Fridays for Future #01
Fridays for Future #01
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Hello everyone, My name is Wahid Bhat and as we step into the new year, I find myself compelled to recount the stories of climate change that unfolded in 2023—a year of extremes, both in weather and human response. It was a year that will be remembered for many reasons, but one aspect stands out in particular - the climate protests that swept across the globe.
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Climate change has made 2023 a record-breaking year. The year began with a chilling announcement from the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service, declaring 2023 as almost certain to be the hottest on record. The stark reality hit home in November when Earth briefly crossed the 2°C global warming threshold, a milestone that sent shivers down our spines, reminding us of the urgency to act.
Our changing climate is having devastating consequences for people around the world. This summer, extreme heat and dry weather in Europe saw hundreds of firefighters battle fires in Greece. On the island of Rhodes, one fire burned for days, forcing holidaymakers and local people to flee.
Here, Ground Report rounds up 2023 biggest climate stories
Unprecedented April Heat Wave
April 11 to April 15 marked an unusual early heat wave, with four consecutive days of temperatures reaching the 80s, peaking at 88 degrees on April 12. Such sustained warmth in April had never occurred before 2023.
Wildfires around the world
In the end, the Greek wildfires were declared the largest ever seen in the EU, burning an area of around 190,200 hectares and releasing the same amount of CO2 as 500,000kg of coal.
Northwestern Canada's hot and dry conditions fueled widespread wildfires, resulting in record smoke levels in Minnesota. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reported a significant increase in air quality alerts, far surpassing those issued in 2021. On June 14, the state experienced its worst air quality day.
Greece bore the brunt of extreme heat and dry weather, with wildfires raging across the land. The Greek wildfires, declared the largest ever seen in the EU, painted a vivid picture of the ecological havoc wrought by climate-related disasters.
Drought and the 5th Hottest Summer
May witnessed the onset of a prolonged drought that extended through most of the summer and early September. The Twin Cities and Rochester experienced a precipitation deficit of 6 to 11 inches, constituting 20 to 40 per cent of the annual total. The summer, especially June, ranked as the fifth hottest, marked by 33 days with temperatures in the 90s.
Europe faced a barrage of storms, from Adrian to Babet, Ciaran, and Daniel, causing rivers to replace roads and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The very forests that form the lungs of our continent fell victim to wildfires and illegal logging.
Heat Wave and floods
El Niño, a phenomenon felt worldwide, brought droughts and floods to South America, disrupting lives and commerce. The Panama Canal, a lifeline of global trade, faced restrictions due to low water levels, impacting supply chains across the globe.
The strong El Niño pattern, coupled with climate change, led to a Christmas heat wave, shattering temperature records on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The entire month of December capped off the warmest and wettest December on record in Minnesota, marking the third warmest year in 150 years of records for the Twin Cities.
Africa, a continent close to our heart, experienced deadly flooding, highlighting the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities.
As the temperature soared, governments across Europe responded with crackdowns on climate protests. Activists, including the iconic Greta Thunberg, found themselves in court, facing legal battles for a cause that should concern us all.
2023’s climate news has also been dominated by El Niño. This oceanic and atmospheric phenomenon sees a warming of the ocean surface and above-average sea temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. But it has consequences worldwide. South America has been hard hit by drought and floods from El Niño. And in Central America, water levels have been so low in the Panama Canal that restrictions on the number of ships that could pass through had to be put in place.
Yet, amidst the challenges, there emerged a glimmer of hope. COP28 witnessed a historic deal that could signal the beginning of the end for fossil fuels. The relief in the room was palpable, even as skepticism lingered.
As we look back at 2023, it’s clear that the climate crisis is no longer a distant threat, but a present reality. It’s a reality that demands our attention, our action, and our commitment to change. If we can do this, we can keep our planet safe and make sure future generations have a good life. We need to act now. We can’t wait for climate change to slow down.
Let’s carry this awareness into 2024 and beyond, and let’s work together to create a sustainable future for all.
Thank you for joining me in this reflection. Here’s to a new year of hope, action, and positive change.
TOP ENVIRONMENT NEWS
Why predicting fog is still a mystery for meteorologists?
Fog, a common weather phenomenon, also holds quite a mystery. Particularly in areas of complex terrain like mountainous regions, people have long found fog intriguing and concerning. Meteorologists struggle to predict fog formation with the same accuracy they’ve achieved for other weather events, even though it poses a major hazard to transportation.
Professor Zhaoxia Pu from the University of Utah is leading a recent study that sheds new light on this issue, their findings from the Cold Fog Amongst Complex Terrain (CFACT) project. A part of the Cold Fog Amongst Complex Terrain (CFACT) project, aims to deepen our understanding of fog formation, to improve forecasting methods. Read more
These homes in hottest places don’t need air conditioning, Why?
In regions facing scorching temperatures, traditional architectural techniques are proving to be effective in keeping homes cool without relying on air conditioning. From India to Egypt to Turkey, Cairo to California architects are revisiting age-old methods that involve natural elements such as wind, water, and earth.
Homes are being designed in such a way that they don’t require air conditioning, even during the peak of summer. This might seem counterintuitive, but it’s a reality that’s gaining traction, thanks to innovative architectural techniques and a growing awareness of sustainable living. Read More
Wild plants ‘abandon’ pollinators and move towards self-fertilization
Pollinators like bees, butterflies, wasps, birds, bats, and other insects are crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems worldwide. They help plants reproduce by moving pollen from one flower to another. But, there’s been a worrying drop in the number of pollinators in recent years. This decline threatens not just wildlife diversity, but also our food supply.
As the number of insects decreases, wild flowering plants that grow in farming areas are adapting. A study in the ‘New Phytologist’ journal found that as it gets harder for these plants to reproduce because there are fewer pollinators, the plants are evolving to fertilize themselves. Read more
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Wahid Bhat, signing off for now. Stay tuned for more stories that matter.