Climate change means even parts of Canada will need to prepare for stronger hurricanes, report suggests

CBC News

Researchers say governments need to begin adapting now to the new reality. Story here.

Weather disasters in 2020 boosted by climate change: report

PHYS ORG

US Firefighter Clay Stephen helps fight Australian bushfires in Tambo Complex near Victoria.
Photo by BLM Idaho.

The ten costliest weather disasters worldwide this year saw insured damages worth $150 billion, topping the figure for 2019 and reflecting a long-term impact of global warming, according to a report today. Story here.

Damage from whopper hurricanes rising for many reasons

PHYS ORG

Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles, Louisiana - Tornado Trackers

          A destructive storm is rising from warm waters. Again. Story here.

Powerful storms may be causing offshore ‘stormquakes’

ScienceNews

Ocean waves by Fir0002

Strong ocean swells hammer ridges in the seafloor and produce the earthquake-like shaking.

More here.

A warming Arctic produces weather extremes further south!

PHYS ORG

The Northern Hemisphere Jet Stream can be seen crossing
Cape Breton Island in Eastern Canada. A NASA photo.

Atmospheric researchers have developed a climate model that can accurately depict the frequently observed winding course of the jet stream, a major air current over the Northern Hemisphere. It demonstrates that the jet stream's wavelike course and subsequent extreme weather conditions like cold air outbreaks in Central Europe and North America are the direct results of climate change. 

Story here.

Cyclone Idai shows the deadly reality of climate change in Africa

The Guardian - opinion.

Volunteers distribute donated goods to those in need.
Photo by Columbus Mayhunga/VOA
Vain promises and empty slogans have got us nowhere. Fossil-fuel extraction must end before more lives are lost. Details here.

Avoid Gulf stream disruption at all costs, scientists warn

TheGuardian

How close the world is to a catastrophic collapse of giant ocean currents is unknown, making halting global warming more critical than ever, scientists say. More here.

Gulf Stream current at its weakest in 1,600 years, studies show

TheGuardian

Warm current that has historically caused dramatic changes in climate is experiencing an unprecedented slowdown and may be less stable than thought - with potentially severe consequences. More here.

As Climate Crisis Intensifies, $300+ Billion in Damages Makes 2017 Costliest Year Ever

Common

Dreams

Experts say this "historic and unprecedented year of disastrous extremes" reinforces "the fact that climate change is a threat to our health, and also a threat to our economy." More here.

Expert reaction to research on Hurricane Harvey and links to climate change

Science Media Centre

A new study, published in Environmental Research Letters, reported that human-caused climate change made the record rainfall that fell over Houston during Hurricane Harvey roughly three times more likely and 15% more intense. Story here.

Hurricane Harvey. 

 Photo by urban.houstonian

Stephen Hawking Says Earth Will Become ‘Sizzling Ball of Fire’ in 600 Years

EcoWatch

PinP photo

Last year, scientist Stephen Hawking gave humans a shelf-life of 1,000 more years on Earth. Apparently, 2017 hasn't been to his liking—as Hawking shaved another 400 years off that prediction. Story here.

Higher orange juice prices on the way in wake of Irma's damage to Florida groves

CBCnews

Canadians drink a lot of Florida juice, but hurricane has destroyed this year's crop. Story here.

A familiar breakfast - with a familiar beverage. Photo by Kklerks

What We Know about the Climate Change–Hurricane Connection

SCIENTIFIC 

AMERICAN

The Island of St. Maartin during hurricane Irma. Ministry of Defense, Netherlands.

Some links are indisputable; others are more subtle, but the science is improving all the time. Story here.

The dam at the heart of Canada's flooding emergency

NATIONAL

OBSERVER

The Moses-Saunders dam which regulates flows from Lake Ontario 

into the St. Lawrence River. 

High water levels threatening flood damage to hundreds of homes in Ontario and Quebec will continue to rise, warns the federal environmental engineer in charge of reporting this data to international authorities. Story here.

From extreme drought to record rain: Why California's drought-to-deluge cycle is getting worse

Los Angeles Times

California's climate has long been dominated by cycles of intense dry conditions, followed by heavy rain and snow. But never before in recorded history has the state seen such an extreme drought-to-deluge swing. Details here.

Water rages under a bridge in Nevada City, California in January. Photo Credit - California Department of Water Resources

Extreme tornado outbreaks are getting worse, but why?

SCIENCE:

The number of tornadoes pounding the United States during the most extreme outbreaks has roughly doubled over the past 50 years, a new analysis shows. But the study also yields a big surprise: The increased severity of such tornado outbreaks, at least at first glance, doesn’t seem to be related to climate change. STORY HERE.

Climate Change Has Greatly Increased Chances of Rainstorms the Size of the One in Louisiana in August

World Weather Attribution

Torrential rains drenched south Louisiana in mid August, with parts of the state receiving nearly 30 inches of rain from August 10 to the 17.  Story here.

Extreme Heat Wave In India Is Killing People And Melting Roads

ClimateProgress

A blistering heat wave in India has killed more than 1,100 people in the country in less than one week. Story here.

Climate Change Already Felt 'On All Continents And Across The Oceans,' IPCC Finds

Huffington Post

Climate change has already left its mark "on all continents and across the oceans", damaging food crops, spreading disease, and melting glaciers, according to the leaked text of a blockbuster UN climate science report due out on Monday. Details here. Full report here.

PLT photo.

Extreme Weather, Natural Disasters Led To $45 Billion In Insurance Losses In 2013

Huffington Post 

Disasters such as floods in Europe, winter storms in the U.S. and typhoons in Asia cost insurance companies $45 billion in 2013, a leading Swiss firm said Wednesday. Details here.