full-scale emergency recovery effort is underway to restore daily life for residents of Geoje and Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province, which suffered severe damage from “extreme heavy rain” exceeding 900 mm [35 inches] during the National Liberation Day holiday.”
“Nan floods kill 2 and affect more than 16,000 people [Thailand]…
“The first fatality was a bedridden resident who could not evacuate without assistance and lived with their mother in Moo 8 of Sila Phet subdistrict, Pua district. The victim was swept from the house by fast-moving floodwater and later found dead.”
“How an ‘unprecedented’ super El Nino could reshape extreme weather for 12 of Asia’s biggest cities.
“Some of Asia’s largest cities are likely to face months of drought while others could be hit by flooding when a “super” El Niño weather event develops later this year, according to research that warns it has no precedent on record.”
“Southeast Asia Haze Risk Rises as Indonesia’s Fire Hotspots Jump.
“The number of fire hotspots across Indonesia has surged to the highest level in more than a decade, raising the prospect of severe wildfires and choking haze as El Niño leads to drier conditions in the region.”
“Australia braces for bushfires in almost every state as El Niño strengthens.
“Professor Bowman said the heat that comes with a warming climate was particularly dangerous alongside El Nino… “I have every reason to believe that we will see equally extraordinary fires. If it’s not this summer, it’s certainly going to be in the next,” he said.”
“More than 1,000 birds found dead in three mass mortality events amid ‘significant’ H5 escalation in Australia.
“The South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, has declared a “significant escalation” in H5 bird flu in the state after the detection of three mass mortality events involving more than 1,000 greater crested terns.”
“Three quarters of Indo-Pacific coral reefs could drown as sea levels rise.
“Most coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific will not be able to grow fast enough to keep up with accelerating sea-level rise, according to a new study, raising the risk that reefs could become submerged and lose their ability to protect coastlines.”
“Four tropical systems may be simultaneously swirling in the Pacific by early next week.
“More threats loom for the Northern Mariana Islands, Hawaii and eastern Asia as the storm train shifts into high gear because of El Niño and a marine heat wave.” [Ben Noll]
“US to send hospital ship to Peru as El Nino threat looms.
“The United States will send a military hospital ship to Peru’s Pacific coast next year to help Peru cope with the effects of the El Nino climate phenomenon as part of a broader collaboration with the South American country, U.S. Ambassador to Peru Bernie Navarro announced Wednesday.”
“Mudslides hit northern Chile after extraordinary desert rains…
“The most severe situation was reported in Tocopilla, a coastal city of about 25,000 people in the Antofagasta region. Videos posted on social media showed mudslides flooding large parts of the area, sweeping away vehicles and cutting off roads.”
“RECORD RAINFALLS ON THE [USUALLY ARID] CHILEAN COAST!
“IQUIQUE – 16.0 mm/8 days [11.2 mm/3 days] = 20 times the annual rainfall [0.8 mm]! WETTEST YEAR ON RECORD [since 1981]; ARICA – 13.5 mm = 6 times the annual rainfall [2.3 mm]! 15.1 mm in 2026 = WETTEST YEAR ON RECORD [since 1963].” [Thierry Goose]
“Miami hit an all-time record on Tuesday. It’s more significant than you think.
“Miami tied its all-time high temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday, amid a sprawling heat wave that is affecting areas from Texas to the Southeast. The heat wave, caused by a stalled-out heat dome, continues on Wednesday.”
“Sargassum seaweed covers Miami Beach amid a record bloom in 2026.
“Sargassum seaweed piles up along the coast of Miami Beach in Florida, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns that 2026 could bring the largest sargassum bloom ever recorded in South Florida.”
“Human remains have once again been discovered at Lake Mead outside Las Vegas, Nevada, marking the latest in a line of gruesome discoveries as water levels in the crucial reservoir continue to drop, authorities said.
“These remains were discovered on 16 August, USA Today reported.”
“Nevada warns feds: Don’t make Las Vegas pay for Colorado River crisis.
“Nevada’s water managers are pleading their case to the Trump administration before it hands down a final Colorado River operating agreement that may see states fight in the US supreme court…”
“Firefighters sound alarm as US faces critical staffing shortage: ‘We don’t have enough people’…
“Several people familiar with internal hiring data at the agency said there were also large gaps in important leadership roles, which had caused bottlenecks and operational challenges during a busy and dangerous year.”
“‘There was just no way to stop it’ | Hoosier farmers reeling from record rainfall, historic flooding.
“Many communities across Indiana have been dealing with the impact of historic flooding. It’s affecting not just homeowners and businesses, but also Hoosier farmers. Many farm fields were underwater, crops ruined.”
“Alberta sees wildfire-free August after record rainfall.
“In August 2026, Alberta recorded its first completely wildfire-free day in 40 years within the province’s Forest Protection Area. This highly unusual, temporary milestone was officially declared by Alberta Wildfire after historical data confirmed how rare a zero-active-fire status is during peak summer.”
“The threatening thaw: climate professor on heatwave risks to tipping point of permafrost.
“Heatwaves and wildfires are not just scorching forests, they are adding to the tipping point risks in the world’s vast permafrost regions, which contain three times more carbon than all the living vegetation on Earth…”
“Climate doom may discourage climate action, but there’s a way to counter it.
“Climate doom can be a powerful argument for doing nothing. If people believe the climate crisis is already beyond repair, they may conclude that efforts to cut emissions or adapt to a changing world are pointless.”
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 on Monday with an “Economic” thread.
Huge thanks to August’s sponsor, who wishes to remain anonymous. At his request, I’m sharing a link to his brief but fascinating essay about Shakespeare’s The Tempest and the origins of Britain’s enslavement of Africans. He welcomes feedback in the comments section.
“The Next Energy Crisis Could Be a Water Crisis.
“Water scarcity is becoming an energy-security threat, affecting hydropower, thermal plants, grids and rapidly growing AI data centers. Markets alone may not solve the problem, as water is essential, politically sensitive and constrained by climate and infrastructure.”
“This year has now seen 17 days above 17.0°C [62.6F]… and counting… Will 2024’s record of 18 days above 17.0°C be broken in the next few days? Stay tuned!”
“In the subsurface equatorial Pacific, ocean temperatures recently reached 9.96°C (17.9°F) above average, the largest anomaly of this El Niño event so far and larger than anything observed in 1997.
“The current record-breaking westerly wind burst could cause an even higher spike.” [Ben Noll]
“Another Emerging Climate Pattern Could Amplify El Niño-Driven Weather Risks [positive Indian Ocean Dipole]…
“…a rapidly strengthening El Niño in the Pacific is interacting with temperature extremes in the Indian Ocean. When these two distinct climate patterns occur simultaneously, they create a compounding effect that can severely alter global weather, agriculture, and economic stability.”
“Why Siberia’s warming landscape could shatter Trump’s Arctic ambitions.
“…as the three powers vie for control of Arctic sea lanes and minerals, rapidly thawing permafrost in Russia’s Siberia could derail their plans. According to a new international study led by Chinese scientists, the massive cost of collapsing ground threatens to overshadow the region’s economic potential.”
“On August 1, it was 33.9°C / 93F (12°C above average), a new August record & 3rd highest temperature for any month since 1940. On August 14, it was -7.1°C (11°C below normal), 2nd coldest temperature ever recorded that early in August.” [Thierry Goose]
“The World’s Oceans Are Getting Hotter. Surfers Are Feeling It.
“In 2026, surf spots in the Med, Western Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico have all recorded their hottest water temperatures. It’s good for surfing wetsuit-free, but a massive warning for the planet… And while surfing without a wetsuit is one of life’s truly great pleasures, surfers might be acting as the frogs in the boiling water metaphor.£
“‘Our new normal’: how marine heatwaves affect life in British seas.
“‘It sounds silly but I thought it was a person in the water waving,” says Kurt Lander, skipper of the Yellowfin charter boat, based out of Brighton. But when he grabbed his binoculars, he realised the fluttering movement he had noticed in the middle of the Channel shipping lane was a pair of sunfish.”
“Are we paying attention to what’s happening to Scotland’s birds?
“…What the agency has found, based on its Scottish Biodiversity Indicator for Seabirds, is that total seabird numbers are now around half of what they were in the 1980s. It also found that almost all of the species studied have declined over the long term…”
“Mapped: The wildfires scorching the UK as four major incidents still ongoing…
“The dry conditions and back-to-back heatwaves have created the perfect conditions for wildfires and there are several still ongoing. The National Fire Chiefs Council said its England and Wales had been struck by 1,017 wildfires this year – the same as last year’s record-breaking total – and at least 458 in July alone.”
“Reform’s Richard Tice says UK should ‘celebrate’ climate change: ‘You can’t stop it’…
“He encouraged people to celebrate warmer summers and embrace the changing weather conditions in the UK. Mr Tice highlighted potential positive outcomes, suggesting that warmer weather could improve English wine to better compete with French producers.”
“London’s flood defence may need replacing far sooner than expected due to extreme weather.
“The Thames Barrier that protects Londoners from flooding may need to be replaced up to two decades earlier than anticipated and could cost at least £20bn, according to senior government officials who warn that an increase in extreme weather has put the vital defence system under strain.”
“Belgium’s largest wildfire on record remains out of control.
“Firefighters say limited rainfall has increased smoke, reducing visibility and making it harder to detect flames burning deep in peat soil… The fire is also threatening the German border and the medieval town of Monschau, where precautionary evacuations have been ordered due to smoke risks.”
“French PM heckled over wildfire response as blazes continue across Europe…
“The organiser of a group of affected residents accused the prime minister of not wanting to meet them, while Lecornu’s office it has “nothing to hide” about how fire operations have been conducted, AFP reports.”
“Among the records of High Minimums broken, we have the first tropical night and full Minimum >20C [68F] in history for the Bavarian town of Altomünster-Maisbrunn (511m asl) with a MIn of 20.6C. Data since 1955.” [Extreme Temps]
“A looming rock collapse threatens a Swiss village as thawing permafrost destabilizes the Alps.
“An unstable mountain rock formation looming above the Swiss village of Kandersteg threatens a landslide that could rival the disaster that destroyed nearby Blatten last year, a collapse scientists linked to thawing permafrost and glacier dynamics.”
“Czech Government Reactivates National Coalition to Combat Drought.
“The persistent drought and low groundwater levels are causing growing concern within the Czech government. The reactivated expert body will now review existing measures and prepare further steps to tackle water shortages.”
“One dead and 15 firefighters injured in multiple explosive wildfires in Croatia…
“Several firefighters suffered respiratory distress after prolonged exposure to dense smoke and airborne particulates. Others were treated for burns, sprains, and impact injuries caused by falling debris and sudden wind‑driven flare‑ups.”
“Two people died and and hundreds were evacuated after two fires broke out “almost simultaneously” on a Greek island near Athens on Sunday afternoon, officials said.
“About 200 firefighters were deployed to keep the twin fires from converging on the island of Salamina, which was under a high wildfire risk on Sunday.”
“Curious why so much of Europe is on fire right now?
“NASA GRACE Soil moisture is in the bottom 1% across the vast majority of the Continent. This is what happens when the climate warms at 2X the Global rate, with 5 heatwaves so far this summer.” [Jeff Berardelli]
“A heavy downpour hit the region of eastern Mani in southern Peloponnese on Saturday turning roads into rushing torrents of mud, causing incalculable damage to properties, vehicles and infrastructure.”
“Torrential Rains and Fierce Winds Batter Naples [Italy].
“Cloudburst over Naples and its province: extremely strong gusts of wind and heavy rain have hit the entire area. Bad weather and disruptions have been reported throughout the region, with flooded streets and difficulties for motorists and pedestrians.”
“Severe summer storms in Spain leave three dead and cause beach chaos.
“Three people died during storms and flash floods caused by freak summer weather in Spain… Two women lost their lives and two children were injured after being trapped in the basement of a home hit by a landslide caused by a heavy downpour in a village near Ponferrada…”
“Severe flooding and catastrophic hailstorm in El Khroub, Algeria.
“On Saturday, 15 August 2026, a violent thunderstorm unleashed severe flash flooding and a catastrophic hailstorm across El Khroub, a municipality in the Constantine Province of northeastern Algeria.”
“Nigeria’s capital city Abuja flooded, vehicles submerged…
“Footage of cars covered in water and homes flooded in different locations, including Wuse, Jabi, Maitama, Katampe and Apo districts in Abuja, emerged on the internet following rainfall over the weekend.”
“Beyond GERD, Ethiopia’s dam ambitions shift battle over Nile flows.
“If talk of additional dams becomes policy, the dispute will move from a crisis centred on one dam towards a broader remaking of the water geography of the eastern Nile basin.”
“War over the Nile? The exact weapons Egypt is considering to strike Ethiopia…
“Conducting a military operation thousands of kilometres from home requires highly specialised assets, and Egypt has spent a decade expanding its inventory. The spearhead of its Air Force is the fleet of Dassault Rafale multirole fighter jets.”
“Rare summer storm breaks Jerusalem’s all-time August rainfall record in one hour.
“The Israel Meteorological Service says 11 mm fell in Ma’ale Adumim within 60 minutes, breaking the August record since measurements began, as thunderstorms hit Jerusalem and flood warnings remain in effect.”
“Displaced people’s camps in Idlib Governorate, Syria, suffered extensive damage due to heavy rainfall and flash floods, particularly in the Kharbat al-Jawz area in the western countryside.”
“IRAN IS BOILING in every sense. Temperature reaches 50/52C every day in Southern areas with Night Mins often >35C.
“The high elevated valleys don’t offer much of a relief. In fact last night Tehran (1190m asl) had its hottest August night in history with a Minimum of 32.6C [90.7F].” [Extreme Temps]
“Nullah Leh overflowed following the near continuous heavy spell of rain over the past two days in the twin cities. The water level in the drain exceeded well over 20 feet and flooded low-lying areas with water entering homes and causing severe damage to properties.”
“The study combined 120 years of observed temperature records (1901–2020) with eight global climate models and found that winter is warming faster than spring, night-time temperatures are climbing faster than daytime highs…”
“Hong Kong aiming to revamp heat-stress warning system by end of this month.
“Hong Kong’s labour minister has said authorities aim to complete a revamp of the city’s heat-stress warning system by the end of this month, following criticism that the alert level was not increased during record-breaking temperatures.”
“Extreme heat more dangerous for people 60 and over than previously thought…
““Our results suggest accounting for age stratified vulnerability, intolerable heat will be experienced at much larger scales and for longer durations, affecting far more people than previously thought,” according to the study, which was led by health academics from Stanford University in California.”
“Municipalities in Chiba Prefecture [Japan] hit by torrential rain last week continued to remove cars that had been abandoned after becoming submerged…
“Some 2,700 vehicles remained abandoned in the prefecture as of Sunday, with many roads still blocked by them… 10 people died in the torrential rain and two men remain missing.”
“Entire summer’s worth of rain fell on Geoje in just two days [South Korea].
“According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, Geoje received 638.7 millimeters [25 inches] of rain in the 24 hours through 6 p.m. Monday, while Tongyeong recorded 453.7 mm. Both were the highest daily rainfall totals ever recorded in the two cities.”
“Record of August hottest night smashed again allover the country. RECORDS HIGH MINIMUMS – 29.7 [85.5F] Bangkok Pilot, HOTTEST AUGUST NIGHT EVER RECORDED IN THAILAND (tied from earlier this month); 29.5 Phuket AP, 29.3 Bang Na, 29.3 Samut Prakan, 29.1 Bangkok.” [Extreme Temps]
“Philippines suspends classes as extreme weather affects 5 million…
“The extreme weather has claimed 23 lives, injured 17 others and left one person missing… At least 50 cities and towns have declared a state of calamity, with Pampanga and Cavite placing all their municipalities under the status, the OCD said.”
“Clean-up begins in Hawaii after intense rain and flooding from Hurricane Lala.
“The storm felled trees and power lines and caused serious flooding that swept some 100 homes from their foundations… Laupahoehoe, on the northeast coast of the Big Island, saw the heaviest recorded rainfall at 43.54 inches (1.1 meters).”
“Today MINIMUM temperature of 21.7C [71F] was the highest ever recorded in August (typical of mid summer). So far this August Lima had Higher Minimums than its previous record 2/3rd of the days (it stands more time breaking records than not breaking them).” [Extreme Temps]
“Torrential rains flood homes and roads across Lima, Peru.
“Heavy rains have flooded homes and roads in southern Lima, while river overflows, landslides, and road closures continue to affect Peru’s southern regions. In Lima, overwhelmed drainage systems have worsened the flooding as authorities warn that rains will intensify.”
“‘Everyone is scared’: flood-hit Porto Alegre braces for another El Niño [Brazil]…
“In May 2024, flooding killed 183 people in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and displaced more than 600,000. The neighbourhood of Sarandi was one of the hardest-hit parts of Porto Alegre, with water levels reaching up to 5 metres above normal, completely submerging many of its streets.”
“Ahead of a new cold front, scorching heat has battered Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil with temperatures up to 40.3C [104.5F] and very warm nights as well (Mins up to 27C). The PARAGUAY city of Encarnacion had its warmest August night ever: Min 24.4C.” [Extreme Temps]
“Three people, including two girls, were killed after heavy rains triggered flooding in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and other parts of the country, local authorities said.
“Caracas fire department chief Pablo Antonio Palacios Salazar said two underage girls were swept away by flash floods and died, AFP reported.”
“Extraordinary heat in the Caribbean. One by one, every single record is falling.
“Today Montego Bay had a MINIMUM of 28.4C [83.1F] which is HOTTEST AUGUST NIGHT EVER RECORDED IN JAMAICA and also all time High Minimum for Montego Bay.”
“This unprecedented 40C+ [104F+} heat in the rainy season continues and spreads: 40.0C Chinandega destroys in pieces – NICARAGUA HOTTEST AUGUST DAY IN HISTORY. Every single record is being broken and rebroken every month of 2026 and this will get worse.”
“Record after record… Tonight it was -again- the hottest night in history in Sinaloa MINIMUMS 30.8 [87.4F] Mazatlan and 29.8 Culiacan… Arriaga just broke its record of August highest temperature with 40.6C after breaking those of the High max and High min of every month of this year and all previous 3 years.” [Extreme Temps]
“Water levels at Lake Powell, the second-largest reservoir in the United States, have dropped to a record low, heightening anxiety over the Colorado River system crisis.
“The troubling milestone at Lake Powell comes a week after Lake Mead, the river’s other main reservoir, hit its own historic low.”
“A severe storm that passed through a county in Colorado left piles of hail stones and vehicles stuck in floodwater.
“The storms rolled through Douglas County on Aug. 15. Between 2:30 and 4 p.m., South Metro Fire Rescue crews were called out to nine public assist calls, two water rescues, including four adults and a dog on paddleboards, and one home struck by lightning…”
“‘We can’t come back here’: Charleston residents face devastating flood aftermath [W Virginia].
“Severe storms Sunday night brought damage and flooding to several parts of the region, and the West Side of Charleston was hit hard. Garrison Avenue was one neighborhood that felt the most impact, with multiple trees and power lines down, as well as debris in nearly every yard.”
“…there are improved methods and growing scientific evidence that several key Earth sub-systems are at increasing risk of reaching (or have already begun crossing) tipping points… The Brief stresses that tipping of any major Earth system would have catastrophic impacts on humans and the planet.”
“Geoengineering Will Save Us. Technology will thwart the doomsayers…
“Thomas Malthus promulgated the theory that population would grow at a faster rate than the means to support that population could, and so there would have to be ways to reduce population in unpleasant ways. The population has grown, much as Malthus envisioned, but the means to support that population has grown faster. The reason is technology.”
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“It’s likely that 2026 will be the hottest year on record, experts say…
““We are likely to see something quite dramatic in the next year or so,” Robert Rohde, chief scientist at Berkeley Earth, said on Thursday. “It will be giving us weather conditions that we would normally expect to be a decade or more away. It’s going to be a big deal.””
“”Hey Pat, did you know it was the hottest August 12th globally on record since 1940 and likely the hottest August 12th in the last 120,000 years, at 1.58°C (2.84°F) above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial baseline? …And who brought the cookies?” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
“I’ve never seen the mean Warm Pool displaced this far east before. 30C temperatures down to 100m at 150W is absolutely ludicrous…
“I’m very confident this yr’s El Nino will be the strongest in the entire instrumental record (1850-present), even besting historic events like 1877-78. This will probably be the strongest El Nino in at least ~250 yrs, or since the Great El Nino of 1789-93.” [Eric Webb, gov’t meteorologist]
“The Atlantic Ocean can handle more warming than expected — with one big catch…
“When warming occurred slowly, the AMOC remained stable well beyond +4°C and did not collapse even after warming reached +5°C. Under the faster warming scenario, however, the AMOC collapsed at around +2°C [we breached that very briefly in Nov 2023 and will breach it for a sustained period with this El Nino IMO].”
“Europe’s extremely hot summer has not just contributed to another disastrous alpine melting season, but also far North in Scandinavia.
“The Norwegian Galdhøpiggen glacier around 2000m asl looks in terrible shape with a larger and larger lake formed by its melting. Kudos: vindnå.no. [Extreme Temps]
“The prolonged heat and drought together with a spate of pollution incidents are creating a “lethal” combination for Ireland’s rivers, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has said.
“The agency is investigating six large fish kills that took place in the last six weeks, with two other pollution incidents also under investigation.”
“Marine heatwave devastates seagrass conservation project on Welsh coast.
“Seagrass meadows play an important role in tackling both climate change and biodiversity loss, but the UK has lost around 90% of its seagrass meadows over the last century.”
“The UK’s arable harvest is now expected to be even smaller than previously forecast – just 18.5 million tonnes…
“The revised forecast is down from the previous estimate of 19.5 million tonnes, and would make this year’s harvest the smallest on record, by a wider margin than previously expected.
“The UK’s fifth heatwave of the summer has “presented exceptional challenges to the railway”, Network Rail has said, after two trains derailed in less than 24 hours…
“Xueyu Geng, a professor in ground engineering at the University of Warwick, said steel rail was known to expand significantly in extreme heat…”
“EXTRAORDINARY DAY IN FRANCE >43C [109.4F]. It’s one of the most extreme heat waves France has ever experienced.
“In 2 days over 500 monthly records broken, between High maxes and High Mins; see list of records broken today (courtesy of Meteociel; yellow is monthly record and red is all-time record). [Extreme Temps]
“Extreme heat spurs earliest-ever Champagne harvest, putting its famous taste to the test.
“Winemakers generally expect lower yields this year following extreme weather conditions and drought, while they also face a challenging macro environment including fewer drinkers and U.S. tariffs. One industry benefiting from warmer temperatures is U.K. wine production, as new grapes become viable in the country’s chalky soil.”
“In Germany record heat meets climate action fatigue.
“Something very strange is happening in Germany in the summer of 2026: While entire villages are being evacuated due to forest fires, farmers are losing around their harvest to drought, and hospital patients and the elderly in nursing homes face an acute threat to their lives in buildings with no air conditioning, the federal government remains astonishingly quiet.”
“‘We will miss glacier meltwater,’ warns Swiss scientist.
“Will conditions get worse? E.F.: Yes. In the future, we will also miss the meltwater supplied by glaciers. For now, it still helps sustain Alpine rivers. Once the glaciers are gone, this compensating factor will be lost.”
“Skies turn red as wildfires burn across Europe – with thousands of people evacuated.
“Firefighters in France, Germany, Croatia and Greece are among those battling blazes that threaten to destroy homes and businesses. It comes as wildfires also rage in the UK, with the country experiencing the summer’s fifth heatwave…”
“HISTORIC HEAT IN THE BALKANS; Mind blowing RECORD MINIMUMS:
“MONTENEGRO – Min 31.8 / 89.2F Bar (yesterday) is HOTTEST NIGHT EVER RECORDED IN THE BALKANS; 30.9 Tivat, 28.5 Podgorica AP; CROATIA – Min 30.7 Dubrovnik, 28.0 Zadar, 27.8 Ploce; SLOVENIA – 26.2 Nova Gorica.” [Extreme Temps]
“The Mediterranean Sea, historically a cradle of civilizations and a regulatory element of Southern Europe’s climate, is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. This August, water temperatures reached unheard-of figures…”
“Iberian orca known for ramming boats seen with suspected gunshot wounds…
“On Friday, Spain’s environment ministry said Toñi, the oldest living member of the pod, had been seen swimming in the Strait of Gibraltar with markings on her dorsal fin that were “consistent with shots from a pellet gun”.”
“Disturbing scenes of torrential floods that swept through Douar Al-Zaouia in the commune of Berkane in Guercif Province [Morocco], this Friday evening.
“Several cars were swept away and one of them to overturned in the midst of the waters.” [Arab Storms]
“Sudden floods sweep through wide neighborhoods of the city of Adré in Chad’s eastern Wadi province, following heavy rains that hit the region on August 11.
“The disaster has resulted in the death of at least five people, alongside the inundation of shops and homes…”
“More people, farms, and drought could mean more elephant conflict in Southern Africa.
“A growing human population, expanding croplands, and drier conditions driven by climate change within protected areas could significantly intensify human-elephant conflict in Southern Africa, a recent study finds.”
“Wildlife cyanide poisoning: Time to review Kenya’s pesticide governance?
“For Kenya, a country that spent decades battling poaching and rebuilding its wildlife population, the recent deaths of 16 elephants have triggered a troubling question: Have Kenyan wildlife agencies won the war against guns and traps only to face a more elusive threat in the form of poison?”
“Sudden floods and torrents sweep through several areas in Idlib province, northwestern Syria, following heavy thunderstorms, flooding roads and a number of vehicles, this Friday.
“This exceptional and endless heat wave just gets worse with records falling every day, everywhere. Tonight the SAUDI town of Makkah broke again its record of August hottest night with a MINIMUM of 35.6C [96.1F]! Next days will be insane: 52/53C in IRAN.” [Extreme Temps]
“Crisis Looms in Southern Iraq over Water, Electricity Shortages.
“The worsening electricity crisis in Iraq continues to burden most of the population, amid rising temperatures that have surpassed 50 degrees Celsius in some southern governorates. There are fears that the crisis could lead to local conflicts between some governorates…”
“Heavy Monsoon Rains Cause Severe Flooding Across Northern Iran.
“Heavy monsoon rains that swept across several Iranian provinces from Wednesday evening, August 12, through early Thursday morning, August 13, triggered severe flash flooding, blocking rural access roads and causing significant damage to agricultural sectors and public infrastructure.”
“This exceptional heat wave in CENTRAL ASIA is beyond any imagination with thousands of records falling for months and will go on for the foreseeable future.
“Tonight it was another scorching night with MINS up to 32C [89.6F] and more monthly records like the Min 28.0 at Sam, KAZAKHSTAN 45N.” [Extreme Temps]
“Plains of Kashmir received rain, while several upper areas of south Kashmir witnessed hailstorms and cloudbursts, with swollen streams and sudden surges in water reported from vulnerable areas.”
“Five killed, eight missing after landslide buries homes in western Nepal…
“As of Wednesday, 43 people had been killed in monsoon-related disasters such as landslides, floods and heavy rains, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the state-run authority responsible for disaster response.”
“Henan province [China] has suffered multiple levee breaches since Wednesday as a result of rains brought by Typhoon Dolphin, the 13th typhoon of this year.
“A levee on the east bank of the Jialu River in Zhoukou, Henan province, breached due to persistent heavy rainfall and upstream flood-release operations, according to a CCTV report on Friday.”
“Typhoon Dolphin brought extreme rain to Huzhou, Zhejiang [E China]! Tonight, Zhili AWS, Huzhou, received 232.4 mm [9.1 inches] of rainfall in one hour, setting a new record for the highest hourly rainfall intensity observed by the Chinese meteorological system!
“Authorities in Far East Russia’s Zabaikalsky region declared a state of emergency on Thursday following a summer of torrential rainfall and three consecutive flood waves…
“Rainfall across the region — located along the Chinese border roughly 4,700 kilometers (2,900 miles) east of Moscow — reached up to 250% of seasonal averages this summer.”
“‘Unprecedented’ rain in Japan kills eight people.
“Chiba, which sits right next to Tokyo, has logged more than 100mm of rain per hour since Thursday afternoon, authorities say. This is about three times the average rainfall in August, and the highest volume of precipitation ever recorded in the country.”
“Tens of thousands of people have been displaced by surging waters across Myanmar and Laos, with Thai farming communities along the Mekong River bracing themselves for difficult days ahead as authorities warn persistent heavy rains may bring flash floods.”
“Myanmar diarrhoea outbreak sees hundreds hospitalised amid monsoon flooding and civil war…
“Aung Lin Aye, deputy medical superintendent at Yangon General Hospital, was quoted in Friday’s paper stating that diarrhoea admissions had increased significantly over recent days, with hospital staff providing treatment focused primarily on preventing further loss of life.”
“More records of August Highest Minimums: PHILIPPINES – 28.0 Catarman; VIETNAM – 29.9 Bach Long Vi; MALAYSIA – 26.8 Kuantan; INDONESIA – 28.0 [82.4F] Tarakan (it’s cooler season!). [Extreme Temps]
“Indonesia wildfires threaten orangutans rescued from animal traffickers…
“Flames have come within metres of an animal rehabilitation centre in West Kalimantan as hot, dry and windy conditions have been amplified by a powerful El Niño and the human-driven climate crisis.”
“Bird flu has been evolving and migrating for 30 years. It is a far more deadly virus that has now arrived in Australia…
““Influenza viruses and how they impact different hosts is really a numbers game,” Wong says. “The more types of host animals that it is allowed to infect without there being some control, the more chances it has to pick up new traits.”
“Hawaii braces for direct hit from Tropical Storm Lala.
“Tropical Storm Lala is set to hit Hawaii’s Big Island with hurricane force in a matter of hours, bringing dangerous winds, heavy rainfall and high surf in a sign of what a strengthening “super” El Niño in the Pacific may bring.“
“Displaced by El Niño, South American Seabirds Flock to Panama.
“Flocks of seabirds native to the cold, nutrient-rich waters off Peru and Chile are appearing far outside their usual range in Panama Bay as a powerful El Niño warms the eastern Pacific and disrupts marine food supplies.”
“EXTRAORDINARY EVENT – WORLD CLIMATIC HISTORY REWRITTEN:
“For the FIRST TIME IN CENTURIES OF CLIMATIC HISTORY a weather station records its highest ever temperature on a WINTER NIGHT. Impossible as it might sounds it happened: 33.4C [92.1F] Iquique AP, CHILE just before midnight on 12 August.”
“El Niño may peak at the worst time for the Amazon – and it should worry us all…
“…the end of the dry season between October and December is when rivers are at their lowest and undergrowth is most likely to be tinder dry. This will be a period of extreme vulnerability for the forest, which plays a globally important role in stabilising the climate and irrigating crops.”
“Mexico is scrambling to contain a record surge of foul-smelling sargassum along its Caribbean coast, as the brown seaweed swamps beaches in the heart of the country’s tourism belt.
“Officials in Quintana Roo, home to resort destinations including Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, have cleared more than 105,000 metric tons of sargassum so far this year…”
“Video shows massive flooding, submerged vehicles in Hurricane neighborhood [Utah].
” An intense flash flood hit a Hurricane neighborhood. The worst of the flooding was reported near 198 South 850 West. A video shared with KUTV 2News by Zion Realty Media shows cars nearly fully submerged in muddy water.”
“Why has there been so much flooding in the United States lately? One key factor: Mountains of moisture in the Pacific!
“Big precipitable water anomalies have extended from an El Niño-scorched Pacific into the U.S., giving storms a deeper reservoir of water vapor to tap into.” [Ben Noll]
“Glacial lake flood hits Juneau, Alaska, again, reflecting a growing global risk as mountain glaciers melt.
“In the summers of 2023 and 2024, meltwater filled Suicide Basin, overflowed and escaped through tunnels in the ice, sending surges of water downstream that flooded neighborhoods along the river. In August 2025, the surge of water from Suicide Basin reached record levels at Mendenhall Lake…”
“New Film Series Shows How Seabirds Can Reveal Changes in Arctic Ecosystems…
“Many Arctic seabird populations are declining at an alarming rate due to climate change, shifting food webs, new diseases, pollution, and pressure from various industries. Since seabirds transport nutrients from sea to land, these declines can have consequences extending far beyond the bird populations themselves…”
“Global sea ice cover has taken a nose dive this week, mostly due to a sudden drop in Antarctic sea ice extent. Though, both poles are well below the long-term average.
“Fossils show huge carbon emissions harm forests, not ‘green the planet’…
“The authors of the new paper found this prehistoric change caused a retreat in the forests that blanketed the Paleocene-Eocene world, causing them to die off as the Earth browned rather than greened, a finding they state has “chilling implications” for today’s world.”
“Moody’s Says Heat, Water Scarcity Driving Stranded-Asset Risks.
“Extreme heat and unreliable water supplies are threatening asset valuations across a growing number of sectors as everything from labor productivity to energy costs gets impacted, according to an analysis by Moody’s.”
“Insurers attract billions from investors to spread climate risk.
“Insurers are actively attracting billions of dollars from institutional investors through catastrophe (cat) bonds [essentially a bet on disasters not happening] and insurance-linked securities (ILS) to spread the escalating financial risks of climate change.”
“No blockbuster deal is on the table at COP31. Instead, negotiators are grappling with climate finance, implementation, and an uncomfortable question: What is COP for now?“
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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.
“Earth’s oceans just hit their hottest temperature ever—it’s only going to get worse…
“Study suggests that climate change is intensifying El Ninos…
“It’s an incredible 4.32°C degrees warmer than average in the Niño 1+2 region near Peru and Ecuador — closing in on the all-time record of 4.67°C set in 1983.
“The latest data for the global surface temperature has August 26th at 1.81°C above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial baseline.
“Permafrost in rapid decline across the globe.
“Siberia’s methane emissions have surged, and wildfires are only half the story…
“The total area of forest fires in Russia has reached the size of a small European country..
“Netherlands records warmest summer on record…
“Strict rules on French cheesemaking relaxed as farmers battle record heat and drought.
“”It was the apocalypse”: a violent hailstorm hits the town of Pouligney-Lusans in the Doubs [France]…
“Southern Germany lashed by strong winds and supercell storms on Friday.
“86-year-old hiker receives lost backpack 63 years after he fell into Austrian glacier…
“Violent hailstorm, grains like golf balls: cars massacred and tourists fleeing [italy].
“Mussel die-off in Emilia-Romagna due to heat, farms issue SOS.
“Fifth heat wave, shocking temperatures: eight degrees above average [Sardinia; some record hot nights]…
“MEDITERRANEAN HEAT WAVE:
“Photos show European fishers on the brink as summer drought parches rivers, lakes and farms.
“Sea off Málaga Cools from 28°C to 16°C in a Week — New Record Set…
“Algeria continues to battle wildfires that have officially killed 12 people and injured 54 others across the provinces of Jijel, Bejaia, and Tizi Ouzou. 
“EXTRAORDINARY 50 DEGREES [122F]. MOST EXTREME HEAT WAVE IN AFRICA HISTORY.
“EXTRAORDINARY 43 DEGREES IN WINTER – ONE OF THE MOST EXTREME EVENTS IN WORLD HISTORY:
“Dramatic weather hits Saudi Arabia as lightning illuminates Mecca, sandstorm engulfs Medina.
“Aerial footage of the floods that struck neighborhoods in Taif [Saudi Arabia]…
“India: Data centers boom as water supply runs low.
“A massive glacier collapse triggered the deadly Nepal Tibet disaster. 
“Search-and-rescue operations halted as another dam collapses along Nepal-China border.
“On the evening of August 27, Panyu District in Guangzhou [south China, nr Hong Kong] experienced 260mm [10.2 inches] of rainfall in 6 hours due to thunderstorms, causing flooding on some roads.”
“The water level in Ningming, Guangxi [south China], rose to its highest point today, exceeding the warning level by 7.69 meters and surpassing the historical record by 1.07 meters!”
“Repeated Typhoons Deepen Congestion at Shanghai and Ningbo Ports…
“How typhoons and extreme weather could undermine Taiwan Strait combat readiness.
“Record rain floods 20 rivers in Japan’s Ishikawa, Toyama prefs, triggers landslides…
“JAPAN RECORD HEAT. Record heat never ends in Japan:
“Sea-ing red: Marine heat wave days nearly quadruple, 4.8 million fish dead [South Korea].
“HISTORIC HEAT IN THAILAND:
“Climate Change and Financial Losses Force Farmers to Cut Cassava Planting Up to 40% [Cambodia]…
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT WAVE IN SE ASIA:
“‘Everything is covered in ash’: Indonesia wildfires leave people in crisis.
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN THE PHILIPPINES:
“LUBAO, Pampanga, Philippines — The provincial government of Pampanga ordered a mass evacuation of residents living in danger zones after heavy rain spawned by the southwest monsoon caused damage to the Sta. Rita Dam…
“Spring scorcher to follow record warm winter for Australia’s south-east capitals…
“Tanker pays record $5.3m to transit Panama Canal amid El Niño drought.
“Record heat again in Lima, PERU:
“Peru Is Losing a Battle Against Illegal Gold Mining in Its Rainforests.
“Strong storm in Santa Fe: trucks overturned on the roads and the alert for storms with hail remains in place [Argentina]…
“SOUTH AMERICA – 42 DEGREES [107.6F] IN WINTER… 42.0C at Villamontes, Bolivia yesterday.
“EXTRAORDINARY RECORD – 39.6C [103.2F] yesterday in the famous tourist town of Santa Marta COLOMBIA. It destroys in pieces its ALL TIME RECORD.
“CARIBBEAN RECORD HEAT:
“Extreme Ocean Heatwave South Florida. Coral rescues are ongoing. 
“Ross Fire Burns 85,000 Acres: Flash Drought Whiplash Fuels North Texas Record.
“I keep looking at these September forecasts [for the US] thinking: surely not again.
“EXTRAORDINARY HOT NIGHTS – min 95F Phoenix and 92F Las Vegas tie their AUGUST HOTTEST NIGHTS IN HISTORY. 
“Arizona heat shows no mercy to homeless families living in cars…
“Northern Nevada Public Health has declared a local public health emergency following the Hawk, Bug and Stallion fires.
“Nevada’s Colorado River Suit Previews Future Water-Scarcity Wars.
“Extreme weather has cost California farmers over $800 million this year.
“Incredibly impressive humidity at LAX today.
“Fire crews battling the Cave Fire in Idaho encountered a massive fire whirl Wednesday near Kuna.
“Trump official faces inquiry over claims he diverted wildfire resources to his own property.
“Trump rollback of US forest protections could accelerate extinction of 400 endangered species…
“COP31 President ‘encouraged by growing momentum’ ahead of Antalya Summit.
“What ‘The Odyssey’ can teach us about climate chaos.
“AI analysis reveals dramatic rise in global ocean algae blooms.
“Lough Neagh algae crisis deepens as local businesses and wildlife suffer [Northern Ireland].
“Swimmers are being warned not to enter the water at the first official bathing site on the River Thames, in south-west London, because of toxic blue-green algae in the water.
“River salinisation is widespread across Europe.
“Millions in France report eco-anxiety after summer of heatwaves and wildfires.
“French farmers dip into winter fodder as drought leaves pastures bare.
“Scorching summer triggers record rockfalls in Alps, scientist says.
“Monaco Marine Heatwave Shatters Records as Sea Temperatures Stay Above 28°C for 39 Days.
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN SPAIN:
“Spain ends August with unusual-for-summer storm and very heavy downpours.
“Thunderstorms in Liguria, train struck by lightning and flooding in Tigullio. Portofino isolated [Italy].
“Deadly overnight storms batter Germany as tornado hits region.
“RECORD HEAT IN THE BALKANS – both Western and Eastern Europe are again with record heat!
“Wildfires across Greece amid late-summer heatwave.
“‘Another kind of lockdown’: Inside Europe’s hottest town transformed forever by climate change…
“Climate change is raising diarrhea risk for children across Africa.
“EXTRAORDINARY – WORLD CLIMATIC HISTORY REWRITTEN; 40c 1[04F] IN WINTER IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.
“Sudan farms lie barren as El Nino leaves Nile banks dry.
“Heavy rains and floods inundate the streets of Ibb city, obstructing traffic amid rising water levels [Yemen].”
“EXCEPTIONAL HEAT IN CENTRAL ASIA:
“Record rainfall in several districts of Punjab [Pakistan]…
“Indian elephants are being squeezed out of their habitats.
“More records of August Highest MINIMUMS IN [EASTERN] INDIA:
“‘It was a tsunami’: Floods leave death trail in India’s Assam…
“The death toll from a recent typhoon in China’s southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has reportedly spiked. State media say the figure now exceeds 150.
“President Lee Jae Myung Declares Geoje, Tongyeong Special Disaster Zones [S Korea].
“Philippines floods fuel anger over alleged corruption.
“INDONESIA RECORD HEAT:
“Wildfire Smoke Disrupts Flights at Airports Across Kalimantan.
“Smoke transport in the Arctic and intense seasonal fires in Indonesia.
“Australians are set to battle record-breaking temperatures this Spring as the country is expected to also record its wettest El Nino year on record.
“Antarctic krill fishing is now concentrated in the exact pattern conservation rules were designed to prevent.
“Storm-Battered Hawaii Faces Torrential Rain, Mudslide Threat…
“Peru rescues people trapped by landslides on highway for nearly a week.
“Endless Extraordinary Heat in Tropical Americas RECORDS ARE FALLING IN EVERY COUNTRY.
“Climate Change Is Driving More Warm Summer Nights in U.S. Cities…
“Congress must act now to keep the Rio Grande flowing…
“The US has a plan to save the Colorado River. Experts say it won’t be enough to stop the crisis.
“Hundreds of America’s wild horses reportedly sent to slaughter under Trump.
“Microburst hurls Alabama sunroom 225 feet into front yard.
“A Flooded Basement, A Failing Heart: Real Face of Climate Change in Brooklyn…
“Rare Tornadoes Hit New York City as Storm Drenches Mid-Atlantic.
“Say what you will about the tropical Pacific ocean, but the North Atlantic, with its lack of tropical weather and ample amounts of Saharan dust, is nearing record daily highs.
“Hurricane forecasters watch ‘unusual’ activity in Atlantic.
“…with the new Westerly wind burst and a reduction of tradewinds… along with a historically strong oceanic kelvin wave… I would give two or three weeks and sea surface temperatures and anomalies will really start skyrocketing upward not just a little bit but potentially at very alarming rapid rates…
“Super-Duper El Nino and the Bigger Problem…
“We’re now on day 83 of record breaking daily global sea-surface temperatures. There’s still an outside chance that this year could break the all-time daily record set back on April 24, 2024. 
“Breaking News! Another record hot day. August 19th was nearly 1.69°C above pre-industrial. The planet has now seen 13 consecutive record daily highs. 
“Climate Change Wreaks Havoc on Wine Industry…
“Climate change could triple the price of wheat…
“The Iran war energy crisis is just getting started.
“Western oil refinery closures set to continue despite war shock.
“Iran goes on offensive as diplomacy with US stalls.
“Trump threatens Iran’s trade partners, as military strikes make way for economic pressure…
“Iranian Oil Supply to Chinese Refiners Squeezed by US Blockade…
“How China and Russia could hobble Trump’s plans to isolate Iran.
“Pentagon quizzes NATO allies on political loyalty, documents reveal.
“Denmark has sent conscripts to Greenland for the first time as Copenhagen steps up its Arctic military presence following US President Donald Trump’s claims on the territory.
“US government debt hits $40tn as borrowing rises at historic rate…
“U.S. bond intervention is like ‘paying your mortgage with your credit card,’ JPMorgan’s Sullivan says…
“‘Rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic’: Bonds erase the impact of Treasury’s intervention…
“It Won’t Take Much to Burst the US Stock Market Bubble…
“Anthropic Expects to Match SpaceX’s Record IPO Size or Top It…
“You’re Already Funding the AI Bubble — and You’ll Pay for the Bust…
“Walmart posts weakest growth in years, a worrying sign of inflation-weary Americans…
“Japan bond yields rise as oil gains stoke fresh inflation concerns.
“Japan’s historic yen intervention has ‘turbo-charged’ the carry trade.
“Private credit risks remain at large. Regulators and investors should pay attention to the strain in the direct loan market…
“Private Credit’s Next Big Thing Is $1 Trillion in British Pensions… UK pension insurers are the most exposed in Europe to private credit….
“Councils across the UK are increasingly turning towards Artificial Intelligence (AI) as they try to fill a looming £4bn financial black hole.
“John Healey warned to limit Budget borrowing amid bond sell-off [UK]…
“Record German debt sales deepen strains for Europe’s battered bond market.
“Europe’s Energy Reserves Worked. The Next Test Will Be Harder…
“Heatwaves and energy crunch: Can Europe withstand a double shock?
“Europe’s hollowed-out armies: The race to find 100,000 soldiers…
“Russia, Ukraine Trade Strikes as Zelenskyy Seeks More Missiles…
“Moscow Gas Stations Reimpose Fuel Limits as ‘Second Wave’ of Shortages Hits Russia.
“Myanmar military offensive targets land for Russia-backed port project…
“North Korea fires 10 missiles day after Trump curtails South Korea joint drills.
“China to build environmental monitoring station near disputed Scarborough Shoal.
“Hundreds of Tibetans protest China’s ethnic unity law by shaving heads.
“Pakistan Says It Shot Down Taliban Drone, Rejects Afghan Strike Claims…
“Pakistani forces kill five militants in restive southwest amid surge in attacks…
“US military presence in Middle East could be cut back after Iran war ends: report.
“Israeli opinion article says Turkey’s Nato protection does not apply to troops in Syria…
“Israeli warplanes carry out overnight strikes in southern Lebanon…
“Houthis and government trade attacks as Yemen slides back to full-scale war…
“Gunmen seize tanker off Yemen amid resurgence of Somali piracy…
“Somalia faces another hunger crisis and the UN food agency head says it has far less funds to help…
“Fighting breaks out in western Tigray as Ethiopia and TPLF trade blame.
“Over 200,000 people newly displaced in Sudan’s Kordofan as fighting rages.
“Ebola outbreak out of control in Democratic Republic of the Congo, WHO says: ‘It is spreading faster than our ability to contain it’…
“Anti-government protesters take to Tunisia’s streets for second month.
“US pummels Cuban economy with new sanctions on mining, construction.
“First group of deportees arrives in troubled Haiti after US ends TPS program.
“US military assists Ecuador in 1st land operation against cartels…
“The drone war is coming for global shipping…
“‘Perfect storm’ brews for global food supply this winter as grain prices soar.
“Governments brace for historic El Nino impacts on global weather extremes.
“In this paper, the key point is that the Earth Energy Imbalance has been increasing faster than previously expected, supporting the possibility that the climate may be more sensitive to greenhouse gases than earlier estimates suggested. 
“Breaking News! 
“In order for 2026 to average 1.60°C above pre-industrial, the rest of the year starting today has to average 1.84°C above pre-industrial.
“Quick El Niño update.
“I did the math on this, and the combined Nino regions right now have about 60% more absolute excess heat than the 1997 El Niño. 
“The Strongest El Niño on Record Lands on the Tightest Energy Market in Years…
“Giant whales move into Greenland waters as ice disappears…
“Extreme drought is changing Britain’s wildlife – and some effects won’t be seen until next year…
“North Sea reaches warmest temperature ever recorded in Dutch waters.
“Climate change is driving record heat in Europe’s seas, scientists say.
“France measures more than 7,300 excess deaths – and counting – during historic heatwaves.
“In drought-stricken France, tankers supply drinking water.
“Amid extreme heat, water grows scarce around Berlin.
“Lake Zurich sees water level hit record low amid drought…
“‘Climate Camp’ trains kids for future droughts in Hungary…
“Fires erupt on Greek island of Corfu, several parts of mainland…
“A two-day severe weather outbreak is expected across the western, central, and northern Mediterranean. 
“The Balearic Sea is warming and has set a new temperature record…
“Portuguese men o’ war plague Europe’s warming beaches…
“EXCEPTIONAL WINTER HEAT – hotter and hotter in this insane winter heat wave in Southern Africa Highlands.
“Mass sardine die-off: new threat to African Penguins?
“Sudan war: 200,000 newly displaced as fighting and floods intensify…
“Nairobi Shivers as Atlantic Currents Drive Unusual August Cold Spell.
“Super El Niño: Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia brace for torrential rains.
“PMD issues flood alert for Leh Nullah as heavy rains continue to batter Rawalpindi and Islamabad [Pakistan]…
“Pakistan’s ‘red chili capital’ faces a climate crisis threatening its signature crop.
“The Drying Tears of the Himalayas: Why Kashmir’s Water Crisis is a Warning to the World.
“Ladakh glaciers losing speed as ice melts, new study warns.
“RECORD HEAT IN INDIA. Records of August High Maxes and High Mins fall regularly in Southern India these days.
“Prayagraj Flood Situation Worsens As Ganga Water Levels Continue To Rise [central eastern India]…
“Arunachal cloudburst leaves 5 soldiers missing [NE India, on Chinese border].
“5 killed, 17 injured in rain shelter collapse as torrential rainfall batters SW China’s Sichuan, leading to relocation of 21,784.
“Japan’s Urban Vulnerabilities Exposed by Torrential Downpours in Chiba Prefecture.
“Geoje, Tongyeong Mobilize Full-Scale Recovery After Historic Floods.
“Nan floods kill 2 and affect more than 16,000 people [Thailand]…
“How an ‘unprecedented’ super El Nino could reshape extreme weather for 12 of Asia’s biggest cities.
“Southeast Asia Haze Risk Rises as Indonesia’s Fire Hotspots Jump.
“More and more heat records in Malaysia and Indonesia:
“Australia braces for bushfires in almost every state as El Niño strengthens.
“More than 1,000 birds found dead in three mass mortality events amid ‘significant’ H5 escalation in Australia.
“Three quarters of Indo-Pacific coral reefs could drown as sea levels rise.
“Four tropical systems may be simultaneously swirling in the Pacific by early next week.
“US to send hospital ship to Peru as El Nino threat looms.
“Mudslides hit northern Chile after extraordinary desert rains…
“RECORD RAINFALLS ON THE [USUALLY ARID] CHILEAN COAST!
“Record again in the US VIRGIN ISLANDS.
“Miami hit an all-time record on Tuesday. It’s more significant than you think.
“Sargassum seaweed covers Miami Beach amid a record bloom in 2026.
“I’ve seen enough. August 2026 is going to be the hottest August on record for the contiguous U.S. — and probably by a significant margin.
“Human remains have once again been discovered at Lake Mead outside Las Vegas, Nevada, marking the latest in a line of gruesome discoveries as water levels in the crucial reservoir continue to drop, authorities said.
“Nevada warns feds: Don’t make Las Vegas pay for Colorado River crisis.
“Firefighters sound alarm as US faces critical staffing shortage: ‘We don’t have enough people’…
“‘There was just no way to stop it’ | Hoosier farmers reeling from record rainfall, historic flooding.
“Alberta sees wildfire-free August after record rainfall.
“Alaska in 2026 has been sidelined by the above average temperatures of most of North America, but this month has seen a warm spell.
“The threatening thaw: climate professor on heatwave risks to tipping point of permafrost.
“Climate doom may discourage climate action, but there’s a way to counter it.
“The Next Energy Crisis Could Be a Water Crisis.
“Bonkers.
“Yikes! 
“In the subsurface equatorial Pacific, ocean temperatures recently reached 9.96°C (17.9°F) above average, the largest anomaly of this El Niño event so far and larger than anything observed in 1997.
“For those who are not faint of heart, the latest CFSv2 run shows the Nino 3 region peaking at 4.92°C above the 1991-2020 baseline in December.”
“Another Emerging Climate Pattern Could Amplify El Niño-Driven Weather Risks [positive Indian Ocean Dipole]…
“Why Siberia’s warming landscape could shatter Trump’s Arctic ambitions.
“Up and down in Shelagontsy, Siberia!
“The World’s Oceans Are Getting Hotter. Surfers Are Feeling It.
“‘Our new normal’: how marine heatwaves affect life in British seas.
“Are we paying attention to what’s happening to Scotland’s birds?
“Mapped: The wildfires scorching the UK as four major incidents still ongoing…
“Reform’s Richard Tice says UK should ‘celebrate’ climate change: ‘You can’t stop it’…
“London’s flood defence may need replacing far sooner than expected due to extreme weather.
“Belgium’s largest wildfire on record remains out of control.
“French PM heckled over wildfire response as blazes continue across Europe…
“Record warm night yesterday in GERMANY.
“A looming rock collapse threatens a Swiss village as thawing permafrost destabilizes the Alps.
“Czech Government Reactivates National Coalition to Combat Drought.
“One dead and 15 firefighters injured in multiple explosive wildfires in Croatia…
“Two people died and and hundreds were evacuated after two fires broke out “almost simultaneously” on a Greek island near Athens on Sunday afternoon, officials said.
“Curious why so much of Europe is on fire right now? 
“Mani: Unprecedented flash floods; lightning hits woman [Greece].
“Torrential Rains and Fierce Winds Batter Naples [Italy].
“Severe summer storms in Spain leave three dead and cause beach chaos.
“Sea surface temperature are over 30°C throughout the Tyrrhenian Sea, Ligurian Sea, Ionian Sea, Sicily Channel, and Sicilian Sea [Mediterranean].
“Severe flooding and catastrophic hailstorm in El Khroub, Algeria.
“Nigeria’s capital city Abuja flooded, vehicles submerged…
“Beyond GERD, Ethiopia’s dam ambitions shift battle over Nile flows.
“War over the Nile? The exact weapons Egypt is considering to strike Ethiopia… 
“Rare summer storm breaks Jerusalem’s all-time August rainfall record in one hour.
“Flash Floods Ravage Displaced Camps in Idlib.
“IRAN IS BOILING in every sense. Temperature reaches 50/52C every day in Southern areas with Night Mins often >35C.
“Torrential rain floods Rawalpindi [Pakistan].
“Alarm bells as western Himalaya warms faster…
“Hong Kong aiming to revamp heat-stress warning system by end of this month.
“Extreme heat more dangerous for people 60 and over than previously thought…
“Municipalities in Chiba Prefecture [Japan] hit by torrential rain last week continued to remove cars that had been abandoned after becoming submerged…
“Entire summer’s worth of rain fell on Geoje in just two days [South Korea].
“NEVER ENDING RECORD HEAT IN INDONESIA. Records are broken all over, every day.
“Philippines suspends classes as extreme weather affects 5 million…
“Clean-up begins in Hawaii after intense rain and flooding from Hurricane Lala. 
“Record again in Lima, PERU!
“Torrential rains flood homes and roads across Lima, Peru.
“‘Everyone is scared’: flood-hit Porto Alegre braces for another El Niño [Brazil]…
“WINTER & SUMMER in SOUTH AMERICA:
“Three people, including two girls, were killed after heavy rains triggered flooding in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and other parts of the country, local authorities said.
“Extraordinary heat in the Caribbean. One by one, every single record is falling.
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN CENTRAL AMERICA:
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN MEXICO:
“Water levels at Lake Powell, the second-largest reservoir in the United States, have dropped to a record low, heightening anxiety over the Colorado River system crisis.
“A severe storm that passed through a county in Colorado left piles of hail stones and vehicles stuck in floodwater.
“‘We can’t come back here’: Charleston residents face devastating flood aftermath [W Virginia].
“Earth System Tipping Points…
“Geoengineering Will Save Us. Technology will thwart the doomsayers…
“It’s likely that 2026 will be the hottest year on record, experts say…
“Today’s water-cooler conversation:
“I’ve never seen the mean Warm Pool displaced this far east before. 30C temperatures down to 100m at 150W is absolutely ludicrous…
“The Atlantic Ocean can handle more warming than expected — with one big catch…
“Europe’s extremely hot summer has not just contributed to another disastrous alpine melting season, but also far North in Scandinavia.
“The prolonged heat and drought together with a spate of pollution incidents are creating a “lethal” combination for Ireland’s rivers, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has said.
“Marine heatwave devastates seagrass conservation project on Welsh coast.
“The UK’s arable harvest is now expected to be even smaller than previously forecast – just 18.5 million tonnes…
“The UK’s fifth heatwave of the summer has “presented exceptional challenges to the railway”, Network Rail has said, after two trains derailed in less than 24 hours…
“HISTORIC HEAT WAVE IN UK – over 50 long time stations had their hottest August day/night on record; these stations broke all-time records:
“EXTRAORDINARY DAY IN FRANCE >43C [109.4F]. It’s one of the most extreme heat waves France has ever experienced.
“Extreme heat spurs earliest-ever Champagne harvest, putting its famous taste to the test.
“HISTORIC HEAT WAVE IN BENELUX.
“In Germany record heat meets climate action fatigue.
“‘We will miss glacier meltwater,’ warns Swiss scientist.
“Skies turn red as wildfires burn across Europe – with thousands of people evacuated.
“HISTORIC HEAT IN THE BALKANS; Mind blowing RECORD MINIMUMS:
“A boiling Mediterranean — When rising sea temperatures reshape our reality.
“Iberian orca known for ramming boats seen with suspected gunshot wounds…
“Disturbing scenes of torrential floods that swept through Douar Al-Zaouia in the commune of Berkane in Guercif Province [Morocco], this Friday evening.
“Sudden floods sweep through wide neighborhoods of the city of Adré in Chad’s eastern Wadi province, following heavy rains that hit the region on August 11.
“Another summer night in SOUTH AFRICA winter.
“More people, farms, and drought could mean more elephant conflict in Southern Africa.
“Wildlife cyanide poisoning: Time to review Kenya’s pesticide governance?
“Sudden floods and torrents sweep through several areas in Idlib province, northwestern Syria, following heavy thunderstorms, flooding roads and a number of vehicles, this Friday.
“MIDDLE EAST HEAT WAVE.
“Crisis Looms in Southern Iraq over Water, Electricity Shortages.
“Heavy Monsoon Rains Cause Severe Flooding Across Northern Iran.
“This exceptional heat wave in CENTRAL ASIA is beyond any imagination with thousands of records falling for months and will go on for the foreseeable future.
“Torrential rains, cloudbursts, hailstorms lash Kashmir, trigger flash floods.
“Five killed, eight missing after landslide buries homes in western Nepal…
“Henan province [China] has suffered multiple levee breaches since Wednesday as a result of rains brought by Typhoon Dolphin, the 13th typhoon of this year.
“Typhoon Dolphin brought extreme rain to Huzhou, Zhejiang [E China]! Tonight, Zhili AWS, Huzhou, received 232.4 mm [9.1 inches] of rainfall in one hour, setting a new record for the highest hourly rainfall intensity observed by the Chinese meteorological system!
“Authorities in Far East Russia’s Zabaikalsky region declared a state of emergency on Thursday following a summer of torrential rainfall and three consecutive flood waves…
“‘Unprecedented’ rain in Japan kills eight people.
“As floods devastate Mekong communities, economic strain, conflict compound crisis.
“Myanmar diarrhoea outbreak sees hundreds hospitalised amid monsoon flooding and civil war…
“SE ASIA RECORD HEAT:
“Indonesia wildfires threaten orangutans rescued from animal traffickers…
“Bird flu has been evolving and migrating for 30 years. It is a far more deadly virus that has now arrived in Australia…
“Hawaii braces for direct hit from Tropical Storm Lala.
“Displaced by El Niño, South American Seabirds Flock to Panama.
“EXTRAORDINARY EVENT – WORLD CLIMATIC HISTORY REWRITTEN:
“El Niño may peak at the worst time for the Amazon – and it should worry us all…
“CARIBBEAN RECORD HEAT:
“Mexico is scrambling to contain a record surge of foul-smelling sargassum along its Caribbean coast, as the brown seaweed swamps beaches in the heart of the country’s tourism belt.
“Astonishing 1000-YR rain in the MOHAVE DESERT this evening – 9” in 3 hours SE of Las Vegas & Henderson Nevada, near Nelson. 
“Video shows massive flooding, submerged vehicles in Hurricane neighborhood [Utah].
“Why has there been so much flooding in the United States lately? One key factor: Mountains of moisture in the Pacific!
“Glacial lake flood hits Juneau, Alaska, again, reflecting a growing global risk as mountain glaciers melt.
“New Film Series Shows How Seabirds Can Reveal Changes in Arctic Ecosystems…
“Global sea ice cover has taken a nose dive this week, mostly due to a sudden drop in Antarctic sea ice extent. Though, both poles are well below the long-term average.
“Fossils show huge carbon emissions harm forests, not ‘green the planet’…
“Moody’s Says Heat, Water Scarcity Driving Stranded-Asset Risks.
“Insurers attract billions from investors to spread climate risk.
“Could COP31 be the end of negotiations?