News broke this week (and got front page coverage – amazing) that we are going to experience 1.5C of warming by 2027. Now there’s two key things about this news I want to highlight. The word experience is important, because 1.5C of warming won’t be embedded – as in, it won’t be a permanent rise… yet. The second is, based on all I’m reading and listening to, I believe we will see this within the next 12 months. Come and yell at me in May 2024 if I’m wrong, but I don’t think I will be.
Because, based on the heat increases we’ve seen in the environment – before El Nino and because of termination shock (also referred to as climate shock) due to a clean-up of shipping industry pollution – it means we’re already at 1.3C warming, so a further .2 of warming is definitely likely, but I think it will be higher. Just check out the record ocean temperatures and you’ll know we’re in unchartered territory. I won’t dig into what termination shock means today (I encourage you to look it up, although there is not much to be found on this topic), because it’s not in the news this week.
My greatest concern with all the escalation we are now seeing is, we are not ready – anywhere. No country is doing enough to prepare for the extreme weather events. Some thought they were ready, however, as the climate scientists keep saying – we weren’t expecting this yet. Therefore, the countries who have prepared are now forced to play catch up due to rapid escalations, but for most countries, they haven’t even started. This means we are all in the firing line of what is to come, with no preparation made to protect us, especially the most vulnerable.
As we saw in Italy this week, there were many elderly and disabled people who had to be rescued in the night, because they were unable to leave their homes. How can regions like this better understand and prepare for these events? How can we make sure the most vulnerable are not at such risk? At this stage in the game, every country should understand the threats it faces, and so what are the governments doing to ensure we don’t experience mass suffering and destruction?
There is another side to this conversation that needs a lot more attention. Humans must come together and work out how to adapt to these extreme events as communities. In the Asia Pacific region, Canada, Spain and beyond, un-liveable temperatures are already on our doorstep, and we are not ready to cope with this. Soon I will release a comprehensive list of actions we can take – both cheap and expensive solutions, because we need both, and we need to prioritize taking action now. Stay tuned, but I want to make sure it’s right before I release it.
However, when it comes to extreme heat, one other area we need to address is the risk to our wildlife. What can we do for the birds, insects, mammals, amphibians and more? In India in 2022 it was already experiencing Wet Bulb Temperatures, and birds dropped out of the sky, dead, because of the un-liveable temperatures. What scale of death will we see with our wildlife in the months and years ahead when we hit or pass 1.5C warming, even for a short while? And will it cause ecosystem collapse? And if so, what does that mean for us?
This is where we are now. I know it’s not pretty, but we must face this, adapt to cope with what is coming, stop emissions, transform how we live on this planet by shrinking our impact in every way we can, and we must get ready for harder times ahead.
It is so important that we recognise a very important truth – it is not going to get better, in fact it will get very much worse, and while people don’t like to hear this, until we accept the reality, we are not going to act in accordance and prepare for the threats we face. We must get ready now. Adaptation should be the word on everyone’s lips.
The environment section below is big this week, because while I didn’t do a Weekend Reads last week, I did save the environment information I was reading and watching. That means there’s lots to catch up on. Get stuck in.
But first, watch this. Dolly is right, the world is on fire.
Dolly Parton – World On Fire (From The 58th ACM Awards)
Friend’s content and mine
Big shout out to Cathy Johnson, Neerja Singh and Lindsay Adams OAM for joining me on Climate Courage this week. The topic was “The role of Boomers” and this is a challenging theme because it could be seen as an attack on an entire generation. However, we must look the challenges we face in the eye, and with the Boomer generation, there is much the older community could be doing right now to help us all move forward. Have a listen. And thank you all for being open to such a big, open-hearted conversation on a difficult topic.
Donation time
If everyone gave #just10percent of their time, talent, money or voice, we’ll change the world. Can you donate? Make it a regular donation to the World Food Programme. Or donate to the UN Refugee Program, Medicine Sans Frontier, PowerOf , Kiva.org , Soi Dog Foundation. It’s a time for giving and taking care of each other.
Content to read
And here’s the content I’ve been reading or watching this last week. Scan the headlines, read the ones that jump out at you, read or watch them all. Knowledge is power, and global knowledge is even more powerful.
Climate crisis
Record flooding in Italy kills at least 8, cancels Formula One Grand Prix
This Is Our Civilization at 1.5 Degrees
Global warming set to break key 1.5C limit for first time
Global Warming in the Pipeline
Climate change is bad for everyone. But this is where it’s expected to be worst in the US.
El Niño Threatens Unparalleled Heatwaves
Analysis: How well have climate models projected global warming?
A credible future beyond growth has to be feminist
Persistent effect of El Niño on global economic growth
Wildfire smoke linked to Arctic melting
Developing country voices will be excluded at UN plastic talks, say NGOs
Climate change will abruptly push species over their tipping points
Corporate climate promises are growing, but company emissions are not falling: study
Are you preparing for degrowth? And if not, why not?
New York City is sinking due to weight of its skyscrapers, new research finds
An open manifesto for a post-growth world #BeyondGrowth #PostGrowth #LimitsToGrowth
Tempers flare as France sizzles in drought
Climate Change Is Rolling Back American Progress on Air Pollution
Scientists warn an El Niño is likely coming that could bring scorching heat to Earth tks Steve Johnson
Thousands forced to evacuate as wildfires ravage western Canada
Drought parches America’s breadbasket
April Mediterranean heatwave ‘almost impossible’ without climate crisis
Unprecedented 21st century heat across the Pacific Northwest of North America
Drought prompts French ban on garden swimming pools
Scientists Are Alarmed as Sea Surface Temperatures Hit Uncharted Territory
Climate scientists first laughed at a ‘bizarre’ campaign against the BoM – then came the harassment
El Nino 2023 could be a monster!
Is BlackRock’s Larry Fink blowing it for the climate?
Climate change: Vietnam records highest-ever temperature of 44.1C
Alan Kohler: Reduce emissions? Fine, but we need to do much, much more than that
Extreme April heat in Spain, Portugal, Morocco & Algeria almost impossible without climate change
Greenland Ice Sheet melting faster than previously thought, scientists say
‘Mind-boggling’ methane emissions from Turkmenistan revealed
If Climate Policy Isn’t Social, It Fails
Up to a foot of snow forecast in parts of Southern California days after record heat wave tks Steve Johnson
New Ice Discovery Means Glaciers Could Melt Way Faster Than Predicted
McDonald’s Leads Lobbying Offensive Against Laws to Reduce Packaging Waste in Europe
A frightening virus is killing a massive number of wild birds
Extreme heat, well into triple digits, smashes records in Asia
Auckland floods: Homeowners abandon properties in western suburbs and fear the next weather forecast
10 Reasons Our Civilization Will Soon Collapse
The ocean is hotter than ever: what happens next?
Too HOT and HUMID to Live: Extreme Wet Bulb Events Are on the Rise
HEATWAVES 25 April 2023 16:01 Unprecedented heat extremes ‘could occur in any region globally’
“We Are Going To Run Out Of Food” – 7 Reasons There’s Going To Be A Global Famine
Biden rule tells power plants to cut climate pollution by 90 percent — or shut down
ABC News ABC News This is how long the heat wave is expected to last on the West Coast tks Steve Johnson
‘What Really Keeps Me Up at Night’: A Climate Scientist’s Call to Action
Powerful Cyclone Mocha strikes Myanmar, Bangladesh
Why We’re Sleepwalking Into the Age of Extinction
As Ocean Oxygen Levels Dip, Fish Face an Uncertain Future
Greenland glacier discovery shows sea level projections are too low
How Big Oil is manipulating the way you think about climate change
Unusually early heat wave in Pacific Northwest could break records
Sentosa hotels, attractions, F&B outlets to do away with plastic bottled water by end-2023 tks Guan Tay
Oceans have been absorbing the world’s extra heat. But there’s a huge payback
Cyclone Mocha: Deadly storm hits Myanmar and Bangladesh coasts
The world’s richest countries, are literally eating their way to the extinction
All the things I could do: financing green home upgrades
Why you need to worry about the ‘wet-bulb temperature’
Wet-Bulb Temperature Calculator from Relative Humidity and Air Temperature
Vietnam and Laos record hottest temperatures ever as heat wave grips Southeast Asia
Record Ocean Heating Spike May Herald Acceleration of Global Warming
Climate Change Forces a Rethinking of Mammoth Everglades Restoration Plan
Europe’s funding of EU-banned pesticides
Cyclone Mocha kills dozens in Myanmar
To avoid 2022 crisis, Indian Railways ferries more coal for electricity
What El Niño Will do to Earth in 2024
2023 Issues, Predictions & Trend Forecast For Food: Climate Change
Soil as an extended composite phenotype of the microbial metagenome
Oceans have been absorbing the world’s extra heat. But there’s a huge payback
Murujuga’s rock art is at risk – where is the outrage?
Stop salmon producers killing seals tks Gavin Warring
Fires Threaten Oil Sands; ConocoPhillips Briefly Pulls Staff
A significant heat wave from California to the Arctic Circle is set to shatter records.
A Billion New Air Conditioners Will Save Lives But Cook the Planet tks Evelyn Lee
The guilt I feel being a mum in the midst of a changing climate
Death toll mounts in Italy’s worst flooding for 100 years
Why growing rice is a problem and what we can do about it
Heat Waves: A Growing Threat to Society and the Environment
Extreme Heat in the Oceans Is Out of Control
Canadian forest fires are the latest costly climate disaster that public accounts fail to capture
CACOR: The Big Picture: Beyond Hope and Fear – Michael Dowd
Global politics
We’re Living in Post-Shame America
Here’s Why Biden Calling White Supremacy America’s ‘Most Dangerous Terrorist Threat’ Is Important
Bill Barr warns of ‘horror show’ and ‘chaos’ if Trump wins in 2024
Latest Development May Mean the End of Disney World In Florida
Japan’s pacifism hangs in balance as China and North Korea threats loom
Turkey’s President Fights for Political Survival
Turkey faces runoff election with Erdogan leading
Erdogan leads as Turkey heads for election run-off
AI content is meddling in Turkey’s election. Experts warn it’s just the beginning
Russia loses four aircraft in separate suspected ‘friendly fire’ incidents over Ukraine
Ukraine war: Ukraine claims Bakhmut breakthrough, grain deal extension, Zaporizhzhia under fire
Russian State TV Issues Stark Warning Over Threat of Defeat
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko absent at ceremony, raising questions over health
The UK has a PR plan masquerading as an industrial strategy
Jacob Rees-Mogg Admits Tory Voter ID Law Was ‘Gerrymandering’
‘You can’t simply wish things to happen’: PM’s message for progressives
Business and technology
Full interview: “Godfather of artificial intelligence” talks impact and potential of AI
Vice and Motherboard owner files for bankruptcy
Sam Altman: CEO of OpenAI calls for US to regulate artificial intelligence
When the Culture Wars Came for NASA The Daily Podcast
Social issues
What’s Really Driving Global Problems in the World Today?
Decorated police officer charged with tipping off Proud Boys leader
Bud Light Outrage Spreads to Miller Lite’s New Ad Campaign
Changing continent: The EU’s population is declining, new figures reveal
‘Credulous’ Fox anchor Maria Bartiromo roasted for falling for more conspiracy theories
COVID-19 could put us at a greater risk of neurodegenerative diseases and stroke
Scientists find bat protein that can slow aging and even fight Covid, heart disease and arthritis
Is coronavirus a disease of the blood vessels?
Skepticism: Why critical thinking makes you smarter
Magnitude 7.7 quake in Pacific triggers tsunami alert islands east of Australia
Passion, humour, history
Kate Winslet accepts the Leading Actress award with her “just in case” speech | BAFTA TV Awards 2023
Dolly Parton Debuts New Rock Song ‘World on Fire’ at 2023 ACM Awards tks Gina Romero
‘Ted Lasso’ Stars Reveal How The Apple TV+ Series Has Changed Their Lives
Titanic: First ever full-sized scans reveal wreck as never seen before
Prince Harry and Meghan say New York City car chase was relentless
Peter Cook & Barry Humphries interview – The Late Clive James (1987)
Let me know what jumped out at you? Or share with me what you’re reading? I love that!
Cheers
Andrea
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Environment education
Four environment resources to help you navigate this challenging territory.
- Knowledge, constantly updating
- Individual action and awareness, so we do our part
- Resources for those struggling with eco-anxiety. Please share with your community.
- Finally, more than 100 mini-videos on many topics regarding the multiple crisis’ we face. Feel free to download and use as your own. No credit necessary.
Uncommon Courage: an invitation
Uncommon Courage is an invitation to be your courageous best self every day. It’s also an antidote to the overwhelm, fear, and rage rolling around the world. But it’s more than a book; it’s an invitation to join an inclusive community that wants to better understand humanities challenges – both global and personal – in order to take courageous action and create a better world for everyone. If Covid19 has given us the time and space to reflect, Uncommon Courage gives us the nudge we need to create lasting change.
You can buy it on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Booktopia, Smashwords, Kobo, Gardners, Odilo, Indie Bound, BookShop by BookTrib and Scribd.
Better yet, order it from your local bookstore, so you can #SupportLocal.
You can read the reviews, including a new five-star review on Book Commentary, another five-star review on ReaderViews, a review on BookTrib, and three more on Booklife, another on Book Commentary and Blue Ink Reviews. I’m also collating reviews on my Website too. Have a look and grateful to everyone who has written or recorded one.
Come and join the conversation in my Facebook Group Uncommon Courage.
Listen in to the Uncommon Courage, the podcast on Apple, Spotify and everywhere podcasts are published.
The Know Show
Check out The Know Show. It’s a fortnightly wrap up of the news!
Climate Courage
A fortnightly conversation on issues that matter to you and I, focusing on the actions we can all take.
18 Steps to an All-Star LinkedIn Profile
Listed by Book Authority in the 100 Best LinkedIn Books of All Time and 22 Best New LinkedIn eBooks To Read In 2021 and 2022 categories. Grab it today if you want to take your professional presence to the next level! When it comes to LinkedIn, it really is time to ask — can you really afford not to have this book in the hands of every employee?
Are you a Social CEO? The Social CEO: How Social Media Can Make You A Stronger Leader.
Want to claim your stage? Unleash Your Voice – Powerful Public Speaking for Every Woman
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