FIRST LOOK:

Join Carbon180, DOE officials, and Sen. Martin Heinrich for a discussion, moderated by Bloomberg’s Akshat Rathi, on carbon removal that welcomes champions and skeptics alike to explore the entire portfolio of approaches, from direct air capture to soil carbon sequestration. Thursday, July 29, at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

80+ Fires Rage Across West, Bootleg Passes 300k Acres: The Bootleg Fire has now burned more than 300,000 acres in southern Oregon and continues to grow as more than 80 large wildfires the West forced evacuations across the region. The Bootleg Fire, currently the nation's largest fire, is fueled by extremely dry vegetation and low humidity and grew at an average rate of about one football field every five seconds over its first 10 days. It was just 25% contained as of Sunday night PDT. (Bootleg Fire: CNN, Reuters, AP; Western Fires: AP, CNN, USA Today, AP, Axios; Fire clouds: AP, The Hill; Climate Signals background: 2021 Western wildfire season)

June Heatwave Sent People To ER, Birds Fleeing Their Nests: The record-shattering Pacific Northwest Heatwave in late June caused a massive increase in emergency room visits, a new CDC report shows. Emergency departments across the region received 3,504 patients with heat-related illnesses in May and June with 79% of those occurring during the six most intense days of the heatwave. Washington and Oregon ERs saw 1,038 visits on June 28 alone, compared to just nine on June 28, 2019. The heatwave affected wildlife as well. Young birds of prey across the West jumped out of their nests to flee the extreme heat, the Washington Post reported. “I think these events really are wake-up calls,” Bob Sallinger, director of conservation at Portland Audubon, said. “That climate change is here, that the impacts are becoming more and more visible.” (Emergency Departments: Axios, The Verge, Bloomberg $; Birds: Washington Post $; Climate Signals background: June 2021 PNW heatwave, Extreme heat and heatwaves)

Heavy Rains Trigger Deadly Landslides In Mumbai: At least 30 people are dead as heavy rain triggered landslides in and around Mumbai, India over the weekend. One weather station reported more than nine inches (23.49 cm) of rain in a 24 hour period with moderate to heavy rain expected to continue for another 48 hours. (Reuters, Bloomberg $; Climate Signals background: Extreme precipitation increase)

Climate Change Changes Olympics Prep, Endangers Athletes: Concerns over athletes' safety in high heat and humidity at the upcoming Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, likely presage quadrennial worries for the foreseeable future. Climate change is also forcing athletes to alter their training to prepare for less predictable conditions. “Probably every Olympics, we are going to have this conversation about, 'What are you doing for heat and humidity?'” Randy Wilber, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s senior sports physiologist, told the Washington Post. (Washington Post $, CNN; Climate Signals background: Extreme heat and heatwaves)

Europe Confronts Climate Destruction, Need For More Action: Officials in Germany and across Europe say the deadly flooding in recent days highlights the need to step up efforts to address climate change. "It is terrifying," German Chancellor Angela Merkel told residents of the small town of Adenau in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. "The German language can barely describe the devastation that's taken place." Of the 188 people killed by the flooding, 157 were in Germany. The flooding has also raised the salience of climate change in the upcoming German elections. Coverage of the floods, the links to climate change, and the political fallout is below.

• DESTRUCTION: 'It's terrifying': Merkel shaken as flood deaths rise to 188 in Europe (Reuters, Axios, Washington Post $, CNN, CNN), in a German town torn asunder by flood, ‘surreal’ limbo between disaster and recovery (Washington Post $), Germany comes to grips with massive flood damage as some regions brace for more rains (Washington Post $), Flooding in Europe, in pictures (New York Times $, Axios, Bloomberg $)
• POLITICS: Floods thrust climate change to center of german campaign as toll mounts (New York Times $), Germany floods push climate change to front of election campaign (AFP), Merkel forced into damage control mode after Laschet’s gaffe (Bloomberg $)
• CLIMATE CHANGE, LINKS: Europe flooding deaths pass 125, and scientists see fingerprints of climate change (New York Times $), can we tell if extreme weather is linked to climate change? (Thomson Reuters Foundation), how climate change fueled the devastating floods in Germany and northwest Europe (Vox), how weather patterns conspired for a flooding disaster in Germany (Washington Post $), experts: Europe floods show need to curb emissions, adapt (AP)
• CLIMATE CHANGE, REACTION: European officials say ‘climate change has arrived’ as deadly floods engulf entire towns (CNN), Merkel tours ‘surreal’ flood scene, vows aid, climate action (AP, Politico EU, The Guardian, Reuters), ‘we have to make the state more climate-proof,’ one official says in response to Germany’s floods. (New York Times $), deadly flooding ‘shows the urgency,’ of climate change, [European commission president] says (New York Times $)

EXTREME WEATHER: ‘It is all connected’: extreme weather in the age of climate change (New York Times $), as floods hit western Europe, scientists say climate change hikes heavy rain (Reuters), the link between extreme weather and climate change (CNN)

CENTRAL AMERICA: It’s not a border crisis. It’s a climate change crisis. (Politico Pro $)

WELL, NOW CLIMATE CHANGE IS REALLY A CRISIS: ‘No one is safe’: extreme weather batters the wealthy world (New York Times $)

INCONVENIENT TRUTH: Fact check: flood image of BMW with anti-Greta Thunberg sticker is a fake (CNN)

INCLUDING PHILADELPHIA ENERGY SOLUTIONS: Feds failing to probe dangerous oil explosions, spills — report (E&E $)

INFRASTRUCTURE: 2 sinkholes in a week signal weak spots in NYC’s aging infrastructure (New York Times $)

OUTSIDE IS FABULOUS: Environmentalist drag queen says the outdoors belongs to everyone (Yale Climate Connections)

'THE FUTURE DOES NOT LIE IN OIL': Greenland halts new oil exploration to combat climate change and focus on sustainable development (CBS, Bloomberg $, AP, Axios, The Hill, NY1)

DENIAL: As the Bootleg Fire burns, locals are faced with the realities of climate change — and remain skeptical (Washington Post $), vaccine ‘obstinance’ is fueling Delta variant’s spread across America (LA Times $)

PUBLIC HOUSING: One-third of public housing is highly exposed to disasters (E&E $)

(UN)INSURABILITY: Scorched, parched and now uninsurable: climate change hits Wine Country (New York Times $), Miami building collapse puts spotlight on climate change risks (Thomson Reuters Foundation, New York Times $, Washington Post $)

INFRASTRUCTURE BILL(S): Democrats push sweeping climate legislation amid a scorching summer (Washington Post $), how Senate Democrats’ $3.5 trillion budget addresses climate change (CNBC), Democrats seek to tackle climate change with import tax (The Hill), 'the time has come': Schumer sets first infrastructure vote (E&E $)

EPA: EPA faces environmental justice test with coal ash (E&E $)

DOE: DOE quietly backs plan for carbon capture network larger than entire oil pipeline system (DeSmog), Biden administration moves to reverse Trump-era showerhead rule (CNN, E&E $, AP)

DOI: 'In the dark of night': Trump's Interior chief snuck Murkowski an 11th-hour win (Politico Pro $), Izembek [National Wildlife Refuge] field work could start in August despite withdrawal of Trump-era memo (Politico Pro $)

LAWSUITS: In first test of SCOTUS water rule, court sides with greens (E&E $)

HOUSE: Democrats look to crush states' highway habit (Politico Pro $), Dems plan to question Exxon lobbyist about carbon tax video (E&E $), [House Approps.] OKs Energy-Water bill, rejects drought amendments (E&E $), House committee approves transportation spending hikes (E&E $), [House Approps.] OKs record spending for NOAA, with plenty of mandates (E&E $)

SENATE: Bernie Sanders steers climate agenda from Budget perch (E&E $), Manchin signals he'll be team player on spending deal (The Hill), Sen. Lankford voices doubts over Democratic clean energy standard, calling it 'punitive' for fossil fuels (Utility Dive), Senators push bill to rescue struggling nuclear reactors (E&E $), inspired by Texas Dems, Lindsey Graham urges Republicans to ‘leave town’ to stop $3.5 trillion budget package (Washington Post $)

POLITICS: With disasters mounting by the day, the US may finally enact real climate policy (HuffPost)

NOMINEES & CONFIRMATIONS: Biden digs in on U.S. public lands nominee [Tracy Stone-Manning] as Republican opposition mounts (Reuters)

CLIMATE DIPLOMACY: Climate is the only thing Russia and the US can agree on right now. That’s how bad it’s got (CNN), EU plan for world’s first carbon border tax provokes trading partners (FT $), US and Germany launch climate partnership (The Hill)

CITIES AND STATES: The US city that proves replacing lead water lines needn’t be a pipe dream (The Guardian and Ensia), California truck rules facing a test — in New Jersey (Politico), cities try to phase out gas stoves—but cooks are pushing back (Wall Street Journal $)

FERC: FERC launches first transmission reforms in a decade (E&E $, Politico Pro $), heatwave, wildfires heightens urgency for Western RTO: Glick, Clements (Utility Dive)

IMPACTS: Climate wreckage along Chesapeake fuels courtroom reckoning (E&E $), in summer of apocalyptic weather, concerns emerge over climate science blind spot (Axios, BBC), here’s where dangerous ticks are spreading across the US — and what to do about them (Vox), scientists stunned by rare Arctic lightning storms north of Alaska (Reuters)

LOUISIANA: To flee, or to stay until the end and be swallowed by the sea (InsideClimate News)

HEAT: Canada’s farmers brace for new heat wave as scorching summer leaves cherries roasting on trees (Washington Post $), front-line workers weren’t protected during the Pacific Northwest heat wave (Prism Reports), siege of lightning, new wildfires feared amid heat wave in West (Washington Post $, Axios), extreme heat bakes the northern rockies, as wildfires rage in the West. (New York Times $)

DROUGHT: ‘There are no winners here’: drought in the Klamath Basin inflames a decades-old war over water and fish (InsideClimate News), the current drought is worldwide. Here’s how different places are fighting it (LA Times $), officials pull ‘emergency lever as Lake Powell plunges toward dangerous new low (Gizmodo), drought threatens to close Calif. hydropower plant for first time (E&E $), Great Salt Lake is shrinking fast. Scientists demand action before it becomes a toxic dustbin (CNN)

DROUGHT+FLOODS: Flagstaff declares state of emergency as Arizona hit by devastating floods (The Guardian), a flash flood killed a Grand Canyon visitor. Drought in the Southwest could be making monsoon flooding worse (CNN), why California should be preparing for floods, even in the midst of drought (LA Times $)

WILDFIRES, WESTERN US: Heavy smoke expected to linger above western Montana (AP), lightning likely cause of 2020 Sierra National Forest fire (AP), Oregon utility CEO warns of possible power cuts this fire season (Bloomberg $), wildfires are intensifying. Here's why, and what can be done (New York Times $), dangerous conditions complicate wildfire fight in western US (AP)

WILDFIRES, SIBERIA: Wildfires rage in Russia’s Siberia, cause airport to close (AP), as frozen land burns, Siberia fears: ‘if we don’t have the forest, we don’t have life’ (New York Times $), Siberian city residents advised to stay home to avoid smoke from wildfires (Reuters), 

WILDFIRES, COVID: Wildfire smoke raises risk of catching COVID-19 (E&E $)

HURRICANES: Atlantic hurricane season is on pause. Don’t expect that to last (Washington Post $), Hurricane Felicia strong Cat 4 storm, but no threat to land (AP)

MOON WOBBLE: How the moon ‘wobble’ affects rising tides (New York Times $)

EMISSIONS: Forecast: U.S. emissions to drop 20% to 26% by 2030 (E&E $), the big gap between U.S. emissions and climate targets (Axios)

SOLUTIONS: How data could save Earth from climate change (The Guardian)

FRACKING WITH PFAS: Report documents PFAS use in fracking in New Mexico (New Mexico Political Report)

RENEWABLES: Vineyard Wind strikes labor union pact for U.S. offshore wind farm (Reuters, E&E $), US seeks to speed rooftop solar growth with instant permits (Reuters), Australia’s ‘sun tax’: solar energy supporters split over how to make electricity grid fairer (The Guardian), DER advocates take on Alabama Power distributed solar program, challenge one of 'the worst' fees (Utility Dive), hydropower push leaves Pakistani Kashmir's capital hot and bothered (Thomson Reuters Foundation), major Nevada solar projects on tribal land advance (E&E $), they’re not blown away by NJ’s offshore wind power plans (AP)

BATTERIES: ‘Lightbulb moment’: the battery technology invented in a Brisbane garage that is going global (The Guardian)

STORAGE: DOE, storage provider Highview Power argue long-duration storage should be re-evaluated (Utility Dive)

OIL & GAS: OPEC and allies target full end to oil production cuts by September 2022, increase supply limits as prices climb (CNBC, New York Times $), gas leak sends 53 Catskills campers to regional hospitals (Albany Times-Union)

ORPHANED WELLS: Specialized imaging shows methane leaks from wells in Allegheny National Forest (The Centre Square)

COAL: A lifeline for a coal plant gives hope to a North Dakota town. Others see it as a boondoggle (InsideClimate News), electricity demand surge to spike coal use, CO2 emissions (E&E $)

HYDROGEN: 2 companies launch landmark U.S. wind-hydrogen project (E&E $)

UTILITIES: Con Edison, others to pay $86 mln in New York settlements over Tropical Storm Isaias (Reuters)

EVs: California approves expedited pathway for near-term utility EV investments, despite cost concerns (Utility Dive)

BUSINESS: Microsoft pledges to run global data centers on zero-carbon energy by 2030 (Axios)

CARBON PRICING: China opens world's largest carbon market (E&E $)

CARBON CAPTURE: Chevron’s carbon capture struggle shows big oil’s climate hurdle (Bloomberg $)

INTERNATIONAL: China is carrying out the world’s largest climate migration program (Bloomberg $), Bank of Japan cuts growth forecast, outlines climate scheme (CNBC), UNESCO chides Australia over Great Barrier Reef proposal (AP)

• A failure to act on climate is not an option (The Hill, Abigail Dillen and Fred Krupp op-ed)
• Could banking magic save cities from climate disaster? (New York Times, Alex Yablon op-ed $)
• The 'wet bulb' warning (CNN, Ban Ki-moon and Patrick Verkooijen op-ed)
• Fracking’s use of EPA-approved toxic chemicals shows again that regulators prioritize industry over health (Philadelphia Inquirer, Editorial Board)
• Joe Biden’s monumental environmental gambit (New York Times, Editorial Board $)
• Let the games … be gone? (New York Times, John Branch op-ed $)
• Lobbyist tapes underscore the importance of meaningful environmental policies (The Hill, Joseph Otis Minott op-ed)
• Eighty percent clean electricity generates large benefits (The Hill, Kathy Fallon Lambert and Charles T. Driscoll op-ed)
• July's extreme weather events highlight climate's long shadow (The Hill, Marshall Burke and Noah Diffenbaugh)
• The EU’s green gamble could make it a low-carbon leader (FT, Martin Sandbu op-ed $)
• Wonking out: two cheers for carbon tariffs (New York Times, Paul Krugman column $)
• Climate Mayors are building back better — now Congress must act (The Hill, Sylvester Turner op-ed)
• Can the Southwest survive with less water? (Bloomberg, Timothy O'Brien column $)
• A conversation with environmentalist drag queen Pattie Gonia (Yale Climate Connections, Wyn Wiley interview)
• The E.U. is getting serious about climate. Can the U.S. follow suit? (Washington Post, Editorial Board $)
• Dolly Parton tried. But Tennessee is squandering a miracle. (New York Times, Margaret Renkl op-ed $)

Congress Shouldn’t Be A Place For Conspiracy Theories- Roger Pielke Jr.’s History of False Claims And Abusive Behavior

Tomorrow at 10am, the Senate Banking committee will hear from three very smart, reasonable and well-respected experts on climate change and insurance, and one person who desperately wants to be seen as a smart, reasonable and well-respected expert on climate change. The first three are Dr. Abdollah Shafieezadeh of Ohio State, Dr. Rachel Cleetus of the UCS and Mr. Frank Nutter of the Reinsurance Association of America. The last is Dr. Roger Pielke Jr. of the University of Colorado. 

The hearing, titled “21st Century Communities: Climate Change, Resilience, and Reinsurance,” seems set up to explore how expensive it will be to ensure communities are resilient to climate change, which is likely why Republicans called in Pielke. 

Similar to how ExxonMobil’s lobbyist described how they’d send a “whipping boy” to Congress so corporate executives could avoid hard conversations, Pielke Jr. will be there to tell Republicans what they want to hear: that alarmists exaggerate the science, and the now-constant barrage of heat waves, wildfires, droughts, and floods are in no way indicative of any sort of climate crisis. 

For those who need an introduction, Roger Pielke Jr. is a political science professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and the namesake son of a relatively big-name old-school meteorologist (who often embraces “skepticism” of mainstream climate science). 

After years of criticizing climate scientists and promoting conspiracy theories, Pielke announced in 2015 that he would no longer research, talk about or testify on climate change. That apparently did not last. Given his reliable position as a skeptic of action and serial denier of the link between the damages caused by extreme weather and climate change, it is not surprising to see him yet again called by Republicans to obfuscate the links between fossil fuels, climate change and extreme weather impacts.

His most recent approach is criticizing the most extreme climate modeling scenario (known as RCP8.5) as unsuitable for informing policy-making, pushing a Q-Anon-esque conspiracy theory alleging that liberal billionaire philanthropists have corrupted climate science. His point of contention is that the top-end estimates of what could be possible in a world where fossil fuels are burned without restraint is described as “business as usual.” While he is right that the growth of renewables means that we are no longer on a full-fossil-fuel-use pathway, even beyond the accuracy and utility of RCP8.5 that Pielke denies, it still serves as a valuable comparison given that the fully-fossil-fueled-future is exactly what Republicans who invited him to testify are trying to lead us into.  

Despite his insistence that he is a consensus-based, moderate and reasonable scientific expert, he has a history of false, inflammatory and conspiratorial claims and abusive behavior. 

Pielke Jr. has a history of misleading congressional audiences by selectively citing official reports. One particularly galling deception prompted a rebuttal by President Obama’s science advisor John Holdren, who explained how Pielke selectively and misleadingly cited official reports to make claims contradicting the scientific consensus described in those reports. 

Pielke Jr.’s wild and unfounded Twitter accusations also led to a Congressional witch hunt targeting a climate scientist who spoke out about the fossil fuel industry’s well-documented organized denial campaigns. 

Pielke Jr. was briefly a columnist at FiveThirtyEight, publishing just one column so rife with disinformation about the connection between extreme weather and climate change and so compellingly criticized by scientists that it required FiveThirtyEight to commission a rebuttal to correct the record. Pielke Jr. was subsequently relieved of his position there not for his scientifically inaccurate position (or any sort of billionaire-funded smear campaign fueling his persecution complex) but instead for sending legally-threatening letters to his critics and their bosses, which required an apology from Nate Silver. 

More recently, and perhaps most damningly in terms of evaluating Pielke’s ability to provide science advice, he defended the Trump administration’s handling of science in a 2018 op-ed that claimed the notoriously anti-science president really had a more “benign neglect” approach than critics alleged. 

This was, of course, before Trump’s Sharpiegate, and the botched handling of the Coronavirus pandemic that has left 600,000 Americans dead. 

“Neglect?” Maybe. But “benign?” Clearly not.

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