39 h. ago Linking of oil giants to major heatwaves marks ‘leap forward’ for legal liability cases

Study shows how individual fossil fuel companies are making previously impossible heatwaves happen and could have to pay compensationCarbon emissions from the world’s biggest fossil fuel companies have been directly linked to dozens of deadly heatwaves for the first time, according to a new analysis. The research has been hailed as a “leap forward” in the legal battle to hold big oil accountable for the damages being caused by the climate crisis.The research found that the emissions from any one of the 14 biggest companies were by themselves enough to cause more than 50 heatwaves that would otherwise have been virtually impossible. The study shows, in effect, that those emissions caused the heatwaves. Continue reading...

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39 h. ago Carbon emissions from oil giants directly linked to dozens of deadly heatwaves for first time

Study shows how individual fossil fuel companies are making previously impossible heatwaves happen and could have to pay compensationCarbon emissions from the world’s biggest fossil fuel companies have been directly linked to dozens of deadly heatwaves for the first time, according to a new analysis. The research has been hailed as a “leap forward” in the legal battle to hold big oil accountable for the damages being caused by the climate crisis.The research found that the emissions from any one of the 14 biggest companies were by themselves enough to cause more than 50 heatwaves that would otherwise have been virtually impossible. The study shows, in effect, that those emissions caused the heatwaves. Continue reading...

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69 h. ago Polar geoengineering dismissed as ‘unimaginably expensive’ and ‘dangerous’

Underwater curtains and ice thickening divert attention from cutting fossil fuel use, warns climate research groupProposals to fight the impact of the climate crisis at the poles, from giant underwater curtains to scattering glass beads across the ice, have been dismissed by a group of scientists as an “unimaginably expensive” and “dangerous” distraction.Geoengineering, which includes blocking sunlight with airborne particles and thickening ice with pumped seawater, has become highly divisive among scientists. Its proponents argue that, with cuts in carbon emissions going far too slowly, exploring options for “emergency brakes” would be valuable. Continue reading...

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69 h. ago Underwater curtains and reflective beads are ‘unrealistic and dangerous polar geoengineering ideas’

Climate research group says such ideas are diverting attention from cutting fossil fuel useProposals to fight the impact of the climate crisis at the poles, from giant underwater curtains to scattering glass beads across the ice, have been dismissed by a group of scientists as an “unimaginably expensive” and “dangerous” distraction.Geoengineering, which includes blocking sunlight with airborne particles and thickening ice with pumped seawater, has become highly divisive among scientists. Its proponents argue that, with cuts in carbon emissions going far too slowly, exploring options for “emergency brakes” would be valuable. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Collapse of critical Atlantic current is no longer low likelihood, study finds

Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic falloutThe collapse of a critical Atlantic current can no longer be considered a low-likelihood event, a study has concluded, making deep cuts to fossil fuel emissions even more urgent to avoid the catastrophic impact.The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (Amoc) is a major part of the global climate system. It brings sun-warmed tropical water to Europe and the Arctic, where it cools and sinks to form a deep return current. The Amoc was already known to be at its weakest in 1,600 years as a result of the climate crisis. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Heatwave that fuelled deadly wildfires was Spain’s ‘most intense on record’

Country’s weather agency says 10-day period from 8-17 August was hottest since at least 1950, as fires still rageA 16-day heatwave Spain suffered this month was “the most intense on record”, the country’s state meteorological agency (AEMET) has said.Provisional readings for the 3-18 August heatwave exceeded the last record, set in July 2022, and showed an average temperature 4.6C higher than for previous such phenomena, the agency said on X. Continue reading...

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3 w. ago Wildfires in Spain are setting an alarming new record, according to EU data

Wildfire carbon emissions in Spain rose almost vertically on monitoring charts during the first two weeks of August, overtaking all previous years in their dataset

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3 w. ago Dramatic slowdown in melting of Arctic sea ice surprises scientists

Natural climate variation is most likely reason as global heating due to fossil fuel burning has continuedThe melting of sea ice in the Arctic has slowed dramatically in the past 20 years, scientists have reported, with no statistically significant decline in its extent since 2005.The finding is surprising, the researchers say, given that carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning have continued to rise and trap ever more heat over that time. Continue reading...

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3 w. ago Listeria outbreak linked to cheese sold worldwide as two dead and dozens ill

There are now fears that the infection could have spread to the UK.

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3 w. ago Two dead and dozens ill in listeria outbreak linked to cheese sold worldwide

Shoppers have been told not to eat any of the potentially contaminated products as health authorities warn that the cheese may have been sold in more than 30 countries

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3 w. ago Spain suffers its worst wildfires on record as deadly infernos ravage area twice the size of London after two

Official figures from the Carlos III Health Institute show there were 1,149 excess deaths in Spain from August 3-18.

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3 w. ago Four dead as Spain hit by worst wildfires on record in 45C heatwave

Temperatures have soared to 45C in Spain in the past fortnight - so far fires have burned over an area the size of Mallorca

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4 w. ago ‘No country is safe’: deadly Nordic heatwave supercharged by climate crisis, scientists say

Historically cool nations saw hospitals overheating and surge in drownings, wildfires and toxic algal bloomsThe prolonged Nordic heatwave in July was supercharged by the climate crisis and shows “no country is safe from climate change”, scientists say.Norway, Sweden and Finland have historically cool climates but were hit by soaring temperatures, including a record run of 22 days above 30C (86C) in Finland. Sweden endured 10 straight days of “tropical nights”, when temperatures did not fall below 20C (68F). Continue reading...

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4 w. ago Spanish people know deadly heatwaves are now an annual event. So why are our politicians in denial? | María Ramírez

We need everyday solutions like ‘cool banks’ and shaded areas, as well as serious policies on emissions. The government must step upGrowing up in Madrid, intense summer heat was nothing unusual. I quickly learned always to cross the street in search of shade, and never to be caught out in the sun at 3pm. But as a child in the early 1980s, I never felt dizzy after spending more than a few minutes outdoors, nor did I struggle to study or sleep at home because of the heat. Back then, air conditioning was a rarity, something only Americans had. But we were fine: the stuttering fan in my mother’s Ford Fiesta was enough to keep us comfortable on holiday escapes from the capital.What is happening in Spain now goes far beyond discomfort. More than 1,500 deaths have already been linked to heatwaves this summer alone. Public-sector workers are collapsing from heatstroke on our city streets. Entire communities in the Madrid suburbs have been devastated by wildfires. On Monday, 198 weather stat...

Politics

4 w. ago Heatwave warning: Common home fan mistake could be deadly, causing heart attacks, scientists warn

It may seem like the one thing that can provide relief in a heatwave, but if it is too hot, a fan can be dangerous, a new study has found.

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4 w. ago Mapped: Where in the UK are people most at risk from potentially deadly heatwave?

New analysis shows thousands of young children, hospital patients and elderly people at risk as UK hit by fourth heatwave of summer

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