temperatures
Newsletter
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Nearby rural land may significantly reduce urban temperatures
A recent study finds that rural areas around cities can lower urban temperatures by nearly 33 degrees Fahrenheit, suggesting a new approach to combating urban heat.
In short:
- Researchers studied data from 30 Chinese cities and found that rural land within a six- to nine-mile radius can reduce urban heat island intensity by about 30%.
- Urban heat islands occur when cities are warmer than their surroundings due to air warming, creating low-pressure zones that pull cooler air from nearby rural areas.
- The study suggests cooling strategies, such as planting woodlands and consolidating water bodies in rural areas, to boost urban cooling.
Why this matters:
Urban heat islands contribute to higher energy costs and health risks. By optimizing rural land use, cities can become cooler and more sustainable, benefiting both urban and rural communities.
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Heat waves and extreme weather highlight climate tipping points
Global temperatures hit unprecedented highs this week, raising alarms about the planet's future stability.
In short:
- Earth’s average temperature has exceeded 1.5°C above preindustrial levels since last July.
- Record-breaking temperatures led to deadly heat waves, wildfires typhoons worldwide.
- Scientists warn that these events indicate a weakening resilience of natural systems.
Key quote:
“The extreme events that we are now experiencing are indications of the weakening resilience of these systems. We cannot risk pushing this any further.”
— Johan Rockström, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Why this matters:
Rising temperatures and increased frequency of extreme weather events threaten global ecosystems and human health. Immediate action to reduce carbon emissions is critical to prevent crossing irreversible climate thresholds.
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Monday breaks record for hottest day ever recorded
Monday set a new global temperature record, surpassing the previous day’s high, as extreme heat continues to affect countries worldwide, according to European climate data.
Sibi Arasu and Seth Borenstein report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Monday’s global average temperature was 17.15 degrees Celsius, beating Sunday’s record by 0.06 degrees.
- Climate scientists attribute the heat to human-caused climate change, with temperatures now matching levels from 125,000 years ago.
- The recent heatwave was intensified by an unusually warm Antarctic winter.
Key quote:
“We are in an age where weather and climate records are frequently stretched beyond our tolerance levels, resulting in insurmountable loss of lives and livelihoods.”
— Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
Why this matters:
Rising global temperatures threaten ecosystems, human health and economies. Without immediate changes in energy policies, extreme weather events will become more frequent and severe.
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Decades-old oil industry magazine predicted climate crisis, starvation
In 1977, a publication by a predecessor of Marathon Petroleum warned that rising global temperatures could cause severe economic and social disruptions, including widespread starvation.
In short:
- The 1977 article from Marathon Petroleum's predecessor predicted climate-related disasters due to industrial expansion.
- The lawsuit claims Marathon and other companies concealed their knowledge of climate risks for decades.
- Marathon is accused of opposing climate policies while privately acknowledging the dangers of carbon emissions.
Key quote:
"The climate is not going to get better, only worse. Over the long haul, we are going to have to brace ourselves for the prospect of a lot of poor harvests."
— J Murray Mitchell, NOAA scientist
Why this matters:
Companies like Marathon Petroleum knew about climate change risks long ago but continued to prioritize profit over environmental responsibility. Understanding this history is vital for holding them accountable and addressing current climate challenges.
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Wildfires in California burn fiercely through the night
Climate change is intensifying nighttime wildfires in California, making them larger and harder to control, as observed over the recent July 4 weekend.
In short:
- Wildfires in California are growing and spreading overnight due to climate change, challenging firefighting efforts.
- Overnight fires, now more frequent, expand rapidly and give firefighters less time to intervene.
- Continuous nighttime burning is linked to extreme weather conditions, including heat waves and droughts.
Key quote:
“Night won’t save us. With climate change, we will see more and more overnight burning.”
— Kaiwei Luo, doctoral student in environmental sciences at the University of Alberta.
Why this matters:
Nighttime fires present unique challenges for firefighters. The cooler temperatures and higher humidity that typically help to suppress fires overnight are no longer as reliable. Instead, hotter nights and drier conditions allow fires to spread rapidly and unpredictably, endangering communities and natural habitats.
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Credit: Dzmitry Dzemidovich/Big Stock Photo
Earth stays above 1.5°C warming for a year
Earth's average temperature remained 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for a full year, signaling ongoing and severe climate shifts.
In short:
- Earth's average temperature stayed above 1.5°C for 12 consecutive months, the first such occurrence in recorded history.
- Scientists stress that this 12-month period does not mean the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C limit has been breached, as that target is based on longer-term averages.
- Climate experts warn that, without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, more temperature records will be broken, and long-term warming trends will continue.
Key quote:
"This is more than a statistical oddity and it highlights a large and continuing shift in our climate."
— Carlo Buontempo, director of Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Why this matters:
This sustained warmth has far-reaching consequences. Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, heatwaves and wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense, wreaking havoc on communities and ecosystems. Rising temperatures also accelerate the melting of polar ice, contributing to sea-level rise that threatens coastal cities and island nations.
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Scientists warn of major ice sheet loss due to small temperature rise
A minor increase in ocean temperature could drastically accelerate ice sheet melting and raise sea levels much more than current models predict.
In short:
- Warm seawater intruding under coastal ice sheets melts them, creating cavities that further enhance melting and ice loss.
- Computer models show that even a small rise in water temperature could trigger significant ice sheet collapse.
- This process may be responsible for underestimating past sea level rises and poses severe future risks.
Key quote:
“With every tenth of a degree of ocean warming, we get closer and closer to passing this tipping point.”
— Dr. Alexander Bradley, British Antarctic Survey
Why this matters:
The urgency of addressing climate change becomes more apparent with each new study. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in renewable energy, and enhancing coastal resilience are steps that must be accelerated to prevent the most severe outcomes of a warming planet.
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