Catastrophic Flood Hits Nepal, Engulfing Crowds and Causing Quake
The New York Times – World
· US
The authorities reported hundreds of people missing and at least 160 people killed in the border region of Nepal and Tibet, where an avalanche of mud, water, i…
- **At least 160 dead, 384 missing** in Nepal and Tibet after Bhote Koshi River floods, with 105 Indian nationals among the missing.
- **Earthquake and glaci…
Addressing a sticking point in sustainable adhesives
MIT Technology Review
· Global
Petroleum-based adhesives are everywhere: bonding the wood and drywall in a construction project, holding together the joints of furniture, and even sticking l…
Trees are vital for cooler cities, but they need help too
Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
· Europe
Record-breaking heat and drought are putting urban trees at risk. Experts explain how to protect these essential assets and build city forests that can withsta…
Onshore windfarm applications hit 10-year high in England
The Guardian – World
· Europe
Surge in proposals follows Labour’s lifting of de facto ban, with about 45 plans submitted in the year to MarchPlans for new onshore windfarms in England have …
Hong Kong may issue typhoon signal on Tuesday or Wednesday as Narra approaches
South China Morning Post – World
· China
The Hong Kong Observatory may issue a typhoon signal on Tuesday or Wednesday as a tropical storm edges closer to the region.
“Tropical Cyclone Narra is expecte…
Quake-prone Indonesia’s first nuclear power plant plan stokes safety fears
South China Morning Post – World
· China
Coal-dependent Indonesia is reviving decades-old plans to build nuclear power plants that were put on hold following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Jap…
Tropical Storm Moke poised to slam into Hawaii just days after Hurricane Lala
The Guardian – World
· Europe
Weather service warns of flooding and mudslides, particularly in areas strongly affected by previous stormTropical Storm Moke is poised to slam into the south …
Panama Canal to reduce shipping over El Nino-fuelled drought
South China Morning Post – World
· China
The Panama Canal will cut the number of ships passing through it starting next month because of drought caused by the El Nino phenomenon, the operator of the s…
Indiana residents endure 11th day without power after storms topple power lines
The Guardian – World
· Europe
33,124 residents still in the dark as utility company says it is working to restore power in north-west of stateThousands of residents of north-west Indiana on…
Spain battles forest fire a short drive from flash flood
Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
· Europe
The blaze, near Valencia, forced more than 1,000 people from their homes. In nearby Catalonia, civil defense teams carried out 200 rescue operations after floo…
Why Assam wants to shrink Kaziranga National Park's eco-sensitive zone
Times of India – World
· India
- Displacement of Kaziranga residents raises concerns about who will protect the park.
- Reducing the eco-sensitive zone from 10 km to 1 km is seen as trespa…
1,500 Indonesian soldiers deployed to fight Borneo wildfires
South China Morning Post – World
· China
Indonesia is deploying an additional 1,500 soldiers to Borneo, an official said on Saturday, to help tackle wildfires that have burned through swathes of the i…
Hong Kong-built greenhouse gas tracker device ‘functioning well’ on space station
South China Morning Post – World
· China
A greenhouse gas monitoring instrument developed by a university in Hong Kong is operating successfully aboard the Tiangong space station and is expected to co…
U.K. forecasts ‘biggest’ El Nino will smash records, spark hottest year
The Hindu – World
· India
An El Nino weather event happens when warming sea surface temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific trigger worldwide changes in winds, atmospheric pressure…
El Niño could be strongest in living memory, put 2027 on track as hottest year
Indian Express – World
· India
- El Niño may become the strongest in decades, with UK Met Office warning 2027 could be the hottest year ever due to combined effects of the phenomenon and cli…
Battery fires at recycling centres are costing UK £1bn a year, figures show
The Guardian – World
· Europe
Experts say fires caused by wrongly discarded lithium batteries, such as those in vapes, are putting lives at riskFires at recycling centres caused by wrongly…
China banned ivory, but Vietnamese gangs keep the trade alive
South China Morning Post – World
· China
Three months after leaving an inland port far up the Congo River, a consignment of timber arrived in Vietnam this summer concealing a secret it would take cust…
Quota set for visitors to popular Sai Kung coastal trail in first for Hong Kong
South China Morning Post – World
· China
Hong Kong authorities will cap access to a popular Sai Kung trail overlooking hexagonal rock columns at 2,000 people per day during several stretches from next…
Extreme temperatures and drought are adding to the stress on oak trees that have lived for hundreds of years and play a key role in the national imagination.
Malaysia’s Sarawak shuts almost 600 schools as haze hits ‘very unhealthy’ level
South China Morning Post – World
· China
Transboundary haze has again disrupted daily life on Malaysian Borneo, forcing nearly 600 schools in Sarawak to shut on Friday as air pollution in parts of the…
Weather tracker: Extreme rain deluges Japan and South Korea
The Guardian – World
· Europe
Downpours break records and cause transport chaos, evacuations and deaths, as people get trapped inside vehicles South Korea and Japan were hit by extreme rain…
Drought in Germany and Europe are driving up costs
Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
· Europe
Ongoing drought in Europe is causing rivers to dry up and crops to fail. Transport costs are rising and the price of food has exploded. Is inflation due to ext…
The Download: polycrisis support networks and a hydrogen gold rush
MIT Technology Review
· Global
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Support n…
The next big thing in hydrogen could be underground
MIT Technology Review
· Global
There’s a hunt for new sources of hydrogen, and the gas (or at least the right conditions to make it) could be hiding beneath our feet. Hydrogen can be used as…
How Europe can better protect against extreme wildfires
Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
· Europe
In another summer of European wildfires that have even seen wetlands burning, scientists say the situation is set to worsen in the future. What's needed is fir…
Though the German state of Brandenburg that wraps around Berlin is getting drier, it is also home to thirsty industrial plants such as Tesla and Red Bull. Is t…
In drought-stricken France, tankers supply drinking water
Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
· Europe
France is seeing water shortages in regions that usually have plenty of supply. This summer's extreme heat is exposing how unprepared much of the country, and …
Belgium wildfire: Rains help High Fens containment efforts
Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
· Europe
Firefighters continue to battle one of the worst wildfires in Belgian history near the German border. Rains and cooler temperatures are helping them bring it t…
Fires are raging from Belgium to Greece as Europe suffers one of its most severe wildfire seasons to date. The blazes come amid frequent heat waves and drought…
Germany news: Belgium blaze kept out of Germany for now
Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
· Europe
Some residents in the Eifel town of Monschau were evacuated as a massive fire in Belgium threatened to cross the border. Meanwhile, shipping shortfalls amid lo…
Wildfires kill two in Greece and torch Belgian nature reserve
The Guardian – World
· Europe
Couple die in Salamis, while multinational forces and local farmers tackle Belgium’s biggest fire in a century near Liège An elderly couple died in fires on th…
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Catastrophic Flood Hits Nepal, Engulfing Crowds and Causing Quake
Source: The New York Times – World
·
- **Floods in Nepal/Tibet**: At least 160 killed, hundreds missing after a glacier collapse triggered a destructive avalanche in the Himalayan border region.
- **Avalanche origin**: A 2,000-ft-wide ice chunk broke off a glacier at 17,000 ft, tumbling into a river valley and creating a deadly mix of ice, rock, and water.
- **Geological impact**: The landslide caused a 5.2-magnitude shake, crushing infrastructure and leaving the area resembling a "bomb explosion" with glacier debris.
- **Lack of warning**: Authorities had no advance notice as sudden floods overwhelmed villages along the Bhotekoshi River, trapping residents.
How Rising Temperatures Likely Contributed to Nepal’s Deadly Flood
Source: Wired
·
- **160 deaths and hundreds missing** after flash floods in Nepal-Tibet border region, triggered by a glacier collapse and landslide.
- **Glacier retreat and warming** increase flood risks, with Nepal’s glaciers losing 25% of area since 1970 and 40% globally at 1.5°C warming.
- **Retreating glaciers** create unstable lakes, risking catastrophic outburst floods linked to recent disasters in Nepal and elsewhere.
- **Climate-driven collapse** of a 2,000-foot ice section caused a magnitude 5.2 seismic event, highlighting warming’s role in destabilizing glaciers.
Was the heat of this summer really 'normal?'
Source: Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
·
- Political figures deny climate change's role in extreme heat, citing natural cycles, despite record-breaking temperatures and deaths.
- Scientific evidence confirms human-driven warming caused this summer's unprecedented heat, with global records set by NOAA and others.
- Economic losses include €180B EU GDP hit, crop failures, and water shortages disrupting supply chains and drinking water.
- Attribution science links climate change to intensified wildfires, making Spain's fires 20x more likely due to warmer conditions.
Video shows scale of flash flood hitting Nepal-Tibet border
Source: BBC News – World
·
- Flash flood and mudslide in Nepal-Tibet border killed 31, left hundreds missing; distressing videos edited by BBC with white flashes.
- Floods destroyed bridges, forcing people to flee as floodwaters surged.
- Aerial footage and clips show disaster scale, with a village now reduced to barren land.
- BBC covers ongoing relief efforts, with families waiting for news in Kathmandu hospitals.
Nepal flash flood near Tibet: Chilling CCTV videos show buildings, bridges swept away in seconds
Source: Indian Express – World
·
- Torrential floods along Nepal-Tibet border killed 162, displaced villages, and damaged infrastructure, with 384 travelers missing, including 133 Indians.
- Mudslide in Tibet’s Gyirong county caused casualties, disrupted roads, and cut off communications as rescue efforts began.
- Earthquake-triggered avalanche and melted snow caused flash floods in Bhote Koshi River, merging with Trishuli system.
- Authorities warned residents to evacuate high-risk areas near Trishuli and Bhote Koshi rivers amid ongoing rescue operations.
- **At least 160 dead, 384 missing** in Nepal and Tibet after Bhote Koshi River floods, with 105 Indian nationals among the missing.
- **Earthquake and glacier melt** triggered the flood, causing landslides and blocking rivers, per Nepal’s foreign minister and USGS.
- **Widespread destruction** damaged schools, bridges, and power infrastructure, disrupting travel to Chitwan and Pokhara.
- **International focus** on 291 foreign nationals (including 105 Indians) and 37 NRIs; rescue operations led by Nepal Army.
Addressing a sticking point in sustainable adhesives
Source: MIT Technology Review
·
- Patty Ferreira’s biodegradable cellulose adhesives replace petroleum-based glues, enabling recyclable containers to be properly recycled.
- Silvis Materials developed the formula using plant cellulose, reducing emissions by up to 80% and energy use by half compared to fossil-based adhesives.
- MIT Startup Exchange supports testing with packaging and construction companies to scale the adhesive’s application.
- The innovation addresses environmental waste by eliminating non-recyclable adhesive residues in products.
Trees are vital for cooler cities, but they need help too
Source: Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
·
- Record-breaking heat and drought threaten urban trees, which provide critical cooling, pollution reduction, and health benefits.
- Protecting mature trees is vital, as replacing one with saplings requires 400 plants, and older trees offer exponential long-term benefits.
- Drought-tolerant species and diverse planting (10-20-30 rule) are key for climate resilience, avoiding single-species vulnerabilities.
- Innovative irrigation methods and soil management help sustain trees in compact urban environments with limited water access.
Onshore windfarm applications hit 10-year high in England
Source: The Guardian – World
·
- Onshore wind proposals in England hit a 10-year high (45 applications) after Labour lifted the de facto ban, tripling capacity since 2023.
- Applications surged from 9MW/month to 36MW/month, surpassing pre-2023 lows and outpacing Wales/Scotland in growth.
- England’s average windfarm size (8MW) lags Scotland’s (59MW), with only 1+100MW project proposed versus Scotland’s 18.
- Economic benefits include £56bn supply chain potential by 2050 and £5k/year community funds per MW installed.
Hong Kong may issue typhoon signal on Tuesday or Wednesday as Narra approaches
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- Hong Kong Observatory may issue a typhoon signal Tuesday/Wednesday as Tropical Cyclone Narra approaches from the southwest.
- Narra is expected to linger near Beibu Wan, then move northeast toward Leizhou Peninsula (Guangdong’s southwestern tip).
- Observatory will monitor storm movement and wind changes, urging public vigilance for updates.
- Showers, thunderstorms, and rising temperatures (27°C to 33°C) are forecast early next week.
Quake-prone Indonesia’s first nuclear power plant plan stokes safety fears
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- Public and experts debate nuclear project safety on an uninhabited island, despite its location being deemed non-seismic.
- Government revives nuclear energy plans to diversify energy mix and meet decarbonization goals by 2032.
- Initial proposals date to 1990s; target 12.1% nuclear energy share (35-42 GW) by 2060.
- Deputy Energy Minister emphasizes nuclear’s role in balancing energy needs and reducing carbon emissions.
Tropical Storm Moke poised to slam into Hawaii just days after Hurricane Lala
Source: The Guardian – World
·
- Tropical Storm Moke threatens Hawaii’s south, with heavy rain and winds, focusing on the Big Island’s windward and southeast sides.
- Flooding and mudslides warned, especially in areas hit by Hurricane Lala, with 5–15in of rain forecast.
- Governor Green urges preparation, citing $43M in Big Island damages from Lala and ongoing recovery needs.
- Storm may cause dangerous rip currents, flooding, and mudslides in saturated, steep areas; monitor storm progress.
Panama Canal to reduce shipping over El Nino-fuelled drought
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- Panama Canal will reduce daily ship capacity to 34 (from 36) starting Sept 3, then to 32 by Sept 15 due to low water levels.
- Severe drought in Central America, driven by El Nino, has cut rainfall by 34% below historical averages.
- The canal handles 5% of global maritime trade and 40% of U.S. container traffic.
- Artificial lakes feeding the canal are at critically low levels, prompting operational adjustments.
Tropical Storm Moke advances towards Hawaii with heavy rain, strong winds
Source: Al Jazeera – News
·
- **Hawaii Island faces Tropical Storm Moke**, following Hurricane Lala, with gusts and rain expected after a week of recovery from Lala’s damage.
- **Moke will pass south of the island**, avoiding a direct hit, but heavy rain and wind impacts are forecast for windward and southeast sides.
- **Governor Green warns of ongoing threats**, urging preparedness due to lingering power outages and an approaching storm front in a week.
- **Lala caused severe flooding, power outages, and one fatality**, with Moke bringing 130–250mm of rain, potentially up to 380mm in isolated areas.
Indiana residents endure 11th day without power after storms topple power lines
Source: The Guardian – World
·
- 33,124 Indiana residents remain without power after 11 days of storms, with Gary facing delays until Tuesday, amid criticism of slow restoration efforts.
- Nipsco faces a class-action lawsuit over alleged tree-trimming failures, denying claims while highlighting increased vegetation management spending.
- Residents struggle with daily hardships, including spoiled food, heat, and limited resources, as storm damage persists in impoverished areas like Gary.
- Indiana’s governor seeks FEMA disaster aid for 54 counties, with a state relief fund offering up to $5,000 grants to affected communities.
Spain battles forest fire a short drive from flash flood
Source: Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
·
- Forest fire near Valencia forced 1,000 evacuations, sparked by lightning, burning 400+ hectares; military and helicopters deployed.
- Catalonia floods trapped residents, causing 200 rescues, wall collapses, and 7 injuries amid heavy rainfall warnings.
- Costa Dorada flash floods submerged roads, collapsed walls, injuring 3+ and evacuating 300 from a campsite.
- Authorities provided buses for evacuees; fire crews worked through darkness to contain blazes.
Why Assam wants to shrink Kaziranga National Park's eco-sensitive zone
Source: Times of India – World
·
- Displacement of Kaziranga residents raises concerns about who will protect the park.
- Reducing the eco-sensitive zone from 10 km to 1 km is seen as trespassing into wildlife territory.
- The change disheartens both wildlife and the local community.
- Encourages respectful dialogue on balancing conservation and human rights.
1,500 Indonesian soldiers deployed to fight Borneo wildfires
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- Fires burned 200,000 hectares (3x Jakarta) between January-July, driven by El Nino-induced dry conditions.
- Indonesia deploys 1,500 soldiers and 6 helicopters to Borneo to combat wildfires and smog.
- President Prabowo orders expanded military efforts, including 3 battalions from outside Kalimantan.
- Wildfires have caused severe smog, prompting urgent government intervention in affected regions.
Hong Kong-built greenhouse gas tracker device ‘functioning well’ on space station
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- Hong Kong’s Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (Musico) successfully captures clear images of greenhouse gases aboard Tiangong space station.
- Musico, developed by HKUST and funded by the government, monitors CO₂, methane, oxygen, and aerosols with high precision.
- The instrument will provide accurate emission data for climate action over two years, supporting global sustainable development.
- Musico is the world’s first lightweight, high-resolution observatory for CO₂ and methane monitoring.
U.K. forecasts ‘biggest’ El Nino will smash records, spark hottest year
Source: The Hindu – World
·
- **Strongest El Nino in over a century** expected, with Pacific temperatures rising 3.9°C above average, potentially making 2027 the hottest year on record.
- **Climate change amplifies El Nino impacts**, causing severe droughts in South America, West Pacific, and disrupted rainfall patterns globally.
- **Global temperatures could exceed 1.5°C above preindustrial levels** by 2027, surpassing 2024’s record as the warmest year.
- **El Nino’s effects** include extreme weather, such as UK autumn storms and reduced monsoon rains in India, linked to long-term climate shifts.
El Niño could be strongest in living memory, put 2027 on track as hottest year
Source: Indian Express – World
·
- El Niño may become the strongest in decades, with UK Met Office warning 2027 could be the hottest year ever due to combined effects of the phenomenon and climate change.
- Global weather impacts include below-average monsoon rainfall in India, subdued Atlantic hurricanes, and wetter, stormier autumns in UK and NW Europe.
- Pacific sea temperatures exceed 3°C (unseen since 1950), fueled by deep ocean heat, intensifying El Niño’s effects on weather and temperatures.
- El Niño risks droughts, floods, and food insecurity in vulnerable regions, while suppressing Atlantic hurricanes, with potential global economic and climate impacts.
Battery fires at recycling centres are costing UK £1bn a year, figures show
Source: The Guardian – World
·
- Lithium battery fires in recycling centers and bin lorries now exceed 1,500 annually, with 541 directly linked to batteries, costing £1bn yearly.
- Fires risk lives, strain resources, and cause £1bn annual losses, with 70% of recycling center blazes likely due to batteries.
- Vape batteries, often discarded improperly, ignite easily when damaged, sparking intense fires and spreading rapidly.
- ESA urges a £5 vape deposit scheme to incentivize safe disposal, targeting the growing crisis from disposable batteries.
‘It was a tsunami’: Floods leave death trail in India’s Assam
Source: Al Jazeera – News
·
- Floods in Assam and Nagaland killed over 100, displaced 700,000, and destroyed 2,700 villages, with 1.2 million impacted.
- Families lost loved ones, including Debiram Panika’s wife and daughter, as floodwaters swept through bamboo homes.
- Locals organized boat rescues and shelter on rooftops, saving thousands amid the devastation.
- Deforestation, mining, and land-use changes in Nagaland worsened floods, linking the disaster to environmental degradation.
Inundated Philippine communities seek answers over flood control funds
Source: Al Jazeera – News
·
- Philippine communities demand accountability over flood control funds despite monsoon risks.
- Residents express frustration that paid measures fail to prevent flooding.
- Areas prepare for potential monsoon damage despite inadequate defenses.
- Al Jazeera reports on regional struggles with flood management failures.
China banned ivory, but Vietnamese gangs keep the trade alive
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- **1.2-tonne ivory seizure** in Quy Nhon marks the largest recorded in Vietnam, exposing transnational syndicates smuggling tusks from Africa to Asia.
- **Port scanners detected** hidden compartments sealed with wax, revealing hollow cavities in timber used to conceal ivory.
- Vietnam seized **56 tonnes of ivory** (2009–2018) and another **20 tonnes** elsewhere, highlighting persistent smuggling networks.
- Smuggled ivory fuels illegal trade, bypassing bans and driving demand in Asian markets.
Rooftop solar crosses 50 lakh homes as PM Surya Ghar triples its pace
Source: Your Story
·
- India's rooftop solar program surpassed 50.06 lakh households in two years, doubling the previous decade's total of 7.94 lakh. Target: 1 crore homes.
- Installations surged 3.2x, with 5.06 lakh connected in July 2026. Current rate: 1 lakh homes added every six days.
- Rs 28,024 crore released via DBC, 14.8 GW commissioned. Concessional loans at 5.75% for 21.87 lakh applicants.
- Program expands to 1.06 lakh government buildings and 46 cities. 19 lakh households now pay zero bills, with over 12 lakh earning Rs 3,500 annually from surplus.
Quota set for visitors to popular Sai Kung coastal trail in first for Hong Kong
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- Hong Kong to limit daily visitors at Po Pin Chau trail to 2,000, requiring real-name registration, its first countryside crowd-control measure.
- Trail, part of a UNESCO Geopark, will have free bookings; no penalties for missed slots, per current policy.
- Measures aim to curb holiday surges, prevent overcrowding, and protect the environment while enhancing visitor experience.
- Quota will be reviewed later to address trail wear and ensure sustainable management of the site.
Panama Canal to cap ship transits due to El Nino drought
Source: Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
·
- Panama Canal reduces daily ship transits from 36 to 34 (Sept 3) and 32 (Sept 15) due to low rainfall and El Niño.
- Severe drought in Panama, despite being a wet region, linked to El Niño’s impact on rainfall, 34% below average.
- El Niño, marked by warm Pacific waters, intensifies extreme weather, potentially ranking as a top historical event.
- Canal faced similar drought in 2023-2024, prompting conservation measures for long-term sustainability.
England’s Ancient Trees Are Dying in the Heat
Source: The New York Times – World
·
- Extreme heat and drought are stressing ancient English oaks, including the 1,000-year-old Crow Leasow Oak, now nearly dead.
- The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, a 800–1,200-year-old icon, died due to climate change and over-tourism.
- Conservationists warn England loses 1–2 ancient oaks annually, many over 600 years old, to climate threats.
- These trees hold cultural significance, with over 3,500 ancient oaks in England facing survival challenges.
The Super El Niño Won’t Fix the West’s Water Crisis
Source: Wired
·
- Colorado River faces crisis with Lakes Mead and Powell at record lows, risking "deadpool" levels and hydropower shutdowns.
- El Niño may bring winter rains to Southwest, but experts warn it won’t resolve long-term water shortages or climate-driven declines.
- Political deadlock over water rights and allocation delays threaten to escalate the crisis as the century-old compact expires.
- Climate change exacerbates droughts and warms winters, reducing snowpack and making El Niño’s benefits less impactful for the river’s future.
Malaysia’s Sarawak shuts almost 600 schools as haze hits ‘very unhealthy’ level
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- ASEAN’s consensus-based approach hampers effective regional haze response.
- Haze forces 600 schools in Sarawak to close, impacting 200,000 students.
- Transboundary haze stems from fires linked to land clearing for agriculture.
- Air quality reached “very unhealthy” levels (API >200), prompting school closures.
Weather tracker: Extreme rain deluges Japan and South Korea
Source: The Guardian – World
·
- **Extreme rainfall** in Japan and South Korea caused record downpours, transport chaos, evacuations, and 13 deaths, including 3 trapped in vehicles.
- **Chiba** (115mm/h) and **Geoje** (124.5mm/h) saw unprecedented rain, triggering Japan’s highest emergency warning and power outages.
- **Hurricane Lala** hit Hawaii, weakening to a tropical storm, while **Saudel** near Micronesia is forecast to become a strong typhoon, threatening the Northern Mariana Islands and Okinawa.
- **Japan’s** Meteorological Agency labeled the rainfall “unprecedented,” with over 400mm falling in some areas, exacerbating floods and landslides.
Drought in Germany and Europe are driving up costs
Source: Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
·
- Ongoing drought in Europe is drying rivers, causing crop failures, rising transport costs, and soaring food prices.
- Economist Schmidt warns Rhine shipping cuts reduce cargo capacity, hiking transport costs and energy prices.
- FAO reports 30% higher food prices since 2020; ECB study links climate extremes, supply bottlenecks, and energy shocks to inflation.
- ECB inflation varies by country; experts urge higher inventory levels to buffer against supply chain disruptions.
The Download: polycrisis support networks and a hydrogen gold rush
Source: MIT Technology Review
·
- Republicans fear data center controversies could harm election prospects, with AI backlash and voter recalls cited as risks.
- Kids face climate anxiety amid a "polycrisis," driving growth in online support groups like Force of Nature.
- Underground hydrogen could fuel a 21st-century "gold rush" as a climate solution, though challenges remain.
- A Chinese startup achieves first reusable rocket landing, challenging SpaceX’s dominance in space launches.
The next big thing in hydrogen could be underground
Source: MIT Technology Review
·
- Companies are exploring naturally occurring hydrogen in regions like the Midwest, where geological processes create hydrogen-rich environments.
- HyTerra and Koloma have found hydrogen concentrations up to 96% in U.S. regions, with potential for large-scale capture.
- Stimulated geologic hydrogen methods, like Vema Hydrogen’s water/catalyst injection, aim to boost production in resource-poor areas.
- Challenges include hydrogen’s storage/transport difficulties, but success could revolutionize clean energy if engineering hurdles are overcome.
Bare Grocery Shelves Are a New Wartime Hardship for Ukrainians
Source: The New York Times – World
·
- Russia's air strikes on Ukraine's supermarket warehouses caused widespread food shortages, including staples like rice, quinoa, and vegetables, in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia.
- Silpo supermarkets faced empty shelves, with shoppers like Nina Kirichuk expressing panic over unavailability of basic groceries.
- Missiles struck four warehouses on Aug. 5, killing six workers and disrupting supply chains for multiple store chains.
- Russia again targeted food warehouses near Kyiv, exacerbating shortages in the capital and other regions.
How Europe can better protect against extreme wildfires
Source: Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
·
- European wildfires this summer caused €15B damage, burning 6,000 km² and displacing hundreds of thousands, with risks worsening due to extreme heat and drought.
- A PIK study warns 39% more land may burn annually by 2100 even with strong climate action, as rising temps could triple wildfire frequency in key regions.
- Improved wildfire management, funding, and coordination can reduce costs and damage, with prevention saving up to €7 per euro spent on firefighting.
- Peat fires in wetlands, like those in High Fens, release massive pollutants and carbon, posing long-term risks despite their low-visibility, smoldering nature.
Extreme heat feeds water conflict around Berlin
Source: Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
·
- **Water scarcity in Brandenburg**: Red Bull and Tesla expand production despite drying groundwater, with companies using 92% of extracted water, far exceeding local residents' needs.
- **Outdated contracts and secrecy**: Aging water agreements lack transparency; residents demand updated assessments and public access to groundwater data.
- **Mine threatens Spree River**: Spremberg’s copper mine risks releasing untreated saline water, worsening river pollution and reducing flow by up to 75% in dry summers.
- **Calls for solutions**: Experts urge artificial groundwater recharge and stricter oversight to address scarcity, ensuring equitable access and public accountability.
In drought-stricken France, tankers supply drinking water
Source: Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
·
- France faces severe water shortages due to extreme heat, with tanker trucks supplying towns like Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines from nearby water sources.
- Over 550,000 people risk unstable access; France’s 2023 Water Plan includes €1.4 billion for infrastructure upgrades and consumption targets.
- Leaks in rural water networks waste 79–84% of water, with repairs lagging, exacerbating drought impacts on households and agriculture.
- Europe faces 30% land and population water stress, prompting strategies like the EU’s 2030 efficiency goals and regional adaptation measures.
Belgium wildfire: Rains help High Fens containment efforts
Source: Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
·
- Firefighters battle Belgium's largest wildfire in a century, covering ~3,000 hectares near the German border, aided by rain but hindered by winds.
- High Fens' rugged terrain complicates efforts; firefighters near containment but remain concerned about the German border front.
- Smoke affects nearby towns, prompting evacuations and health warnings; some areas remain unsafe, with ongoing compensation reviews for farmers.
- Operations continue around the clock with 170 personnel, as smoke spreads to major cities and risks persist despite partial containment.
- Europe faces its worst wildfire season, with 576,000 hectares burned this year, driven by heatwaves and drought linked to climate change.
- Belgium’s High Fens fire, the largest in modern history, destroyed 3,000 hectares; Germany sends military aid, and King Philippe visits the site.
- Greece and France report casualties and evacuations; France faces criticism for delayed aid to affected areas.
- Spain, Portugal, and Croatia see ongoing fires, with casualties, evacuations, and arrests linked to wildfires in the region.
Can the cool north handle a surge in climate tourism?
Source: Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
·
- Travelers are shifting north due to heat, straining fragile ecosystems like Norway’s Jotunheimen and Lofoten.
- Norway’s trail closures and "allemannsretten" rules aim to balance access with nature protection amid climate-driven tourism shifts.
- "Coolcations" drive demand for northern destinations, risking wildlife and ecosystems like puffin colonies and reindeer habitats.
- Norway tests tourism management via taxes and ecotourism, urging balanced visitor distribution to sustain natural areas.
Germany news: Belgium blaze kept out of Germany for now
Source: Deutsche Welle (DW) – World
·
- **Wildfire threat**: A massive Belgian wildfire near the German border forces evacuations in Monschau; limited rainfall worsens smoke and fire control challenges.
- **Fuel prices rise**: Germany’s diesel and gasoline prices hit yearly highs due to expired tax rebates and low river levels disrupting transport.
- **Royal response**: Belgium’s King Philippe visits fire-affected areas to assess efforts, emphasizing the crisis’s impact on the region.
- **Corporate merger**: US firm Madison Air Solutions acquires German ventilation company ebm-papst to expand market access and boost growth.
Wildfires kill two in Greece and torch Belgian nature reserve
Source: The Guardian – World
·
- Elderly couple died in Greece's Salamis wildfires; Belgium faces its largest modern fire near Liège, displacing 600+ residents and threatening a monastery.
- Spain reports soldier death and a week-long blaze; Belgium mobilizes 250+ firefighters, including German and European aid, with air support critical due to terrain.
- Climate-driven extreme heat fuels wildfires across Europe, causing evacuations in Croatia, Germany, and France, with over 1,000 displaced.
- Fires linked to historical droughts; EU warns of "very extreme" conditions, stressing regional and international solidarity in containment efforts.
Two dead and hundreds evacuated after twin fires break out on Greek island
Source: BBC News – World
·
- Two wildfires on Salamina, Greece, killed two and forced hundreds to evacuate due to high winds and rapid spread.
- Firefighters deployed 200 personnel, aircraft, and equipment to control blazes, with some areas under control by Sunday evening.
- First fire in Peristeria found two bodies (likely a couple); second in Selinia had no active front, with 10 injured from smoke inhalation.
- Fires linked to Europe’s record heat, alongside other wildfires in Belgium and Croatia, highlighting regional wildfire risks.
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