public health
Porter Fox: Hurricane Milton shows supercharged storms are here to stay
As Hurricane Milton nears Florida with record winds of 180 mph, the rise in extreme storms is linked to fossil fuel-driven climate change and is expected to worsen, threatening regions far beyond the traditional hurricane belt.
In short:
- Hurricanes are becoming more intense, lasting longer, and reaching farther inland due to global warming, raising risks for areas previously unaffected.
- Studies suggest that storm patterns may shift, with tropical cyclones increasingly impacting the Northeast and even inland states like Michigan and Iowa.
- Recovery efforts often lag, as shown by the slow cleanup after Hurricane Helene, and unpreparedness could exacerbate damage from future storms.
Key quote:
“Supercharged hurricanes are no longer outliers, freak disasters or storms of the century.”
— Porter Fox, author and journalist
Why this matters:
Hurricanes fueled by climate change pose a growing threat, not just to coastal communities but to regions unaccustomed to such weather. Adapting infrastructure and disaster preparedness policies will be essential to reduce future damage and casualties.
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The scientific ship that changed how we understand Earth may have sailed its last expedition
The Joides Resolution, a vessel that transformed our understanding of climate change, life’s origins, and natural disasters, faces an uncertain future after US funding was cut, jeopardizing further discoveries.
In short:
- The Joides Resolution, vital to Earth science research for nearly 40 years, may no longer sail after 2024 due to budget cuts from the National Science Foundation.
- The ship's work has provided insights into climate history, earthquakes and the origins of life by drilling into the ocean floor to retrieve samples.
- Researchers worry that expertise developed over decades will be lost, stalling future scientific progress.
Key quote:
"We are losing our potential to read the history book of climate change.— Thomas Ronge, Svalbard expedition project manager.
Why this matters:
The Joides Resolution has been central to understanding the climate crisis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and even the early chemistry of life itself. Without it, we’re potentially stalling advances in climate solutions and natural disaster preparedness at a time when we need them most. Read more: Scientists probe ancient history of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet and find unsettling news about sea level rise.
Fossil fuel forces are quietly sabotaging solar energy in Ohio
In Knox County, Ohio, a shadowy coalition of fossil fuel interests, aided by a local newspaper, has turned residents against a proposed solar farm, sowing misinformation and division.
In short:
- A so-called “grassroots” campaign, funded by fossil fuel executives, has fueled anti-solar sentiment through misinformation and local media manipulation.
- The local Mount Vernon News has been transformed into a mouthpiece for fossil fuel interests, publishing numerous anti-solar articles.
- This campaign has contributed to the defeat of pro-solar politicians and radicalized public opinion in a region already tied to the gas industry.
Key quote:
“People are so radicalized and they’re not thinking clearly.”
— Rich Piar, third-generation farmer
Why this matters:
With the local media on board, the Knox County misinformation campaign is driving a wedge through the community, pushing out pro-solar voices and reinforcing the grip of the gas industry. It's a reminder that the energy transition isn’t just about technology; it's about power, influence, and the stories people are told. Read more: Fractured: Distrustful of frackers, abandoned by regulators.
Reducing food waste is essential but challenging
The world wastes about a third of its food supply, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and missed opportunities to alleviate food insecurity.
In short:
- The United Nations estimates around 17% of food is wasted globally, with an equal amount lost before retail, primarily due to issues in harvesting, storage and transportation.
- Food waste significantly impacts the climate, accounting for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with waste in wealthier nations linked to overproduction and consumer habits.
- Denmark’s reduction in food waste by 25% from 2010 to 2015 was driven largely by grassroots activism, particularly through Selina Juul's efforts, although replicating such success elsewhere has proven difficult.
Key quote:
"The food waste just moves from the supermarket bin to your bin – and you have paid for it."
— Selina Juul, food waste campaigner
Why this matters:
Food waste exacerbates climate change, strains natural resources and worsens food insecurity. Reducing it requires changing consumer habits, better policies and industry accountability.
Federal disaster programs could run out of money as hurricane approaches Florida
The federal government’s disaster relief programs face financial strain as Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm, threatens Florida, following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
In short:
- FEMA’s disaster fund, flood insurance and the SBA’s disaster loan program could run out of money within weeks.
- Congress has been reluctant to allocate more funds, with key lawmakers refusing to reconvene before the November election.
- Over 31 million people are in declared disaster zones due to recent hurricanes, raising concerns about long-term recovery funding.
Key quote:
“The frequency and intensity of disasters continue to increase every year, and the number of federal disaster declarations continues to rise in parallel.”
— Carrie Speranza, president of the International Association of Emergency Managers.
Why this matters:
As climate change intensifies disasters, federal programs are struggling to keep up with recovery costs. Without urgent funding, millions of Americans may face delays in rebuilding essential infrastructure, homes and businesses after catastrophic events.
Read more: FEMA faces potential funding shortfall amid increasing natural disasters
Hurricane Milton will be an election season political test
Hurricane Milton’s approach toward Florida threatens to challenge the Biden-Harris administration as it faces scrutiny in the lead-up to the presidential election.
In short:
- Hurricane Milton, now a Category 5 storm, is expected to hit Florida, adding to the devastation from Hurricane Helene.
- Federal disaster response will be critical, with political stakes for President Biden and Vice President Harris, especially as they face comparisons to Trump.
- Trump has criticized the federal response, although some of his claims have been debunked by officials, including Georgia Governor Kemp.
Key quote:
"Trump could absolutely take advantage of that if they haven’t planned it all the way through. It’s really going to be a test. … We’re talking about trying to convince small amounts of independent voters to go one way or another."
— Ron Bonjean, Republican strategist
Why this matters:
A strong federal response could boost public confidence in leadership, while failures could shift voter sentiment. Disasters often reshape political narratives, making disaster management crucial in the final stretch of the presidential campaign.
Read more: Tampa Bay's growth heightens risk as Hurricane Milton approaches
Trump spreads misinformation about disaster response to gain a political edge
In the final weeks of his presidential campaign, Donald Trump has used misleading claims about the Biden administration's disaster response to Hurricane Helene in an attempt to portray Vice President Kamala Harris as failing in her duties.
Justine McDaniel and Marianne LeVine report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Trump falsely claimed that FEMA disaster funds were used for migrants, despite no evidence to support this.
- He has a long history of spreading false information about natural disasters, from hurricanes to wildfires, to shift blame or bolster his image.
- Trump’s strategy is to politicize the storm response in battleground states like North Carolina ahead of the election.
Key quote:
“Getting politics out of disasters and emergency management is really critical. It’s dangerous, it doesn’t help, and it certainly makes the job of our disaster responders, our first responders, more difficult.”
— Tim Frazier, faculty director of the emergency and disaster management program at Georgetown University
Why this matters:
Misinformation during disaster response creates confusion, hinders relief efforts and risks public safety. As climate-related disasters increase, the politicization of emergency management could lead to slower or less effective help for those in need.
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