| NOAA Finds Climate Signals in Louisiana Flooding: Climate change made last month’s historic deluge in Louisiana at least 40 percent more likely, a rapid attribution assessment by NOAA found. Parts of Louisiana received 30 inches of rain in one week, leading to floods that killed 13 people and cost nearly $9 billion in damages. “We are now actually able to objectively and quantifiably say ‘yes, climate change contributed to this event’. It’s unequivocal,” said Climate Central chief scientist Heidi Cullen, who coordinated with NOAA and others for the study. (Washington Post $, New York Times $, AP, USA Today, Times-Picayune, Climate Central, LA Times $, TIME, Popular Science, Mother Jones, Gizmodo, Mashable, Carbon Brief)
Obama- Climate Change is Terrifying: President Obama has forged a climate legacy that includes a global agreement, numerous national regulations and a growing acceptance by Americans that climate change is real and action is necessary. But securing support for climate action hasn’t been easy, especially with a largely “meh” reaction from the political base for a threat he calls “terrifying.” He promises to continue championing the cause even after his presidency ends. “My hope is that maybe as ex-president I can have a little more influence on some of my Republican friends, who I think up until now have been resistant to the science,” Obama said. (New York Times $)
NYC is a “Gradual Atlantis”: New York City will look completely different over the next 200 years as rising seas and storm surges threaten to gradually engulf the city. A child born today could live to see parts of the city six feet under water thanks to climate change, scientists warn. The government has not focused enough on long-term adaptation, which will cost the city dearly. (New York Magazine, Andrew Rice analysis)
No Vacation for Birds in Hawaii: Multiple bird species native to Hawaii face greater risk of extinction in the coming decades due to climate change. According to a new studypublished in Science Advances, several populations have already rapidly declined as temperatures in their habitats rise and avian malaria rates soar. The authors believe the study serves as an early warning for birds across the world that are “trapped within a climatic space that is rapidly disappearing.” (AP, IB Times $) |
