“Record warmth leaves world with too much gas. The northern hemisphere experienced its warmest October and November in records dating back to the 1880s – pushing the gas market into a large surplus and triggering a slump in prices…
“Record temperatures extended the gas storage refill season much later than usual and delayed the onset of the winter drawdown.”
“November 2023 globally, according to NOAA was the warmest on record, specially warm in South America, Caribbean, Asia and Africa where it was by far the warmest November on record.
“2023 is set to finish in 1st place with a huge margin vs 2016.”
“”This year’s temperatures are giving new meaning to the phrase “off the charts.” [World Meteorological Organisation]…
“”If you told me last year, that we’d see this in 2023, even with the knowledge that El Niño was coming, I would not have believed you. The extent of the jump in one year is something that meteorologists would never have imagined.”” [Jeff Berardelli, Weather Prof]
“El Nino, intensifying climate change to make 2024 another record hot year, scientists warn.
““We are completely in uncharted territory. The water of the oceans is at a record temperature, and we have not seen temperatures like these in our observational records… This is a new world and in this new world, we can expect different things from what we have seen before.”” [Carlo Buontempo, director of Copernicus Climate Change Service]
“Despite COP28 deal on fossil fuels, 1.5C goal likely out of reach…
“”It’s a landmark result because it’s the first time we’ve said we’re going to reduce fossil fuel use,” said James Dyke, an earth systems scientist at the University of Exeter in Britain. “But you can forget about 1.5C.””
“…When GHG and aerosol forcings are combined, the climate models with a realistic 20th century warming indicate that the global mean precipitation increase due to GHG warming has, until recently, been completely masked by aerosol drying.
“This explains the apparent lack of sensitivity of the global mean precipitation to the net global warming recently found in observations. As the importance of GHG warming increases in the future, a clear signal will emerge.”
“Is climate-friendly flying possible? Biden administration places a big wager…
“The proposal calls for giving subsidies to support the development of so-called sustainable aviation fuels, capable of powering jet engines from agricultural products. Examples of such fuels include biofuels engineered out of soybeans, diesel made with animal fat and conventional types of ethanol.”
“In southern Iowa, Osceola is urging its 5,500 residents to use bottled water to stretch the city’s water supply as extreme drought shrinks West Lake, its primary source of water.
“In a notice this week, Osceola City Administrator Ty Wheeler asked residents to switch from using tap to bottled water for their “drinking water needs.””
“For first time ever, ‘exceptional drought’ declared by Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District [Texas].
“The leaders managing the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District took the unprecedented step Thursday night of moving to a Stage 4 Exceptional Drought declaration, meaning tougher water-saving measures are coming for well operators.”
“Drought by day, ice by night: extreme weather in Peru’s Andes killing crops and leaving families hungry.
“A freak combination of drought interspersed with night-time hailstorms is destroying crops and plunging children and families into hunger in the Peruvian Andes as the climate crisis and El Nino wreak havoc, Save the Children said.”
“COLOMBIA 38.4 [101.1F] Neiva monthly record; BRAZIL Several monthly records, last one 39.3 Ze Doca; PARAGUAY MIN, TEMP. 31.0 Mariscal Estigarribia, highest on record in December. Next 4 days will be historic with records in Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay.”
“Understanding atmospheric flash droughts in the Caribbean.
“The word “drought” typically conjures images of parched soil, dust-swept prairies, depleted reservoirs… all the result of weeks or seasons of persistently dry atmospheric conditions. In the sun-soaked islands in the Caribbean, however, drought conditions can occur much more rapidly, with warning signs appearing too late for mediation strategies…”
“Bermuda set for wettest year in more than a century.
“A day of rain on Wednesday has pushed 2023 over the line to make it the wettest year since 1902. While more than two weeks remain on the calendar, a total of 76.25in of rain were recorded by the Bermuda Weather Service as of yesterday morning, making this year the wettest since modern record-keeping began…”
“Billions of euros earmarked to boost renewable energy and slash emissions are on the cutting block after EU leaders proposed moving them over to fund immigration and defense efforts instead.
“The move came during this week’s EU leaders’ summit in Brussels…”
“Axarquía’s December Heatwave Raises [Drought] Concerns…
“The south of Spain experienced an unexpected meteorological shift as temperatures soared to unprecedented levels this week… Higher temperatures can accelerate evaporation rates, leading to increased water loss from reservoirs and drying out of soil. If prolonged, such temperature anomalies could further strain water resources, posing further challenges.”
“November sets new record temperature for the month of 29.1°C [Malta]…
“As the mercury hit 29.1°C [84.4F] on the first day of November, a new record for the highest temperature for the month was set, Malta International Airport said Friday… The first half of November was also marked by a shortage of rain, with the Maltese Islands receiving just 0.6 mm of precipitation during this time.”
“Images from Lake Van reveal severe drought [Turkey]
“Amidst escalating concerns about climate change, striking photographs captured at Lake Van in the Eastern Anatolian region have revealed the harsh reality of drought. Global climate change and resulting droughts continue to affect Lake Van. The 3,712 square kilometer lake is the largest soda lake in the world and the largest lake in Türkiye.”
“‘Floods have washed away entire villages’: Kenya’s rains made twice as intense by climate change…
“Tens of thousands of people in Northern Kenya have lost livestock, farmland and homes due to the floods described by aid groups as the worst in 100 years. The rains have also caused an increase in cholera and other waterborne diseases in some parts.”
“‘It’s scary’: Malawian women forced to sell sex after cyclone destroys crops.
“It has been nine months since Cyclone Freddy, the longest-lasting tropical cyclone ever recorded, struck Malawi twice in six days. The cyclone triggered floods and landslides across the country, killing more than 1,000 people and displacing nearly 700,000.”
“Hundred commuters break bones in subway crash triggered by record big freeze in China.
“A subway crash in China has left 102 commuters with broken bones after freezing temperatures affected braking systems, according to local reports. Authorities in Beijing say more than 500 people were sent to hospital…”
“Extraordinary, crazy heat in East Asia: By far the most extreme event in East Asia history.
“Hong Kong destroyed its December territorial record again with 32.8C [91F] at Wetland Park, record also at the Int. Airport with 30.4C. Tmin 18.2C at Seongsan South Korea unprecedented in December.”
“More than a dozen of Australia’s coral islands that help to extend the country’s maritime jurisdiction are at high risk of disappearing because of climate change, according to a study.
The fate of the low-lying islands now “hangs in the balance”, said the scientist who led the study…”
“Ex-Cyclone Jasper: Residents in far north Queensland brace for more rain as flooding cuts off towns…
“Thousands of people have been without power for days and flooded roads have hampered access to towns in the aftermath. The weather system is at moderate risk of strengthening into a cyclone again mid next week as it moves west across the Gulf of Carpentaria.”
“A man has been killed during a severe storm in Murarrie on Friday evening as heavy rain, hail and almost 200km/h [124mph] wind gusts ripped through parts of Brisbane.
“Emergency services were called to Murarrie Road just after 5pm after an unconscious man was found lying near fallen powerlines.”
“Fresh call to be aware of Australia’s ‘secret killer’ ahead of sweltering summer.
“Community pools, libraries, shopping centres and cinemas must be kept accessible in a bid to stop Australia’s secret killer — heatwaves. Australia is set to swelter this summer and authorities are concerned about the impact of extreme heat over the next two months.”
“…roughly a third of marine heat waves aren’t detectable at the ocean’s surface, a new study reports. The findings, published in the December Nature Geoscience, suggest that far more of these potentially harmful events might be occurring than previously believed.”
“Climate change is further reducing fish stocks with worrisome implications for global food supplies…
“For animal-derived nutrients such as B12 and omega-3 fatty acids, nearly 20 per cent of the global population are at risk of becoming nutrient-deficient in coming decades due to reliance on wild-caught fish.”
“Genetically modified crops aren’t a solution to climate change, despite what the biotech industry says…
“The European Commission launched a proposal in July 2023 to deregulate a large number of plants manufactured using new genetic techniques… if the proposal were to be approved, these plants would be treated the same as conventional plants, eliminating the need for safety tests and the labelling of genetically modified food products.”
“Extreme weather events pose a risk to migratory birds.
“Extreme weather events such as cyclones and droughts are set to worsen as the planet warms, putting the future of around 200 migratory birds at risk a new study from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Imperial College London has revealed.”
“…Only around 3% of Earth’s water is freshwater, most of which is in frozen glaciers, ice caps or deep underground. As climate change accelerates the frequency of extreme weather events and higher temperatures, our freshwater supply grows smaller and the risks to people’s health greater.”
“Iceberg Harvesting: A Viable Solution for Global Water Scarcity or an Ecological Time Bomb?
“According to a New Scientist report, it is technically possible to capture icebergs, tow them to the equator and harvest them for drinking water… The removal of icebergs from their natural habitats could disrupt marine ecosystems, affecting marine life and sequestering CO2… towing icebergs across vast ocean distances may release large amounts of CO2…”
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“Warmest Arctic summer on record is evidence of accelerating climate change…
“NOAA’s 2023 Arctic Report Card documents new records showing that human-caused warming of the air, ocean and land is affecting people, ecosystems and communities across the Arctic region… Summer surface air temperatures during 2023 were the warmest ever observed in the Arctic.”
“Arctic Permafrost Hides Migrating Methane That Could Skyrocket Emissions…
“The finding suggests that deep methane, two meters below the surface, under the frozen part of the ground, is not hard to find in the archipelago [Svalbard], and can easily migrate to the surface when ‘unlocked’. This probably goes for other parts of the Arctic, too, which have similar geological origins.”
“Do you remember when Oymyakon [Siberia] had -58.0°C a week ago? It was 12°C below average.
“Well, for the past 4 days, Oymyakon has been recording well above average temperatures, up to -18.6°C (24°C above average)! It’s record level for mid-December. Delyankir recorded -12.4°C [9.7F]!”
“Alaska salmon woes, extreme precipitation, tundra shrub growth part of Arctic transformation…
“Western Alaska salmon runs provide a “particularly clear picture” of how ocean warming affects ecosystems, said Daniel Schindler, a University of Washington fisheries expert who was a contributing Arctic Report Card author.”
“Alberta records driest recorded Fall leading to water shortages across the province…
“At this time of the year, Alberta is usually a winter wonderland. But after a long and dry year across Alberta, the province is experiencing its driest Fall in recorded history. That is due to temperatures, on average, being five degrees higher.”
“High-elevation snowpack loss during the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome amplified by successive spring heatwaves.
“We found that multiple early season (spring) heatwaves, concluding with the 2021 heat dome itself, resulted in dramatic early season melt… Using longer-term station records (1940–2021), we show that springtime +5 °C daily anomalies were historically rare but since the mid-1990s have doubled in frequency and/or intensity.”
“Marine heat waves are persisting in the U.S., even in winter…
“Recent data from NOAA reveals that marine heatwaves are prevalent across various U.S. coasts, including the Pacific Northwest, the south Gulf of Mexico, and the Northwest Atlantic. Central America is also experiencing these heatwaves off both of its coasts.”
“California wildfires created toxic chromium, research finds.
“As climate change intensifies wildfires, scientists are trying to figure out just how dangerous their smoke can be for human health… Scientists think the heat of severe wildfires can transform a benign version of the metal, which is found commonly in California soil, into a notorious carcinogen.”
“Wildfires found to also impact aquatic ecosystems…
“Many normally functioning lake and pond ecosystems tend to emit more carbon dioxide than they absorb since they receive carbon into their system from neighboring sources. The new study showed that this relationship could change with the increased input of burned wildfire materials.”
“Super tanker arrived in Chile to fight forest fires.
“Santiago de Chile, Dec 13 (Prensa Latina) The President of Chile, Gabriel Boric, announced today the arrival of the second super tanker aircraft contracted to strengthen the fight against wildfires during the current summer season, expected to be intense.”
“Bolivia’s record [beef] sales have coincided with deforestation in recent years, mainly in Santa Cruz, the department where most meat for export originates. In 2022, the country ranked third in the world for primary forest loss, at 385,000 hectares, only behind Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo – a position it continued to hold in 2023.”
“At least three people were killed and five others missing in floods and landslides in Bolivia, local media reported.
“Heavy rainfall in the city of Potosi, which has been ongoing since the weekend, has resulted in casualties and property damage. Rivers have overflowed, submerging agricultural lands and leading to the flooding of hundreds of homes.”
“A strong storm that included intense rains and storms caused flooding in Santa Fe and surrounding areas [Argentina].
“The city of El Trébol and María Susana were under water this Wednesday. In 3 hours, between 4 and 7 in the morning, 200 millimeters [nearly 8 inches] fell in El Trébol and about 180 in María Susana.”
“New brutal and historic heat wave in SOUTH AMERICA specially in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil.
“Extremely hot days, nights and high humidity will be a deadly combination. PARAGUAY can record 6 CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS ABOVE >30c [86F] OF min. temperature, never happened in South America.”
“Climate change causing 60% of plants and insects to fall out of sync.
“A study of more than 1,500 species of herbivorous insects in Europe, spanning 34 years of data, has found that 60% of insects are already struggling to keep up with the plants they rely on because climate change is advancing key seasonal timings (phenology), such as plant blooming or insect emergence, earlier in the year, at different rates.”
“Scotland weather: ‘Warmest December night on record’ predicted…
“There is a chance the country could experience its warmest December night on record, with temperatures in the east of the country potentially rising to around the current record of 12.5C on Saturday night.”
“Spain records hottest December day as nation’s ski season at risk…
“A mass of hot air swept over the Iberian Peninsula on Tuesday, with some parts nearing 30C (86F). Malaga reached 29.9C (85.8F), provisionally becoming mainland Spain’s hottest December day on record, the Met Office said, citing figures by the Spanish national weather agency AEMET.”
“Heavy rain and melting snow cause flooding and landslides in Switzerland.
“Heavy rain and melting snow have caused flood and landslide warnings in Switzerland. Canton Valais and the Jura and Lake Biel regions are badly affected… “The situation is dangerous all over,” Frédéric Favre, the head of the Department of Security, Institutions and Sport, told reporters on Tuesday.”
“Gaza a ‘living hell’ after heavy winter rains drench makeshift tents…
“Amid escalating shortages of food, spreading waves of communicable disease and the near collapse of Gaza’s health system, the winter storm turned large areas to mud and drenched many of those sleeping in makeshift plastic tents.”
“The climate disaster strikes [India]: what the data say…
“India is facing a harsh new reality. In Kerala, near the southern tip of the subcontinent, floods frequently inundate farmlands and pour into households. In the sea off Mumbai, fewer fish are caught owing to an increase in cyclones and heavier rainfall. Farther north in Rajasthan, cattle farmers face rising temperatures and water shortages.”
“In Tamil Nadu’s Rice-Bowl, Changing Climate Pushes Farmers To Skip Summer Crop…
“Prolonged and increased heat and the failure of monsoons have dried the groundwater in the region, even in fields that are just 100 metres from the Kollidam river. To make matters worse, increased salinity has made the groundwater unfit for use.”
“The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in its Global Study on Homicide Report 2023 said that one in every five murders in India between 2019-21 is due to water-related conflicts.
“”Nearly 20 percent of all interpersonal murders recorded in India in the period 2019–2021 can be attributed to conflict over water,” the report said.”
“Northern China on alert for snow onslaught and record low temperatures. The mercury is expected to stay below freezing as cold wave sweeps across the region from Wednesday.
“Climatologist says the country’s winter average temperatures have risen but cold waves have also become more extreme.”
“The heat in East Asia is totally crazy. Thousands of records have fallen (over 1100 only in China) and hundreds/thousands more will fall next days from Myanmar to Japan.
“Today up to 36.7C [98.1F] in Thailand and more records in MYANMAR: 36.0C Myaungmya; 36.2C Belin.”
“Indonesia calls in army to help farmers plant rice as drought curbs output.
“Indonesia has ordered the military to help farmers plant rice as severe drought has reduced output of the staple in Southeast Asia’s most populous country, lifting prices, requiring increased imports and threatening food security.”
“Hot in Northern Australia and Oceania. Today 39.8C at Lockhart River Queensland new December record, 0.4C from all time high.
“In PAPUA NEW GUINEA 39C [102.2F] at Lae Airport on 8 December HIGHEST TEMPERATURE IN PNG EVER RECORDED IN DECEMBER and 0.4C from all time national high.”
“Major flooding is occurring along Queensland’s North Tropical Coast and Tablelands this morning after Tropical Cyclone Jasper dropped more than half a metre of rain in the last 24 hours.
“A rain gauge at Yandill in the Daintree region picked up 624 mm [24.6 inches] of rain during the 24 hours to 9am on Thursday. This included two separate periods of very intense rain… If valid, Yandill’s 624 mm… is Australia’s 2nd heaviest daily rainfall on record.”
“Out-of-control bushfires burning towards hospital at Abermain in NSW Hunter region.
“Residents near Cessnock in the NSW Hunter region are being urged to take shelter due to three out-of-control fires… The Rural Fire Service (RFS) has issued an emergency warning for Abermain and South Weston.”
“Hottest start to the summer on record for Sydney’s west and south-west.
“An ongoing heatwave across NSW has delivered the hottest start to summer on record for parts of Sydney… So far this month’s maximum temperatures are running up to 5 degrees Celsius above normal, simmering above 30C across western suburbs and in the high 20s closer to the coast.”
“Marine heatwave predicted this summer [NSW] – our scientist explains why we should be concerned…
“Dr Coleman said a marine heatwave could have serious impacts on our marine life and marine industries. “We know how the severe marine heatwave in Western Australia in 2011 impacted marine life, and we could expect similar impacts off NSW given we have many of the same species,” she said.”
“Antarctic study proves [Pine Island] glacier has undergone irreversible retreat – highlighting potential for widespread ice loss.
“When glaciers, like those in west Antarctica, experience a small retreat due to some change in the climate, they can continue retreating even if the change is reversed. Essentially, the glacier gets pushed beyond a tipping point, whereby it experiences rapid mass loss until it reaches a new state.”
“Why It’s Alarming That Deep-Sea Currents are Beginning to Slow…
“Down in the coldest recesses of the deepest oceans, Earth’s circulatory system is pumping the brakes. Left unchecked, it threatens to halt a process that regulates the planet’s energy balance and stabilizes our climate.”
“Hottest Survivable Temperatures Are Lower Than Expected…
“A recent paper published in Nature Communications found that the primary methodology to measure deadly heat — called “wet-bulb global temperature” — is inadequate, resulting in artificially low mortality estimates from extreme heat events.”
“‘Weak tea’: Climate scientists push back against COP28 cheer…
““No doubt there will be lots of cheer and back-slapping… but the physics will not care,” said Kevin Anderson, a professor of energy and climate change at the University of Manchester.”
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
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“Below is a graph of the average surface temperature for the period August-November, covering the years 1940-2023, using the newly released ERA5 data available from http://climatereanalyzer.org.
“Tornado causes destruction in Leitrim village [Ireland].
“A tornado has caused damage to vehicles and buildings in Leitrim village in County Leitrim… Footage and photographs posted online show the aftermath of a “freak” event that has left some residents having to seek alternative accommodation.”
“A Cambridgeshire market town has been deluged by flooding after the River Great Ouse burst its banks following days of persistent heavy rain.
“Aerial photographs showed how St Ives and the surrounding area were underwater today following torrential downpours associated with Storm Elin and Storm Fergus.”
“Exceptional heat in Spain with up to 29.7°C [85.5F] in Partaloa, north of Almeria! If reliable, this would [unofficially] be the highest temperature ever recorded in Spain in December!
“Also 27.7°C in Valencia Airport and 27.3°C in Valencia Observatory, both are monthly records.”
“Today was the hottest day ever recorded for the winter period since records began in 1947 [Gibraltar].
“According to Met Office Gibraltar, the Rock hit a historic high of 25 degrees [77F], impressive given it is early December. It should remain settled overnight with a low of 13.”
“How climate change, Kais Saied, and rising temperatures sparked Tunisia’s energy crisis…
“This summer, a heat wave strained Tunisia’s power grid, compelling STEG to institute blackouts in much of the country. Temperatures reached as high as 50C [122F], roiling vital industries from olive oil to wine and accelerating the wildfires that struck five Tunisian governorates. Yet the threat to infrastructure as fundamental as the power grid stands out.”
“At least 15 people have died in landslides in the city of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), local sources said Monday.
“The city, which is the capital of South Kivu Province, has been hit by torrential rainfall which has caused landslides that have buried several houses… the landslide occurred around midnight Sunday.”
“Dozens feared dead after landslide buries informal copper miners in Zambia.
“Government officials say as many as 38 miners might have been buried under the landslides at the mine near the city of Chingola, on Zambia’s copper belt, although they aren’t certain of the exact number… The disaster happened Nov. 30 when heavy rain caused landslides…”
“South Africa: Residents of Johannesburg struggle to cope as heatwave sweeps across.
“People across South Africa are grappling with a scorching heatwave sweeping across the country, as temperatures have soared over the past two weeks caused mainly by rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere… the intense heat is likely to persist for more months.”
“Record heat again at Agalega, Mauritius. 35.2C [95.4F] broke the record of highest temperature in December and stands 0.1C from its all time high set earlier this year.
“Every single of the past 8 months, the island broke its monthly record and did so several times in each month.”
“Abnormal heat in Middle East keeps going on: Yesterday the Saudi town of Madinah (altitude 636m asl) broke its record of the highest temperature ever recorded in December with 33.1C [91.6F].
“No months ended colder than average in the whole 2022 and 2023 in the area.”
“Makkah streets flooded as heavy rains lash region.
“Videos surfaced online showing streets in Makkah flooded as heavy rains lashed the region. The NCM has issued a yellow alert in several parts of the country… Several videos from Arab Storms show cars trying to get past flooded streets with water reaching window level near some parked vehicles.”
“Multiple Climate Reports Warn of Water Conflict in South Asia.
“The region is expected to suffer the most significant impacts of changing water availability this century. Yet tight-fisted governments are quibbling at COP28 over climate financing.”
“Cyclone Michaung points to a looming urban crisis [India].
“Climatologically, two or three tropical cyclones (TC) form over the northern Indian Ocean during the post-monsoon season (October-December). Chennai reported in excess of 500 mm of rain within 36 hours. The warming of oceans due to the human-induced climate crisis will probably lead to stronger TCs.”
“The hidden death toll of flooding in Bangladesh sends a grim signal about climate and health…
“The sheer scale of the destruction made 2022 an outlier year, but data from the past few decades signals that the historic monsoon was part of a larger trend: Climate change is making South Asia’s rainy season more intense and inconsistent.”
“Storm hitting Chinese ports is a wakeup call for climate risk to markets.
“As Typhoon Doksuri aimed toward mainland China, major southeast ports were forced to turn away dozens of vessels for days. The storm, supercharged by the warm July waters of the Pacific, delivered Beijing’s worst flooding in more than 50 years, shuttering factories, ruining crops, collapsing homes and displacing tens of thousands of people.”
“CHINA PROVINCIAL RECORDS: 32.0 [89.6F] Xinhui, Guangdong Province; 29.8 Wencheng, Zhejiang Province. Also 30 more stations records broken… THAILAND 36.6 Uttaradit record tied: LAOS 36.5 Attapeu 0.2C from Lao National heat record. Thai & Lao national records will fall.”
“Freak of nature is what East Asia is experiencing; it will turn out to be the most extreme event in history.
“34.4 [93.9F] Kaohsiung TAIWAN Dec record; 32.0 Wetland Park HONG KONG record; 100+ records in CHINA inc. 29.9 Guangzhou and 32.6 Luodian (Guizhou province record).”
“Dozens of records also in JAPAN (see list below), South Korea (23.1C Jeju barely missed the national record) and also PHILIPPINES with a new monthly record at Manila Airport with 34.3C [93.7F].
“Thousands of records beaten in few days, but that’s nothing to what it’s coming next weekend.”
“Incredible footage has captured the moment a 1800-kilometre dust storm blasted WA, consuming the state’s north and bringing cool relief to the desert…
“The unusual summer pattern brought gusty southerly winds that blew through the desert and off the Kimberly coast, kicking up dust as they rolled through.”
“Australia: Record December heat in Sydney as temperatures hits 43.5C [110.3F].
“Parts of Australia are facing extreme heat, with temperatures hitting a record-breaking 43.5C (110F) in Sydney. The temperature, recorded at Sydney Airport on Saturday, was the highest temperature recorded at the same weather station since records began in 1929.”
“Planning to use drugs at a festival on a scorching summer day? Here’s why extreme heat might make MDMA riskier…
“Drug experts raised concerns ahead of the sold-out Epik festival which took place at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday, cautioning revellers against the dangers of taking illicit drugs in extreme heat. Reports have since emerged that four festival patrons were taken to hospital…”
“Severe hailstorm hits Timaru, causing flooding and forcing businesses to close [NZ]
“It’s too early to count the cost of damage following a severe hailstorm that hit Timaru on Tuesday morning, with flooding leaving affected business and homeowners mopping up the mess. The storm, which hit Timaru just before 9am…”
“Hundreds of people affected after torrential rain and flooding in French Polynesia.
“French Polynesia’s main island of Tahiti has been mopping up at the weekend following several days of torrential rains which triggered mass flooding late last week. It caused over 260 houses to be affected, including two taken away and two bridges to have collapsed.”
“Warm nights in the tropics are nearly all over because of the record SST’s.
“The Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean also tied its December record of highest minimum temperature with 83F/28.3C at Majuro on 3 December, after tying the all time high with 85F few months ago.”
“Nature’s silent scream. Rampant fires have engulfed the Pantanal in Brazil, one of the world’s largest tropical wetlands and home to endangered species and indigenous communities…
“Luciana Leite, a biologist and climate campaigner, points out that the Pantanal is an important carbon sink, playing a fundamental role in regulating the climate of South America.”
“Exceptional heat waves are also sweeping all the Americas from Mexico to Chile.
“MEXICO: Temperatures still reaching 40C [104F] and MINIMUM of 28C [82.4F] in the Southwest. CHILE – scorching heat even at high elevations: 38.3 Tranque Lautaro 1135m asl; 35.7 San Pedro de Atacama 2400m.”
“Panama Canal drought to delay grain ships well into 2024.
“Bulk grain shippers hauling crops from the U.S. Gulf Coast export hub to Asia are sailing longer routes and paying higher freight costs to avoid vessel congestion and record-high transit fees in the drought-hit Panama Canal, traders and analysts said.”
“Record heat in parts of LOUISIANA. 84F [28.9C] at Nattchitoches, Galliano and Lafayette broke (Galliano)/tie their December highest temperatures on records. Monthly records have fallen this month in Florida, Louisiana, Oregon and North Dakota.”
“Drought vs deluge: Florida’s unusual rainfall totals either too little or too much on each coast.
“In Florida, this year has been a tale of two states as far as rainfall totals, with the southeast coast deluged by sometimes-record rainfall and much of the Gulf of Mexico coast facing a drought. Counties up and down Florida’s west side are under new water use restrictions…”
“Tornado outbreak ravages the country for third December in a row…
“Tornadoes can happen during any month of the year in the United States, but emerging research suggests that as the climate warms, an increasing number of tornadoes may strike during traditionally cooler months… Nashville and the town of Clarksville were hardest hit.”
“Gigantic Wave in Pacific Ocean Was Most Extreme ‘Rogue Wave’ on Record…
“Unfortunately, a 2020 study predicted wave heights in the North Pacific are going to increase with climate change, which suggests the Ucluelet wave may not hold its record for as long as our current predictions suggest.”
“Cop28 draft climate deal criticised as ‘grossly insufficient’ and ‘incoherent’…
“Some countries are despairing that the text does not require a full phase-out of fossil fuels. Cedric Schuster of Samoa, chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, said: “We will not sign our death certificate. We cannot sign on to text that does not have strong commitments on phasing out fossil fuels.””
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
If you found value in this content, please help me continue this work by becoming a patron of my work via Patreon. And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It is an enormous help as the cost-of-living crisis ratchets up here in the UK.
“Antarctic sea ice extent is back to a record low for the current date.
“This is actually below 2016, which was previously a massive outlier in November and December [More graphs: https://zacklabe.com/antarctic-sea-ice-extentconcentration/].
“Fears over extinction of KRILL – Earth’s powerhouse beast in Antarctic seas.
“Antarctic krill is essential to maintaining the health of our planet, and acts as a carbon absorber. At just 6cm long, their population is one of the largest biomasses in the world, which sustains the entire Antarctic ecosystem… Warming seas and reports of over-concentrated krill fishing threaten their populations.”
“Mass deaths of elephant seals recorded as bird flu sweeps across the Antarctic.
“Bird flu is spreading in the Antarctic, with hundreds of elephant seals found dead, and fears it could bring “one of the largest ecological disasters of modern times” if the highly contagious virus reaches the remote penguin populations.”
“Arctic sea ice extent is currently the *3rd* lowest on record (JAXA data)
“• about 240,000 km² below the 2010s mean
• about 790,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 1,450,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 1,910,000 km² below the 1980s mean”
“The mysterious ‘speeding up’ glaciers of Svalbard…
““The problem is, we expect this glacier to stop speeding up and slow down again. When that happens, all this ice has been pushed towards the ocean, and because it’s below the snow line, it’s going to melt again and retreat even further back than it was already. So we think these glaciers are actually going to increase the amount of ice that is lost from the archipelago of Svalbard.””
“Frozen methane under the seabed is thawing as oceans warm – and things are worse than we thought…
“Colleagues and I have just published research showing more of this methane hydrate is vulnerable to warming than previously thought. This is a worry as that hydrate contains about as much carbon as all of the remaining oil and gas on Earth.”
“Degrading Permafrost Likely Caused Diomede City Building’s Collapse [Alaska].
“… the city building slid off its foundation and came to rest with its weight pressed against the adjacent school building. At first it was thought the foundational stilts were rotted out, but the visiting engineers didn’t see any rot on the wood and instead suspect melting permafrost as the culprit that destabilized the building’s foundation.”
“Native Hawaiians fighting to take control of Maui’s water rights amid wildfire clean-up.
“Four months after West Maui suffered the deadliest natural disaster in the state’s history, residents are seeking existing water rights, which many characterize as “stolen” from the native population who have lived on the island for generations in favor of Westerners looking to deepen their pockets.”
“‘We need information’ plead Peru farmers battling drought, climate change.
“A light rain barely moistens the soil in the drought-stricken region of Junin in central Peru. It does nothing to bring relief to farmers in Latin America’s biggest potato producer. “We cannot fight on our own against climate change,” said 40-year-old Lidber Ramon, one of about 4,500 crop and livestock farmers around the region.”
“According to the Center for Advanced Studies on Applied Economics (CEPEA), a new heat wave in Brazil’s São Paulo state has been concerning citrus growers. Temperatures are higher than those registered in the last wave in September and are lasting longer.”
“Venezuela Seeks to Slow Down the Humboldt Glacier Melting.
“On Wednesday, the Venezuelan Environment Ministry announced that it will launch a plan to slow down the melting of the Humboldt Glacier, which is located in the Merida state. A thermal mesh will be used in a pilot project whose purpose is to decelerate the melting of the last glacier in the Venezuelan Andes.”
“Yesterday the COLOMBIAN famous city of Cartagena de Indias rose to 37.0C [98.6F] breaking its December record thanks to winds from inland blowing towards the coast.”
“Costa Rica’s Unprecedented Heat: November 2023 Breaks All Records.
“According to the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN), November 2023 ended as the hottest November since 1940. Luis Alvarado, a climatology expert, indicated that there was an increase of more than 1.0 °C above normal.”
“How Climate Shocks Are Linked to Cross-Border Migration in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“This climate-migration nexus is especially critical for the region’s two sub-groups of smaller economies: the Caribbean and Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. Our analysis sheds light on different drivers of cross-border migration, the importance of climate shocks, and impact of climate-induced migration on the economies in the region.”
“Bermuda’s Atlantic Ocean Warmest, Most Acidic in 40 Years [of record-keeping]…
“At the BATS monitoring station… the ocean is around 1°C warmer now than it was 40 years ago. In the last four years, ocean temperatures have also risen more sharply than in the previous decades, the researchers found. Not only have the monitored waters gotten warmer, but also more saline at the surface, meaning more salt is dissolved in the water.”
“Record temperatures in the Canary Islands over the weekend due to a warm air mass…
“There will be a general rise in temperature starting from Friday, December 8 and Sunday, December 10th, with temperatures set to reach 28ºC [82.4F] in some areas. If these predictions come true, these could be the highest temperatures registered in Spain at this time of year.”
“Climate Change Makes East Africa’s Deadly Floods Worse, Study Finds…
“East Africa has an annual rainy season in fall, but this year’s disastrous rainfall is about double what it would have been without human-caused climate change, according to research made public on Thursday.”
“At least 76 people were killed in landslides caused by heavy rains in northern Tanzania last week, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who visited the scene, said on Thursday. “This disaster cost the lives of 76 people in the Katesh region,” about 300 km north of the capital Dodoma, lamented the head of state after meeting survivors.”
“Long-lasting household damage from Cyclone Idai increases malaria risk in rural western Mozambique.
“… storm damage results in poor housing conditions which are known to increase the risk of malaria. Mozambique has the 4th highest malaria prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa and is struggling to control malaria in most of the country.”
“Elephants killed by drought disaster: Dozens of the creatures die of thirst at Zimbabwe national park as watering holes dry up.
“Dozens of elephants have died of thirst in Zimbabwe’s popular Hwange National Park, and conservationists fear losing more as a drought caused by climate change and the El Niño global weather pattern dries up watering holes.”
“November warm spell seemed the most extreme event in China history but this is beating it.
“Nearly 500 more records of [December] highest temperature were pulverized today, with margins as high as 4C, including 7 provincial records. 27.8C [82F] of Shahe: unprecedented in December in Northern China.”
“Thousands of tonnes of dead fish wash ashore in Japan.
“The sardines and some mackerel washed ashore in Hakodate on Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Thursday morning, creating a silver blanket along a stretch of beach about a kilometre long. Local residents said they have never seen anything like it.”
“Staff at a remote weather station may soon be evacuated as Queensland [Australia] braces for an unusual tropical cyclone.
“Cyclone Jasper intensified into a category 4 system on Friday and was on track to approach the north Queensland coast around the middle of next week… The state emergency services minister, Mark Ryan, urged Queenslanders to be prepared and keep across warnings as the unusual cyclone approached.”
“Monster heat wave in AUSTRALIA. Today 6 stations rose above 46C [114.8F] and many more >45C! Highest was 46.5C at Marree.
“Also 46.4C at Smithville in New South Wales and 45.4C at Birdsville in Queensland. It can get even worse tomorrow, than another brutal heat in the Southwest.”
“Emergency services concerned for Canberrans going into heatwave without power due to severe storm.
“State emergency services have warned Canberrans affected by blackouts to consider seeking alternative shelter to prepare for a very hot day. Clean-up is continuing across Canberra after heavy rain and high winds left a trail of destruction through the capital and thousands without power last night.”
“‘Unprecedented mass coral bleaching’ expected in 2024, says expert…
“The impact of climate change on coral reefs has reached “uncharted territory”, said Prof Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, from the University of Queensland, Australia, leading to concerns that we could be at a “tipping point”… The upper ocean is undergoing unmatched changes in conditions, ecosystems and communities…”
“Not a single G20 country has policies in place that are consistent with the Paris agreement’s goal of limiting global heating to 1.5C and meeting their “fair share” of emissions reduction.
“The assessment, based on data up to 5 December provided by the Climate Action Tracker, comes as leaders gather in Dubai for the Cop28 conference.”
“What happens if the 1.5C target for global heating is missed?
“…With half a degree less breathing space, the non-human inhabitants of the planet will suffer considerable losses, which adds to stress on pollination, water quality and other biological components of the planetary life-support system.”
““A Miracle Will Occur” Is Not Sensible Climate Policy…
“The COP28 Chairman and the United Nations Secretary General say that the goal to keep global warming below 1.5°C is alive, albeit barely, implying that the looser goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement (to keep warming well below 2°C) is still viable. We find that even the 2°C goal is dead…”
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an “Economic” thread.
If you found value in this content, please help me continue this work by becoming a patron of my work via Patreon. And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It is an enormous help as the cost-of-living crisis ratchets up here in the UK.
“After months of expectation, it’s official — 2023 will be the hottest year ever recorded. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service announced the milestone after analyzing data that showed the world saw its warmest-ever November.
“Last month was roughly 1.75 degrees Celsius warmer than the pre-industrial average, Copernicus said, with an average surface air temperature of 14.22 degrees Celsius, or about 57.6 degrees Fahrenheit.”
““These tipping points pose threats of a magnitude that has never been faced before by humanity,” says Tim Lenton, a climate scientist at the University of Exeter, UK, who led the report with support from the Bezos Earth Fund…”
“Two degrees is too high for ice sheets, permafrost and glaciers. At a Time of Climate Crisis: We cannot negotiate with the melting point of ice…
“The cryosphere – Earth’s frozen water in ice sheets, sea ice, permafrost, polar oceans, glaciers and snow – is at ground zero for climate change. Accepting 2 degrees of warming as the new constant would commit the world to “between 12 and 20 metres” of sea level rise.”
“The climate change we caused is here for at least 50,000 years – and probably far longer…
“This latest warming step has already taken the Earth into levels of climate warmth not experienced for some 120,000 years, into those of the last interglacial phase, a little warmer than the current one. There is yet more warming in the pipeline over coming centuries, as various feedbacks take effect.”
“The [UK] Government is unprepared to tackle extreme weather events from floods to droughts and storms to heatwaves, a new report by the National Audit Office reveals.
“No one in Whitehall has collected the information across government to tackle these weather crises and the Cabinet Office will not have an overall plan to do so until 2030, it has found.”
“Christmas supplies heading to Britain could be delayed over the coming weeks in a threat to the festival season as the Panama Canal suffers its worst-ever drought…
“Dozens of massive container ships carrying presents and festive items including Apple’s new iPhones, TVs, exercise bikes, clothes and tree lights are experiencing delays of up to four weeks…”
“European potato prices are soaring as heavy rains leave spuds mired in the mud, curbing supplies just as demand for the Christmas-dinner staple rises.
“Farmers in Belgium, France and the UK have sidelined tractors, which have difficulty navigating waterlogged fields, limiting collection. The crops risk rotting if left too long.”
“Why ground in south-west France is still burning from 2022 forest fire…
“The soil of the Hostens Forest (Gironde) continues to burn from the inside – almost a year and a half after it initially started – due to the presence of an old lignite (natural coal) mine within the local soil.”
“Late skiing start in Alps due to warmest autumn on record…
“Recent snowfall in the northern Alps doesn’t hide the fact that many high-altitude ski resorts in Austria and Switzerland have never opened as late as this season – due to the warmest autumn on record. This not only affects skiers…”
“Greek villagers vote to relocate after deadly climate-driven flood…
“Residents of the small Greek farming village of Metamorfosi have voted in favour of relocating their entire community after it was submerged by flood waters in September, seeking to protect themselves from future climate change-driven disasters.”
“Libya: People are Terrified of Rain, Clouds and Climate Change…
“Three months after thousands of people lost their lives in devastating floods caused by Storm Daniel, residents of the city of Derna are suffering the psychological aftermath of the disaster. MSF doctors and psychologists have been providing them with medical care and mental health support.”
“‘Living dead’: Tunisian villages suffer drought, climate change…
“”We are the living dead … forgotten by everyone,” said Mazhoud, 57, whose region was once one of Tunisia’s most fertile, known for its wheat fields and Aleppo pines. “We have no roads, no water, no aid, no decent housing, and we own nothing,” she said…”
“Seychelles declares state of emergency after explosion, flooding.
“Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan declared a state of emergency on Thursday after a blast at an explosives depot and heavy rains damaged an industrial zone and surrounding areas… The statement gave no further details.”
“Records are falling all over Asia every single day from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia.
“MINIMUM Temps. >28C in MALDIVES, 27C in Saudi Arabia… 36.4C at Bangkok THAILAND… records in INDIA 36.6C Madurai AP, 34.3C Minicoy Island… 37C in Myanmar. 25C in Central Asia, +10C in Siberia! Insane.”
“Glaciers in Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan vanishing – head of National Academy of Sciences.
“From 1962 to 2003, the length of the glacier reduced by 450 meters. “If the situation does not stop, the glacier will vanish in the next 20-30 years. The same is happening with other glaciers in the mountains surrounding Issyk-Kul and in Tien Shan range,” Kanat Abdrakhmatov said.”
“Chennai struggles after Cyclone Michaung: Shortages of drinking water, milk, and diesel, several areas remain inundated.
“The devastating impact of Cyclone Michaung, which made landfall in Andhra Pradesh on December 5, has left parts of Chennai in a state of severe distress. Characterised by its super-cyclonic intensity, the cyclone unleashed a torrent of rain…”
“Today the MINIMUM temperature at Roxas in the PHILIPPINES was 27.8C [82F] a new record for December and 0.1C from the National record of December highest minimum temperature.”
“AUSTRALIA HEAT WAVE. Exceptional heat with temperatures 44C+ [111F] in 5 States: 46.4 in South Australia (at Marree); 45.7 Western Australia; 44.8 New South Wales; 44.7 Queensland; 43.9 Northern Territory. It can get even worse next 2 days.”
“The worst is yet to come for a severe cyclone swirling off Queensland’s coast, with warnings it could reach a category five storm as officials are unable to confirm whether it will hit Australia’s shores.
“Cyclone Jasper is currently a category three storm raging 1390km northeast of Cairns…”
“‘We felt it first’: Climate-threatened islands battle fossil fuels at COP28…
“The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), a group of 39 small islands in the Pacific, Caribbean and elsewhere, have been at the forefront of the battle to keep the world on a path towards limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels…”
“Prey driven away by wildfire, YKDFN Chief says wolves are turning to Yellowknife [NWT, Canada] for food.
“Wolf sightings have been “persistent” around Yellowknife, Ndilǫ and Dettah recently — and a chief with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation says it’s because they’ve lost habitat in this year’s wildfires.”
“Balmy December weather prompts city to open 2 golf courses [Calgary, Canada].
“With Calgary set to see temperatures Tuesday that feel more like September than December, the city is playing along by opening two public golf courses for the day. The course at Maple Ridge in the southeast has 18 holes available for $25, and Shaganappi Point in the southwest is opening two nine-hole options for $15.”
“Atmospheric River Soaks Pacific Northwest With Record-Breaking Rain, Unusually Warm Temperatures.
“The U.S. Coast Guard rescued five people from flooded areas on Tuesday as an atmospheric river brought heavy rain, flooding and unseasonably warm temperatures to the Pacific Northwest. The conditions also closed rail links, schools and roads in some areas…”
“Wow, at 11pm Portland Airport has hit 67° [19.4C] on a surge of south winds under a very warm airmass. This is the highest December temperature on record, beating the previous record of 65° from 1993.
“This is more like an evening temperature in July!”
“Mexico: climate displaced people need a home urgently.
“El Bosque is a fishing community in the state of Tabasco, southern Mexico, affected by rising sea levels and coastal erosion intensified by the climate crisis. Since 2019, due to constant tidal waves and extreme weather events, the coastline of El Bosque has lost 200 meters (about 656.17 ft), resulting in the destruction of homes…”
“Prolonged drought brings unprecedented changes to Amazonian communities in Pará…
“The Tapajós River has suffered from the lowest water level ever recorded, reaching 94 centimeters (37 inches) — 38 cm (15 in) below the level recorded in the same period of the year in 2010 during the historic drought. The long, dry period has sparked a record number of fires…”
“Insurers heavily exposed to climate change, global watchdog says…
“Insurers continue to have “material exposure” to climate change through investments in fossil fuels and energy-intensive industries, as well as through their underwriting of natural catastrophe risk, the global insurance watchdog said.”
“Solar farms around the world are under threat due to costly hailstorm-related claims, according to renewable energy underwriter GCube Insurance.
“Hail was the costliest category for insurance claims by the renewables industry in the last five years, averaging around $58.4 million per incident, the underwriter said in a Wednesday report.”
“As climate change worsens coastal flooding and extreme weather events, more flights could be grounded from weather-related delays. A warming atmosphere can also increase in-flight turbulence.”
“Jet stream will get faster as climate change continues, study finds…
““Based on these results and our current understanding, we expect record-breaking winds,” said Shaw, “and it’s likely that they will feed into decreased flight times, increased clear-air turbulence and a potential increase in severe weather occurrence.””
“Fevered Planet: How a shifting climate is catalysing infectious disease…
“Daniel Brooks, a bacteriologist at the Harold W Manter Laboratory of Parasitology at the University of Nebraska State Museum… argues that climate will soon be fuelling pandemics and we can expect a succession of unpredictable human, animal and plant disease outbreaks. “We rarely have an idea where the next [pathogen] will pop up. All we know is that they are better at finding us than we have been [at] finding them.””
“Time to Consider ‘Last Resort’ Targeted Climate Interventions at COP28…
“I believe that we are overlooking important approaches that could, if needed, provide emergency manoeuvres. In the light of the recent Stocktake, we have few options left given the diminishing time before our global carbon budget is completely spent.”
“Why dimming the Sun would be an effective tool in the fight against climate change…
“We just aren’t cutting emissions fast enough to prevent climate change from wreaking terrible damage. Dimming the Sun would not address the root cause of the climate disease, and we must keep pushing to cut emissions, but a growing body of evidence suggests that it would work surprisingly well at treating the symptoms.”
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
If you found value in this content, please help me continue this work by becoming a patron of my work via Patreon. And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It is an enormous help as the cost-of-living crisis ratchets up here in the UK.
“Last month set another new climate record – warmest November global sea surface temperature. Data available from NOAA. ERSSTv5 (https://psl.noaa.gov/data/gridded/data.noaa.ersst.v5.html…).
“Methods detailed in https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-16-0836.1”
“This NASA CERES data is making me very anxious. The Northern Hemisphere used to radiate more heat to space than it absorbed from the sun. Not anymore.
“This causes very rapid warming of the NH, where 7 out 8 billion people live and grow their food! We better prepare!”
“Ancient methane escaping from melting glaciers could potentially warm the planet even more.
“As mighty glaciers melt in the Arctic, new research finds million-year-old methane gas trapped beneath the ice is surfacing, with a potential to further warm the planet. “Glacial retreat is the big driver of gas escape here,” said Andy Hodson, a glaciologist at the University Centre in Svalbard, Norway.”
“Greenland’s Inuit falling through thin ice of climate change.
“As the ice melts, the hunters in the village of Ittoqqortoormiit… worry where they will get water. Greenland’s ice sheets may hold one 12th of the world’s fresh water — enough to raise the sea level up seven metres (23 feet) if they were to melt — but climate change is already threatening the village’s supply.”
“From blizzards to record warmth, Nunavut [Arctic Canada] experiencing weather turmoil…
“Just last week, we saw a blizzard hammer parts of Nunavut with heavy snow and driving winds. That was the second blizzard in a week’s time. On the opposite end of the weather spectrum, several communities in Canada’s northernmost territory experienced record-setting warmth in November.”
“Wildfires have erased two decades’ worth of air quality gains in western United States…
““Our air is supposed to be cleaner and cleaner due mostly to EPA regulations on emissions, but the fires have limited or erased these air-quality gains,” says Jun Wang, James E. Ashton professor and chair in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, assistant director of the Iowa Technology Institute at the University of Iowa.”
“Louisiana’s battle against wildfires sparks plea for $43 million boost in funding…
“The months-long battle against hundreds of wildfires across Louisiana has made clear that the state is ill-prepared for hotter, drier summers producing multiple simultaneous blazes that ravage forests, imperil communities and stretch the state’s firefighting capabilities beyond the limit.”
“‘They told us the fire would never come’: Argentinians battle blazes in gap left by government…
“Córdoba is one of the country’s major agricultural hubs, accounting for more than a quarter of the nation’s soya bean production, of which Argentina is third largest producer in the world. But Córdoba is drying up…”
“Historic weather in Brazil’s top soy state keeps pressure on crop…
“Mato Grosso grows about 27% of Brazil’s soybeans and accounts for almost 30% of the country’s soybean export program, the world’s largest. Dryness is not Mato Grosso’s only problem, as average temperatures during the last two months were about 3.5 degrees Celsius (6.3 degrees Fahrenheit) above normal across all soybean-producing regions…”
“Endless record heat in BRAZIL. 3 states: Rio Grande do Norte, Caerà and Parnaiba are few decimals short of their hottest days in climatic history (2 of which were beaten few weeks ago anyway).
“Today 40.5C [104.9F] Jaguaribe Caera 0.3C from state record; Seridò PN and Caico RN similar.”
“Bear attacks in Japan hit record high as hunger forces some to delay hibernation.
“The number of people injured or killed in bear attacks in Japan this year exceeded 200 for the first time, as experts warned of more encounters during the winter, when the animals are supposed to hibernate.”
“Rare Siberian Tiger Kills Man in Russia’s Far East…
“Authorities in the Khabarovsk region have reported nearly 300 cases of tigers entering populated areas this year, and in some instances, the wild animals have killed dogs and attacked people. Experts say that an uptick in encounters between humans and Siberian tigers could indicate “serious disruptions” in their habitats.”
“Temperatures in Siberia dip to minus 50 Celsius as record snow blankets Moscow.
“Temperatures in parts of Siberia plummeted to minus 50 degrees Celsius (minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit) while blizzards blanketed Moscow in record snowfall and disrupted flights as winter weather swept across Russia… An abnormally early cold snap in Sakha pushed temperatures to even lower than minus 50 C in several areas of Sakha…”
“Wintry blast in Europe has brought record snow and bitter cold…
“In Munich, Germany’s third-largest city, a storm over the weekend dropped nearly a foot and a half of snow, setting a December record. It was also the city’s largest snowstorm since early March 2006, and among the biggest of any month on record.”
“Properties and businesses were left underwater, roads and railways were blocked and people were rescued as heavy rainfall led to flooding and burst river banks across west Dorset [UK].
“Bridport took the full force of the flooding on Monday – the River Brit burst its banks and overflowed, causing widespread chaos…”
“Cars lifted in air during Storm Ciarán, report finds [UK].
“Cars were levitated metres away from where they were parked, concrete lumps from a home were blown 35m (115ft) into another building, and caravans were destroyed as a tornado tore through Jersey, a report has found.”
“Lebanon’s Christians feel the heat of climate change in its sacred forest and valley…
“The lush Cedars of God Forest, some 2000 meters (6,560 feet) above sea level near the northern town of Bcharre, is part of a landscape cherished by Christians. The preserve overlooks the Kadisha Valley — Aramaic for “sacred” – where many Christians took refuge from persecution over Lebanon’s tumultuous history.”
“Tunisia: Maghreb farmers embrace drones to fight climate change.
“”The seasons are not like they were before where we knew exactly what to do,” said farmer Yassine Gargouri, noting temperatures now can begin to climb as early as May while in August there have been unusual summer rains. He hired start-up RoboCare to scan the trees from the air and assess their hydration levels, soil quality and overall health…”
“African mayor fears her city could run out of water in climate change struggle [Sierra Leone].
“…Flanked by mountains and with an Atlantic coast, Freetown has little space for agriculture, leading to deforestation and a land grab in surrounding areas.”
“The death toll from flooding and landslides in northern Tanzania has risen to 63.
“In order to deal with the impact of the heavy rains, President Samia Suluhu Hassan is cutting short her attendance at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai. Homes, infrastructure and farmland have also been damaged. Massive floods are sweeping through countries across East Africa.”
“6 killed in lightning strikes in southern Tanzania.
“At least six people were killed Sunday evening and five others injured in a lightning strike in the Masasi district in the Mtwara region in southern Tanzania, an official said Monday… Kanoni said the lightning struck in Maparagwe village during a downpour and strong winds.”
“Insane heat in the Caucasus and Middle East, records are falling in many areas from Sinai to Central Asia.
“35C [95F] in Saudi Arabia, 34C Bandar Abbas in IRAN (record), 25C in Georgia, 21C at 1000m asl in Russia, 22.5C Zakataly, AZERBAIJAN (record), 23C at 700m in Armenia.”
“Four die as cyclone brings Chennai [India] to its knees…
Cyclone Michaung pummelled Chennai and its neighbouring districts non-stop, dumping 400 to 500mm [20 inches] of rain since Sunday morning, flooding homes and destroying cars and bikes across the coastal metropolis. In 2015, when the ‘Chennai deluge’ drowned the city, it had received 330mm of rain.”
“Extreme weather halts iPhone production in India: Foxconn and Pegatron grapple with disruptions.
“Taiwan-based manufacturing giants, Foxconn and Pegatron, have temporarily halted the production of Apple iPhones at their factories near Chennai in southern India due to the adverse impact of heavy rains, Reuters reported citing sources familiar with the matter.”
“Monthly record in BANGLADESH’s second largest city CHITTAGONG with 33.5C [92.3F] in its Patenga Airport, 0.2C from the Bengali national record of highest temperature in December.”
“An impressive area with record heat from Indonesia to Senegal (like in the beginning of November).
“37.2C Maumere INDONESIA all time high; MYANMAR December records: 35.6C Nyaunglaybin; 34.8C Gwa; 35.2C Phyarpon… 58 countries already broke some monthly records highs in these 4 days!”
“Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels to hit record high…
“The world is on track to have burned more coal, oil and gas in 2023 than it did in 2022, according to a report by the Global Carbon Project, pumping 1.1% more planet-heating carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a time when emissions must plummet to stop extreme weather from growing more violent.”
“Record number of fossil fuel lobbyists granted access COP28 climate talks, campaigners say.
“They massively outnumber attendees from some of the most vulnerable countries and communities, a coalition of climate action groups has said. At least 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists are estimated to have been granted access to COP28, according to an analysis from advocacy groups released today.”
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
If you found value in this content, please help me continue this work by becoming a patron of my work via Patreon. And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It is an enormous help as the cost-of-living crisis ratchets up here in the UK.
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Weekday updates on both climate change and the global economy. Stay current with what’s happening around the world with a quick scan of top news.
“Record warmth leaves world with too much gas. The northern hemisphere experienced its warmest October and November in records dating back to the 1880s – pushing the gas market into a large surplus and triggering a slump in prices…
“November 2023 globally, according to NOAA was the warmest on record, specially warm in South America, Caribbean, Asia and Africa where it was by far the warmest November on record.
“”This year’s temperatures are giving new meaning to the phrase “off the charts.” [World Meteorological Organisation]…
“El Nino, intensifying climate change to make 2024 another record hot year, scientists warn.
“Despite COP28 deal on fossil fuels, 1.5C goal likely out of reach…
“…When GHG and aerosol forcings are combined, the climate models with a realistic 20th century warming indicate that the global mean precipitation increase due to GHG warming has, until recently, been completely masked by aerosol drying.
“Unstoppable record warmth in CANADA.
“Is climate-friendly flying possible? Biden administration places a big wager…
“In southern Iowa, Osceola is urging its 5,500 residents to use bottled water to stretch the city’s water supply as extreme drought shrinks West Lake, its primary source of water.
“For first time ever, ‘exceptional drought’ declared by Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District [Texas].
“Drought by day, ice by night: extreme weather in Peru’s Andes killing crops and leaving families hungry.
“SOUTH AMERICA HEAT WAVE:
“Understanding atmospheric flash droughts in the Caribbean.
“Bermuda set for wettest year in more than a century.
“Billions of euros earmarked to boost renewable energy and slash emissions are on the cutting block after EU leaders proposed moving them over to fund immigration and defense efforts instead.
“Axarquía’s December Heatwave Raises [Drought] Concerns…
“November sets new record temperature for the month of 29.1°C [Malta]…
“Images from Lake Van reveal severe drought [Turkey]
“‘Floods have washed away entire villages’: Kenya’s rains made twice as intense by climate change…
“‘It’s scary’: Malawian women forced to sell sex after cyclone destroys crops.
“Hundred commuters break bones in subway crash triggered by record big freeze in China.
“Extraordinary, crazy heat in East Asia: By far the most extreme event in East Asia history.
“Absurd insane warm night in JAPAN: TROPICAL NIGHT in Tokyo Prefecture with several stations not dropping below 20/21 [70F] like in a summer night.
“More and more records from INDONESIA:
“More than a dozen of Australia’s coral islands that help to extend the country’s maritime jurisdiction are at high risk of disappearing because of climate change, according to a study.
“Ex-Cyclone Jasper: Residents in far north Queensland brace for more rain as flooding cuts off towns…
“A man has been killed during a severe storm in Murarrie on Friday evening as heavy rain, hail and almost 200km/h [124mph] wind gusts ripped through parts of Brisbane.
“Fresh call to be aware of Australia’s ‘secret killer’ ahead of sweltering summer.
“Ocean heat waves often lurk out of sight…
“Climate change is further reducing fish stocks with worrisome implications for global food supplies…
“Genetically modified crops aren’t a solution to climate change, despite what the biotech industry says…
“Extreme weather events pose a risk to migratory birds.
“Is the world running out of freshwater?
“Iceberg Harvesting: A Viable Solution for Global Water Scarcity or an Ecological Time Bomb?
“Warmest Arctic summer on record is evidence of accelerating climate change…
“Arctic Permafrost Hides Migrating Methane That Could Skyrocket Emissions…
“Do you remember when Oymyakon [Siberia] had -58.0°C a week ago? It was 12°C below average.
“Alaska salmon woes, extreme precipitation, tundra shrub growth part of Arctic transformation…
“Alberta records driest recorded Fall leading to water shortages across the province…
“High-elevation snowpack loss during the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome amplified by successive spring heatwaves.
“NORTH AMERICA is and will keep being exceptionally warm in the next weeks. Records are falling from Canada to Cuba.
“Marine heat waves are persisting in the U.S., even in winter…
“California wildfires created toxic chromium, research finds.
“Wildfires found to also impact aquatic ecosystems…
“Super tanker arrived in Chile to fight forest fires.
“Deforestation soars in Bolivia…
“At least three people were killed and five others missing in floods and landslides in Bolivia, local media reported.
“A strong storm that included intense rains and storms caused flooding in Santa Fe and surrounding areas [Argentina].
“New brutal and historic heat wave in SOUTH AMERICA specially in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil.
“Climate change causing 60% of plants and insects to fall out of sync.
“Scotland weather: ‘Warmest December night on record’ predicted…
“Spain records hottest December day as nation’s ski season at risk…
“Heavy rain and melting snow cause flooding and landslides in Switzerland.
“Gaza a ‘living hell’ after heavy winter rains drench makeshift tents…
“The climate disaster strikes [India]: what the data say…
“In Tamil Nadu’s Rice-Bowl, Changing Climate Pushes Farmers To Skip Summer Crop…
“The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in its Global Study on Homicide Report 2023 said that one in every five murders in India between 2019-21 is due to water-related conflicts.
“Northern China on alert for snow onslaught and record low temperatures. The mercury is expected to stay below freezing as cold wave sweeps across the region from Wednesday.
“Foehn appeared in western Sichuan today. Ganluo 29.1C [84.4F] was only 0.1C lower than the provincial record.
“The heat in East Asia is totally crazy. Thousands of records have fallen (over 1100 only in China) and hundreds/thousands more will fall next days from Myanmar to Japan.
“Indonesia calls in army to help farmers plant rice as drought curbs output.
“Hot in Northern Australia and Oceania. Today 39.8C at Lockhart River Queensland new December record, 0.4C from all time high.
“Major flooding is occurring along Queensland’s North Tropical Coast and Tablelands this morning after Tropical Cyclone Jasper dropped more than half a metre of rain in the last 24 hours.
“Out-of-control bushfires burning towards hospital at Abermain in NSW Hunter region.
“Hottest start to the summer on record for Sydney’s west and south-west.
“Marine heatwave predicted this summer [NSW] – our scientist explains why we should be concerned…
“Antarctic study proves [Pine Island] glacier has undergone irreversible retreat – highlighting potential for widespread ice loss.
“Why It’s Alarming That Deep-Sea Currents are Beginning to Slow…
“”This year so far is 1.46°C higher than the designated 1850-1900 pre-industrial level”
“Hottest Survivable Temperatures Are Lower Than Expected…
“‘Weak tea’: Climate scientists push back against COP28 cheer…
“How abnormally hot have the last 4 months been?
“Tornado causes destruction in Leitrim village [Ireland].
“A Cambridgeshire market town has been deluged by flooding after the River Great Ouse burst its banks following days of persistent heavy rain.
“Drought in Spain – five million people could face water restrictions next year if rain shortages continue.
“Exceptional heat in Spain with up to 29.7°C [85.5F] in Partaloa, north of Almeria! If reliable, this would [unofficially] be the highest temperature ever recorded in Spain in December!
“Today was the hottest day ever recorded for the winter period since records began in 1947 [Gibraltar].
“How climate change, Kais Saied, and rising temperatures sparked Tunisia’s energy crisis…
“At least 15 people have died in landslides in the city of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), local sources said Monday.
“Dozens feared dead after landslide buries informal copper miners in Zambia.
“South Africa: Residents of Johannesburg struggle to cope as heatwave sweeps across.
“Record heat again at Agalega, Mauritius. 35.2C [95.4F] broke the record of highest temperature in December and stands 0.1C from its all time high set earlier this year.
“Abnormal heat in Middle East keeps going on: Yesterday the Saudi town of Madinah (altitude 636m asl) broke its record of the highest temperature ever recorded in December with 33.1C [91.6F].
“Makkah streets flooded as heavy rains lash region.
“Multiple Climate Reports Warn of Water Conflict in South Asia.
“Cyclone Michaung points to a looming urban crisis [India].
“The hidden death toll of flooding in Bangladesh sends a grim signal about climate and health…
“Storm hitting Chinese ports is a wakeup call for climate risk to markets.
“There has been a mind-boggling 83°C (149°F) range between today’s lowest minimum and highest maximum temperatures in China. 
“RECORD HEAT SE ASIA: 
“Freak of nature is what East Asia is experiencing; it will turn out to be the most extreme event in history.
“Dozens of records also in JAPAN (see list below), South Korea (23.1C Jeju barely missed the national record) and also PHILIPPINES with a new monthly record at Manila Airport with 34.3C [93.7F].
“Incredible footage has captured the moment a 1800-kilometre dust storm blasted WA, consuming the state’s north and bringing cool relief to the desert…
“Australia: Record December heat in Sydney as temperatures hits 43.5C [110.3F].
“Planning to use drugs at a festival on a scorching summer day? Here’s why extreme heat might make MDMA riskier…
“Severe hailstorm hits Timaru, causing flooding and forcing businesses to close [NZ]
“Hundreds of people affected after torrential rain and flooding in French Polynesia.
“Warm nights in the tropics are nearly all over because of the record SST’s.
“Nature’s silent scream. Rampant fires have engulfed the Pantanal in Brazil, one of the world’s largest tropical wetlands and home to endangered species and indigenous communities…
“Exceptional heat waves are also sweeping all the Americas from Mexico to Chile.
“Panama Canal drought to delay grain ships well into 2024.
“Exceptional warmth across several states of USA.
“Drought vs deluge: Florida’s unusual rainfall totals either too little or too much on each coast.
“Tornado outbreak ravages the country for third December in a row…
“Gigantic Wave in Pacific Ocean Was Most Extreme ‘Rogue Wave’ on Record…
“Cop28 draft climate deal criticised as ‘grossly insufficient’ and ‘incoherent’…
“This is really quite something… 
“Fears over extinction of KRILL – Earth’s powerhouse beast in Antarctic seas.
“Mass deaths of elephant seals recorded as bird flu sweeps across the Antarctic.
“Arctic sea ice extent is currently the *3rd* lowest on record (JAXA data)
“The mysterious ‘speeding up’ glaciers of Svalbard…
“Frozen methane under the seabed is thawing as oceans warm – and things are worse than we thought…
“Degrading Permafrost Likely Caused Diomede City Building’s Collapse [Alaska].
“Native Hawaiians fighting to take control of Maui’s water rights amid wildfire clean-up.
“‘We need information’ plead Peru farmers battling drought, climate change.
“São Paulo heatwave a concern for citrus growers.
“November 2023 in Brazil had an average temperature of 26.8C, +1.5C above normal and was the hottest on records.
“Venezuela Seeks to Slow Down the Humboldt Glacier Melting.
“Record heat in South America too:
“Costa Rica’s Unprecedented Heat: November 2023 Breaks All Records.
“How Climate Shocks Are Linked to Cross-Border Migration in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Bermuda’s Atlantic Ocean Warmest, Most Acidic in 40 Years [of record-keeping]…
“Record temperatures in the Canary Islands over the weekend due to a warm air mass…
“Climate Change Makes East Africa’s Deadly Floods Worse, Study Finds…
“Tanzania: Landslide death toll rises to 76.
“Long-lasting household damage from Cyclone Idai increases malaria risk in rural western Mozambique.
“Elephants killed by drought disaster: Dozens of the creatures die of thirst at Zimbabwe national park as watering holes dry up.
“November warm spell seemed the most extreme event in China history but this is beating it.
“HISTORIC WARMTH in the KOREAS. About half of the stations broke their [December] records today and many more tomorrow.
“Thousands of tonnes of dead fish wash ashore in Japan.
“Staff at a remote weather station may soon be evacuated as Queensland [Australia] braces for an unusual tropical cyclone.
“Monster heat wave in AUSTRALIA. Today 6 stations rose above 46C [114.8F] and many more >45C! Highest was 46.5C at Marree.
“Emergency services concerned for Canberrans going into heatwave without power due to severe storm.
“‘Unprecedented mass coral bleaching’ expected in 2024, says expert…
“You’ve probably heard that November 2023 was the warmest November on record, but did you know that it was the moistest November on record too?
“Not a single G20 country has policies in place that are consistent with the Paris agreement’s goal of limiting global heating to 1.5C and meeting their “fair share” of emissions reduction.
“What happens if the 1.5C target for global heating is missed?
““A Miracle Will Occur” Is Not Sensible Climate Policy…
“After months of expectation, it’s official — 2023 will be the hottest year ever recorded. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service announced the milestone after analyzing data that showed the world saw its warmest-ever November.
“Catastrophic change looms as Earth nears climate ‘tipping points’, report says…
“Two degrees is too high for ice sheets, permafrost and glaciers. At a Time of Climate Crisis: We cannot negotiate with the melting point of ice…
“The climate change we caused is here for at least 50,000 years – and probably far longer…
“Quite a bump! Quick and dirty plot of 9 months of record high North Atlantic Sea Surface Temperatures.
“The [UK] Government is unprepared to tackle extreme weather events from floods to droughts and storms to heatwaves, a new report by the National Audit Office reveals.
“Christmas supplies heading to Britain could be delayed over the coming weeks in a threat to the festival season as the Panama Canal suffers its worst-ever drought…
“European potato prices are soaring as heavy rains leave spuds mired in the mud, curbing supplies just as demand for the Christmas-dinner staple rises.
“Why ground in south-west France is still burning from 2022 forest fire…
“Late skiing start in Alps due to warmest autumn on record…
“Greek villagers vote to relocate after deadly climate-driven flood…
“Libya: People are Terrified of Rain, Clouds and Climate Change…
“‘Living dead’: Tunisian villages suffer drought, climate change…
“Seychelles declares state of emergency after explosion, flooding.
“More and more records in the MALDIVES. Today Hanimadhoo rose to 34.6C [94.3F] HIGHEST DECEMBER TEMPERATURE IN MALDIVEAN HISTORY.
“Records are falling all over Asia every single day from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia.
“Glaciers in Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan vanishing – head of National Academy of Sciences.
“Chennai struggles after Cyclone Michaung: Shortages of drinking water, milk, and diesel, several areas remain inundated.
“At least 300 stations in China will break records in the next two days.
“Relentless Record heat in Southeast Asia:
“The worst is yet to come for a severe cyclone swirling off Queensland’s coast, with warnings it could reach a category five storm as officials are unable to confirm whether it will hit Australia’s shores.
“‘We felt it first’: Climate-threatened islands battle fossil fuels at COP28…
“Prey driven away by wildfire, YKDFN Chief says wolves are turning to Yellowknife [NWT, Canada] for food.
“Balmy December weather prompts city to open 2 golf courses [Calgary, Canada].
“Atmospheric River Soaks Pacific Northwest With Record-Breaking Rain, Unusually Warm Temperatures.
“Wow, at 11pm Portland Airport has hit 67° [19.4C] on a surge of south winds under a very warm airmass. This is the highest December temperature on record, beating the previous record of 65° from 1993.
“More exceptional heat from MEXICO. On 5 December the temperature reached 40.0C [104F] at Atoyac, Guerrero State.
“Mexico: climate displaced people need a home urgently.
“Prolonged drought brings unprecedented changes to Amazonian communities in Pará…
“Insurers heavily exposed to climate change, global watchdog says…
“Solar farms around the world are under threat due to costly hailstorm-related claims, according to renewable energy underwriter GCube Insurance.
“Climate Change is Disrupting Air Travel…
“Jet stream will get faster as climate change continues, study finds…
“Fevered Planet: How a shifting climate is catalysing infectious disease…
“Time to Consider ‘Last Resort’ Targeted Climate Interventions at COP28…
“Why dimming the Sun would be an effective tool in the fight against climate change…
“Last month set another new climate record – warmest November global sea surface temperature. Data available from NOAA. ERSSTv5 (https://psl.noaa.gov/data/gridded/data.noaa.ersst.v5.html…). 
“Breaking news! The planet once again touched the 2.0°C barrier for a single day yesterday.
“It’s looking likely that the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) will surpass the +2°C mark next month…
“This NASA CERES data is making me very anxious. The Northern Hemisphere used to radiate more heat to space than it absorbed from the sun. Not anymore.
“Ancient methane escaping from melting glaciers could potentially warm the planet even more.
“Greenland’s Inuit falling through thin ice of climate change.
“From blizzards to record warmth, Nunavut [Arctic Canada] experiencing weather turmoil…
“Wildfires have erased two decades’ worth of air quality gains in western United States…
“Louisiana’s battle against wildfires sparks plea for $43 million boost in funding…
“‘They told us the fire would never come’: Argentinians battle blazes in gap left by government…
“Historic weather in Brazil’s top soy state keeps pressure on crop…
“Endless record heat in BRAZIL. 3 states: Rio Grande do Norte, Caerà and Parnaiba are few decimals short of their hottest days in climatic history (2 of which were beaten few weeks ago anyway).
“Bear attacks in Japan hit record high as hunger forces some to delay hibernation.
“Rare Siberian Tiger Kills Man in Russia’s Far East…
“Temperatures in Siberia dip to minus 50 Celsius as record snow blankets Moscow.
“Wintry blast in Europe has brought record snow and bitter cold…
“Properties and businesses were left underwater, roads and railways were blocked and people were rescued as heavy rainfall led to flooding and burst river banks across west Dorset [UK].
“Cars lifted in air during Storm Ciarán, report finds [UK].
“Very cold in EUROPE and DECEMBER RECORD HEAT TO THE EAST; TURKEY: 27.4C [81.3F] Sinop; MINIMUM Temp 21.7C Cinarcik.
“Lebanon’s Christians feel the heat of climate change in its sacred forest and valley…
“Tunisia: Maghreb farmers embrace drones to fight climate change.
“African mayor fears her city could run out of water in climate change struggle [Sierra Leone].
“Record heat in the Sahel with temperatures still rising >40C. Yesterday 41.0C [105.8F] at Tambacounda SENEGAL: hottest December day on record.
“The death toll from flooding and landslides in northern Tanzania has risen to 63.
“6 killed in lightning strikes in southern Tanzania.
“Insane heat in the Caucasus and Middle East, records are falling in many areas from Sinai to Central Asia.
“Four die as cyclone brings Chennai [India] to its knees…
“Extreme weather halts iPhone production in India: Foxconn and Pegatron grapple with disruptions.
“An impressive area with record heat from Indonesia to Senegal (like in the beginning of November).
“Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels to hit record high…
“Record number of fossil fuel lobbyists granted access COP28 climate talks, campaigners say.