When Idiot Savants Do Climate Economics

By Christoper Ketcham The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has assumed Nordhaus is to be trusted. The integrated assessment models used at the IPCC are based on Nordhausian visions of adaptation…Continue readingWhen Idiot Savants Do Climate Economics

Roundup herbicide ingredient connected to epidemic levels of chronic kidney disease

For the past couple of decades, tens of thousands of people living in rural Sri Lanka have been devastated by kidney failure due to unclear causes, also known as CKDu. Similar…Continue readingRoundup herbicide ingredient connected to epidemic levels of chronic kidney disease

Human emissions made deadly South American heat 100 times more likely

The deadly heat in central South America over the past two months was made 100 times more likely by human emissions that disrupted the climate, scientists have shown. Temperatures have exceeded…Continue readingHuman emissions made deadly South American heat 100 times more likely

Climate-driven extreme heat may make parts of Earth too hot for humans

If global temperatures increase by 2°C above pre-industrial levels, the 2.2 billion residents of Pakistan and India’s Indus River Valley, the one billion people living in eastern China and the 800…Continue readingClimate-driven extreme heat may make parts of Earth too hot for humans

Death toll rises to four in Greece after floods, more than 800 rescued

The death toll from floods in central Greece has risen to four after severe rainstorms turned streets into raging torrents, hurled cars into the sea, and washed away roads and bridges.…Continue readingDeath toll rises to four in Greece after floods, more than 800 rescued

Greek summer wildfires will burn over 150,000 hectares

Devastating wildfires in Greece will ravage more than 150,000 hectares (370,600 acres) by the end of the summer, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis estimated Thursday, blaming the climate crisis for the disaster.…Continue readingGreek summer wildfires will burn over 150,000 hectares

Louisiana sees ‘unprecedented’ wildfires amid record heat, drought

More than 450 fires have scorched parts of Louisiana amid weeks of record-breaking heat and severe drought conditions. The Tiger Island Fire, the largest wildfire in the state’s history, tore through…Continue readingLouisiana sees ‘unprecedented’ wildfires amid record heat, drought

Warming decimates Antarctica’s emperor penguin chicks

Helpless emperor penguin chicks perished at multiple breeding grounds in West Antarctica late last year, drowning or freezing to death when sea ice eroded by global warming gave way under their…Continue readingWarming decimates Antarctica’s emperor penguin chicks

Critics of ‘degrowth’ economics say it’s unworkable—but from an ecologist’s perspective, it’s inevitable

You may not have noticed, but earlier this month we passed Earth overshoot day, when humanity’s demands for ecological resources and services exceeded what our planet can regenerate annually. Many economists…Continue readingCritics of ‘degrowth’ economics say it’s unworkable—but from an ecologist’s perspective, it’s inevitable

Non-native grass species blamed for ferocity of Hawaii wildfires

Scientists and academics say they have been warning for several years that invasive grasses covering a quarter of the Hawaii islands are a major fire risk. Untamed grassland helped fuel the…Continue readingNon-native grass species blamed for ferocity of Hawaii wildfires

Death toll from heavy rain in north India rises to almost 60

Flooding and landslides are common and cause widespread devastation during India’s treacherous monsoon season, but experts say climate change is increasing their frequency and severity. In Himachal Pradesh, 50 people were…Continue readingDeath toll from heavy rain in north India rises to almost 60

A year on, the devastating long-term effects of Pakistan’s floods are revealed

The flooding in Pakistan in August and September 2022 – described by UN secretary general António Guterres as a “monsoon on steroids” – led to the deaths of more than 1,700…Continue readingA year on, the devastating long-term effects of Pakistan’s floods are revealed

Florida ocean temperature topped 100˚F, setting potential record

Shallow waters off south Florida topped 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8˚C) for several hours on Monday, potentially setting a new world record with temperatures more commonly associated with hot tubs. The readings…Continue readingFlorida ocean temperature topped 100˚F, setting potential record

‘Heaviest rain ever’ causes deadly floods and landslides in Japan

Mud engulfs houses and cars as island of Kyushu bears brunt of annual rainy season that is worsening with climate change. Six people died and three others were missing after the…Continue reading‘Heaviest rain ever’ causes deadly floods and landslides in Japan

At least 50 dead in Pakistan monsoon floods

At least 50 people, including eight children, have been killed by floods and landslides triggered by monsoon rains that have lashed Pakistan since last month, officials said Friday. The summer monsoon…Continue readingAt least 50 dead in Pakistan monsoon floods

Wildfires ‘off the charts’ in Canada as temperatures climb

With nine million hectares (22.2 million acres) already gone up in smoke—11 times the average for the last decade—the absolute annual record set in 1989 has been surpassed. Authorities tallied 677…Continue readingWildfires ‘off the charts’ in Canada as temperatures climb

In rural India, summer’s heat can be deadly. Ambulance crews see the toll up close.

Extreme heat is fast becoming a public health crisis in India, with more than 150 people dying during the latest brutal heat wave in June. Prolonged heat waves, sometimes classified as…Continue readingIn rural India, summer’s heat can be deadly. Ambulance crews see the toll up close.

Canada wildfire smoke chokes millions in North America

As of Wednesday, more than eight million hectares (20 million acres) of forests and grasslands had burned across Canada, breaking an annual record of 7.3 million hectares set in 1989. And…Continue readingCanada wildfire smoke chokes millions in North America

At least 13 die in extreme heat wave in US

At least 13 people have died from the extreme heat wave that has been tormenting the southern United States for two weeks. In recent days, temperatures in some southern US cities…Continue readingAt least 13 die in extreme heat wave in US

Thousands suffer heat stress on hajj pilgrimage as temperatures reach 48˚C

More than 2,000 people suffered heat stress during the hajj pilgrimage, Saudi officials said on Thursday, after temperatures soared to 48˚C (118˚F). Over 1.8 million Muslim worshippers performed the days-long hajj,…Continue readingThousands suffer heat stress on hajj pilgrimage as temperatures reach 48˚C

France badly hit by climate change and ill-prepared

France is being badly hit by climate change, is not prepared for its effects and is failing to sufficiently reduce its emissions, an independent climate body warned. The record heat and…Continue readingFrance badly hit by climate change and ill-prepared

Heatwaves will make regions uninhabitable within decades: UN, Red Cross

Heatwaves will become so extreme in certain regions of the world within decades that human life there will be unsustainable, the United Nations and the Red Cross said Monday. Heatwaves are…Continue readingHeatwaves will make regions uninhabitable within decades: UN, Red Cross

Cradle of civilisation dying

It was the river that is said to have watered the biblical Garden of Eden and helped give birth to civilisation itself. The Tigris’s course through Iraq begins in the mountains…Continue readingCradle of civilisation dying