The Gulf Stream could soon collapse due to the climate crisis. The result: a radical and permanent drop in temperatures in Europe with massive losses in agriculture. Why are we endangering the future of Europe? Climate disaster, global warming, climate tipping points - always this climate hysteria! What will happen in Europe if the world warms by one or two degrees?

Have you heard about the fall of the Gulf Stream? If that happens, things will get really awkward for us. Why? Let's look at the facts.

Oslo, Norway is at the same latitude as the southern tip of Greenland, except that Oslo averages a good five degrees warmer. The Gulf Stream brings this heat across the Atlantic from the Caribbean. Warm water cools in the Arctic Ocean and sinks to the depths – and from there flows back to the Caribbean. (Volker Quaschning, full article at klimareporter.de)

And at the same time so complicated that no one has yet fully understood it. The European elections have strengthened those forces who consider climate policy a superfluous luxury and weakened those for whom climate policy is a key issue. As a result, the climate debate risks falling into a similar pattern to the Ukraine war debate, where debaters often have no idea how to throw around terms like "warm sterling" and "Putin-sympathizer".

In climate debates for years (since they have existed, actually) it has been noticeable that what is often just climate alarmism masquerading as climate competence. Anyone who questions or even challenges the usual alarmist arguments is quickly labeled a climate downer or even a climate denier. And when the argument "But it's about the future of the planet!" "For the survival of humanity!", it becomes hopeless to take the opposite position. Who wants to risk the survival of humanity? (Thomas Brussig, full article at berliner-zeitung.de)

Clouds significantly influence the heat budget of our planet and consequently its climate. We regularly experience their influence on our own skin, for example when a dark cloud protects us from the Sun on a warm day. Determining exactly how a cloud affects thermal radiation is a complex task and depends on many different cloud characteristics, including size, location, and optical depth. Quantifying the response of these characteristics to warming is currently one of the biggest obstacles to accurately constraining the sensitivity of surface temperature to greenhouse gas emissions. This month's issue features three studies investigating the radiative effects of clouds using observations, stories, machine learning, and high-resolution modeling. These studies demonstrate how innovative methods and multiple approaches are bringing long-awaited progress to the toughest questions in climate science. (More on nature.com)

New research from UC Riverside suggests that the current ocean warming trend mirrors a similar pattern observed in ancient times, during periods of increased global temperatures. This alarming discovery raises serious concerns about the future of our planet. A warming ocean could lead to a cascade of negative consequences, including rising sea levels, disrupted weather and threats to marine ecosystems.

The first pan-European nature restoration regulation represents a fundamental and historic opportunity to create a better future for the citizens of Europe and serves as a leading example for the world. IUCN is therefore following with great concern recent developments in the process of adopting this legislation. We call on the EU Council to continue to support the inter-institutional interim agreement reached in November 2023 and follow up on the European Parliament's approval obtained in February 2024. Investments in the restoration of Europe's nature will be crucial for our current and future well-being as we face growing threats related to climate change, such as droughts , forest fires and floods.

All economic sectors will feel the effects of climate change, but some sectors, such as agriculture and forestry, are particularly vulnerable due to their high dependence on healthy and well-functioning ecosystems. These sectors can therefore gain the most from a comprehensive EU-wide nature restoration law. The concerns of these sectors were thoroughly addressed during the trilogues and are included in the provisional agreement reached in November 2023, which has the broad support of citizens, civil society and businesses across the EU.

It is deeply concerning that the progress of this key science-based law is currently facing challenges in its final stages. IUCN therefore calls on EU Member States to stand behind the agreement already reached and use this opportunity to strengthen the resilience, competitiveness and sustainability of the EU economy through nature restoration. (Co2AI)

As climate change manifests itself across Europe in a variety of ways, from floods to droughts, fires and the loss of nature and biodiversity, local authorities are setting action plans to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. These plans are ambitious, but ambition can only take them so far; they often face financial constraints that prevent their implementation. The five-year LIFE European City Facility (LIFE EUCF) supports municipalities, local authorities and public entities in turning their action plans into credible and mature investment ideas.

"Designed by cities for cities" is the basis of the LIFE EUCF programme. It was part of Horizon 2020, the EU's research and innovation funding program from 2014 to 2020 - and LIFE funding started in 2021. Since 2020, more than 280 institutions in three regions - the Nordic countries and Western Europe (NC&WE ); Central and Eastern Europe (CEE); and Southern Europe (SE) – after applying in the last five funding calls. These challenges have been organized annually since 2020, with two challenges taking place in 2021. (More on  cinea.ec.europa.eu)

Global temperatures in 2023 exceeded expectations and will record the warmest year on record, even exceeding 1.5°C in one of the main datasets. This warming continued into 2024, meaning that this year is also on track to potentially exceed 1.5°C in one or more datasets.

Exceeding 1.5 C in one or even two years is not the same as exceeding the 1.5 C limit under the Paris Agreement. The goal is generally considered to be long-term warming rather than annual temperatures, which include the short-term impact of natural climate fluctuations such as El Niño.

However, recent warming has led to renewed debate over whether the world could soon exceed the 1.5°C limit under the Paris Agreement – sooner than climate scientists and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) had previously estimated. (ZEKE HAUSFATHER, carbonbrief. com)

The EU PolicyWatch database collects information on measures taken by governments and social partners to ease current social and economic tensions. Given the challenges posed by climate change, the database also uses 65 concrete measures to map how policymakers are addressing the effects of extreme weather events on businesses, workers and citizens. The goal is to inform governments and social partners about various procedures for mitigating the socio-economic impacts of climate change while maintaining the economic competitiveness and viability of local areas.

While the powerful people of the Western world meet today in Puglia for the G7 and the EU defines its (anti)immigration policy, the new " Global Trends Report 2024 " from of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees  (UNHCR ) warns that in the past year, forced displacement worldwide has risen to a new historic level, with the number of refugees worldwide reaching 120 million in May, and that «Conflicts from Sudan to Gaza and Myanmar are creating new displacements and urgently require a solution.»

That anti-immigration policies are ineffective because they do not address the real reasons for forced emigration is revealed by the fact that "the increase in total forced displacement was the 12th consecutive annual increase and reflects new and changing conflicts as well as "a failure to resolve long-standing crises - the report highlights – This number would mean that the global displaced population would be equal to the 12th largest country in the world, roughly the size of Japan.” (Greenreport editorial team, more at greenreport.it)

The decision of the European Court of Human Rights of 9 April 2024 concerning three climate cases stipulates that states must protect their citizens from the adverse consequences of the climate crisis. Among the most affected groups are children, young people, indigenous people and the elderly. These groups are increasingly turning to the courts to demand accountability from states and industrial activities that have contributed to pollution and climate change through the emission of greenhouse gases.

The European Court considered three cases and upheld only one: KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and others v. Switzerland. In this case, the court ruled that Switzerland is insufficiently protecting its citizens, especially the elderly population, from the consequences of climate change. The court found a violation of Articles 2 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantee the right to life and respect for private and family life, including the right to health and quality of life.

High temperatures and heat waves are particularly dangerous for older people who suffer from cardiovascular, respiratory and kidney diseases. The verdict recognizes that climate change can seriously worsen health, living conditions and social relations. This precedent also confirms the findings of the United Nations that the climate crisis has a significant impact on human health, including heat stress, epidemics, malnutrition and trauma caused by natural disasters. The decision emphasizes the need to consider the health of the planet and people as a unified whole according to the "One Health" principle.

The decision may affect judges in countries that are signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights, and could also be applied in other international disputes evaluating the effectiveness of national climate policies. Switzerland has been condemned for loopholes in climate laws and a lack of action. It will now have to update its climate policies, although the ECtHR did not specify which specific measures the Swiss government should take. (Co2news.sk)

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports an upward trend in the number of dengue cases imported from dengue endemic areas, as well as an increasing number of local outbreaks of West Nile virus and dengue over the past two years. The increased temperature in Europe, as well as the increase in precipitation and humidity, create favorable conditions for mosquitoes that transmit diseases (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). Climate change is expected to increase the spread of mosquitoes across Europe as the climate changes to create more favorable conditions. (More on climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu)

Climatic costs of the first two years of the Russian war against Ukraine were higher than the annual greenhouse gas emissions produced by 175 countries individually, adding to the growing death toll and widespread destruction of the global climate emergency.

The Russian invasion created at least 175 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e), amid increases in emissions from direct warfare, land fires, diverted flights, forced migration, and leaks caused by military attacks on fossil fuel infrastructure—as well as future carbon. reconstruction costs, according to the most comprehensive analysis of climate impacts caused by conflicts to date. (Nina Lakhani, more at theguardian.com)

To date, the private sector's climate ambitions around the world have been insufficient. Every degree of warming counts. The lack of engagement of the extractive sectors, world powers, governments and a large part of the private sector remains a significant obstacle to achieving climate justice and meeting the goals set out in the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Businesses must act quickly. Historically, there has never been a greater commitment by the corporate sector to climate action; However, current efforts are still not enough. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has reiterated in its latest reports that the globe will soon exceed an increase of 1.5°C. This will be devastating, as we can already see.

Recent examples of climate shifts are numerous and alarming:

• In June, at least four people lost their lives in floods in Germany. Thousands of people had to evacuate in flooded areas in the south of the country. After a landslide, two express cars also derailed near Stuttgart. A state of emergency was declared in fourteen Bavarian districts. Several waterways are reaching historic highs.
• In June, severe storms that prevailed in Austria's Styria and Burgenland caused enormous damage. The heavy downpour brought more than 100 mm of rain and caused flash floods.
• In May, flash floods in Afghanistan killed more than 300 people, while nearly 5,000 homes were destroyed or damaged.
• In April, the United Arab Emirates experienced its heaviest rainfall in 75 years, leading to 19 deaths in Oman due to flash flooding.
• Nearly 13 million people in Texas and Florida faced severe weather threats in May, with more than 70,000 utility customers experiencing power outages along the United States' Gulf Coast.
• Some 538,000 people were displaced and 143 killed in southern Brazil in May due to ongoing flooding, one of the largest cases of human mobility caused by climate change in the country.
• In April and May, torrential rains killed at least 260 people in Kenya, 155 in Tanzania and 29 in Burundi, while more than 200,000 people were displaced in Burundi due to rising Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.

(Alejandra Tellez, co2news.sk, more at oneyoungworld.com)

Global warming is a pervasive problem with large-scale initiatives to reduce emissions and mitigate the International Panel on Climate Change's worst-case scenario predictions of 3.2°C of warming by 2100 (compared to pre-industrial levels). Current measurements show a warming of 1.1°C on Earth, but the polar regions are experiencing increased surface warming compared to the rest of the planet. (Hannah Bird, more at Phys.org)

Let's start with something non-controversial: good decisions start with good information. Managing your finances starts with gathering information in a budget. If you play sports, you need feedback from your coach. Nutritional information on food packaging makes it easier to decide what to eat.

But there is one area of life where the connection between good information and good decisions has been broken: climate change.

There are many theories as to why this is so. Some blame the melodramatic messages of climate change activists. Some say our political system is not set up to deal with a truly global challenge. Some even say that the information base for making decisions about climate change is flawed, there is still a lack of scientific evidence that global warming is caused by human activity and that a rapidly changing climate is not causing untold damage. (Misha Ketchell , more at theconversation.com)

Countries in Bonn have failed to make progress on a post-2025 climate finance goal, with developing and developed country negotiators blaming each other in fiery exchanges at the semi-annual UN talks.

As the discussions ended on Tuesday, country representatives on both sides expressed disappointment with the process that is expected to result in agreement on a new collective quantified target (NCQG) at COP29 in Baku in November.

They will leave the German city with a 35-page informal "entry paper" filled with wildly different views and repeatedly branded "unbalanced" by negotiators during the final session of talks. (Matteo Civillini and Joe Lo, more at climatechangenews.com)

High school students from around the world are invited to submit their innovative ideas for improving the future as part of the Climate Change Challenge 2024. The challenge is organized by Saïd Business School and Burjeel Holdings at the University of Oxford and is open to two groups of participants: student and teacher teams. The task is to find a solution in one of five areas of climate change: air pollution, extreme weather, water scarcity, food security and biodiversity. Student teams can come from one or more schools, while teachers can contribute by creating lessons that raise awareness of climate change and inspire students to find solutions.

The finalists will have the opportunity to present their projects in Baku, Azerbaijan during the COP29 conference in November, while the winners will be invited to Oxford in 2025 to take part in a climate change program organized by the Saïd Business School. The costs of both trips will be covered. Applications must be submitted by September 15. See the challenges page for more information Climate Change Challenge 2024

Environmentalists are often seen as enemies of growth. However, if global warming threatens economic activity, the best protection of living standards will be a more environmentally friendly policy.

The campaign before the European elections and the results recorded on June 9 confirm this: environmental issues and climate change are not yet among the main priorities. It is true that environmentalists have not always been able to find the right method to reach voters: to talk about growth with people who are trying to make ends meet is to risk not being understood.

However, the proliferation of climate disasters, from floods in the north of France to drought in the south, encourages us to question old patterns of thinking. What until now was considered an unpleasant side effect of growth, simple  "negative externality" , as economists say, seems to be a big problem. More and more economists are addressing this topic, and the results of their research are becoming more and more alarming. (Gérard Horny, More on slate.fr)

Emissions of nitrous oxide -- a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide or methane -- continued unabated between 1980 and 2020, a year when more than 10 million metric tons entered the atmosphere mainly through agricultural practices, according to a new report. The Global Carbon Project. Agricultural production accounted for 74 % of anthropogenic nitrous oxide emissions in 2010 — attributed primarily to the use of chemical fertilizers and animal waste on cropland — according to the report, "Global Nitric Oxide Budget 2024," led by Boston College researchers and published in the journal Earth System Science Data . (Boston College, more at phys.org)

A software model of the Earth designed to simulate and monitor environmental risks while looking for ways to mitigate climate change began its monitoring and prediction mission on Monday, the European Commission said. The Destination Earth initiative has resulted in a digital model of the planet to simulate natural phenomena using an "unprecedented amount of data," according to its website.

The model combines climate science with artificial intelligence powered by supercomputers, including the LUMI computer located in Kajaani, Finland, where the inauguration ceremony took place. (More on phys.org)