Climate News Round-Up | July 22 - August 2, 2019

Several new studies were released over the past two weeks on the effects of changing climate. As July 2019 ended as the hottest month ever recorded, the Union of Concerned Scientist put out a report on the killer effects of extreme heat. New research suggests birds are adapting too slowly to changing climate, while a deadly fungus is adapting all too quickly. A study on airplane contrails further raised concern on air travel and atmospheric warming -- no wonder activist Greta Thurnberg chose to set sail to the UN Climate Action Summit in New York. 

Investors are getting into the climate fray as Moody’s buys a climate-data firm, the European Investment Bank mulls a ban on lending for fossil fuel development projects, and institutional investors push cement makers to clean up their act.

Across the states, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis moves to improve the coast with first-ever “Red-Tide Task Force,” New York state creates $2.3 million in new funding for small farm climate adaptation, and the Massachusetts House passes $1 billion for local climate project funding. Ending thought -- the Democrat primary debates July 30-31 showed broad agreement that climate change action is important, although differing details on how to tackle the issue.

• Extreme Heat Baked Europe Last Month. Scientists Say Man-Made Climate Change is to Blame, USA Today
   
• Killer Heat in the United States: Climate Choices and the Future of Dangerously Hot Days (2019), Union of Concerned Scientists
   
• Birds Are Trying To Adapt To Climate Change — But Is It Too Little, Too Late? NPR
   
• Study Finds Climate Change May be Responsible for Rise of Deadly Drug-Resistant Fungus, The Hill
   
• Do Airplane Contrails Add to Climate Change? Yes, and the Problem is About to Get Worse, NBC
   
• Moody's Buys Climate-Data Firm to Help Investors Price Impact of a Warming Planet, CBS
   
• European Investment Bank Moots Fossil Fuel Lending Ban, Climate Change News
   
• The Cement Industry Produces More CO2 Emissions than Most Countries. It May Not Survive, CNN

 

Highlights from Around the Country:

• Gov. Ron DeSantis Unveils "Red Tide Task Force," Bay News 9
   
• R.I. Wins Battle to Keep Climate Suit Vs. Big Oil in State Court, Climate Liability News
   
• New York State farms get $2.3M to reduce climate change impacts, Crain’s New York
   
• Massachusetts House Passes $1B Plan for Local Climate Change Projects, US News
   
• Debate’s Attempt to Show Candidates Divided on Climate Change Finds Unity Instead, InsideClimate News