The Digital Conversationalist

Weekend Reads

#199 Weekend Reads – the 2024 state of the climate report

We all watched Florida get hammered by Hurricane Milton this week, but Hurricane Kirk did a lot of damage in Europe too, while over on the West Coast of the US, fires are stretching firefighters thin, with manpower shortages becoming an enormous challenge for the country. This is the greatest risk of the climate emergency – crisis’ piling on top of each other, where before we have a chance to recover from one emergency, the next is on top of us. That is how everything falls apart, and extreme climate events will only get worse.   

Of course, let’s not forget other parts of the world. This week we had floods in Thailand, Malaysia and a crazy hailstorm in Australia – to name a few. Heck even the Sahara Desert has experienced flooding – a must watch video.

Here’s one view of damage from Hurricane Milton – yikes!

And while all of this is happening, something really important was released – The 2024 state of the climate report: Perilous times on planet Earth – featuring some of my favorite Climate Scientists: William J Ripple, Christopher Wolf, Jillian W Gregg, Johan Rockström, Michael E Mann, Naomi Oreskes, and many more. The main take-away?

We are on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster. This is a global emergency beyond any doubt. Much of the very fabric of life on Earth is imperilled. We are stepping into a critical and unpredictable new phase of the climate crisis.

We’re doing a number on ourselves, that’s for sure: Earth’s ‘vital signs’ show humanity’s future in balance, say climate experts.

Another important report was published, which demonstrates a catastrophic decline in wildlife. Published by WWF as The Living Planet Index (which is provided by the Zoological Society of London), it tracks almost 35,000 vertebrate populations of 5,495 species from 1970-2020.

The steepest decline is in freshwater populations (85%), followed by terrestrial (69%) and then marine (56%).

WWF’s flagship Living Planet Report details sharp declines in monitored wildlife populations with the steepest drops recorded in Latin America and the Caribbean (95%), Africa (76%) and Asia–Pacific (60%), followed by North America (39%) and Europe and Central Asia (35%). Note: Europe and North America aren’t higher, because these regions already saw dramatic declines in the decades before.

Read more: Catastrophic 73% decline in the average size of global wildlife populations in just 50 years reveals a ‘system in peril’ | Press Releases | WWF.

Another favorite is Bill McKibben, who now heads up Third Act – which focuses on activating the over 60s to act on climate change and politics. If you’re not following him, I recommend it, as well as reading this very important piece. We must focus on unity, because without it, everything will be worse. Our dystopian climate isn’t just about fires and floods. It’s about society fracturing | Bill McKibben.

If you’re feeling worried about the US Election, there’s a LOT of interference going on, mis and disinformation too, but this is the guy who gets every election right (except Bush/Gore for a specific reason) and he’s 100% sure of a Kamala Harris will win. That’s important, because, you know…. “They’re animals”: Trump vows mass deportation under law used to justify Japanese internment camps | Salon.com

Favorite visual

Two visual this week, because it’s been a VERY big week and there’s no friends content or my own to add. Been having a little break these last 10 days. Needed it.

Dig into the news

Plenty more to read, listen to or watch, so do click through to the reads at the image below, and a reminder, this platform (elink.io) means the articles go back weeks, so have a scan and read/watch/listen to whatever jumps out at you.

Andrea T Edwards

Let me know what caught your attention? Or share with me what has your attention now? There’s a lot going on, which means none of us can cover everything. Besides, it’s always great to get feedback so I know I’m delivering something of value.

Cheers

Andrea

All my contact information is here.

You can buy me a coffee to support my work here.

Uncommon Courage

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.

You can buy it on AmazonApple BooksBarnes & Noble, Book DepositoryBooktopia, SmashwordsKobo, 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 One Billion People with 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 and we’ll be starting again soon.

Climate Courage

A fortnightly conversation on issues that matter to you and I, focusing on the actions we can all take. We’ll be back soon.

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 

Feedback

Have I done a great job for you? Can you write a reference on my LinkedIn profile or on my Google Business page? If not for me, why not write one for someone else who inspires you or has helped you? Join the #GivingEconomy.

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