Bob Berwyn

A National Academy of Sciences report highlights that climate attribution science has shifted focus from determining if human-caused global warming drives extreme events like heat waves, floods, and wildfires to assessing how severe future impacts will become as these events increasingly overlap.

The United Nations Climate Talks in Bonn were marked by concerns over U.S. policies and military actions, which influenced the negotiations despite the U.S. not sending a federal delegation. The absence of a U.S. delegation did not prevent its foreign and economic policy from shaping the talks, generating both anxiety and hope for a faster transition from fossil fuels.

Scientists warn that summer heat spikes could reach 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial levels as global warming approaches 2°C. Fossil fuel burning and human activities are cited as the primary causes of the rapid warming over the past decade. Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations hit a record high in May.

A surge in commercial satellite launches is crowding the night sky and polluting the atmosphere, raising concerns about environmental and ethical impacts. Experts warn this trend risks repeating destructive colonial practices and disrupting humanity's connection to the celestial commons.