The South Pacific islands that make up Fiji are in the grip of a “frightening new era” of extreme weather, the country’s prime minister has said, after flooding from a cyclone has killed at least four people. Voreqe Bainimarama said the island nation now faces a “fight for survival” as climate change brings “almost constant” deadly tropical cyclones. The islands avoided a direct hit by Cyclone Josie on Sunday, but the storm brought heavy rains, high winds and flooding, which caused extensive damage to homes, businesses and vehicles on the main island of Viti Levu. Read more Fiji launches ultimate graduate scheme in paradise Woman breaks into Drake's mansion and drinks his Fiji water Tsunami warning lifted after 6.9 earthquake strikes near Fiji More than 1,000 people remained in evacuation centres this week following the cyclone. Mr Bainimarama said climate change was causing extreme weather events to become more severe and occur more … [Read more...] about Fiji’s existence threatened by ‘frightening new era’ of deadly climate change
Climate change
Warm water rapidly melting Antarctica from below due to climate change
Warm ocean water is melting Antarctica from below, destabilising its ice sheets and contributing to sea level rise. A new study has used data from satellites to determine how much underwater ice is melting. This has allowed researchers to map the retreat of the “grounding lines”, where large floating ice shelves connect to the layer of bedrock underneath Antarctica. These shelves can be particularly vulnerable to collapse as sea water melts them from beneath. Based on their analysis, the scientists found an area of underwater ice the size of Greater London had melted within the space of five years. Read more Global sea levels could rise up to five metres if Antarctic ice melts The most alarming change was seen in West Antarctica, where over a fifth of the entire ice sheet had retreated rapidly across the sea floor – outpacing the rate of overall melting above. "Our study provides clear evidence that retreat is happening across the ice sheet due to … [Read more...] about Warm water rapidly melting Antarctica from below due to climate change
Meet America’s first climate change refugees, whose island is disappearing under rising seas
America comes to an end here. Connected to the marshes and moss-laced bayous of southern Louisiana by two miles of narrow causeway, waters lapping high on each side, Isle de Jean Charles takes you as far into the Gulf of Mexico as you can go without falling in. But the dolor in the salt air is not just about loneliness and separation. It’s about impending demise. Don’t call it a death sentence — the intention is the opposite — but state officials in late March made the announcement that had been a long time coming. Some on the island, nearly all members of the Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Indian tribe, met it with relief; others with hostility. Marking the kick-off of what will be the first climate resettlement of its kind in the entire United States, land had been chosen an hour’s drive to the north for a whole new town to be thrown up. No one will force them exactly, but the intention is clear: to evacuate those still living on the island to the new … [Read more...] about Meet America’s first climate change refugees, whose island is disappearing under rising seas
Exxon Can’t Dodge State Probes Over Climate Change, Judge Says
Exxon Mobil Corp.’s attempt to derail a multistate fraud investigation into the company’s public comments about climate change flamed out in a New York court, at least for now.U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan on Thursday dismissed Exxon’s lawsuit claiming officials in New York and Massachusetts conspired with environmental groups in planning the securities-fraud probe and made up their minds about its outcome before it started.Exxon spokesman Scott Silvestri didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment on the ruling. … [Read more...] about Exxon Can’t Dodge State Probes Over Climate Change, Judge Says
World’s largest desert has grown even larger due to climate change
The Sahara Desert has grown significantly over the past century, and climate change is largely to blame, according to a new study. Analysing data collected since 1923, a research team examined the different factors that contributed to changes in rainfall in the Sahara region. They found the desert, already around the size of the US, had expanded by about 10 per cent over the period covered by this data. These results have implications for those living in the border region of the Sahara known as the Sahel, but the scientists noted that climate change-driven desertification is not a phenomenon unique to the Sahara. "Our results are specific to the Sahara, but they likely have implications for the world's other deserts," said Professor Sumant Nigam, an atmospheric and oceanic scientist at the University of Maryland and the senior author of the study. As the world’s population continues to grow, people in desert border regions cannot afford to lose more arable land to the … [Read more...] about World’s largest desert has grown even larger due to climate change