Present-day climate change and its wider effects on Earth's climate system
ScottishPower Renewables has lodged plans to repower Whitelee Windfarm, replacing 215 turbines with about 124 taller units in three phases. The £1.5bn project aims to double output to 1GW and keep the site accessible to visitors; full operation is expected by 2035. The move follows solid half‑year profits, driven by renewables and grid investments.
The UK has seen a record-hot July and persistent drought across large parts of England and Wales. Hosepipe bans remain in force as cooling rain is forecast to be patchy and limited this weekend. Forecasters warn that heat and dry conditions will continue into next week, with a potential return of hotter spells in parts of the country.
France has moved to allow temporary exemptions for acetamiprid and flupyradifurone to help struggling farmers, triggering resignations and heated debate. Barbut has warned this marks an environmental setback as the government faces pushback from ministers, courts, and scientists.
Wildfires in France, Spain, and the UK have intensified amid an approaching heatwave. Authorities warn the crisis could last weeks, with hundreds of thousands evacuated and temperatures set to rise to 40C in parts of Europe. The Prince of Wales has expressed support for affected communities and emergency responders.
Wildfires across Canada have intensified this summer, with thousands evacuated and millions of hectares burned. Fire seasons are surging due to warmer, drier conditions, while governments mobilize crews and resources to combat the blazes and protect communities.
Pakistan is experiencing above-normal rainfall linked to climate change. The deluges have killed more than 100 people since late June, including 14 children, with a roof collapse in Lahore killing multiple residents. Authorities warn the extreme weather could repeat as floods displace millions and submerge large parts of the country.
A wave of heat and wildfires across Europe and beyond has accelerated, prompting evacuations and sparking political debate on climate policy. Readers are updated on the latest developments, including shifting opinions, policy responses, and the urgent need for adaptation alongside emission cuts.
A wave of apologies and AI-policy updates follows high-profile creators’ use of AI for research and production. Hank Green and Cliff Tan acknowledge reliance on AI, pause content, and refine policies as the industry faces questions about critical thinking and trust.
A record summer of heat, drought and wildfires has prompted an emergency Cobra meeting and voluntary retailer suspensions of disposable-barbecue sales. Green groups have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to call the crisis 'climate change' and stop new North Sea drilling; Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has questioned net zero and urged adaptation and celebration of warmer weather.
South Korea is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave. Yangsan records 42.5C, the hottest on record; Seoul and other cities face severe heat warnings. Authorities have activated new disaster measures, deploy cooling efforts, and warn residents to stay indoors and hydrate as power demand and health risks rise.
Greece faces sustained wildfires in Attica as gale winds thwart firefighting efforts; France and Spain confront large blazes with mass evacuations. The crisis is linked to heatwaves and drought, intensifying Europe’s fire season.
Greece has faced a fresh round of wildfires, with two helicopters colliding during firefighting operations near Psatha, Attica. A Danish pilot and a Greek coordinator have died; one crew member on the second helicopter survived. Authorities say winds and heat have intensified blazes across Attica and nearby regions, with evacuations continuing.
A Spokane County man has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson related to the Old Trails Fire, the largest of several wildfires in the Spokane area that have destroyed hundreds of buildings and forced tens of thousands to evacuate. Authorities say the blaze began Saturday, with investigations tracing it to a suspect seen near the site. Firefighters are contending with hot, dry conditions as containment progresses.
Air travel is constrained by extreme heat. Reports show airlines reducing weight, cargo or fuel to ensure safe departures as temperatures soar. Studies project more frequent weight-related restrictions at hot airports midcentury, with Las Vegas and Denver highlighted for rising risk.
Firefighters have established containment lines around Spokane-area blazes, with cooler weather offering limited relief. Thousands remain evacuated as investigations probe arson and natural causes amid a record-breaking Northwest fire season.
A AP-NORC poll finds extreme heat is increasingly affecting Americans’ daily lives, from electricity bills to travel plans, with West and Midwest hardest hit and Democrats more likely to report major impacts. The survey, conducted July 23–27, 2026, shows a shift in perception of climate change and growing energy costs.
The UK has faced a fifth heatwave this summer, with record highs in several locations. A cooler spell is moving in over the weekend, bringing rain to some drought-affected areas. Health alerts remain in place as authorities monitor ongoing drought and heat-related pressures.
The Bald Range wildfire in British Columbia has grown rapidly since Friday, forcing thousands to flee from Summerland, Peachland, and surrounding areas. Authorities have declared a state of emergency and are coordinating federal support as evacuations continue and the fire remains out of control.
An emergency wildfire alert has been sent across England and Wales warning people not to light fires as heatwaves press on. Police and fire services say the alert is crucial for safety, while critics argue about its timing and impact on daily life. Prime Minister and local leaders urge caution and resilience as blazes stretch resources.
A glacial collapse on 26 August has produced torrent floods that have killed more than 1,395 people and left over 5,600 missing across Nepal and Tibet. Rescue teams have been recovering bodies, searching buried hydropower tunnels and remote villages, and racing to control newly formed barrier lakes that are threatening further flooding and hampering access.
A set of recent reports shows farmers adapting to increasingly unpredictable weather through drought-tolerant crops, smarter irrigation, and climate-smart farming. From Wales and Scotland to Africa and East Africa, communities are expanding local cultivation, improving soil health, and building resilience against droughts, floods, and rising temperatures.
Hartlepool Borough Council leader Graham Harrison has stepped down due to a recent change in his personal circumstances and will be replaced at a meeting on 15 September. He will continue as a ward councillor for Burn Valley, while Reform UK holds the largest number of seats but no overall control.
The UN General Assembly has voted 164–1 to encourage use of equal-area map projections, led by Togo and backed by the African Union. The non-binding resolution recommends the Equal Earth projection for schools, governments and tech companies. The United States cast the sole vote against; six states abstained.
A new WMO bulletin reports that climate-linked wildfires and rising temperatures are intensifying air pollution, raising ground-level ozone and PM2.5 levels. The resulting health impacts include COPD hospitalisations and asthma attacks, with a feedback loop accelerating warming.
A surge in forest and peatland fires across Indonesia’s Borneo and Sumatra has intensified toxic haze, fueling health risks and prompting international firefighting assistance. El Niño-driven drought and centuries of land degradation are driving the crisis, with cross-border air pollution affecting neighboring Malaysia and Singapore.
Copernicus confirms August 2026 tied for hottest month on record, with Western Europe enjoying its warmest summer. Global oceans reach new highs as El Niño intensifies. Scientists warn that emissions continue to drive extreme conditions and urge rapid action.
UNICEF reports 171 million learners across 106 countries faced climate-related disruptions in 2025. Storms, floods and heatwaves disrupted classes; girls face higher dropout risks. The report warns of US$200 billion in potential lifetime earnings losses and calls for resilient school infrastructure and data systems.
El Niño is strengthening, with forecasts predicting historic intensity. Reports show drought in Central America’s Dry Corridor and a UK weather shift toward wetter, stormier conditions. Scientists warn impacts will extend into 2027 as temperatures rise globally and rainfall patterns shift.
President Donald Trump has dismissed calls from AI leaders to slow frontier development, attacked Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on Truth Social and called safety concerns a "hoax" and a "sick conspiracy." His posts have coincided with a sell-off in AI-linked stocks and intensified debate over regulation and US competition with China.
The EU is advancing a plan to shield children from social media harms, with von der Leyen set to unveil the “EU Kids Act.” The package aims to make platforms safer for youngsters and considers age limits, while delegations discuss the broader digital and defense agendas ahead of the Strasbourg speech.
Bristol City Council has updated its advertising policy to ban ads for fossil fuels, non‑electric cars and fast fashion across council‑owned spaces such as bus stops, billboards and digital screens. The move follows a broader review of promoting polluting products and aims to shift public advertising toward sustainable alternatives.
Amnesty International has urged Algeria to abandon plans to expand the death penalty after deadly wildfires and President Tebboune's push to amend the Penal Code to include arson and other crimes. While authorities report 12 deaths, rights groups say casualties are higher and accuse the government of politicising the crisis. The government is examining draft amendments; Amnesty calls for a moratorium toward abolition.
Europe endures its hottest summer on record, with heatwaves killing thousands and straining infrastructure. The EU has pledged to accelerate low‑carbon energy and resilience planning, while other nations ramp up renewables and firefighting capabilities. The debate centers on whether governments will maintain bold climate commitments amid rising fossil fuel pressure.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has said she will open the door for Canada to become the EU's first "associate member", proposing deeper ties on critical minerals, defence, AI, energy and Arctic cooperation. The proposal has drawn a standing ovation in Strasbourg but contains no treaty detail and will require member-state approval.
Prosecutors have opened a probe into criminal negligence as Russia’s brown bear population has more than doubled since 1990, now about 307,000. Fatal and non-fatal bear attacks are rising this year, with authorities reporting several deaths and residents near affected towns under siege by bears.
Autumn triggers a surge in house spider activity across the UK, with males venturing indoors in search of mates as temperatures cool. The Scottish autumn season sees a high variety of harmless species, with False Widow sightings increasing in the Borders. Cleaning and pest-management steps can reduce insect prey and, in turn, spider presence.
The latest reports show rising public anxiety over AI risks, fueled by expert warnings and media coverage. People express deep concerns about privacy, jobs, and existential threats while policymakers face mounting pressure to regulate rapidly advancing technology.
Projections show 451,000 additional heat-related deaths globally between June and February 2027, with Nigeria, Sudan, Niger and Chad bearing the heaviest impact. The Climate Impact Lab says emergency actions now can save tens of thousands of lives as El Niño intensifies.
Nepal has suffered a devastating flood triggered by a glacial collapse, killing over 1,400 people with thousands missing. International leaders are calling for climate resilience and funding, while Nepal seeks support for recovery and adaptation.
Global discussions have centered on a devastating Nepal flood triggered by glacier collapse and permafrost thaw. Nepal argues for grant-based aid and regional resilience measures, while the international community contemplates funding through the Loss and Damage mechanism and other climate finance channels.
Scotland has expanded its bluetongue restriction zone to cover the whole country, aiming to ease trade while vaccination remains the key defence. Authorities say movement licences will be scrapped, but farmers are urged to vaccinate for next season amid rising cases linked to climate-driven spread. The latest season has seen cases across stretching areas, with vaccines in high demand.
The Supreme Court is evaluating whether federal law preempts state and local lawsuits accusing oil companies of climate-related damages. Boulder, Colorado, leads a wave of cases seeking damages for disaster costs, with ExxonMobil and Suncor among the defendants. The decision could affect dozens of similar lawsuits nationwide.
El Ni no is strengthening and is forecast to peak in December 2026. Observations show record sea-surface temperatures with far-reaching impacts on heat, rainfall, and droughts across regions. Forecasts warn of continued extreme conditions into 2027 as nations prepare.
The Guardian and Bloomberg report that Jair Bolsonaro’s son leads in the first-round vote as Lula’s administration highlights deforestation gains. Marina Silva warns a Bolsonaro win would accelerate the rainforest’s destruction, endangering ecosystems and communities ahead of the October 25 runoff.