Monthly Archives: November 2024

Record-breaking ocean temperatures, fueled by human-induced climate change, have significantly strengthened Atlantic hurricanes in recent years, making them more potent and dangerous. According to a new analysis by the nonprofit climate research group Climate Central, every hurricane during the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was made more robust than it otherwise would have been without the effects of human-caused carbon pollution.

Ocean waters, heated to 2.5°F warmer due to climate change, amplified hurricane wind speeds by 9 to 28 mph across the 11 hurricanes recorded this season. This acceleration of wind speeds pushed many storms into higher categories on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale, increasing their destructive potential. “Every hurricane in 2024 was stronger than it would have been 100 years ago,” said Daniel Gilford, a climate scientist at Climate Central and the report’s lead author. “Through record-breaking ocean warming, human carbon pollution is worsening hurricane catastrophes in our communities.”

The findings are part of a broader analysis revealing that 84% of Atlantic hurricanes between 2019 and 2023 were more intense due to climate change. On average, these storms had wind speeds cranked up by 18 mph, with 30 storms escalating by at least one category due to warmer oceans.

The role of warming oceans is undeniable. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), over 90% of global warming has occurred in the oceans over recent decades. The Atlantic, in particular, saw water temperatures near record-breaking levels throughout the 2024 hurricane season, fueling hurricanes to strengthen and rapidly intensify more frequently. Rapid intensification, defined as an increase in wind speeds of at least 35 mph within 24 hours, occurred in nine of this season’s 11 hurricanes.

Category 5 Hurricane Milton, one of the most devastating storms of the season, exemplifies this trend. Milton rapidly intensified by 95 mph in just 24 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center, setting a record as the fastest intensifying storm in the Gulf of Mexico. These alarming statistics underscore how human carbon pollution directly influences hurricanes’ intensity and frequency.

The analyses highlight the urgent need to address human impacts on climate change, which not only exacerbates storm intensities but also endangers lives and communities along hurricane-prone coasts. As the oceans continue warming, the question looms: how much stronger will storms become, and how can we mitigate the damage? Read More

News Credit: Waay 31 ABC

Picture Credit: Marco Bello/ Reuters via CNN News source

In the early hours of Sunday morning, rich and poor nations concluded a high-stakes $1.3 trillion climate finance deal at the COP29 UN summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. The agreement, aimed at helping the developing world transition to a low-carbon economy and adapt to the devastating impacts of climate change, marks a significant milestone—but it has been met with sharp criticism.

Under the deal, developing nations are promised at least $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. However, only $300 billion of this amount will come as grants or low-interest loans from developed countries—the forms of assistance most urgently needed. The remaining funds are expected to be sourced from private investors and unconfirmed mechanisms like levies on fossil fuels or frequent flyers, which are yet to be finalized.

For many, this has sparked outrage. Mohamed Adow, director of Power Shift Africa, didn’t hold back, calling the summit “a disaster for the developing world” and accusing wealthy nations of betrayal. “Rich countries have promised to ‘mobilize’ funds in the future rather than provide them now. The cheque is in the mail. But lives and livelihoods in vulnerable countries are being lost now,” he said, highlighting the urgent need for immediate and tangible support.

The negotiations revealed deep divisions, with some of the world’s poorest and most climate-vulnerable nations advocating for more funds to come directly from developed countries. They also pushed for prioritizing finance for the most at-risk nations instead of distributing funds broadly, including to larger emerging economies like India. Despite these efforts, the final agreement fell short of meeting these demands, leaving many disillusioned.

While the $1.3 trillion target represents a substantial commitment, the reliance on private financing and unproven funding mechanisms raises concerns about whether the deal can genuinely deliver for those who need it most. As the impacts of extreme weather continue to devastate vulnerable regions, the question remains: is this agreement a step forward, or does it deepen the inequality in global climate action? Read More

News Credit: The Guardian

Picture Credit: Murad Sezer/Reuters

Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Norway’s minister for international development and co-chair of a coalition of 60 “high ambition” nations, warned that the world would be unable to cope with the overwhelming volume of plastic waste within the next decade unless countries agree to immediate production curbs. Speaking ahead of critical UN negotiations in Busan, South Korea, on the first global treaty to end plastic pollution, Tvinnereim emphasized the urgent need for transformative action.

Representing nations led by Rwanda and Norway, the coalition advocates tackling plastic pollution across its entire life cycle, with a particular focus on drastically reducing production. However, deep divisions remain between plastic-producing nations, many of which are oil exporters, and countries pushing for bold measures. Tvinnereim acknowledged that a “perfect treaty” may not be attainable but expressed optimism that an agreement could be reached and strengthened over time.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Recent research has revealed microplastics in alarming places, including human placentas, arteries, and reproductive tissues, where they have been linked to severe health risks such as heart attacks, strokes, and potential reproductive harm. This growing body of evidence underscores the widespread nature of plastic pollution and its direct threat to human health, biodiversity, and the climate.

As nations prepare for the final round of talks, the hope remains that collective leadership will emerge to deliver a robust treaty to address the escalating crisis. The question is whether the world’s leaders can bridge their divides and take decisive steps to tackle the plastic crisis at its source. Read More

News Credit: The Guardian

Picture Credit: Resha Juhari/We Animals

According to the US Drought Monitor, every US state except Alaska and Kentucky is experiencing drought conditions, marking an unprecedented moment. This week, over 45% of the US and Puerto Rico and 54% of land in the 48 contiguous states are under drought, impacting more than 150 million people and 318 million acres of crops. These figures represent 34% and 57% dramatic increases, respectively, from just a week ago.

Despite the arrival of autumn, drought conditions persist, fueled by record summer heat and the ongoing climate crisis driven by human-induced global warming. High temperatures reduce rainfall and intensify droughts by rapidly extracting moisture from the air and soil. Compounding the issue, erratic rainfall patterns—where heavy rains come in short bursts—fail to replenish the soil effectively, leaving the land parched.

This crisis is part of a broader global water imbalance, with nearly 3 billion people worldwide facing water scarcity. Droughts disrupt ecosystems and threaten agriculture, starkly reminding us of the urgent need to address the root causes of climate change, primarily the burning of fossil fuels. Read More

News Credit: The Guardian

Picture Credit: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

Newly unearthed documents show major oil companies, including Shell and precursors to Chevron, ExxonMobil, and BP, were warned about the climate impacts of fossil fuels as early as 1954. The revelation comes from memos by the Air Pollution Foundation, an industry group founded in 1953 to address public concerns over Los Angeles smog but also to counter pollution regulations.

Researchers had already linked hydrocarbon pollution from cars and refineries to smog, prompting calls for stricter controls. Despite public claims to address the crisis, the foundation’s memos reveal efforts to downplay fossil fuel harm—a tactic still seen today, says climate disinformation expert Geoffrey Supran. This evidence underscores decades of oil industry denial and deflection during crucial moments for climate action. Read More

News Credit: The Guardian

Picture Credit: Barry Lewis/In Pictures/Getty Images