[TheClimate.Vote] July 15, 2018 - Daily Global Warming News Digest

Richard Pauli richard at theclimate.vote
Sun Jul 15 10:11:14 EDT 2018


/July 15, 2018/

[fire season begins]
*Dousing rainfall to remain absent from California into late July as 
wildfire season ramps up 
<https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/dousing-rainfall-to-remain-absent-from-california-into-late-july-as-wildfire-season-ramps-up/70005481>*
By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist
July 14, 2018, 5:37:21 AM EDT
As wildfires continue to char land in California, mainly dry, warm 
weather will provide little to no relief for firefighting efforts 
heading into the peak of fire season.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center 
<https://www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/nfn.htm>, the number of wildfires and 
acres burned so far this year has nearly kept the same pace as 2017, 
which was one of the most destructive fire seasons on record.
Nine active fires are burning across California as of Saturday morning, 
July 14, according to Cal Fire...
https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/dousing-rainfall-to-remain-absent-from-california-into-late-july-as-wildfire-season-ramps-up/70005481


[Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists]
*Approving the climate security agenda 
<https://thebulletin.org/2018/07/approving-the-climate-security-agenda/>*
By Thomas Gaulkin, July 14, 2018
The UN Security Council held a meeting 
<https://apnews.com/8056b03c4aaa4aaaa99787fcc9c5d3b6>this week under the 
heading, "Understanding and Addressing Climate‑related Security Risks. 
<http://webtv.un.org/watch/understanding-and-addressing-climate-related-security-risks-security-council-8307th-meeting/5808492150001/>" 
It was just the third time the body has officially debated climate 
change as a security concern, but with Trump making headlines overseas, 
few noticed. (Climate change itself saw practically no major network 
coverage 
<https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2018/07/12/Major-broadcast-TV-networks-mentioned-climate-change-just-once-during-two-weeks-of-heat-wa/220651>in 
the United States this month, despite record-breaking heat waves across 
the country.)
- - - -
Since the issue first came on the council's agenda 11 years ago, many 
other states have also begun to experience the direct and indirect 
effects of climate change. The devastation in Syria, and its impact on 
migration (and politics) across Europe and the globe, were partly 
precipitated by drought 
<https://thebulletin.org/2012/08/climate-change-and-the-syrian-uprising/>. 
The Arab Spring has been linked 
<https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/security/reports/2013/02/28/54579/the-arab-spring-and-climate-change/>to 
a 2010 drought that destroyed Russia's wheat harvest and led to 
sky-rocketing food prices across North Africa.
The July 11 meeting may be a harbinger of more sustained interest in 
treating climate as an international security concern. Baron Waqa, the 
president of Nauru and chair of the Pacific Small Island Developing 
States,called for 
<http://nauru-news.com/statement-president-baron-waqa-un-security-council/>a 
new UN special representative on climate and security. Swedish Foreign 
Minister Margot Wallstrom, who presided over the debate,announced 
<https://www.government.se/statements/2018/07/statement-by-minister-for-foreign-affairs-margot-wallstrom-at-the-unsc-debate-on-climate-related-security-risks/>the 
creation of a climate security "knowledge hub" in Stockholm, with a 
focus on evidence-based analysis. "It is time for the Security Council 
to catch up with the changing reality on the ground," Wallstrom said.
"Very soon we will see more climate refugees, and it will affect all of 
us," Wallstrom said. "So their destiny is also our destiny."
https://thebulletin.org/2018/07/approving-the-climate-security-agenda/


[Airlines in heat]
*Airlines prepare for flying in hotter temps as climate change brings 
more extreme heat 
<https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/06/flying-the-summer-months-is-a-headache-for-airlines-and-passengers.html>*
The busiest air travel days of the year are usually in the summer, when 
extreme heat is becoming more frequent.
Thunderstorms are less predictable than snow storms, presenting a 
logistical challenge to airlines.
American's regional jets can now fly at higher temperatures after a 
120-degree day last year grounded some flights in Phoenix.
The maximum temperature at which Bombardier CRJs can fly depends on 
altitude, but from Phoenix, it's now around 123 degrees Fahrenheit, up 
from about 118. Bombardier's competitor, Brazil's Embraer has taken 
similar steps and its new E190 E2 regional jet, which started service 
this April, can operate at higher temperatures than previous models.
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/06/flying-the-summer-months-is-a-headache-for-airlines-and-passengers.html


[Keeping watch]
*Heatwave sees record high temperatures around world this week 
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/13/heatwave-sees-record-high-temperatures-set-around-world-this-week>*
 From Europe to Africa, extreme and widespread heat raises climate 
concerns in hottest La Nina year to date on record
Record high temperatures have been set across much of the world this 
week as an unusually prolonged and broad heatwave intensifies concerns 
about climate change.
The past month has seen power shortages in California as record heat 
forced a surge of demand for air conditioners. Algeria has experienced 
the hottest temperature ever reliably registered in Africa. Britain, 
meanwhile, has experienced its third longest heatwave, melting the roof 
of a science building in Glasgow and exposing ancient hill forts in Wales.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said the rising temperatures 
were at odds with a global cyclical climate phenomena known as La Nina, 
which is usually associated with cooling...
"The first six months of the year have made it the hottest La Nina year 
to date on record," said Clare Nullis of the WMO.
Taiwan is the most recent place to report a new high with a temperature 
of 40.3C in Tianxiang on Monday. This followed a flurry of other anomalies.
Last week, a weather station at Ouargla in Algeria's Sahara Desert, 
reported a maximum temperature of 51.3C on 5 July, the highest 
temperature reliably recorded in Africa.
Even when the sun goes down, night is not providing the cooling relief 
it once did in many parts of the world. At Quriyat, on the coast of 
Oman, overnight temperatures remained above 42.6C, which is believed to 
be the highest "low" temperature ever recorded in the world. Downtown 
Los Angeles also saw a new monthly July minimum overnight record of 
26.1C on 7 July...
Globally, the warmest year on record was in 2016, boosted by the natural 
climate cycle El Niño. Last year, temperatures hit the highest level 
without that amplifying phenomenon. This year, at the other cooling end 
of the cycle, is continuing the overall upward trend.
Swathes of the northern hemisphere have seen unusually persistent warmth 
due to strong, persistent high pressure systems that have created a 
"heat dome" over much of Eurasia...
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/13/heatwave-sees-record-high-temperatures-set-around-world-this-week


[carefully]
*How to handle really hot weather 
<https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-weather/stories/how-handle-really-hot-weather>*
Extreme heat can be deadly, but you don't have to stay inside until fall.
Just because it's hot doesn't mean you have to stay inside, but you 
should take precautions to stay safe when temperatures are high. Know 
the symptoms of heat-related illness and take these steps:

    - *Hydrate*. Drink plenty of fluids, even if you're not thirsty.
    Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or lots of sugar.
    - *Dress*. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
    Consider wearing cotton, which absorbs extra moisture and helps your
    body cool down.
    - *Rest*. Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours when
    it's cooler. Rest often in shady areas. Don't overexert yourself.
    Your body will tell you when it's time to take a break, so listen.
    - *Slather*. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a loose-fitting hat.
    Sunburn can impact your body's ability to cool off and can
    contribute to dehydration.
    - *Eat light.* Eat small, light meals and eat more often. Heavy
    meals add more heat as your body works harder to digest them.
    - *Friendship.* Use the buddy system when working or exercising in
    the heat. Don't leave pets outside or in cars. Check on people you
    know who are sick or elderly; they are most likely to have problems
    from the heat.
    - *Get wet.* If you know you're going to be outside for a while,
    soak your shirt, hat or a towel in cold water and use it to keep
    cool outside. This works whether you're gardening or hiking. Just
    use the hose or a nearby creek to keep wet.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-weather/stories/how-handle-really-hot-weather


[Night heat is the worst time]
*Summer Nights Are Getting Hotter. Here's Why That's a Health and 
Wildfire Risk. 
<https://insideclimatenews.org/news/09072018/heat-waves-global-warming-overnight-high-temperatures-impact-health-wildlife-wildfires-agriculture>*
Higher nighttime temperatures as the climate changes can leave homes and 
humans little chance to cool off. It's affecting agriculture and 
wildfire activity, too.
At breakfast time on Saturday in San Bernardino County, the temperature 
was "ridiculously above 100 degrees," as the National Weather Service 
put it. People fled blazes there, too.
Not only is it unusually hot all over the world, to a remarkable degree, 
the heat lingers overnight. With a changing climate, overnight low 
temperatures are going up even faster than daytime highs. The diurnal 
anomaly, as scientists call it, is posing big risks to public health, 
safety, ecosystems and agriculture.
Just last month, a city in Oman went well over 24 hours without the 
temperature ever dropping below 108 degrees. That was the highest daily 
minimum temperature ever recorded anywhere on the planet - a new 
milestone of global warming...
- - - -
People often talk about record high temperatures for a given day of the 
year as the most immediate evidence that climate change has arrived. 
Heat waves, when records fall for several days in a row across broad 
regions, are another. And in the past week or two, that's been the focus 
of news reports. Temperature records were broken across the United 
States and all over the world. Other extreme events punctuated the 
narrative, such as the extreme flooding in Japan, where the death toll 
surpassed 100.
But it's also important to consider the problem of higher temperatures 
during the coolest part of the day.
It may help explain why as many as 70 people died in Quebec, Canada, in 
early July as temperatures reached into the 80s and 90s. Although it 
cooled somewhat at night, for most of the week in Montreal, the 
overnight temperature still stayed above 70 degrees. Homes and buildings 
without air conditioning didn't have much chance to cool down, and 
neither did the people inside.
Night Temps Are Rising Faster Than in the Day
Scientists have been remarking on the nighttime anomalies for several years.
In 2015, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration noted that, 
"As the world warms, nighttime temperatures are slightly outpacing 
daytime temperatures in the rate of warming."
The following year, 2016 ranked as the third warmest year ever in the 
United States when looking at average temperatures. But when looking at 
the nation's overnight minimums, 2016's were the warmest ever.
Cooler nighttime temperatures allow bodies to "reset" and recover from 
scorching daytime highs as buildings and houses cool. But when external 
temperatures stay above 80 degrees, internal body temperatures don't 
have a chance to cool...
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/09072018/heat-waves-global-warming-overnight-high-temperatures-impact-health-wildlife-wildfires-agriculture


[Free wind in open lands ]
*How Wind Turbines Bolster Rural America 
<https://climatecrocks.com/2018/07/13/how-wind-turbines-bolster-rural-america/>*
by greenman3610
I'm creating a series of short videos on renewable energy's inroads in 
the American Heartland. These are based on my interview with University 
of Michigan researcher Sara Mills - who has studied impacts of wind 
energy in Michigan's rural counties and villages. More below.
Read more of this post at URL: https://wp.me/pOYWd-dUT
https://climatecrocks.com/2018/07/13/how-wind-turbines-bolster-rural-america/


[Video interview]
*How Climate Change Will Impact California, Interview with Dr. Alan 
Barreca <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BuvnI68Djw>*
Published on Jul 7, 2018
Dr. Barreca's research is featured in the recent podcast special about 
climate adaptation for the state of California: CalAdaptspodcast.org
*Dr. Alan Barreca of the UCLA Institute of Environment and 
Sustainability is interviewed by Jayde Lovell of ScIQ on TYT. *
Alan Barreca joined the Institute of the Environment & Sustainability at 
UCLA as an Associate Professor in 2017. Before that, he worked in the 
Economics Department at Tulane University in New Orleans. Alan earned a 
PhD in Economics from UC Davis in 2008 and has published articles on a 
range of issues relating to human health since then.
video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BuvnI68Djw
Alan mainly investigates the reasons why people living in certain 
climates have more economic advantages and better health than others. 
His ongoing research has helped identify ways we can mitigate both the 
costs of climatological shocks today - and - the future costs of climate 
change.
Because his research has a broad public appeal, Alan's work has received 
a good amount of media coverage, including CNN, Bloomberg, Huffington 
Post, Mashable, The Independent, CityLab, Reuters, NY Times, and 
Washington Post. His research on the fertility costs of climate change 
was roasted by Stephen Colbert on The Late Show.
Web: http://alanbarreca.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alanbarreca
MORE ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA ADAPTS PODCAST:
The climate of California is changing and the state is adapting, but are 
the actions meeting the needs? In this three part podcast special, host 
Doug Parsons interviews a range of experts as they tell about the 
state's five major elements of climate adaptation: fire, drought, flood, 
temperature, sea level rise. The contents address the question of 
whether the state is ready for the changes everyone knows are coming.
California Adapts is a 3 part podcast special from America Adapts, the 
Climate Change Podcast.
Check out the California Adapts podcast: CalAdaptspodcast.org
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BuvnI68Djw


[old coal]
*Zombie Coal Plants Show Why Trump's Emergency Plan Is No Cure-All 
<https://insideclimatenews.org/news/09072018/coal-power-plant-pollution-summer-heat-wave-emergency-order-virginia-dominion-trump-perry>*
Two old Virginia power plants already operate under federal emergency 
authority. They don't meet pollution standards, and one failed and has 
been offline for weeks.
Yorktown, where Lord Cornwallis accepted General Washington's victory to 
end the American Revolution, would seem like an appropriate spot for a 
surrender in the war on coal.
Instead, two outdated coal-fired power plants there, the Yorktown 1 and 
2 units operated by Dominion Energy, are limping along in the Virginia heat.
Inefficient, uncompetitive, and out of compliance with federal pollution 
standards, and long slated for retirement, the Yorktown boilers have 
been fired back up intermittently since last year under an emergency 
license granted by the Department of Energy using a rarely invoked 
authority of the Federal Power Act (FPA).
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/09072018/coal-power-plant-pollution-summer-heat-wave-emergency-order-virginia-dominion-trump-perry


[Academic lecture from SFU 2014]
*A Long View of Fire, Climate and People 
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlFOiDDcdZ4>*
Simon Fraser University - February 13, 2014
Presented by Cathy Whitlock, Montana State University
Deep Time, Global Change and YOU lecture series
In the last 20 years, we have had more fires than in recent history, & 
burning is increasing at an alarming rate.
These fires raise important questions: Are current levels of burning 
unprecedented? What is the role of climate change in altering natural 
fire systems? Do our forest ecosystems have the capacity to survive 
increased fire activity?
Our understanding of wildland fires benefits from deep-time 
perspectives. Dr. Whitlock will describe how.
Abstract: www.sfu.ca/cstudies/science
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlFOiDDcdZ4


*This Day in Climate History - July 15, 1991 
<http://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/17/obituaries/roger-revelle-82-early-theorist-in-global-warming-and-geology.html> 
- from D.R. Tucker*
July 15, 1991: Pioneering climate scientist Roger Revelle passes away at 82.
http://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/17/obituaries/roger-revelle-82-early-theorist-in-global-warming-and-geology.html


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