2024: A year of extreme heat and growing climate danger
This year is set to be the hottest on record – but scientists say there’s still time to limit temperature rise and harm from climate impacts
Drought
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Southern Africa drought flags dilemma for loss and damage fund
Scientists blame the current drought on El Niño – which could exclude those affected from receiving aid for climate-change damage
Age of “climate whiplash” puts residents of Africa’s fast-growing cities in danger
As global warming intensifies heavy rainfall and drought, cities with poor drainage and water systems are struggling to adapt and protect people, especially in the Global South
Morocco’s centuries-old irrigation system under threat from climate change
As Morocco faces increasingly extreme temperatures, indigenous communities in the country’s southeast suffer the brunt of the climate crisis
Drought victims let down – Climate Weekly
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Displaced by drought, climate migrants clash with Zimbabwe’s timber industry
After suffering from extreme drought, farmers have settled in timber plantations in eastern Zimbabwe, clashing with government and industry
Seen from space: Extreme drought dries up rivers across the globe
In China, Lake Poyang is just a quarter of its normal size, while in Germany, the Rhine is running at 45% of its average levels for August
Drought will be 20% more frequent by end of century say scientists
Research team says many more people will go short of water as the world warms, but who and where, remains uncertain
Climate change could crush East Africa’s agricultural economy – report
Periods of prolonged drought will mean there will be less food for Africa’s rapidly expanding population, says a new report
Geoengineering could disrupt monsoons say scientists
Geo-engineering could lower global temperatures but could also damage seasonal rainfall patterns, a study says
Lord Browne: Fracking will not bring down energy bills
Friday’s top 5: Lord Browne says fracking will not decrease energy bills, China to raise coal threshold, Oil drilling in Pechora Sea to begin in 2014, Australian bushfires linked to Indian Ocean temperature increase, Big six told to hold price increase
UK warming faster than global average – report
Grantham Research Institute study warns UK government needs to be better prepared for extreme weather events
June 2013 fifth warmest since 1880 – NOAA data
US drought continues to afflict 46% of country as NOAA record one of the hottest months of June since records started
Africa’s tiny ‘sand dams’ can save millions from drought
Simple, cheap and quick to construct – small walls trapping seasonal rainwater can save Africa’s dryland regions from desertification
UN moves closer to establishing drought reduction targets
Influential panel of experts call for world leaders to adopt goals to combat desertification, land degradation and drought
Ban Ki Moon calls on leaders to take drought threat seriously
UN chief says developed and developing countries need to accelerate the development of national drought policies
UN drought chief: ‘famine dehumanizes us, but it is not a fate’
Writing for RTCC on Desertification Day 2013, UNCCD Executive Secretary Luc Gnacadja says it’s time to address this increasingly serious issue
Meet the world’s first water producing billboard
Advertising in Peru has generated 15,000 litres of water in six months
UNCCD: Vulnerable nations must defend against drought
As climate change exacerbates the problem, there is a danger that drought could sneak up on unprepared governments, warns UNCCD Exec-Secretary Luc Gnacadja
US 2012 weather extremes mapped
The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has published a map of extreme US events with low snowfall, continuing drought and damaged crops leaving a difficult legacy for 2013
2012 warmest year on record for USA
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says weather was “consistent with a warming world” but can’t be linked exclusively to climate change
Drought set to close Mississippi River trade route
Army moves in to break up rocks on river bed as water levels fall below safe levels for barges
2012: Another year of global weirding
Droughts and floods, cold snaps and heatwaves, wildfires and record sea ice loss. 2012 was a dramatic illustration of the impacts of climate change that sent public awareness soaring.
World Bank: Arab nations must face climate change realities
COP18: New report finds the Arab region especially vulnerable to climate change, with five countries setting new temperature records in 2010.
Extreme weather cost US insurers $34bn in 2011
Drought, wildfires and flooding pile on pressure as report calls for insurance industry to factor climate change into new models
Climate change and biofuels blamed for rising food prices
New reports raise concern over links between rising food prices, climate change and biofuels
Amazon deforestation could reduce tropical rainfall and affect Brazil’s hydro plans
Deforestation of tropical forests could significantly reduced rainfall, having negative impacts for people living in tropical regions, according to research published in Nature.
Photo of the week #32 – Climate change, drought and declining zebra populations
This week’s photo of the week, the zebra population facing extinction from climate change and drought.
UN agencies call for global response to drought
With climate change expected to increase the frequency and intensity of droughts, UN agencies call on countries to adopt urgent policies to deal with water shortages
One year on: Building resilience in the Horn of Africa
RTCC examines how to build resilience to drought in the Horn of Africa to protect communities from future dry periods.
Climate Live: US drought send food prices up, England tracks natural capital and China oil industry becomes player in North Sea
Today’s top headlines: US set to see food price rises because of drought, England tracks natural capital and China enters the North Sea oil industry.