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Climate Change Intensifies Rainfall and Flooding: A Call for Adaptation This week, a family's home of more than 50 years was swept away by a flood into the Blue Earth River in southern Minnesota. The river's water flow tripled in just three days after an unprecedented 11 to 18 inches of rain fell in a little over a week. This flood threatened the Rapidan Dam and a nearby store, highlighting the increasing frequency and intensity of such events. Similar intense rains have affected much of the north-central U.S. in June, causing major flooding in rivers like the Big and Little Sioux, the Des Moines, and the Minnesota. These events underscore a trend of record-breaking rainfall brought on by climate change. Warmer air holds more water, and storms are supercharged by moisture from warming oceans, leading to more frequent and severe flooding. Communities are facing growing pressure to adapt to this new reality. Two significant developments in the past month reflect this urgency. Ver...

The Impact of Climate Change on Dutch Agriculture: Embracing Imperfect Vegetables Dutch farmer Bastiaan Blok recently harvested his crop of onions, only to find them the size of shallots due to erratic weather patterns. Blok, who farms 90 hectares in Flevoland, attributed this to a very wet spring followed by a dry, warm summer, which stunted the onions' growth. This scenario is increasingly common among farmers in the Netherlands, Europe’s largest agricultural exporter, where climate change is leading to more "imperfect" fruits and vegetables that are often rejected by the food system focused on standardization and appearance. Blok's situation prompted the No Waste Army, a social enterprise, to launch a crowdfunding campaign to support him. This organization runs a quarterly food box scheme, offering products made from rescued produce. Thanks to public donations and a large pickling order, Blok’s sheds are now empty, and his crop has not gone to waste. Thibaud van de...

Can Scientist Leaders Drive Effective Climate Change Policies? In June, Mexico made history by electing Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, a physicist and energy engineer, as its first female president. This landmark event has sparked a global conversation about the impact of leaders with scientific expertise on advancing climate policies. Historical Impact Leaders with scientific backgrounds have previously played crucial roles in environmental advocacy. Former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, a trained chemist, addressed global warming at the United Nations in 1989. Angela Merkel, with a doctorate in quantum chemistry, was instrumental in promoting the 2015 Paris Agreement, which aims to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C. Current Challenges Despite international efforts, the EU's climate service reported a year-long breach of the 1.5°C warming threshold, signaling a critical need for action. This underscores the importance of having scientifically informed leaders to tackle clim...

New Legislation Targets Greenwashing, Sparks Debate Among Environmental Advocates In a significant move aimed at curbing misleading environmental claims, the Trudeau government has introduced a controversial new law embedded in Bill C-59. This legislation, targeting the oil and gas sector, seeks to combat "greenwashing" by imposing strict penalties for deceptive marketing practices related to environmental benefits. Key Provisions The law classifies false environmental claims as deceptive marketing, granting the federal government the power to levy fines up to $750,000 for individuals and $10 million for businesses for a first offense. Subsequent violations could see penalties increase to $1 million and $15 million, respectively. Companies and individuals making environmental claims must provide substantial evidence based on internationally recognized methodologies. Controversies and Implications The vague language of the law has raised concerns among critics who argue it is ...

  New Zealand's New Methane Emissions Approach Raises Concerns Among Experts The New Zealand government’s recent move to review and potentially reduce its 2050 methane emissions target has sparked debate. The review focuses on ensuring that farming's methane emissions cause "no additional warming," aiming for the same impact in 2050 as in 2017. However, this approach has faced criticism from climate experts who argue that it might undermine global climate goals. Current Methane Targets: New Zealand aims for zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. The target for methane, mainly from livestock, is a reduction of 24-47% by 2050, with an interim target of a 10% reduction by 2030. The review may reduce the 2050 methane target, maintaining the same warming impact as in 2017 rather than pursuing deeper cuts. Expert Criticism: Professor Mark Howden from the Australian National University calls the "no additional warming" approach confusing and problematic. Howden sug...

Climate Change Threatens Traditional Shellfish Harvesting in Galicia, Spain In the coastal town of Cambados, Galicia, a rainy morning sees women shellfish pickers, known as mariscadoras, wading into the ocean with their buckets and rubber boots. These women are fighting to sustain a tradition passed down through generations, but climate change is making it increasingly difficult. Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and torrential rains, are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. These conditions threaten the clams and cockles that the mariscadoras' livelihoods depend on. Patricia Piñeiro, one of the pickers, notes, "Either the shellfish adapt, or they die, and us too." The shellfish population is in rapid decline. A 2023 study by the University of Vigo shows that the four main species of clams and cockles harvested in Galicia are significantly declining. The December 2023 mass mortality event, caused by warm temperatures and heavy rains, killed app...

Hollywood’s Role in Fighting Climate Change: A New Frontier for Storytelling and Sustainability In an unprecedented move, Hollywood is stepping up its game in the fight against climate change. At the recent Hollywood Climate Summit, entertainment industry giants and environmental leaders came together to discuss how Tinseltown can better depict climate change and improve sustainability on set. US Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, in a conversation with Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins, underscored the power of media in shaping public perception and understanding of clean energy and climate change. This dialogue, emblematic of the event’s unique pairings, highlighted the potential of storytelling to drive real-world change. The four-day summit, hosted at the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, featured film screenings and eco-friendly snacks, including plant-based innovations like eggless eggs and carrot lox. Comedian Esteban Gast, one of the host...

Santos' Legal Tactics Threaten Environmental Advocacy in Australia In a bold and controversial move, Santos, a major player in the fossil fuel industry, has shifted its strategy to combat the climate change movement by targeting environmental groups that supported traditional owners in their legal battle against the Barossa gas project. Earlier this year, Tiwi Islander traditional owners, represented by legal charities and backed by philanthropists, took Santos to court. They argued that the approval for the Barossa project was granted without proper consultation. While the traditional owners initially won, requiring Santos to re-evaluate its plans, a subsequent case led by Simon Munkara ended in defeat, with the judge accusing the lawyers of coaching witnesses. Now, Santos is attempting to recover its legal costs, not from the traditional owners but from the environmental groups that supported them. This includes seeking subpoenas to gather evidence from these groups, a move expe...

  Climate Change and Mass Atrocities: Policy Brief, June 2024 Climate change has been recognized as one of the defining issues of our time due to the existential threat it poses to the environment and inhabitants of our planet, as well as its ability to exacerbate tensions between communities and multiply the threat of conflict and mass atrocity crimes. The crises and challenges arising from climate change – including the dramatic widening of inequality caused by climate emergencies, resource scarcity, environmental degradation and the political manipulation of access to resources – all pose a threat to vulnerable societies. Although the international community has developed numerous mechanisms to adapt and respond to current and future climate threats, discussions on atrocity prevention and ways to respond to climate-related atrocity risks have been largely absent from these initiatives. As the international community examines how to slow environmental degradation and confront cli...

  Philadelphia man rushed to hospital with grim injury after bee stings him in the eyeball A  Philadelphia  man ended up in hospital after  getting stung in the eye by a bee  in a horrific incident that left him struggling to see. The 55-year-old rushed to his local  emergency department , where doctors attempted to remove the insect's stinger from his right eye. However, they were unable to fully do this and two days after the incident the man was suffering with worsening vision and pain in the injured eye. By the time he went to Wills Eye Hospital, his vision in the right eye was so poor he was only able to count fingers. At the same time, his eye had swollen and was inflamed and bloodshot, with blood pooling at the bottom of his iris. READ MORE:  Woman, 24, dies in horror Portland tubing crash after being 'flung into boat' as friend watched READ MORE:  Fury after Utica cop shoots boy, 13, dead who 'displayed handgun' that turned out to be pelle...

  Matthew Stevens: Gardeners can help preserve vital honey bee pollinators June 17-23 was National Pollinators Week, a week set aside to raise awareness for honeybees and other insects that are essential for pollinating so many of the crops that we grow for food and fiber. While a number of different insects and birds play a role in pollination, honey bees are by far the most important pollinating species. Much attention has been paid in the last several years to the plight of honey bees and beekeepers. This is largely due to recurring colony losses that are putting a strain on commercial beekeepers. There are some benefits to this increased attention, as there seems to be a greater interest in pollinator conservation and many new hobbyist beekeepers have started hives. Still, many challenges remain, as beekeepers continue to struggle with insect and disease pests, lack of food and forage for bees, unintentional pesticide exposures, and other issues that weaken hives and lead to co...

  How Saudi Arabia is creating a buzz around beekeeping and the honey making industry To promote the ancient craft of beekeeping, the Kingdom is helping a new generation earn qualifications and practical skills in honey making Besides its profitability, honey production is one of the most beneficial activities for supporting local plant species and agricultural crops RIYADH: Honey has long held a special place in Saudi culture, cultivated by beekeepers across the region for its medicinal and culinary uses. Now, with added government support, its true economic potential and environmental benefits are being realized. Last year, more than 100 licenses were granted to beekeepers to produce this liquid gold on land administered by the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority, predominantly in the Rawdat Khuraim oasis. Here, beekeepers have been producing the finest types of natural honey, such as Najdi acacia honey, spring flower honey, wild sidr, salam honey, and...

  Growing Urban Farmers program talks beekeeping for fun, profit Nathan Treece / Little Rock Public Radio Master Gardener Ruth Landers shows off an apiarist's tools during the Growing Urban Farmers opening workshop on beginner beekeeping at St. Joseph Farmstead in North Little Rock. On Thursday, North Little Rock's St. Joseph Farmstead held its first workshops of the newly-created Growing Urban Farmers program. A field day educated participants on both beginning beekeeping and how to better attract and protect pollinators to the field. Ruth Landers is both a Central Arkansas Master Naturalist and a Pulaski County Master Gardener with years of experience as an apiarist. She says that there is some front-end investment required to begin beekeeping. Getting started can cost between $700 and $1,200 to purchase the hives, bees, and specialized tools. Landers says it's best to begin with two hives. That way, you can compare and contrast their progress and monitor for potential di...