Global Scans · Climate · Weekly Summary

• [New] Researchers are hopeful that a series of new auto emissions standards that were announced last month by the Biden administration might significantly reduce some forms of particle pollution. Wired
• [New] The geographic location of the so-called Tornado Alley - which historically has meant the Midwest, North Central and South Central U.S., where tornadoes are the most prevalent - is likely shifting due to climate change, with the mid-South now at 25% greater risk than before of tornado threats. ABC News
• [New] Since PFNA is environmentally persistent and products containing PFNA are still in use and may be imported into the U.S., there is a substantial likelihood that environmental contamination of sources of drinking water will continue. Federal Register
• [New] Since PFHxS is environmentally persistent and products containing PFHxS are still in use and may be imported into the United States, the EPA anticipates environmental contamination to sources of drinking water will continue. Federal Register
• [New] The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing an adaptive and flexible National Primary Drinking Water Regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act to manage risks of per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water. Federal Register
• [New] If testing reveals MCLs that exceed regulatory standards, water systems will have until 2029 to implement solutions to reduce any PFAS in their drinking water. JD Supra
• [New] Extreme weather events are expected to worsen as temperatures rise further, with UN climate experts warning the world could see average temperatures 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels within the decade. phys.org
• [New] Months of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted global shipping, forcing firms to re-route to longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa, and have stoked fears that the Israel-Hamas war could spread to destabilize the wider Middle East. Unofficial Networks LLC
• [New] Global heat waves, linked to climate change, are increasing and will increase; global cold events are decreasing and will keep decreasing; both global heavy rain and drought will increase. FinExtra
• [New] The potential global economic impact of space weather events such as a severe geomagnetic storm are significant and could incur losses totalling 38.4 billion euros ($41.1 billion) per day. SpaceNews
• [New] In the last year, the Biden administration has sought to improve communications with Beijing, with several high-ranking officials visiting to at the very least find areas where they could work together, such as climate change. UPI
• [New] Softlines, Hardlines & Toys (46% of divisional revenue) saw high-single digit organic growth in the first quarter of 2024, due to the end of destocking and early shipments, in response to logistics delays from the Red Sea shipping lanes disruptions. Yahoo Finance
• [New] As of today, approximately $550 million is going to 109 qualified HUD-assisted multifamily properties to decrease energy and water consumption, reduce emissions, and improve climate resilience. HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developm
• [New] We need to stop playing politics with US energy and get back to reality that natural gas is going to be the best way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in emerging markets along with increase use of nuclear power. investing.com
• [New] Iraq is projected to be among the five countries hardest hit by the impact of climate change, threatening the water and food security of over 43 million Iraqis, projected to reach 80 million by 2050. United States Institute of Peace
• [New] With climate change making smog and bushfires more common, it's likely more people will die from air pollution in coming years - especially in densely populated cities. CodeBlue
• [New] Plaintiffs argue that South Korea's goal of reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels is insufficient - it will lead to disastrous climate change and violate their constitutional rights. NPR
• [New] Norway has updated its already ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with plans to achieve 90-95% reductions from 1990 levels by 2050. IEA
• [New] To minimise the adverse impacts of climate change on South and Southeast Asian hydropower systems, governments and utilities need to scale up their efforts to address potential climate risks and impacts and identify effective measures to enhance resilience to climate change. IEA
• [New] Security concerns surrounding AI have spurred rapid legislative responses like the EU AI Act and US Executive Orders, highlighting the need to mitigate potential risks. PR Newswire
• [New] UNESCO threatened last year to put Venice on its list of heritage in danger, citing mass tourism and also rising water levels attributed to climate change. The Nation
• [New] By setting stringent monitoring and compliance requirements, the EPA aims to mitigate health risks associated with PFAS contamination in drinking water and enhance public health outcomes for communities nationwide. The Water Collaborative

Last updated: 29 April 2024