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News: Archive for July, 2021

‘Record-shattering’ heat becoming much more likely, says climate study | Climate change | The Guardian

Tuesday, July 27th, 2021

‘The shocking temperature extremes suffered in the Pacific north-west and in Australia 2019-2020 were “exactly what we are talking about”, said the scientists. But they said the world had yet to see anything close to the worst impacts possible, even under the global heating that had already happened.’

Source: ‘Record-shattering’ heat becoming much more likely, says climate study | Climate change | The Guardian

‘Advanced’ Nuclear Reactors? Don’t Hold Your Breath – Scientific American

Sunday, July 25th, 2021

‘The siren song of a cheap, safe and secure nuclear reactor on the horizon has attracted the attention of Biden administration officials and some key members of Congress, who are looking for any and all ways to curb carbon emissions. But will so-called advanced reactors provide a powerful tool to combat climate change? A Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analysis of non-light-water reactor concepts in development suggests that outcome may be as likely as Energy Commission Chairman Lewis Strauss’ famous 1954 prediction that electricity generated by nuclear energy would ultimately become “too cheap to meter.” ‘

Source: ‘Advanced’ Nuclear Reactors? Don’t Hold Your Breath – Scientific American

The Democrat blocking progressive change is beholden to big oil. Surprised? | Alex Kotch | The Guardian

Saturday, July 24th, 2021

‘One prominent senator is very concerned about proposals to scale back oil, gas and coal usage. He recently argued that those who want to “get rid of” fossil fuels are wrong. Eliminating fossil fuels won’t help fight global heating, he claimed, against all evidence. “If anything, it would be worse.”’

Source: The Democrat blocking progressive change is beholden to big oil. Surprised? | Alex Kotch | The Guardian

Extreme rainfall in China: over 25 inches falls in 24 hours, leaving 33 dead » Yale Climate Connections

Thursday, July 22nd, 2021

‘At least 33 people are dead and 8 missing in Zhengzhou, China, after a July 20 extreme rainfall event of nearly unimaginable intensity. Zhengzhou, a megacity of more than 10 million – and the world’s biggest manufacturing base for iPhones and a major hub for food production and heavy industry – recorded an astonishing 644.6 mm (25.38 inches) of rain in the 24 hours ending at 21Z July 20. This is literally more than a year’s worth of rain: Its average annual precipitation (1981-2010 climatology) is only 640.’

Source: Extreme rainfall in China: over 25 inches falls in 24 hours, leaving 33 dead » Yale Climate Connections

U.S. drilling approvals increase despite Biden climate pledge – Los Angeles Times

Wednesday, July 21st, 2021

‘Approvals for companies to drill for oil and gas on U.S. public lands are on pace this year to reach their highest level since George W. Bush was president, underscoring President Biden’s reluctance to more forcefully curb petroleum production in the face of industry and Republican resistance.’

Source: U.S. drilling approvals increase despite Biden climate pledge – Los Angeles Times

U.S. Treasury’s Yellen to push development banks to step up climate financing effort | Reuters

Tuesday, July 13th, 2021

‘VENICE, July 11 (Reuters) – U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Sunday signaled she will push multilateral development banks further away from fossil fuel projects, saying she would ask them to “increase their climate ambition” to support the Paris Agreement on carbon emissions reductions’

Source: U.S. Treasury’s Yellen to push development banks to step up climate financing effort | Reuters

The climate crisis will create two classes: those who can flee, and those who cannot | Peter Gleick | The Guardian

Thursday, July 8th, 2021

‘…Worldwide, nearly 700 million people now live in low-lying coastal zones vulnerable to sea-level rise and coastal storms. That number could reach a billion by 2050. Island nations like the Maldives, Seychelles, Kiribati and others could be completely wiped out by rising seas and storms. Even a rise of only a meter (39in), almost certainly unavoidable now, will displace millions of people in Florida and along the Gulf coast, causing trillions of dollars in damages and property loss.’

Source: The climate crisis will create two classes: those who can flee, and those who cannot | Peter Gleick | The Guardian

Biden’s new Cold War with China will result in climate collapse, progressives warn – POLITICO

Wednesday, July 7th, 2021

‘As a new Cold War takes shape between the U.S. and China, progressives fear the result will be a dramatically warming planet.’

Source: Biden’s new Cold War with China will result in climate collapse, progressives warn – POLITICO

Climate change is frying the Northern Hemisphere with unprecedented heat, hundreds dead and a town destroyed. – CNN

Wednesday, July 7th, 2021

‘(CNN)The tiny town of Lytton has come to hold a grim record. On Tuesday, it experienced Canada’s highest-ever temperature, in an unprecedented heat wave that has over a week killed hundreds of people and triggered more than 240 wildfires across British Columbia, most of which are still burning.’

Source: Climate change is frying the Northern Hemisphere with unprecedented heat, hundreds dead and a town destroyed. – CNN

Huge Methane Leak Spotted in Heart of China’s Top Coal Hub – Bloomberg

Wednesday, July 7th, 2021

‘A massive plume of methane, the potent greenhouse gas that’s a key contributor to global warming, has been identified in China’s biggest coal production region.’

Source: Huge Methane Leak Spotted in Heart of China’s Top Coal Hub – Bloomberg