Explore

Forest Fragmentation Linked to Warmer Canopy Surfaces Globally, Study Finds

Forest Fragmentation Linked to Warmer Canopy Surfaces Globally, Study Finds

A new global study has revealed that forest fragmentation, the process of breaking up continuous tree cover into scattered patches, is linked to warmer canopy surfaces in approximately two-thirds of the world's forests. The research, conducted by Jiawei Li, Jiaxin Wu, and Jun Ma at Fudan University in Shanghai, analyzed satellite data and found that even with the same amount of tree cover, a more broken-up forest exhibited higher treetop temperatures. This phenomenon, known as fragmentation, occurs when roads, farm fields, or clearings divide forests, creating more edges and reducing the deep interior. The study indicated that in about half of the forests examined, the degree of fragmentation had a greater impact on canopy surface temperature than the total amount of forest remaining. Fragmentation caused by farming, particularly large-scale clearing for market goods, was associated with the most significant increases in surface temperature, as it exposes more canopy edge to direct sunlight.

Kittery, Maine, Faces Prolonged Water Restrictions as Drought Intensifies Across State

Kittery, Maine, Faces Prolonged Water Restrictions as Drought Intensifies Across State

Kittery, Maine, is enduring its eighth week of mandatory Level 3 water conservation restrictions due to persistent drought conditions that continue to deplete the town's water supply. Kittery Water District Superintendent Matthew Berube indicated that these restrictions, primarily affecting outdoor watering, are likely to remain in place through the fall. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, a significant portion of Maine is experiencing drought, with 53.8% in moderate drought, 41.3% in severe drought, and 4.8% along the southern coast, including Kittery, facing extreme drought conditions. University of New England Marine and Environmental Scientist Will Kochtitzky noted that these dry conditions align with broader climate change patterns, where some areas become drier while others become wetter. Kochtitzky emphasized that drought impacts extend beyond residents, stressing ecosystems and vital surface water sources essential for drinking and irrigation.

Phoenix Experiences More Winter Rain Than Monsoon Season, NOAA Data Reveals

Phoenix Experiences More Winter Rain Than Monsoon Season, NOAA Data Reveals

Contrary to popular belief, Phoenix, Arizona, receives more rainfall during its winter months (December to March) than during the widely recognized monsoon season (June 15 to September 30). Data from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 climate normals indicates that December through March accounts for 46% of the year's rain at Sky Harbor Airport, while the entire monsoon season contributes 34%. This pattern is even more pronounced in the north and east Valley areas, where February often emerges as the wettest month. For instance, Scottsdale Municipal receives 51% of its annual rainfall between December and March. The perception that the monsoon delivers the majority of Phoenix's rain is largely due to its intense, short bursts, which are more noticeable than the slower, soaking rains of winter. The 30-year normals have also shown a slight decrease in annual rainfall for Phoenix, from 8.03 inches in the 1981–2010 period to 7.22 inches in the current 1991–2020 period.

Hawaii Department of Education Seeks Additional Funds for $100 Million in Storm Damage Repairs

Hawaii Department of Education Seeks Additional Funds for $100 Million in Storm Damage Repairs

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) is requesting additional funding to address approximately $100 million in damages sustained from five major storms that have impacted the state since March. A report to the Board of Education indicated that this year's storms have caused an estimated $198 million in damage and resulted in over 400 work orders. The department is still assessing the full extent of damage from recent Hurricanes Lowell and Nolo, suggesting that the total cost estimates are likely to increase. While HIDOE has received $50 million for repairs, a significant funding gap remains. Deputy Superintendent Tammi Oyadomari-Chun stated that efforts are underway with the governor and the Legislature to secure the necessary additional funds, particularly to address over $100 million in damage from the Kona low storms. The Kona low storms in March affected 54 schools, generating 224 work orders with preliminary costs of $162 million. Hurricane Lala in mid-August led to repairs at 38 schools,...

Monsoon Moisture Lingers in Southern Arizona, Bringing Weekend Storms and Rainfall

Monsoon Moisture Lingers in Southern Arizona, Bringing Weekend Storms and Rainfall

Despite the official end of the monsoon season on September 30, Southern Arizona continues to experience lingering monsoon moisture, leading to potential weekend storms and additional rainfall in areas like Green Valley and Sahuarita. National Weather Service Tucson meteorologist Julia Tetrault confirmed that the region has not yet pushed out the season's remaining moisture. Flagstaff, for instance, significantly surpassed its normal monsoon precipitation total, recording over three inches of rain in the latter half of September. The city's monsoon season concluded with 8.68 inches of precipitation between June 15 and September 30, exceeding its average of 7.68 inches by exactly one inch. This extended period of moisture indicates a more prolonged impact of the monsoon season than typically observed.

United Nations Warns of Intensifying El Niño, Projecting Peak in December

United Nations Warns of Intensifying El Niño, Projecting Peak in December

The United Nations has issued a warning that the El Niño weather phenomenon is set to intensify further before reaching its peak in December. According to the World Meteorological Organization's monthly Global Seasonal Climate Update, this naturally occurring event is expected to bring above-average temperatures across much of the globe and alter rainfall patterns, increasing the risk of both drought and floods in various regions. The UN's weather and climate agency indicated that this El Niño could be among the strongest recorded since at least 1950, with its effects exacerbating the impacts of man-made climate change. The Philippines, for instance, is already taking steps to strengthen its use of climate and rice data to assist farmers in making timely decisions regarding planting, irrigation, and drought preparedness as the risks associated with El Niño escalate. The Philippine Rice Research Institute and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration are collaborating ...

California Governor Newsom Prepares State for El Niño Winter Storms and Flooding

California Governor Newsom Prepares State for El Niño Winter Storms and Flooding

California Governor Gavin Newsom is actively preparing the state for the anticipated impacts of the upcoming El Niño season, which is expected to bring significant winter storms and potential flooding. The state is pre-positioning flood-fighting supplies and undertaking measures to prepare its water infrastructure. This proactive approach includes efforts to capture stormwater to replenish groundwater basins, with the Department of Water Resources (DWR) hosting webinars to guide local agencies on stormwater capture projects. The State Water Board is also facilitating workshops for recharge permits and flood diversions. Since 2019, the board has allocated over $329 million for stormwater projects, which have contributed to reducing flood risk and augmenting local water supplies. Recent projects include stormwater improvements in Tuolumne County, the Tahoe Valley Stormwater and Greenbelt Improvement Project in South Lake Tahoe, and the Urban Orchard Project in South Gate, all aimed at enhancing stormwater ma...

New $78 Million Initiative Launched to Restore Land and Improve Livelihoods Across Great Green Wall Countries

New $78 Million Initiative Launched to Restore Land and Improve Livelihoods Across Great Green Wall Countries

A new $78 million program has been launched to restore 270,000 hectares of degraded land and improve the livelihoods of five million people across nine countries of the Great Green Wall. This initiative, supported by funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implementation assistance from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to regenerate one of the world's most climate-vulnerable regions. The participating countries span from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa and include Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal. UNEP will oversee eight of the ten projects, with the West African Development Bank (BOAD) implementing the remaining two. The program, named 'Transformation Approach to Large Scale Investment in Support of the Implementation of the Great Green Wall Initiative,' addresses interconnected challenges such as environmental stress, food insecurity, and conflict, which have displaced over 4 million people in the region.

New Research Identifies Household Products and Buildings as Major Summertime Air Pollutants

New Research Identifies Household Products and Buildings as Major Summertime Air Pollutants

New research from Colorado State University, the University of Minnesota, and Purdue University indicates that household products and building materials are increasingly significant sources of summertime urban air pollution. The study, published in Science Advances, found that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from items like hairspray, paint, and disinfectants, as well as building materials themselves, are major emissions in urban areas during warmer months. This contrasts with winter, when vehicle emissions are the primary source of urban air pollution. According to Delphine Farmer, a CSU chemistry professor involved in the research, these sources are not accurately accounted for in current air quality models used by cities and states. The research utilized an 'eddy covariance' method from a cellular tower in Long Island, New York, combining wind and chemical measurements to directly determine emission rates, a technique rarely used in urban studies. This approach allowed researchers to identify a broad ...

Kenya Secures World Bank Emergency Financing to Bolster Climate and Health Resilience

Kenya Secures World Bank Emergency Financing to Bolster Climate and Health Resilience

Kenya is leveraging emergency financing from the World Bank to enhance its preparedness and response capabilities for climate-related disasters and public health emergencies. This funding aims to provide the government with immediate resources to address severe shocks such as floods, droughts, and disease outbreaks without solely relying on pre-allocated domestic funds. The initiative is part of Kenya's broader strategy to fortify its health system against climate impacts. Preparations for the 2026 El Niño season include strengthening disease surveillance, safeguarding vulnerable health facilities, ensuring the availability of medicines and vaccines, monitoring water safety, and establishing emergency response teams across all 47 counties. Officials have highlighted that flooding can escalate the risks of diseases like cholera, typhoid, and malaria, while simultaneously disrupting access to healthcare services. The World Bank's crisis-financing framework is designed to offer additional support for major na...

UMaine Forestry Expert Co-Authors National Guidance on Disaster Preparedness

UMaine Forestry Expert Co-Authors National Guidance on Disaster Preparedness

John Daigle, a forestry professor at the University of Maine and a faculty fellow at the Center for Sustainability Solutions, has co-authored national guidance focused on helping communities prepare for extreme weather and natural disasters. This guidance is published as part of the U.S. Climate Collection, a collaborative effort by the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS). The research emphasizes the critical insights that Indigenous Knowledges and relational worldviews can offer in the context of climate adaptation, resilience, and community stewardship. The initiative aims to integrate diverse perspectives into national strategies for disaster preparedness, recognizing the long-standing wisdom and sustainable practices of Indigenous communities.

Advocacy Group Calls for Removal of Plastic Industry Propaganda from U.S. Schools

Advocacy Group Calls for Removal of Plastic Industry Propaganda from U.S. Schools

An advocacy group is urging U.S. school boards and superintendents to prohibit the plastic industry from disseminating what they term 'disinformation' in K-12 public school classrooms. The group highlights that plastic companies and industry associations, including major chemical, fossil fuel, and plastic producers, are funding school programs and educational materials. These materials, according to the group, promote 'the wonders of plastics' while omitting scientific evidence of plastic pollution's health and environmental harms. The initiative aims to curb public concerns, increase support for local plastic facilities, and recruit future workers for an economy based on fossil fuels. The group argues that plastics contain over 16,000 chemicals, with 4,200 known to be hazardous, and that 99% of plastics are derived from fossil fuels, contributing to climate change. They assert that this industry messaging compromises the integrity of education and hinders efforts to address the global plastic crisis.