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Google's exponential path to climate-wrecking digital bloat
19 days ago
- Google's electricity consumption surged from 31 TWh in 2024 to 43 TWh in 2025, marking the largest increase ever and surpassing Microsoft.
- The exponential growth in energy use is driven by generative AI systems, causing emissions to rise faster than grid decarbonization.
- Google's climate report includes misleading claims, such as 'avoided emissions' from products like Google Earth and efficiency metrics that mask absolute consumption increases.
- The company's focus on per-query energy efficiency distracts from the overall climate impact, with AI infrastructure accelerating beyond renewable energy capacity.
- Google's water consumption for data centers is compared to golf courses, highlighting resource use for few, similar to generative AI's environmental burden.
- Despite clean energy deals, Google's power consumption emissions are climbing, with scope 3 emissions largely excluded from headline figures.
- The article criticizes Google's 'AI solutionism' and greenwashing, noting that previous claims about AI reducing global emissions have been toned down but remain problematic.
Europe's new climate in seven charts
16 days ago
- Europe experienced two record-breaking summer heatwaves in May and June, with temperature records shattered across the continent, driven by human-induced climate change.
- The UK saw unprecedented June temperatures, including a high of 37.7°C, breaking previous records by up to 2°C or more, and experienced rare 'tropical nights' where temperatures did not drop below 20°C.
- More than a dozen European countries broke June temperature records, with some exceeding 40°C, due to a 'heat dome' effect and Europe's rapid warming from factors like melting snow and reduced air pollution.
- Europe's seas are also exceptionally warm this summer, with marine heatwaves likely to intensify future land heatwaves by reducing cooling effects from sea breezes.
- Scientists warn that heatwaves will continue to get hotter and more intense until global net zero greenhouse gas emissions are achieved, as average temperatures rise due to continued carbon emissions.
Collapse of Atlantic Currents May Already Be 'Locked In'
13 days ago
- The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is at risk of collapse, potentially already having a 10% chance of being locked in, which could cause significant cooling in northern Europe.
- AMOC ferries warm water north from the tropics; its slowdown is due to warming oceans reducing water density and melting Greenland ice adding fresh water, further weakening circulation.
- If AMOC collapses, northern Europe could experience temperature drops of 9 to 27 degrees F (5 to 15 degrees C), highlighting urgent need for emission reduction to mitigate risks.
- A modeling study suggests a 10% collapse risk even with emissions peaking by 2025 and minimal Greenland melt; this risk increases to 23% with more meltwater, emphasizing the importance of rapid net-zero efforts.
Daily global sea surface temperatures break records for the time of year
12 days ago
- Global sea surface temperatures (SST) have exceeded previous records from 2023 and 2024, with C3S reporting 20.86°C on 21 June and Copernicus Marine reporting 21.0°C.
- The record highs are attributed to the onset of El Niño conditions and unusually high SST in several ocean regions, with potential impacts on weather patterns, climate, and marine ecosystems.
- Ocean temperatures outside polar regions have been 0.35°C to 0.73°C warmer than the long-term average over the past three years, reaching record-high anomalies in June.
- The warming reflects both climate change and a strong El Niño event, which is forecasted to reach levels not seen in decades, likely leading to more temperature records.
- Continuous ocean monitoring by Copernicus supports policy and decision-making, with independent data from C3S and Copernicus Marine strengthening scientific conclusions.
- Warmer oceans contribute to extreme weather, sea level rise, marine heatwaves, and ecosystem stress, while El Niño adds atmospheric heat and shifts global weather patterns.
- Record SST values are confirmed by both C3S ERA5 reanalysis and Copernicus Marine GLO12, using combined in-situ and satellite observations for accurate monitoring.
- Scientists are monitoring to determine if the exceedance is temporary, but with a strong El Niño forecasted, new global temperature records are expected in coming months.
Europe's Largest Unions Demand Right to Cancel Work on Days Above 30C
11 days ago
- Unions in Europe are demanding laws to protect workers from extreme heat, prompted by the hottest June on record in western Europe.
- Three major trade unions representing 12.6 million workers are urging the European Commission to set maximum working temperatures based on scientific metrics, such as 30°C for demanding jobs and 32.5°C for low-intensity work, with sanctions for non-compliance.
- Research indicates that around 130 million European workers face heat stress annually, leading to approximately 277,000 injuries and 230 deaths.
- Current heat-protection rules vary across Europe, with some countries relying on employers to adjust working conditions, lacking clear, enforceable protections.
- In the UK, the Trades Union Congress is advocating for maximum working temperatures, including stopping work at 30°C (or 27°C for manual labor), supported by a petition with over 64,000 signatures.
Is an air-conditioning revolution coming to Europe?
11 days ago
- As heat waves become more frequent in Europe, demand for air conditioners (ACs) is rising sharply, with the International Energy Agency predicting widespread adoption by 2050.
- Politicians are politicizing ACs, with the right pushing for expansion and the left raising equity concerns about high-energy cooling favoring the rich.
- ACs in Europe are increasingly seen as essential for productivity, health, and survival, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly, with estimates showing they prevented nearly 200,000 premature deaths in 2019 among those over 65.
- Europe is warming faster than other continents, with countries like the UK, Switzerland, Norway, and Finland facing the largest relative increases in cooling needs if global temperatures rise 2°C above preindustrial levels.
El Niño Is Wreaking Havoc on Pacific Fisheries
10 days ago
- El Niño's early arrival disrupts global fisheries, creating winners and losers.
- Peru bans anchovy fishing to prevent further population decline; anchovies dive deeper, making them harder to catch.
- Southern California sees unprecedented tuna catches, benefiting recreational and commercial fishers.
- El Niño alters ocean dynamics, reducing upwelling and algae, impacting species dependent on surface nutrients.
- Seafood prices fluctuate; some species become more expensive, while others like shrimp may boom.
- Fish migration shifts affect ecosystems, coral reefs, and can escalate geopolitical conflicts.
- Artisanal fishers may not offset losses due to high winds and infrastructure damage from heavy rainfall.
- The Humboldt squid's collapse could lead to significant ecosystem consequences in Peru.
- Each El Niño is unique, and climate change increases vulnerability, making severe impacts more probable.
Microsoft adjusts climate agenda as emissions leap
9 days ago
- Microsoft's carbon emissions increased by 25% in fiscal year 2025, largely due to data center expansion for AI and cloud services.
- Electricity-related emissions rose to 13% of the total footprint in 2025 from 2% in 2024, partly due to changes in renewable energy accounting.
- Microsoft introduced site-level transparency for water withdrawals and electricity use in its latest sustainability report for the first time.
- The company is adopting a 'Community-First AI Infrastructure' approach to address backlash and ensure responsible data center development.
- Microsoft consumed 37 million MWh of electricity in 2025, a 24% increase, with North America accounting for 56% of the total.
- Water withdrawals were 13 million cubic liters, with 14 million liters replenished as part of enhanced water management efforts.
- The company is investing in renewable energy, nuclear power, geothermal, and innovative technologies like superconducting cables to reduce emissions.
- Microsoft signed carbon removal contracts for 29 long-term projects in 2025, aiming for over 45 million metric tons of reductions over 30 years.
- Despite emissions growth, Microsoft reaffirms its climate commitments and emphasizes evolving tactics for durable sustainability outcomes.
The Graph That Should Be Front-Page News
8 days ago
- Sea-surface temperatures in the Niño 3.4 region show an unprecedented departure from historical records, indicating a climate crisis.
- Human-induced climate change, primarily from increased CO2, has warmed oceans, amplifying natural events like El Niño and leading to extreme weather.
- Warming oceans disrupt ecosystems, cause coral bleaching, fisheries decline, and increase risks of heatwaves, droughts, floods, and economic impacts.
- Climate change affects global systems interconnectedly, risking cascading tipping points that may become irreversible on human timescales.
- The lack of media attention on this critical graph reflects societal inertia, urging action to address climate change before it becomes unmanageable.
Some Monsters Are Real
8 days ago
- The current El Niño event is predicted to be extremely strong, with sea-surface temperature anomalies in the Niño 3.4 region potentially reaching around 4°C above baseline, which is historically unprecedented.
- Climate scientists and journalists are increasingly vocal about severe impacts, including intensified storms, heatwaves, floods, crop failures, and infrastructure collapse, likening it to a 'Godzilla'-level disaster.
- Statistical analysis shows current conditions are a 1-in-7000 event without human-caused warming, and anomalies may exceed four standard deviations, indicating extreme rarity and severity.
- The El Niño is just beginning, with further warming expected, and it may lead to global surface temperatures reaching levels not seen in over 120,000 years, possibly exceeding 1.7°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Long-term projections suggest more frequent and intense El Niño and La Niña events this century, cycling into increasingly destructive patterns until a near-permanent El Niño state emerges after 2100.
The 3-degree limit could be exceeded as early as 2050
6 days ago
- Global temperatures in 2023 and 2024 exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, potentially surpassing the Paris Agreement limit permanently.
- The 2°C warming limit is at risk; acceleration could lead to 3°C by 2050 and up to 5°C by century's end without urgent action.
- Extreme weather events like droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, and heavy rainfall are increasing globally, causing significant damage and health risks.
- Heat and humidity in tropical regions may become unsurvivable outdoors before 2050, with ocean heatwaves and sea-level rise threatening coastal areas.
- Agriculture and water supply are destabilized by climate impacts, risking poverty and famine for millions, especially in the Global South.
- Immediate action is needed: reduce greenhouse gas emissions rapidly, switch to renewables, and develop carbon removal technologies.
- Germany and the EU must enhance efforts, as current measures fall short of 2030 and 2045 climate goals despite past emission reductions.
- Paths to a climate-neutral economy exist; decisive collective action can still avoid the worst scenarios, requiring political and societal commitment.
Wildfires in Ontario make Toronto air quality worst in world
6 days ago
- Smoke from over 100 wildfires in northern Ontario has made Toronto's air quality the worst globally, affecting cities across the northeastern US.
- Environment Canada issued health warnings as Toronto experienced a heatwave reaching 37.3°C, breaking a three-decade record, with airport runways hitting 55°C.
- Wildfires forced mandatory evacuations from First Nations communities, with striking footage showing a train engulfed in flames near Armstrong, Ontario.
- Residents fled quickly, including by boat, with the community of Collins reportedly burned to the ground, though all evacuated safely.
- Officials link extreme temperatures and severe weather events to climate change, urging adherence to emergency guidance amid ongoing threats.
- Air quality alerts extend to Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, with thicker smoke expected over New York and Washington later in the week.
Do data centers only seem bad for the climate because we can see them?
6 days ago
- The climate impact of emissions is often invisible, making visible sources like data centers seem disproportionately harmful compared to hidden sources like individual microwaves.
- Data centers are more energy-efficient than distributed personal computing, similar to how a hypothetical national microwave would be more efficient than individual ovens, but visible concentration draws criticism.
- People make three mistakes: not comparing benefits per emissions, favoring 'normal' but less efficient alternatives, and focusing on visible targets while ignoring larger but invisible emissions from sectors like cement or livestock.
- Globally, data centers use 1.5% of electricity and are responsible for 0.48% of emissions, making them relatively small contributors compared to other industries that lack visible 'evil buildings.'
- Data centers are valuable tools that can help address climate change through optimization, and the priority should be greening the energy grid rather than cutting computing.
Canada's Forests Will Burn and Burn
4 days ago
- Once wildfires start in Canada's boreal forests, they often become uncontrollable due to the vast area and limited resources.
- Climate change has increased the size and intensity of wildfires, with record-breaking seasons occurring recently, such as in 2023.
- Wildfire smoke affects air quality in distant cities like Toronto and New York, making smoky summers more common in eastern regions.
- Fires have led to evacuations, closures, and dangerous incidents, such as a train crew being surrounded by flames in Ontario.
- Wildfires are causing a decline in black spruce conifers and transforming vegetation, impacting forest ecosystems.
- Boreal forests, which store massive amounts of carbon, are becoming significant sources of greenhouse gases when they burn.
- Studies show carbon emissions from wildfires have increased by 60% in two decades, with Canadian fires contributing heavily.
- Large fires can generate extreme conditions like hurricane-force winds and pyrocumulus clouds, spreading smoke globally.
- Heat waves often coincide with wildfires, as seen in the 2021 Lytton fire following record-high temperatures.
- Wildfire smoke darkens glaciers, accelerating melting and creating feedback loops that exacerbate climate change.
North Sea hits record 20.4°C amid marine heat wave
2 days ago
- The North Sea reached a record 20.4°C on Wednesday morning near the South Holland coast, exceeding typical temperatures for this time of year.
- A heat wave has affected the sea since late May, with a high-pressure system preventing cloud formation despite the warm water; warm sea conditions in autumn could lead to heavier rain showers.
- The North Sea has been warming by about 0.5°C per decade since the 1980s, with over 90% of excess global heat from greenhouse gases absorbed by oceans.
- Marine life is shifting due to warming: species from warmer southern waters are moving into Dutch areas, while cold-water fish like herring are migrating northward.
Bananas sprout in Rayleigh Garden UK after 15 years
2 days ago
- Warmer UK climate enables banana plants, traditionally not flowering 20 years ago, to fruit, as seen in Essex and Suffolk.
- Tropical plant enthusiasts Peter and Emma Stav harvested bananas after 15 years, using walls to create a microclimate for winter protection.
- Heat-loving plants like olives, figs, and apricots thrive while traditional British crops like gooseberries and rhubarb decline in some areas.
- Experts note that Musa Basjoo bananas, while hardy, produce inedible fruit and require insulation in cold or exposed areas for successful growth.
- Increased temperatures and heatwaves contribute to banana plants fruiting unexpectedly, making cultivation easier in the UK, though still niche for most people.
CO2 overload in blood suggests toxic atmosphere within 50 years
a day ago
- An analysis of NHANES data from 1999 to 2020 shows an increasing trend in average serum bicarbonate levels in the U.S. population, paralleling rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
- Over the same period, average serum calcium and phosphorus levels have decreased, suggesting physiological compensation for elevated CO2 exposure.
- If trends continue, bicarbonate levels could reach the upper healthy limit around 2076, while calcium and phosphorus could hit lower healthy limits by the end of the century.
- Elevated CO2 exposure is linked to potential adverse health effects, including oxidative stress, cognitive impairment, anxiety, and organ calcification, based on animal and some human studies.
- The study highlights that human physiology, evolved under stable atmospheric CO2 levels, may be increasingly strained by current and projected CO2 increases, urging immediate reductions in emissions.
Majority of US voters link extreme weather to climate crisis
18 hours ago
- A majority of Americans believe extreme weather events have become more frequent over the past five years, with 61% of likely voters holding this view.
- 67% of respondents link climate change to worsening heatwaves, the highest among extreme weather events, including 48% of Republicans.
- 88% of survey participants support state policies requiring employers to provide heat protections like water, shade, breaks, and air conditioning.
- The findings suggest that extreme heat could serve as a bipartisan entry point for conversations about the climate crisis.
- Many Americans still misunderstand the causes of climate change, with 27% attributing it to natural cycles rather than human activity.
- Workers in outdoor and some indoor jobs are highly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, highlighting the need for protective measures.
- Public support for federal heat standards is strong, despite political stalling, indicating climate action is not a partisan issue.
Chunk of sea ice has not refrozen in West Antarctica, satellite images show
13 hours ago
- Satellite images show a massive chunk of sea ice in West Antarctica, roughly the size of Montana, has not refrozen after a winter heatwave, marking a dramatic change.
- Antarctic sea ice has entered a reduced state since 2015, with sea ice levels in West Antarctica about 50% lower than average this year.
- The lack of refreezing could contribute to global sea level rise, as the West Antarctica Ice Sheet collapse could raise sea levels by over 10 feet.
- June 2025 saw record-low sea ice levels in the region, with 12.6 million square kilometers of Antarctic sea ice, 1.3 million square kilometers below the 1991-2020 average.
- Contributing factors include strengthening westerly winds linked to climate change and a low-pressure anomaly causing warm air to prevent sea ice formation.
- The heat wave creates a feedback loop, as the lack of reflective white ice surface allows the area to stay warmer, further hindering refreezing.
- Glaciologists are closely monitoring the western Antarctic shelf, particularly Thwaites Glacier, which already contributes to 4% of global sea level rise and is accelerating in deterioration.
World shift to clean energy is unstoppable, IEA report says
20 hours ago
- The world is on an unstoppable shift towards renewable energy, but the phase-down of fossil fuels is not happening quickly enough.
- Renewables are predicted to provide half of the world's electricity by 2030, yet emissions remain too high to prevent a 1.5°C temperature rise.
- Investment in fossil fuels needs to be cut in half, while current levels are double what they should be.
- Clean energy growth is impressive, with electric car sales rising from 1 in 25 in 2020 to 1 in 5 in 2023.
- Oil and gas will continue to play a role, but new oil fields like Rosebank are criticized as inconsistent with climate goals.
- World leaders at COP28 may agree to phase out unabated fossil fuels, but abatement technologies are not yet scalable.
- Rising tensions in the Middle East add uncertainty to energy markets, drawing parallels to the 1973 oil crisis.
- Expansion of solar and wind energy offers a long-term solution to energy volatility.

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#climate change

Google's exponential path to climate-wrecking digital bloat

Europe's new climate in seven charts

Collapse of Atlantic Currents May Already Be 'Locked In'

Daily global sea surface temperatures break records for the time of year

Europe's Largest Unions Demand Right to Cancel Work on Days Above 30C

Is an air-conditioning revolution coming to Europe?

El Niño Is Wreaking Havoc on Pacific Fisheries

Microsoft adjusts climate agenda as emissions leap

The Graph That Should Be Front-Page News

Some Monsters Are Real

The 3-degree limit could be exceeded as early as 2050

Wildfires in Ontario make Toronto air quality worst in world

Do data centers only seem bad for the climate because we can see them?

Canada's Forests Will Burn and Burn

North Sea hits record 20.4°C amid marine heat wave

Bananas sprout in Rayleigh Garden UK after 15 years

CO2 overload in blood suggests toxic atmosphere within 50 years

Majority of US voters link extreme weather to climate crisis

Chunk of sea ice has not refrozen in West Antarctica, satellite images show

World shift to clean energy is unstoppable, IEA report says