The Clim8
08.29.21-09.04.21
Around 1 in 3 Americans have been impacted by a weather disaster in 2021 (Washington Post)
By analyzing the US’s federal disaster declarations, Washington Post found that a third of Americans live in places that have encountered weather disasters in the past three months, and just under two-thirds of Americans have experienced heatwaves spanning multiple days. Droughts, flash floods, and alarmingly high temperatures have all threatened Americans’ lives and are all products of climate change. Legislation surrounding keeping down US emissions is under Jeopardy because of the cost of its plans, but, as a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, the US must take action to help limit global warming.
Chinese politician Li Kequiang urges world powers to take action on climate change (Reuters) On Friday, September 3rd, Chinese politician and Premier Li Kequiang spoke at the opening ceremony of the IUCN World Conservation Congress. Kequiang urged nations to recognize the importance of being in harmony with nature, an idea China has been using to set up negotiations for the Kunming Declaration, a biodiversity accord to be submitted to the UN.
How the climate crisis is affecting our mental health system (Washington Post)
As Hurricane Ida sweeps across the same area that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina just 16 years ago, experts consider the effect climate change has on people’s mental health. With climate change becoming more prevalent, many Americans have sought out therapy; while therapy is a helpful resource, “the people most vulnerable to climate change’s effects may also be the least able to access mental health care.” As the climate crisis prevails, it’s important to recognize the increasing demand for mental health resources that comes as a result.
Rise in climate migration (The Atlantic)
As a result of Hurricane Ida, many families have been left with their homes destroyed. While some plan to rebuild their homes, others have considered relocating because of the “hard logic of economics.” Many Americans have begun to move voluntarily, with natural disasters in mind. “Climate migration” has become more and more common as our country continues to combat the climate crisis.
Warming Arctic is leading to cooler winters (BBC)
A recently-released study revealed that warming in the region has disturbed the polar vortex, a pattern of cool air which rotates above the Arctic. Heat in the Arctic stretches the polar vortex, allowing for extremely cool air to escape. The result? Colder winters in other parts of the world, as seen by the deep freeze Texas experienced this past February. The study helped link the contradictory trend we have been seeing of increased cold extremes in some regions and recent warmer global temperatures on the whole. “In the past, these cold extremes over the US and Russia have been used to justify not reducing carbon, but there's no longer any excuse to not start reducing emissions right away,” said co-author of the study, Professor Chaim Garfinkel.
Check it out: Read the study here.
Redfin CEO says homebuyers are not taking climate change seriously (CNBC)
The CEO, Glenn Kelman, said that prospective homeowners need to seriously consider the effects of climate change in their search for homes. “The buyers themselves are driven by affordability, and the most affordable places in America are the places that are at the most risk of being affected by climate change,” Kelman said.
New report on air pollution emphasizes urgent need for better air quality (UN News)
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released a new report that advocates improved air quality for the protection of biodiversity, reduction of pollution and waste, and deceleration of climate change. The report also states that one-third of all countries have yet to legally mandate outdoor air quality guidelines. UNEP Chief Inger Andersen addressed the concerns for global air quality. “Air quality continues to deteriorate despite the increase in laws and regulations seeking to address air pollution,” Andersen said.
The North Atlantic right whale in critical state of danger due to climate crisis (The Guardian)
As sea temperatures rise, relocating food sources force whales to travel into locations where they risk encounters with ships and fishing gear — both of which pose the threat of injury and death. In particular, the warming of the Gulf of Maine has caused the North Atlantic right population to plunge. Within the past ten years, the Gulf of Maine has warmed 99% faster than the global ocean. Conservationists are now desperate to save the species from extinction.