Renewables Blowing Away Monthly Records: Renewable energy generation has set new records every month this year, surpassing the same months from previous years. According to new data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), generation from non-hydro renewables was up 17 percent over the first half of 2015, and utility-scale wind rose 23.5 percent. The EIA projected in January that renewables would grow 9.5 percent this year, but so far the actual rate of growth has far outpaced these predictions. (Greentech Media, DeSmog)

Obama to Create World’s Largest Marine Reserve: Citing the danger that climate change poses to the oceans, President Obama will establish the largest marine reserve in the world today, protecting nearly 600,000 square miles off the coast of Hawaii. Commercial fishing, mining and extraction are prohibited in the expanded Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, though subsistence fishing and scientific research will be allowed. “The oceans are the untold story when it comes to climate change, and we have to feel a sense of urgency when it comes to protecting the ocean that sustains us,” said Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii. George W. Bush originally established the reserve a decade ago, protecting 140,000 square miles. (Washington Post$, New York Times $, Buzzfeed, Reuters, AP, IB Times $, USA Today, National Geographic, The Hill, Discover)

Mayors Get Schooled on Urban Issues: Bloomberg Philanthropies and Harvard University are launching a program to help mayors tackle difficult urban issues, including climate change. The $32 million Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative could train as many as 300 mayors before the presidential election. “With more and more of the world living in cities, mayors are increasingly responsible for solving major challenges we face, from climate change to poverty to public health,” former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement. In addition to the curriculum and technical training, the Initiative will fund research on city government and establish a mentorship program for new mayors. (News: AP, Washington Post $, Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor, Harvard Gazette. Commentary: Boston Globe, Michael R. Bloomberg and Drew Faust op-ed)

Gesundheit! Climate Change Aggravates Allergies: The number of Europeans suffering from ragweed allergies could double to 77 million by 2050 because of climate change. A new study shows that ragweed season could also become longer, extending well into the fall, and symptoms could become more severe. Seasonal allergies are already a serious public health burden, currently costing the EU between €55 billion and €151 billion per year. Though the study focused on ragweed, it noted that climate change could worsen other allergens, too. (AAP, ClimateWire $, Quartz, City Lab, Phys.org, AFP)

• Our national parks boast some of the country’s most amazing weather (Washington Post $)
• Climate change highlighted in Maine woods designation (ClimateWire $)
• Seagrass in Everglades National Park is dying. Here’s what’s being done to save it. (CNN)
• California’s emissions goal Is a ‘milestone’ on climate efforts (New York Times $)
• California already enduring fierce fire season — and worst is yet to come (USA Today)
• American pika vanishing from western US as ‘habitat lost to climate change’ (AP)
• Climate change is going to cost millennials more than college—if we don’t act (Fast CoExist)
• Hickenlooper defends 35 percent carbon cut, navigates climate change minefield (Denver Post)
• Ohio solar power has moved from cottage industry to growth industry (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• California’s new climate legislation hailed as a breakthrough (VICE News)
• Feds make broadband push in coal country (The Hill)
• Colorado vulnerable in federal extraction ban, U.S. Chamber says (Denver Post)
• Study finds biofuels worse for climate than gasoline (Climate Central, Detroit Free Press, M Live, The Hill)
• Three Minnesota sites plan future net zero neighborhoods (Midwest Energy News)
• Hurricanes are worse, but experience, gender and politics determine if you believe it (Phys.org)
• GOP climate denier to celebrate Park Service centennial amid melting glaciers (Huffington Post)
• Tesla wins U.S. antitrust approval to buy SolarCity (Reuters)
• Minn. says even without coal import ban, renewables will flourish (ClimateWire$)
• Volkswagen settles dispute with dealers in emissions scandal (The Hill)

World News

• China’s clean energy exceeds 20% of power generation in 2015 (Bloomberg)
• Just 90 companies are to blame for most climate change, this ‘carbon accountant’ says (Science)
• China, US to announce Paris ratification before G20 meeting –SCMP (Carbon Pulse $, BusinessGreen)
• The world got together to try to save the monarch butterfly, and then climate change ruined the plan (Quartz)
• Bad weather takes toll on French wine production (BBC)
• US nominates Kim for second World Bank term (Financial Times $, New York Times $)
• Surface water shifting around the Earth (BBC)
• UN aviation emissions pact to let states opt out in first phase: sources (Reuters)
• NASA flies to Africa to study climate effects of smoke on clouds (Phys.org)
• Coastal land expands as construction outpaces sea level rise (Reuters)
• Eastern India struggles to evacuate reluctant villagers as floods wreak havoc (Thomson Reuters)
• ‘It’s a lit fuse:’ Release of ancient carbon from melting permafrost measured (Canadian Press)
• Delaware-sized chunk of ice could dislodge from Antarctic shelf (EcoWatch)
• Don’t count on technology to save you in a disaster – researchers (Thomson Reuters)
• Sask. looking at economic impacts of climate change policy (Regina Leader Post)
• Singapore haze hits ‘unhealthy’ levels (Financial Times $)
• China’s decline in oil production echoes globally (Wall Street Journal $)