Welcome to “Hot Planet Update,” a series on Reality Studies that recaps the biggest news in climate from the last week. Using a “smart brevity” format, HPU recaps are designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest news and provide key context.

Every HPU is available for free via email to all subscriber tiers, but the web edition is only available in the paid subscriber archive. This way everyone who supports the newsletter has full access!

If you want to start getting Hot Planet Update in your inbox every Monday, subscribe for free now:

Read more

Welcome to “Hot Planet Update,” a series on Reality Studies that recaps the biggest news in climate from the last week. Using a “smart brevity” format, HPU recaps are designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest news and provide key context.

Every HPU is available for free via email to all subscriber tiers, but the web edition is only available in the paid subscriber archive. This way everyone who supports the newsletter has full access!

If you want to start getting Hot Planet Update in your inbox every Monday, subscribe for free now:

Read more

Welcome to “Hot Planet Update,” a series on Reality Studies that recaps the biggest news in climate from the last week. Using a “smart brevity” format, HPU recaps are designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest news and provide key context.

I’m adopting a new format based on subscriber feedback: every HPU is available for free via email to all subscriber tiers, but the web edition is only available in the paid subscriber archive. This way everyone who supports the newsletter has full access!

And if you want to start getting Hot Planet Update in your inbox every Monday, subscribe for free now:

Read more

Welcome to “Hot Planet Update,” a series on Reality Studies that recaps the biggest news in climate from the last week. Using a “smart brevity” format, HPU recaps are designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest news and provide key context.

I’m adopting a new format based on subscriber feedback: every HPU is available for free via email to all subscriber tiers, but the web edition is only available in the paid subscriber archive. This way everyone who supports the newsletter has full access!

And if you want to start getting Hot Planet Update in your inbox every Monday, subscribe for free now:

Subscribe now

Read more

Welcome to “Hot Planet Update,” a series on Reality Studies that recaps the biggest news in climate from the last week. Using a “smart brevity” format, Last Week in Climate recaps are designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest news and provide key context.

The first half of each HPU is available for free subscribers, and the full post is available to paid subscribers. Subscribe now so you never miss an installment!

1. U.S. justice department attacks state climate lawsuits

👉 The Trump administration moves to snuff out climate litigation by states, calling their efforts an unlawful overreach.

• The Justice Department sued four Democratic-led states—including Hawaii, Michigan, New York, and Vermont—aiming to block their new climate laws and lawsuits against oil companies. The DOJ argues these state actions interfere with federal authority and energy policy.

• Federal officials call the state efforts “burdensome and ideologically motivated,” claiming they threaten America’s “energy independence.” An executive order on President Trump’s first day declared a national energy emergency to roll back climate rules and halt such litigation.

• In a chilling effect, Puerto Rico dropped its climate lawsuit against Big Oil just two days later, after Trump’s DOJ signaled it would quash these cases. State attorneys general vow to defend their laws, saying polluters must pay for climate damages.

• Why it matters: This unprecedented federal intervention could shut down a “wave of frivolous” climate lawsuits, in Trump’s words, shielding fossil fuel companies from accountability. It highlights a fierce power struggle over who can hold polluters responsible—with potentially huge stakes for climate justice and state authority.

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2. EPA science office gutted as staff brace for deep cuts

👉 U.S. environmental scientists face mass layoffs and halted projects as the EPA prepares an unprecedented rollback of research capacity.

• The Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) is slated for closure, with internal plans to lay off up to 75% of its 1,200 staff. President Trump wants the EPA budget slashed by 65%, eliminating climate research and “environmental justice” work.

• Scientists say critical projects are already stalled or cancelled due to budget freezes and uncertainty. An innovative EPA drone-based smoke sensor—used to study wildfire pollution—has been grounded as key team members face layoffs.

• Morale at the agency has plummeted. “Every day we feel like the rug could be pulled out from underneath us,” one veteran EPA researcher said, as colleagues struggle to focus amidst looming job cuts. Entire research teams (e.g., on toxic PFAS chemicals and climate-linked diseases) have suspended work.

• Why it matters: Slashing the EPA’s science core threatens to “undermine scientific integrity” and leave states ill-equipped to deal with pollution and climate risks. Experts warn the U.S. is abandoning its leadership in environmental R&D—a 40-year EPA veteran said this administration is “just blowing things up,” sidelining science that protects public health

3. Canada’s wildfire season ignites early amid warm, dry weather

👉 Unseasonably high temperatures and winds sparked an outbreak of spring wildfires in Western Canada, weeks ahead of the usual peak season.

• British Columbia officials reported 26 active wildfires as of May 2, including two large blazes burning out of control. One fire near Fort St. John in northeast B.C. swelled to 56 hectares and forced temporary evacuations of residents. Another fire (185 hectares) threatened communities near Dawson Creek.

• Authorities warned that “unseasonably warm, dry and windy conditions” have created elevated fire risk well before summer. The government urged the public to halt all open burning and to report any wildfire, big or small, hoping to catch new blazes early.

• This comes on the heels of Canada’s devastating 2024 wildfire season, one of the worst on record. Last year, wildfires scorched huge swaths of forest—including a blaze that destroyed an entire town—and choked cities with smoke. The early start in 2025 has officials on high alert for another rough fire season.

• Why it matters: A longer, more intense wildfire season is emerging as the new reality for Canada and other fire-prone regions, consistent with climate change projections. Early spring fires draining resources now could spell trouble by peak summer. The smoke and destruction don’t stop at Canada’s borders; last year’s fires sent haze across continents, underscoring the global impact of these climate-fueled disasters.

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4. COP29 host Azerbaijan delays climate plan, raising global concern

👉 The president of last year’s UN climate summit admitted his country missed a key deadline to cut emissions; many fear it’s a symptom of waning climate ambition worldwide.

• Azerbaijan, which presided over COP29 in 2024, failed to submit its updated national climate pledge by the original deadline. The oil-producing nation now promises to deliver its plan by September after the UN extended the cutoff. (Only a handful of countries met the February deadline, prompting the extension.)

• As COP29 president, Azerbaijan had vowed to “lead by example” on the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 °C goal, encouraging others to boost their targets. But it struggled to do so itself. “It is very easy to declare something…countries may have delayed [their climate plans] due to needing more preparation,” said Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s environment minister, conceding the lapse.

• Campaigners worry this signals a broader slowdown. In fact, only 19 countries have submitted new climate plans so far. Babayev acknowledged concerns that global efforts are losing momentum, especially with the United States (historically the top emitter) under President Trump withdrawing from UN climate cooperation and big businesses abandoning sustainability goals.

• Why it matters: If even the host of a major climate summit lags on its commitments, it bodes poorly for worldwide climate action. The Paris pact relies on countries steadily ratcheting up ambition. A slowdown or lack of updated pledges makes holding global warming to 1.5 °C increasingly unlikely. This delay puts added pressure on the next summit (COP30 in Brazil) to reignite momentum.

5. Climate disasters to cost $145 billion in 2025, Swiss Re warns

👉 Mega-hurricanes, wildfires and floods are driving global insurance losses to near-record highs, and climate change is amplifying the damage.

• Reinsurance giant Swiss Re projects $145 billion in insured losses from natural catastrophes in 2025, a nearly 6% jump from last year and one of the costliest years on record. That staggering figure—which doesn’t even count uninsured damage—far exceeds the long-term average, reflecting a sharp rise in extreme weather impacts.

• The report notes that a single event already looms large in 2025’s tally: the wildfires around Los Angeles earlier this year, with an estimated $40 billion in insured losses. From hurricanes and floods to massive fires, a growing number of catastrophes are yielding multi-billion-dollar damage. Total global disaster losses (insured + uninsured) hit $318 billion in 2024, continuing an upward trend.

• Climate change is “compounding losses” for certain weather perils, Swiss Re said. Higher temperatures and shifting weather patterns are making extreme rainfall, wildfire conditions, and intense storms more likely in many regions, adding to the underlying risk from economic growth in hazard-prone areas.

• Why it matters: The rising toll in dollars (and lives) highlights the mounting economic risk of climate change. Insurers and governments are warning that some areas could become uninsurable or require huge premiums as disasters intensify. The Swiss Re analysis reinforces the urgent need for stronger climate mitigation and resilience efforts—or else 2025 may be just a prelude to even costlier years ahead.

6. Arctic tundra study flashes an ‘early warning’ of ecosystem upheaval

👉 In a vast, decades-long study, scientists found the warming Arctic is reshuffling plant life in unpredictable ways—a sign of big changes brewing in the world’s coldest ecosystems.

• Over 40 years, 54 researchers monitored 2,000+ tundra plant communities across the Arctic (from Alaska and Canada to Siberia and Scandinavia). They expected that as the climate warmed (the Arctic is heating 4 times faster than the global average), certain tundra plants like shrubs would consistently take over. Instead, they found a patchwork of different changes, with some areas seeing more grasses and shrubs, others losing plant cover, etc.

• These “unexpected shifts” in Arctic plant life are an “early warning sign” of climate upheaval, the team concludes. In some regions, taller shrubs are indeed spreading and shading out smaller flowering plants. But elsewhere, the response to warming has been complex, likely influenced by local soil, moisture, and permafrost conditions. The lack of a uniform trend surprised the ecologists.

• The findings, published in Nature, fill key gaps in understanding how ultra-cold biomes react to rapid warming. The concern is that chaotic changes in tundra vegetation could disrupt Arctic food webs and Indigenous livelihoods. For instance, caribou/reindeer rely on certain plants that might decline. “The Arctic is a special and often unexpected place,” said lead author Mariana García Criado, noting that even experts were struck by the variability.

• Why it matters: The Arctic acts as the planet’s “canary in the coal mine.” The fact that its ecosystems are already changing in complex, and sometimes alarming, ways is further proof that climate change is not a distant threat—it’s here now. These shifts could have ripple effects globally (e.g. altering carbon storage in tundra soils, or accelerating permafrost melt). The study underscores the urgency of monitoring and protecting Arctic environments under rapid warming.

7. South Korea’s deadly wildfires linked directly to climate change

👉 Scientists confirmed that climate change turbocharged last month’s catastrophic South Korean wildfires—doubling the likelihood of the extreme fire weather that fanned the flames.

• A new World Weather Attribution study found that the hot, dry and windy conditions behind early April’s wildfires in South Korea were made twice as likely by human-driven climate change. The blaze tore through eastern coastal regions and around Gangneung, killing several people and destroying hundreds of buildings.

• Climate change also made the fire weather about 15% more intense than it would have been otherwise, the researchers reported. South Korea had faced an acute spring drought, and once sparks ignited, strong gusts spread embers rapidly—a scenario that the study shows is now statistically more common due to global warming.

• Officials say the April fires were among the worst to hit Korea in years, forcing thousands to evacuate and even prompting the government to seek international firefighting assistance. The attribution study warns that such disasters will become even more frequent as temperatures continue to rise. What was once considered an unusually severe fire season could recur with greater regularity.

• Why it matters: This is a clear example of climate change already wreaking havoc on a developed, temperate country. The findings bolster the case that cutting emissions isn’t just abstract—it’s about preventing concrete tragedies. As one scientist put it, if warming continues, today’s “once-in-a-decade” wildfire event could soon happen every few years, straining emergency services and threatening lives.

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Welcome to “Hot Planet Update,” a series on Reality Studies that recaps the biggest news in climate from the last week. Using a “smart brevity” format, Last Week in Climate recaps are designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest news and provide key context.

The first half of each HPU is available for free subscribers, and the full post is available to paid subscribers. Subscribe now so you never miss an installment!

1. Spring Heatwave Scorches South Asia

👉 An unprecedented April heatwave blanketed India and Pakistan, bringing summer-like extremes months early.

• Temperatures soared to 49°C in Pakistan and well above 40°C across northern India during what is normally a mild spring. Cities like New Delhi saw highs 5°C above normal, overwhelming power grids, water supplies, and triggering a spike in heatstroke cases​.

• Climate scientists found human-induced climate change largely drove this heatwave, making it about 4°C hotter than similar events in the past​. The region’s weather patterns haven’t changed in frequency, but they now unfold in a far hotter climate.

• Authorities reported crop damage and health emergencies as millions struggled to cope. Daily life was disrupted by power outages and water shortages as demand spiked in the extreme heat​. Schools and workplaces adjusted schedules, and hospitals treated waves of heat-related illness.

• Why it matters: An early-season heatwave of this magnitude is a stark preview of climate impacts. Such “spring” heatwaves are unusually dangerous—hitting before people acclimate to summer—and signal the growing stress on infrastructure and public health in a warming world​. It underscores urgent needs for heat action plans and emissions cuts to prevent even worse in the future.

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2. China Pledges Stronger Climate Targets as Others Stall

👉 In a show of climate leadership, President Xi Jinping committed China to new 2035 emissions goals covering all pollutants, even as U.S. climate policy retreats.

• China will set updated climate targets for 2035 that span all economic sectors and greenhouse gases, Xi announced at a virtual leaders’ summit​. This comprehensive plan—covering not just CO₂ but also potent gases like methane—is slated to be unveiled ahead of the COP30 climate conference in November.

• Xi affirmed that China “will not slow down” its climate efforts “no matter how the international situation changes.” This was widely seen as an implicit contrast to the United States, where the new administration is rolling back climate measures. (Xi pointedly criticized “unilateralism and protectionism” hampering global progress​).

• The UN welcomed China’s move. Secretary-General António Guterres called Xi’s announcement “extremely important for climate action,” underscoring that tackling all greenhouse gases, not just CO₂, is crucial to meeting global goals​. China’s current 2030 pledge covered only CO₂; the new one will broaden that ambit.

• Why it matters: China is the world’s largest emitter, so its climate actions make a huge difference. By signaling stronger ambition and including all GHGs, China is filling some of the leadership void left by others. This pledge could pressure other major economies to enhance their own commitments, and it keeps alive hopes of capping warming well below 2 °C.

3. World’s Coral Reefs Suffer Worst Bleaching on Record

👉 An unprecedented marine heatwave has bleached the majority of the world’s coral reefs, imperiling fisheries and coastal protection.

• 84% of the world’s coral reefs have been affected by heat stress as ocean temperatures hit record highs​. Scientists say this is the most severe global coral bleaching event ever observed, with reefs from the South Pacific to the Caribbean turning white.

• This bleaching event began in early 2023 and has impacted corals in 82 countries and territories. Reefs in places like Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the Indian Ocean, and the Coral Triangle in Southeast Asia have all suffered widespread bleaching simultaneously—a truly global scope.

• Coral reefs are often called the “rainforests of the sea” for their rich biodiversity. They provide food and income (through fishing and tourism) for hundreds of millions of people. Scientists warn that if ocean warming continues, many reefs could die off permanently, with ripple effects on coastal communities and marine life.

• Why it matters: Healthy coral reefs serve as natural breakwaters and nurseries for marine species. Their mass die-off is a red flag for the broader impact of climate change on oceans. Bleached reefs can take decades to recover (if they recover at all). The severity of this event highlights that even an extra fraction of a degree in ocean temperature can trigger ecosystem collapse​, underscoring the urgency of cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Gas vs. Renewables Rift at Global Energy Security Talks

👉 A high-profile summit on energy security exposed a deep divide: U.S. officials championed fossil fuels, while European leaders argued clean energy is the key to a safe future.

• At an International Energy Agency (IEA) summit in London, the U.S. delegation criticized renewable energy, with a top envoy claiming that wind and solar “cause power cuts” and increase dependence on Chinese supply chains​. This message echoed the Trump administration’s push to expand natural gas production.

• European representatives forcefully disagreed, emphasizing that true energy security comes from reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. EU officials stressed linking clean energy with security, arguing that more renewables plus storage can stabilize grids without the geopolitical risks of oil and gas​.

• The split was on full display among the ~60 countries present. While Trump officials touted gas as reliable, others pointed out that extreme weather (worsened by climate change) is itself a threat to energy systems—and that diversifying into renewables can make nations more resilient in the long run.

• Why it matters: This clash highlights a geopolitical tension in the climate fight. If the U.S.—the world’s largest economy—pivots back toward fossil fuels, it could slow global clean energy progress and weaken cooperative efforts​. On the other hand, Europe’s stance shows a continued commitment to climate goals. The outcome of this debate may influence investment and policy directions far beyond the summit’s halls.

5. Amazon Indigenous Leaders Urge Fossil Fuel Phase-Out

👉 Dozens of Indigenous peoples from the Amazon united to demand an end to oil and gas drilling in their rainforest territories, setting the stage for a pivotal debate at COP30 in Brazil.

• Indigenous leaders representing over 50 Amazonian ethnic groups signed a declaration calling for a fossil fuel phase-out plan at COP30 (the next UN climate summit, to be hosted in Belém, Brazil)​. They deem continued oil drilling in the Amazon “shameful” given its impacts on their lands and the global climate.

• The coalition, spanning tribes from Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador, specifically urged a “roadmap to leave fossil fuels in the ground.” They want governments to commit to no new oil or gas expansion in the Amazon, greater protections for Indigenous territories, and investments in sustainable economic alternatives.

• Brazil’s President Lula, who will preside over COP30, has restarted Amazon protection efforts and ended new deforestation. But his government also profits from oil. This Indigenous campaign will increase pressure on Brazil to align its climate leadership with keeping Amazon oil untapped, a contentious issue as the country considers licensing a major oil block at the mouth of the Amazon River.

• Why it matters: Indigenous peoples are on the frontlines of both climate change and biodiversity loss, and they steward large swathes of intact rainforest. Their moral authority and firsthand knowledge bring urgency to the call for a fossil phase-out. As hosts of COP30, Brazil will face intense scrutiny—this declaration could galvanize a broader movement to finally confront fossil fuels head-on in global climate negotiations.

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6. US Marks Earth Day by Rolling Back Climate Efforts

👉 In a stark reversal of tone, the White House used Earth Day to promote fossil fuels. Meanwhile, environmental groups are bracing for political attacks under the new administration.

• On April 22, the Trump White House issued an Earth Day statement celebrating moves like “pausing restrictive emissions rules for coal plants,” opening more federal lands to oil and gas drilling, and even halting certain wind energy projects. The administration touted these steps—which roll back climate regulations—as ways to “help” the environment by boosting “real” energy innovation.

• Climate advocates reacted with outrage. The administration had also hinted at targeting environmental NGOs: President Trump questioned the tax-exempt status of some non-profit groups, raising fears he might use the IRS against climate organizations. In fact, U.S. climate campaign groups now expect a fight to defend themselves from financial intimidation by the government​.

• The policy reversals include attempts to weaken vehicle fuel economy standards, ease methane rules for oil and gas wells, and expand offshore drilling. Many of these changes directly overturn initiatives from the prior administration. Trump officials argue these rollbacks boost the economy, but critics say they sacrifice long-term planetary health for short-term gains.

• Why it matters: The U.S. is the world’s second-largest emitter, and federal policy shifts reverberate globally. This about-face on climate action—with the government actively undermining decarbonization efforts—could hinder international progress and embolden other nations to delay their own cuts​. Additionally, the prospect of the White House targeting climate advocacy groups is alarming for civil society and democratic debate on climate solutions.

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Welcome to “Hot Planet Update,” a series on Reality Studies that recaps the biggest news in climate from the last week. Using a “smart brevity” format, Last Week in Climate recaps are designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest news and provide key context.

The first half of each HPU is available for free subscribers, and the full post is available to paid subscribers. Subscribe now so you never miss an installment!

1. Marine Heatwaves Last Three Times Longer Due to Warming

👉 Hotter oceans are turning short bursts of extreme sea temperatures into prolonged marine heatwaves, new research shows.

• The length of ocean heatwaves has tripled in recent decades as a result of human-driven climate change. These events—when sea temperatures spike well above normal—not only happen more often now, but last far longer than they did in the mid-20th century.

• Prolonged marine heat puts marine life in peril. Scientists report that warmer seas are “supercharging” storms and destroying critical ecosystems like kelp forests and coral reefs. Half of all marine heatwaves since 2000 would have been impossible without global warming. Warmer oceans also absorb less CO₂, worsening the cycle.

• Why it matters: Ocean heatwaves are like “wildfires” underwater, killing swathes of sea life. They also can make coastal storms and downpours more destructive by loading the air with moisture. The study underscores that cutting fossil fuel burning is the only way to cool the seas and protect both ocean ecosystems and coastal communities.

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2. Climate Change Threatens to Poison Rice, Staple for Billions

👉 Research finds that global warming could raise arsenic levels in rice, a food half the world’s people rely on.

• A new study warns that higher temperatures and CO₂ levels will cause rice plants to absorb more arsenic, a toxic heavy metal. Rice is grown in water-flooded paddies, conditions that make it easy for arsenic in water and soil to infiltrate the grain.

• Arsenic is a carcinogen, and chronic exposure (even at low levels common in rice) is linked to cancers and developmental problems. Scientists found that as climate change intensifies (think hotter weather and elevated carbon dioxide), inorganic arsenic in rice grains could increase significantly. That poses a dire threat in regions where rice is a dietary cornerstone.

• Why it matters: Half the world’s population depends on rice as a daily staple​, from Asia to Africa to Latin America. Climate-driven arsenic increases could become a silent food security crisis, undermining nutrition and public health. The findings add urgency to climate adaptation in agriculture—from developing arsenic-resistant rice strains to improving water management—to keep this critical crop safe to eat.

3. Trump Administration Halts Offshore Wind Project

👉 A major offshore wind farm is abruptly frozen as the U.S. government reverses green energy approvals.

• Federal officials ordered a stop to construction on Empire Wind 1—large offshore wind project planned off New York—as part of the administration’s crackdown on renewable energy initiatives​. The developer has been left considering legal action while the shutdown threatens timelines.

• New York State needs projects like this to meet its climate targets and clean power needs. The halt not only imperils billions in investment and thousands of jobs but could also deter other renewable projects. Industry advocates warn that suddenly yanking support for approved wind farms creates uncertainty that could scare off clean energy developers nationwide.

• Why it matters: This is one of the most tangible moves yet of the new administration’s pro-fossil fuel tilt—effectively prioritizing coal and gas by blocking a flagship wind development. It marks a sharp U-turn in U.S. climate policy: from accelerating renewables to actively impeding them. The conflict foreshadows bigger battles between federal authorities and states (like New York) that are pressing ahead on green energy.

4. AI Chip Boom Triggers Soaring Emissions, Greenpeace Warns

👉 The artificial intelligence revolution has a dirty secret: making AI chips guzzles huge amounts of power, mostly from fossil fuels.

• New data show that electricity use for manufacturing AI chips jumped over 350% in just one year (2023–2024)​. This quadrupling of power consumption comes from energy-hungry chip factories in East Asia (Taiwan, South Korea, Japan), which currently rely heavily on coal and gas electricity.

• If left unchecked, the AI hardware explosion could become a major emissions source. Greenpeace East Asia projects energy use for AI chip production could increase 170-fold over the next five years if trends continue​, potentially rivaling the CO₂ output of some mid-sized countries. The group found that AI chipmakers are even being used to justify new fossil power plants in the region​.

• Why it matters: AI is often touted as a tool to help fight climate change—but its own supply chain isn’t green. The report urges chipmakers and governments to power AI with renewables and efficiency, so that training the next ChatGPT doesn’t bust climate goals.

5. UK Tests a Carbon-Sucking Device in the Sea

👉 A first-of-its-kind pilot project called SeaCURE is pulling CO₂ from ocean water to combat climate change.

• Launched on England’s south coast, SeaCURE is a small UK government-funded pilot that removes carbon dioxide from seawater​. The concept: since oceans naturally absorb a quarter of our CO₂ emissions, helping them pull out even more could be a novel form of carbon capture. The SeaCURE unit uses renewable energy to strip CO₂ from water, then returns the water to the sea to draw down more atmospheric CO₂​.

• Big ambitions: If scaled up, this approach could potentially remove billions of tons of CO₂ per year—in theory. Early results show it currently removes about 100 tons annually (roughly the emissions of 100 transatlantic flights). The UK has 15 such carbon removal trials underway as it explores tech to reach net-zero.

• Why it matters: With global decarbonization lagging, carbon removal technologies will be an important intervention among many others. Ocean-based CO₂ capture is especially enticing because it piggybacks on the sea’s natural carbon sink ability and could be more efficient than pulling CO₂ from air. But scientists are watching for ecosystem impacts on marine life and whether the approach can be cost-effective at scale. SeaCURE’s experiment will provide crucial data on this cutting-edge climate solution.

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Welcome to “Hot Planet Update,” a series on Reality Studies that recaps the biggest news in climate from the last week. Using a “smart brevity” format, Last Week in Climate recaps are designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest news and provide key context.

The first half of each HPU is available for free subscribers, and the full post is available to paid subscribers. Subscribe now so you never miss an installment!

1. Europe Shatters March Heat Records

👉 Europe saw its hottest March ever as global temperatures neared all-time highs.

• March 2025 was Europe’s warmest March, averaging 2.41°C above the 1991–2020 norm. Globally it was about 1.6°C warmer than pre-industrial levels​, marking one of the hottest Marches on record.

• This was the 20th out of 21 months to exceed 1.5°C of warming on a monthly basis​, underscoring how frequently the world is hitting the Paris Agreement’s aspirational limit.

• Arctic sea ice saw its lowest March extent in 47 years of satellite monitoring, highlighting accelerating polar warming.

• Why it matters: These record temperatures are a red flag from the climate system, signaling that global warming is not a distant threat but a current reality – with Europe warming faster than any other continent, climate extremes and impacts are expected to worsen​.

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2. Trump Seeks a “Beautiful Clean Coal” Comeback

👉 The U.S. President signed executive orders to revive coal mining and roll back climate rules.

• President Trump issued four executive orders aimed at expanding coal mining on federal lands and scrapping Biden-era emissions curbs on power plants​. He touted coal as “beautiful” and “clean,” directing agencies to eliminate policies that discourage coal power​.

• The orders fast-track leases and permits for coal projects and nullify regulations meant to cut greenhouse gases​. This marks a sharp U-turn from the Biden administration’s climate agenda.

• Even coal-friendly Republicans doubt this will truly resurrect the industry—nearly 100 coal plants retired during Trump’s first term despite similar efforts​. Market forces (cheap gas, renewables) still favor cleaner energy, raising skepticism about coal’s “comeback.”

• Why it matters: This is a major setback for U.S. climate action. Reviving coal – the dirtiest fossil fuel – will increase carbon emissions if successful​. It also sends a signal internationally that the world’s second-largest emitter is prioritizing fossil fuels over clean energy, potentially undermining global climate progress.

3. La Niña Ends, El Niño on the Horizon

👉 The Pacific’s multi-year cool spell is over, potentially paving the way for a warming El Niño and new weather extremes.

• The NOAA Climate Prediction Center confirmed that La Niña has officially fizzled out. Sea surface temps in the equatorial Pacific have returned to neutral levels after three weak La Niña months. This basically means the Pacific is no longer in the cooler phase that it’s been stuck in for the past few years.

• Forecasters expect neutral conditions to persist into spring, with a decent chance that an El Niño (the warm phase) could develop later in 2025​. An El Niño occurs when Pacific waters warm above normal, and it tends to shift weather patterns worldwide, often bringing hotter global temperatures.

• Notably, even under La Niña influence, March 2025 was the 3rd-warmest March on record globally. If El Niño arrives, it could push planetary warmth to new records, since El Niño years usually boost global average temperature. Scientists are bracing for the possibility of more extreme heat, droughts, and floods in various regions as the climate system gets an extra nudge from a brewing El Niño.

• Why it matters: La Niña’s end could turbocharge global warming’s effects in the short term. El Niño conditions later this year would add heat on top of human-caused climate change, making 2025 or 2026 contenders for the hottest year(s) ever. Communities may need to prepare for disruptive weather swings (e.g., El Niño can bring heavy rain to some drought-prone areas but intense drought to others). It’s a reminder of how natural climate patterns, layered on man-made warming, can swing the pendulum of extreme weather.

4. Climate Aid Falling Short in Senegal

👉 Senegal is battling climate impacts with only a trickle of the global funds it was promised.

• In 2009, wealthy nations pledged $100 billion per year to help developing countries tackle climate change. But much of that money never reached the frontlines​. Tracking where it went is hard, and in places like Senegal the effects of that funding are scarcely seen.

• In Senegal, rising seas are eroding coastlines and droughts are hitting farmers, yet the communities affected have received little support. A report this week highlighted how Senegalese villages are trying to adapt—building seawalls, altering farming practices—largely with limited resources, while waiting for international aid that’s been slow to arrive​.

• Critics point out a transparency gap: it’s “tough to verify” if climate aid pledges are fulfilled. Money often gets counted via loans or projects that don’t directly help those most vulnerable. The upshot is the world’s poorest, who did least to cause climate change, aren’t getting the help promised to cope with its damages.

• Why it matters: Senegal’s story is emblematic of many developing nations. The climate finance gap threatens to widen global inequality; if rich countries don’t deliver support, millions will be hit harder by floods, storms, and heat with no safety net. This is not only an issue of climate justice, it also could hinder global stability, as communities under climate stress face economic and social crises.

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5. Storms Spawn Deadly Tornadoes and Floods in U.S. Heartland

👉 A barrage of severe storms tore through the South and Midwest, causing deadly flash floods and tornado outbreaks.

• Days of torrential rain and violent storms from Texas to Ohio left communities waterlogged and devastated. Rivers spilled over into towns as the system killed at least 18 people across seven states, including Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

• Hard-hit Kentucky saw its capital, Frankfort, inundated. Crews navigated swamped streets by boat as floodwaters swirled into homes and businesses​. Parts of Tennessee received over a foot of rain in just days​, shattering rainfall records and triggering what officials called “generational” flooding emergencies.

• The storm front also unleashed dozens of tornadoes across the central U.S., with the National Weather Service confirming roughly 60 twisters touched down. Entire neighborhoods were shredded by twisters even as others drowned in flash floods—a double punch consistent with spring severe weather that experts say is intensified by climate change.

• Why it matters: This event is a sobering example of climate-fueled extreme weather. Warmer air holds more moisture, so rainfall extremes are increasing, turning what used to be once-in-1000-year rainstorms into more common occurrences. The outbreak underscores the need for resilient infrastructure and disaster planning as the risk of deadly flooding and tornado clusters rises in a warming climate.

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1. Allianz (Insurer): Climate crisis threatens capitalism

👉 One of the world’s biggest insurers warns that unchecked global warming could destabilize financial markets and even civilization itself.

• Allianz SE board member Günther Thallinger cautioned that the climate crisis is “on track to destroy capitalism,” as the rising costs of extreme weather could leave the finance sector unable to operate​.

• Thallinger noted the world is fast approaching temperature levels (around 3°C above pre-industrial) where insurers will no longer offer coverage for many disasters, making mortgages and investments unviable. Some companies have already stopped insuring homes in high-risk areas like California and Florida.

• Global carbon emissions are still increasing, and with present policies the planet is headed for 2.2-3.4°C of warming. Damage at 3°C would be so great that governments couldn’t provide financial bailouts, and it would be “impossible to adapt” to many impacts.

• Why it matters: A dire warning from a major insurer underscores that climate change isn’t just an environmental problem—it’s a systemic financial threat. When insurers start saying the climate crisis could upend the economy, it signals urgent risks to global stability.

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2. Wall Street banks bet on a 3°C world

👉 Leading U.S. financial institutions are effectively writing off the Paris climate goals—forecasting disastrous warming and even eyeing profits from the fallout.

• Analysts at Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase and the Institute of International Finance now believe “the Paris climate agreement…is effectively dead,” and the world is on track for about 3°C of global heating. Investors are being told to plan accordingly for a hotter, more volatile planet.

• The banks’ reports outline expectations of “catastrophic” heatwaves, floods, economic strife and other upheavals in a 3°C scenario. In other words, they foresee climate impacts so severe they could disrupt economies and supply chains on a regular basis.

• At least one sector could benefit: air conditioning. Wall Street forecasts a windfall for A/C manufacturers as demand soars in hotter years. The global AC market could grow 41% to $331 billion by 2030 thanks to more frequent extreme heat​. (Adaptation tech like cooling is seen as a growth industry, even as the broader outlook is grim.)

• Why it matters: If big banks are preparing for climate failure, that’s a stark vote of no-confidence in global climate action. This could become a self-fulfilling prophecy if financial leaders stop pushing for emissions cuts and instead plan to ride out a 3-degree world and focus exclusively on adaptation (vs. mitigation).

3. 1,900 scientists send “SOS” to Trump on science cuts

👉 In an unprecedented move, nearly two thousand of America’s top scientists have signed an open letter warning that the Trump administration’s attacks on climate science put the nation in danger.

• The Guardian reports that more than 1,900 members of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine co-signed a letter sounding the alarm about the White House “blocking research on topics it finds objectionable, such as climate change.”​ The scientists describe the situation as a “danger” to America.

• The letter decries widespread cuts and interference in federal science. For example, the administration has created a special email for fossil fuel companies to seek exemptions from pollution rules, and it moved to shut down the EPA’s climate and environmental justice museum. Such actions are erasing data and hindering research on climate solutions.

• Signatories warn that undermining science will hurt U.S. competitiveness and public safety; not only are climate initiatives at risk, but innovations in health, technology, and agriculture could stall. They urge the public and Congress to reject political censorship of science and support evidence-based policymaking.

• Why it matters: It’s extraordinarily rare for nearly 2,000 scientists to speak in one voice—this “SOS” shows how extreme they view the current situation. The integrity of climate research and policy is at stake. If the U.S. government sidelines science on climate change, efforts to understand and combat the crisis could be set back by years, with global repercussions.

4. Climate change supercharged a Central Asia heatwave

👉 In a troubling glimpse of our hotter future, scientists found that a March heatwave in Central Asia was up to 10°C (18°F) hotter because of climate change—an almost unimaginable jump, pointing to how global warming is turbocharging extremes.

• In March, parts of Central Asia (including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan) were scorching under an exceptional heatwave for that time of year. Now, a World Weather Attribution analysis concludes the event was “made up to 10°C hotter by human-caused climate change”​

• In other words, climate change didn’t just make it a bit warmer—it raised the heatwave’s peak temperatures by as much as 18°F. Such temperatures in March are extraordinarily rare historically. Places that should have been enjoying mild spring weather saw summer-like heat, shattering records. Without global warming, this heatwave would have been virtually impossible; with it, these extremes are now plausible.

• The study is an example of how climate change is stacking the decks in favor of extreme heat. Across the world, record heatwaves are occurring with greater frequency and severity, often much earlier or later in the season than usual. Central Asia’s 10°C anomaly underscores that impacts are not incremental—they can be staggeringly large shifts from the norm​.

• Why it matters: This kind of analysis links specific extreme events to climate change, reinforcing that we’re already living the effects. A 10°C boost to a heatwave can be the difference between manageable heat and life-threatening conditions. It puts strain on agriculture (crop failures), power grids (AC demand), and human health. The finding sends a clear message: even 1.2-1.3°C of global warming (today’s level) is enough to drive extreme events off the charts.

5. Renewables surge in Global South

👉 Fresh data shows clean energy is growing beyond the Global North. From Africa’s uptick in solar and wind to China’s huge solar exports, the Global South is starting to close the clean energy gap.

• Africa increased its renewable energy capacity by 6.7% in 2024 (adding about 4.2 GW of clean power)​. Countries like Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Africa led the charge in installing new solar farms and wind projects​. While the continent’s total capacity is still relatively small, this growth rate is a positive sign of momentum.

• China’s exports of solar panels to developing nations have doubled in the past two years, now overtaking its solar exports to developed countries​. In 2024, for the first time since 2018, more Chinese panels went to the Global South than the Global North. (Top importers included countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan​).

• Investment in renewables is picking up in emerging economies thanks to falling technology costs and international climate finance. From Southeast Asia to Latin America, more utility-scale green projects are coming online, and some developing nations are adopting innovative models (e.g., Kenya’s leapfrog to geothermal and solar, or Morocco’s big wind and solar farms).

• Why it matters: The world can’t meet climate goals unless clean energy spreads everywhere, not just in Europe or the U.S. These trends show that renewables are becoming more accessible in poorer regions—which means potentially avoiding a huge surge in emissions as those economies grow. It’s a hopeful counterpoint: even as some rich countries debate climate rollbacks, many developing countries are charging forward with cleaner energy sources.

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6. Trump's Tariffs Spark Global Energy Market Turmoil

👉 President Trump's sweeping tariffs, including a 10% levy on imports from the EU and China, are causing significant disruptions in global energy markets.

• Despite energy sector exemptions, U.S. crude oil prices have fallen over 6%, reflecting fears of reduced global economic growth and energy demand.​

• Industries like wind, solar, and electric vehicles, which rely on global supply chains, face increased costs and uncertainty due to the broad scope of the tariffs.​

• The EU, China, and Canada are preparing countermeasures, potentially escalating into a broader trade conflict.​

• Why It Matters: These tariffs could hinder the transition to clean energy by increasing costs and creating policy instability, affecting both the economy and climate initiatives.

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1. Arctic Sea Ice Hits Lowest Winter Peak on Record

👉 The Arctic’s winter ice cap shrank to an unprecedented low extent, highlighting accelerating polar warming.

• Arctic sea ice reached a winter maximum of only 14.33 million km² this month—about 800,000 km² (an area larger than Texas) below the previous record low in 2017​—the smallest since satellite monitoring began in 1978.

• Low winter peak doesn’t guarantee a record summer melt, but it continues “the overall long-term decline” of Arctic sea ice. Meanwhile, Antarctic sea ice also hit near-record lows, pushing global sea ice to an all-time minimum in February.

• Less ice means darker oceans absorb more heat, amplifying warming and disrupting weather patterns.

• Why It Matters: The vanishing ice is a barometer of climate health. This milestone demonstrates that even winter can’t rebuild ice like it used to, reinforcing the need to cut greenhouse gases before critical polar systems tip into irreversible decline.

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2. “Worst Wildfires in History” Ravage South Korea

👉 South Korea battled its largest wildfires on record, with lives lost and cultural treasures destroyed.

• Wildfires swept through southeastern provinces, killing at least 28 people and scorching nearly 118,265 acres—the worst in the nation’s history. More than 38,000 residents were forced to flee.

• The flames reduced the 1,300-year-old Gounsa Buddhist Temple to ashes, wiping out a national treasure. Firefighters raced to protect other UNESCO World Heritage sites as the fires encroached.

• Thousands of firefighters, soldiers, and helicopters were deployed to contain the disaster. By week’s end, authorities had the major fires 94% contained, aided by a turn in weather and round-the-clock efforts.

• Why It Matters: Wildfires of this scale are unprecedented in South Korea, a country not usually prone to such blazes. The tragedy highlights how climate change is expanding extreme fire risk to new regions. It’s a wake-up call on preparedness, forest management, and the global reach of climate-fueled disasters.

3. China Expands Carbon Market to Heavy Industries

👉 China moved to pull its biggest polluting industries into its carbon trading market, a major step in the world’s top emitter’s climate fight.

• Beijing announced plans to include the steel, cement, and aluminum sectors in China’s national emissions trading scheme. About 1,500 additional industrial firms will be required to buy carbon credits if they exceed pollution caps.

• This expansion will boost the carbon market’s coverage to 8 billion tons of CO₂, over 60% of China’s total emissions. China’s carbon market, launched in 2021 for power plants, is already the world’s largest; adding heavy industry further broadens its reach.

• Officials say carbon trading will prod companies to retire dirty facilities and invest in low-carbon tech. Initially, only the worst emitters in each sector must buy permits (with 2024 emissions used as a free baseline)​. Over time the caps will tighten, forcing deeper cuts.

• Why It Matters: China’s move is a big climate policy signal. Heavy industry is notoriously hard to decarbonize—bringing it into a carbon market is crucial for China to peak and then cut emissions. It shows the world that China is seeking market-based tools to tackle climate change, which could spur broader global efforts or linkages in carbon pricing.

4. Earth’s Land is Drying Out, Scientists Sound Alarm

👉 A new global study finds that soils and land worldwide are losing moisture at an accelerating rate, a hidden impact of climate change with dire implications.

• Using NASA’s GRACE satellite data (which tracks Earth’s gravity), researchers found a steady loss of water from land since the early 2000s. The study shows a clear global trend of declining terrestrial water storage—in other words, the planet’s land masses are drying out over time.

• Two significant “step down” decreases in soil moisture occurred: an “unusual” dry period around 2000-2003 and another during the strong El Niño of 2015-2016, after which soils didn’t fully recover. Even after wetter years, the baseline stayed drier than before. Scientists fear another strong El Niño could trigger yet another sharp drop.

• Unlike floods or wildfires, drought sneaks up. The data show many regions in a long-term aridification trend, especially in mid-latitudes. It’s a vicious cycle: as lands dry, people pump more groundwater for agriculture, which in turn further depletes water reserves.

• Why It Matters: This confirms what climate models have predicted—dry areas getting drier as the world warms. Diminishing soil moisture threatens crop yields and water supplies for billions. Droughts will become more frequent and intense, even if rainfall temporarily returns. The study is a warning that we may already be sliding into a drier future, requiring urgent action on water management and climate mitigation to buffer against permanent drought.

5. Climate Protest Group “Just Stop Oil” Calls It Quits

👉 After three years of headline-grabbing stunts and arrests, UK climate activist group Just Stop Oil is ending its disruptive protests, marking a shift in climate activism.

• Just Stop Oil announced it will “hang up the hi-vis” (orange vests) at the end of April, with one last big demonstration in London. Since launching in 2022, the group became infamous for civil disobedience tactics—from blocking highways to throwing soup on Van Gogh’s paintings—all to demand a halt to new oil projects.

• After dozens of members were arrested and even jailed, the group claims it has succeeded in raising public awareness. JSO’s Hannah Hunt said that after three years “in a blaze of orange,” the campaign will wind down. The decision may also reflect strategic recalibration: public tolerance for disruptions was wearing thin, and UK authorities were cracking down with tougher laws.

• Why It Matters: JSO has been a polarizing fixture of the climate debate—hailed by some for sounding the alarm, reviled by others for tactics. Its shutdown is a notable moment in climate activism, suggesting that activists are reassessing how to build public support. The climate crisis hasn’t gone away, so the question is what new strategies will emerge to keep pressure on governments and companies to act.

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6. U.S. Supreme Court Shuts Down Youth Climate Lawsuit

👉 A high-profile climate case by a group of young Americans was blocked by the Supreme Court, dealing a blow to climate litigation.

• The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Juliana v. United States, a lawsuit by 21 youth plaintiffs who argued federal fossil fuel policies violate their constitutional rights. The Court offered no explanation for turning away the case.

• The litigants had asserted that the government’s promotion of oil, gas, and coal infringes on their right to a stable climate​. They sought a court order for the government to develop a science-based plan to phase out carbon emissions.

• By declining to take up the case, the Supreme Court leaves in place lower court roadblocks. The youth activists say they will explore other legal avenues and state courts to press their claims.

• Why It Matters: This was a landmark attempt to use the courts to force climate action. The outcome underscores the challenges climate advocates face in the judiciary. While it’s a disappointment for climate campaigners, it has intensified debate about governmental duty to protect young citizens from climate harm—an issue likely to resurface in other forms.

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Welcome to “Hot Planet Update,” a series on Reality Studies that recaps the biggest news in climate from the last week. Using a “smart brevity” format, Last Week in Climate recaps are designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest news and provide key context.

The first half of each HPU is available for free subscribers, and the full post is available to paid subscribers. Subscribe now so you never miss an installment!

1. Climate “wake-up call” from record 2024 data

👉 Earth’s vital signs hit alarming highs last year, says the UN weather agency.

• The World Meteorological Organization’s new climate report confirms 2024 was Earth’s hottest year on record, with CO₂ levels the highest in 800,000 years, and ocean heat and sea levels at all-time highs. These “distress signals” are signs of human impact, some of which are deemed “irreversible over hundreds if not thousands of years,” the report warns​.

• Arctic sea ice shrank to its lowest extents and Antarctic ice hit record lows, underscoring dramatic changes at the poles​. Each of the last eight years set a new record for ocean heat content, reflecting the oceans’ immense uptake of excess warming​.

• Why it matters: The unprecedented figures are a stark reality check. Scientists say these trends are accelerating climate extremes and will fuel more dangerous weather, unless global emissions are curbed fast. The WMO calls the 2024 findings a “wake-up call” for humanity to act on climate change before these changes compound beyond our control.

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2. Climate disasters displace record numbers

👉 Extreme weather fueled by warming led to the most new displacements of people in 16 years.

• In the same report (as above), The UN weather agency claimed that 2024’s extreme floods, storms, and droughts forced more people from their homes than any year since at least 2008​. Globally, 605 major disaster events were recorded, from mega-cyclones to massive wildfires, leading to 824,000 new displacements and roughly 1,700 deaths​.

• Warmer temperatures are driving more frequent and intense events. Notably, 148 of last year’s disasters were deemed “unprecedented” in magnitude or timing. Entire communities in vulnerable regions were uprooted by floods in Asia and Africa, while prolonged droughts in places like the Horn of Africa also triggered migrations.

• Why it matters: The spike in climate-related disasters is not just breaking records—it’s upending lives. With each fraction of a degree of warming, the toll on communities rises, straining humanitarian response and resources. The trend underscores how climate change is increasingly a human displacement crisis, not just an environmental one​.

3. Courtroom blow to pipeline protestors and Greenpeace

👉 A $660 million judgment against Greenpeace raises the stakes for climate activism—and critics fear a chilling effect.

• In a landmark verdict, a North Dakota jury found Greenpeace liable for defamation and other claims related to its role in protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline—and hit the environmental group with $660 million in damages​. The case was brought by Energy Transfer, the pipeline’s operator, which argued that Greenpeace’s campaigning against the project went too far and caused the company harm.

• Legal experts say the stunning win for the pipeline company (co-founded by a prominent Trump donor) will embolden other oil and gas firms to sue activists who oppose their projects​. “This verdict will embolden other energy companies to take legal action against protesters who physically block their projects,” noted Michael Gerrard, the founder and faculty director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School, warning that it could deter people from joining environmental protests for fear of massive liability​.

• Greenpeace and its allies argue the lawsuit is an example of a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) meant to intimidate critics. The $660M penalty—if it stands on appeal—could bankrupt activist organizations and discourage civil disobedience against fossil fuel infrastructure.

• Why it matters: As governments wrestle with climate policy, battles are also playing out in court between activists and energy companies. This verdict marks an escalation, using civil litigation to potentially silence protest. It highlights a growing tension: activists see urgent moral stakes in stopping pipelines, while companies are increasingly ready to fight back in court and seek astronomical damages. The outcome may set a precedent for how far protesters can go—or be punished—in the climate fight.

4. “Eternal” glaciers melting away

👉 UN data show glaciers and ice that once seemed permanent are vanishing within our lifetime.

• A new UN-backed analysis reveals glaciers are retreating at an unprecedented pace—five of the last six years saw the fastest glacier loss on record​. Since 1975, glaciers outside Greenland and Antarctica have lost over 9 trillion tons of ice (for reference: that amounts to an ice block the size of Germany 25m thick)​. At this rate, what were once called “eternal” ice fields could disappear by the end of this century.

• Polar sea ice is in decline as well: the Arctic has logged its 18 lowest sea-ice extents in the past 18 years, and Antarctica hit its three lowest ice extents in just the last three years​. These rapid changes threaten global sea levels and water supplies for millions who rely on glacier melt.

• Why it matters: Fast-melting glaciers are a visible indicator of climate change, shrinking water resources in Asia and South America and raising oceans worldwide. Scientists warn that loss of these natural ice reserves will have cascading effects on ecosystems, agriculture, and natural hazards like floods and sea-level rise in coming decades.

5. Turning the tide with ocean carbon capture

👉 Entrepreneurs are experimenting with the sea as a giant carbon sponge—with big dreams and bigger questions—according to new AP report.

• A wave of startups and scientists is racing to test ocean-based carbon removal, an experimental approach to fight climate change by enhancing the ocean’s natural ability to absorb CO₂​. Ideas range from sinking special rocks or iron nutrients into the sea, to growing masses of carbon-hungry seaweed, all aiming to lock away greenhouse gases for centuries underwater. Nearly 50 ocean field trials in the past four years have attracted hundreds of millions in funding for these techniques​.

• Advocates say cutting emissions won’t be enough by itself—we also need to pull carbon out of the atmosphere, and the oceans cover 70% of the Earth’s surface, offering a huge arena to do so​. By chemically altering seawater or boosting phytoplankton, these projects hope the ocean could act “like a vacuum” for CO₂, drawing down excess greenhouse gas from the air.

• But the approach is controversial. Scientists worry about side effects like altering ocean chemistry or marine ecosystems, and critics argue these efforts are moving too fast with “too few guardrails” in place​. Large-scale unknowns (i.e., could adding minerals harm sea life? Will the carbon stay put long-term?) remain unanswered.

• Why it matters: As climate impacts worsen, interest in carbon removal is surging. If safe and effective (big ifs!), ocean-based CO₂ capture could become a powerful tool to help reverse warming. But getting it wrong could introduce new environmental problems. The world is watching these trials to see if this high-tech ocean engineering can deliver climate benefits without upsetting the marine balance.

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Welcome to “Hot Planet Update,” a series on Reality Studies that recaps the biggest news in climate from the last week. Using a “smart brevity” format, Last Week in Climate recaps are designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest news and provide key context.

The first half of each LWiC is available for free subscribers, and the full post is available to paid subscribers. Subscribe now so you never miss an installment!

1. EPA claws back $20 billion in climate grants (US)

👉 The EPA under President Trump terminated a $20 billion Biden-era climate grant program, claiming it was plagued by “fraud, waste and abuse.”

• A federal judge demanded evidence for those claims, noting officials provided no specific proof of malfeasance​. The judge ordered the administration to detail any justification after an advocacy group sued to block the move.

• Critics say the clawback illegally seizes funds Congress allocated for clean energy projects in disadvantaged communities​.

• The EPA argued the grants were already rescinded, but the court challenge is ongoing.

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2. Only 7 countries meet WHO clean-air standards

👉 Only seven countries: Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, Iceland, and New Zealand met the WHO’s safe PM2.5 air quality standard in 2024, according to the latest global air pollution report by IQAir.

• The vast majority of nations fail to ensure healthy air. Chad and Bangladesh had the highest pollution, with average levels 15x above WHO’s guideline​s. Pakistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and India rounded out the worst five for dirty air​.

• Only 17% of global cities achieved safe air, though that’s up from 9% the year before​.

• Experts warn the battle against smog may get harder—the U.S. shut down its overseas air-monitoring program, which many developing countries relied on for pollution data.

• According to Christa Hasenkopf, director of the Clean Air Program at the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute (EPIC), at least 34 countries rely on air quality sensors mounted on U.S. embassy and consulate buildings to track smog levels as part of the now-shuttered program.

3. Farmers’ climate lawsuit tests corporate liability

👉 A Peruvian farmer, Saúl Luciano Lliuya, is suing German energy giant RWE in a landmark climate lawsuit​. He argues RWE’s emissions contributed to glacier melt above his town, Huaraz, and is demanding €17k (RWE’s calculated 0.5% share of the cost) for new flood defenses​.

• The case will be heard in a German court and could set a global precedent. It seeks to hold a corporation partly responsible for climate change impacts across the world, effectively asking: can big polluters be liable for local damages?​

• Lliuya, a mountain guide, faces a growing flood risk as a glacial lake swells above Huaraz. He’s received support from environmental groups and hopes a win would compel polluters to pay for climate adaptation in vulnerable communities​.

• RWE rejects the claim, but the outcome is being closely watched internationally.

4. Wet cities drying out, dry cities deluged (study)

👉 A climate study of the 100 most populated cities finds 44% are getting drier and 52% wetter as weather patterns shift​. Many urban areas have seen a “climate hazard flip”—switching from their historical norm to the opposite extreme.

• Hong Kong (China), Cairo (Egypt), Madrid (Spain), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) were once water-rich cities now rapidly growing drier, topping the list of places facing new drought risks. Decades of data show these cities’ rainfall plummeting as the climate warms.

• Conversely, cities like Colombo (Sri Lanka), Mumbai (India) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) have flipped from dry to ultra-wet​. They historically struggled with drought but are now seeing intensified downpours and flooding. The report, commissioned by WaterAid, highlights how climate change is throwing urban water cycles out of balance worldwide.

5. Cyclone Jude wreaks havoc in southern Africa (disaster)

👉 Tropical Cyclone Jude struck Mozambique’s coast, unleashing extreme rain (over 250 mm or 9.8 inches in 24 hours) and floods. It killed at least 16 people in northern Mozambique and displaced 9.5k+ residents in Nampula and Niassa provinces​.

• Homes, crops and infrastructure were damaged by the deluge. At least two more people are considered missing, and nearly 60 have been injured.

• The storm also swept inland into Malawi, where at least 3 more deaths have been reported and 20k people have been left homeless in the south due to heavy flooding. Rivers overflowed after days of torrential rain.

• Washed-out roads and bridges hampered relief efforts in both countries. Jude is the second destructive cyclone to hit the region in months (a cyclone in late 2024 killed dozens), highlighting southern Africa’s vulnerability to climate-fueled tropical storms.

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Read more

Welcome to “Hot Planet Update,” a series on Reality Studies that recaps the biggest news in climate from the last week. Using a “smart brevity” format, Last Week in Climate recaps are designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest news and provide key context.

The first half of each LWiC is available for free subscribers, and the full post is available to paid subscribers. Subscribe now so you never miss an installment!

1. U.S. Pulls Out of Global Climate Relief Fund

👉 The Trump administration abruptly quit the UN’s new climate damage fund, halting a promised $17.5 million contribution meant to help poorer nations cope with climate disasters​

• Context: This follows orders barring US scientists from contributing to a major UN climate report, part of a broader rollback of American climate commitments.

• Why it matters: America’s exit undermines international climate aid and trust. Developing countries counting on U.S. support for climate adaptation face a funding gap, raising concerns about stalled progress on global climate cooperation.

• What now? Other nations may need to step up funding as U.S. leadership recedes.

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2. Global Heat Stays High Despite La Niña’s Return

👉 February 2025 was the third-warmest February on record, with global temperatures about 1.59°C above pre-industrial levels​

• Doubling down: This comes on the heels of a record-hot January. A weak La Niña pattern emerged in December, typically a cooling influence, yet temperatures remained “anomalously high” for a La Niña year.

• Why it matters: Even a cooling Pacific pattern barely dented the planet’s fever, underscoring the potency of global warming.

• Mounting concerns: The World Meteorological Organization warns this La Niña will likely be short-lived, ending by May​. In other words, any brief respite in warming may vanish, raising the stakes for preparedness as the world potentially heads back into another warming El Niño phase later this year.

3. China Bets Big on Renewables but Keeps Coal Burning

👉 China’s government unveiled major new climate projects in its latest economic plan​

• Ambitious goals: The world’s top emitter will fast-track offshore wind farms and vast “new energy bases” in its deserts to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and hit carbon-neutral by 2060​. Plans even include a massive hydropower dam in Tibet (raising downstream fears).

• At the same time: Beijing admitted it will boost coal output in the near term to safeguard energy needs​.

• Why it matters: China’s dual approach highlights the balance between economic growth and climate action. The renewable build-out is crucial for global climate goals, given China’s size.

• Yes but: Expanding coal use could delay emissions cuts. The world is watching whether China can accelerate clean energy enough to offset its coal dependence—and meet its targets on time​.

4. Cyclone Alfred Pummels Australia’s East Coast

👉 Powerful tropical cyclone Alfred struck Queensland, Australia, over the weekend, bringing destructive winds and torrential rain.

• At its peak: Alfred knocked out power for over 300,000 people in and around the Gold Coast and Brisbane​.

• Response: Officials ordered evacuations in low-lying areas as some spots saw up to 40cm (15.75in) of rain. The storm weakened after landfall but still caused flash floods, school closures, and at least one death in neighboring New South Wales​.

• Why it matters: Alfred is the region’s most severe storm in years, underscoring the growing threat of extreme weather in a warming climate. Australia has faced back-to-back climate disasters (fire, flood, now cyclone), testing infrastructure and disaster readiness. The cyclone’s widespread disruption—alongside community resilience in its aftermath—has reignited debate on climate adaptation and preparedness in coastal cities.

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5. Brazil Warns Trump’s Climate Retreat Is a ‘Triple Negative’

👉 Speaking in New Delhi, Brazil’s environment minister Marina Silva cautioned that the return of Donald Trump’s “America First” approach poses a “triple negative” threat to climate action​.

• Evidence: Silva cited the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and funding cuts as undermining climate finance, eroding international trust, and weakening cooperation among countries​

• Response: Brazil, host of this year’s COP30 summit, vowed to push back by rallying multilateral efforts and respect for science​.

• Why it matters: This frank warning from a major emerging economy highlights global alarm at U.S. policy reversals. If rich nations backslide on climate commitments, developing countries may struggle to meet goals with less support. Silva’s “triple negative”—less action, money, and trust—captures the domino effect one nation’s retreat can have on the global climate fight. It sets an urgent tone ahead of climate talks Brazil will lead.

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Welcome to “Hot Planet Update,” a series on Reality Studies that recaps the biggest news in climate from the last week. As we’ve already witnessed in the first month of the Trump presidency—there is going to be a lot of climate-related news in the days, weeks, and months to come.

Adopting a “smart brevity” format, Last Week in Climate recaps are designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest news and provide key context.

The first half of each LWiC is available for free subscribers, and the full post is available to paid subscribers. Subscribe now so you never miss an installment!

1. U.S. blocks its scientists from pivotal global climate report

👉 The Trump administration barred federal researchers from contributing to the UN’s next climate assessment.

• The news: U.S. federal scientists have been ordered to stop work on the upcoming IPCC report, breaking with decades of American involvement​. A key meeting of report authors (scheduled in China) is now in doubt without U.S. participation.

• Why it matters: Experts warn this unprecedented move will weaken international climate science. The IPCC relies on broad collaboration, and excluding American experts could diminish the report’s credibility and comprehensiveness​. It follows President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on his first day back in office​.

• Context: The IPCC assembles input from over 1,000 scientists worldwide for each assessment​. Removing U.S. contributors—who played major roles in past reports—threatens to slow global climate action informed by science.

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2. Mass firings at NOAA spark fears for weather and climate safety

👉 The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) moved to cut hundreds of staff, prompting warnings about public safety and lawsuits from unions.

• The news: NOAA has targeted 880 employees for termination, about 5% of its staff, across its weather, ocean, and climate divisions​.

• Impact: Scientists say gutting NOAA will “put American lives at risk” by hampering weather forecasts and critical climate research​. While some life-and-death forecasting roles (hurricane and severe storm warnings) received last-minute exemptions, most departments were hit​.

• Reaction: Experts say these firings may be illegal, and The National Weather Service union is mobilizing. It scrambled to contact affected members and many fired staff are exploring legal action​. A federal court has already put a temporary hold on parts of Trump’s mass firings, an “important initial victory,” according to union lawyers​.

3. U.S. Congress repeals methane fee, rolling back climate policy

👉 Lawmakers voted to kill a landmark fee on methane pollution, undoing a key part of Biden’s climate legislation.

• What happened: The Republican-led Congress approved a resolution to eliminate the new methane emissions fee on oil and gas producers​. On Thursday, the Senate voted 52–47 along party lines—after a similar House vote—to nullify the fee before it ever took effect.

• Why it matters: Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and the fee (established under 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act) was designed to push industry to plug leaks. Its repeal “undo[es] a major piece” of former President Biden’s climate strategy​, potentially making it harder for the U.S. to curb rapidly warming methane emissions.

• Context: The now-repealed fee would have charged energy companies for excessive methane leakage—effectively a carbon price on methane. Oil and gas lobbyists opposed it, arguing it imposed costly burdens. Climate advocates counter that methane has more than 80x the warming power of CO₂ in the short term, so cutting these emissions is critical​.

4. Nations strike $200B/year nature finance deal after initial failure

👉 In Rome, countries agreed on a plan to fund biodiversity protection—a boost for global cooperation as U.S. aid retreats.

• The agreement: Delegates from around the world approved a plan to mobilize $200 billion annually by 2030 to halt and reverse destruction of nature​. This deal, reached on a second attempt after talks faltered last year, outlines who will contribute funds, how they’ll be raised, and oversight mechanisms​.

• Why it’s big: It’s a rare win for multilateralism amid geopolitical rifts. The COP16 Biodiversity President Susana Muhamad hailed the deal as “a light of hope” that countries can still unite for the global good​. Crucially, the plan comes as the U.S.—historically a top biodiversity donor—scales back aid, leaving a financing gap the rest of the world is now working to fill​.

• Context: The funds will support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreed in 2022, which sets targets like protecting 30% of lands and oceans. With wildlife populations down 73% since 1970​, there’s urgency to invest in conservation. Developing nations, led by Brazil, China, and others, drove the deal—and it calls for exploring a dedicated biodiversity fund under the Global Environment Facility​.

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5. Wells Fargo dumps net-zero climate target amid ESG pullback

👉 One of America’s largest banks abandoned its commitment to cut financed emissions, citing tough market conditions and policy headwinds.

• The news: Wells Fargo announced it will no longer pursue its pledge to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its lending portfolio by 2050​. The bank also withdrew interim 2030 targets for high-emitting sectors like oil & gas, power, and autos​.

• Rationale: In its statement, Wells Fargo blamed a lack of supportive “conditions”—pointing to slow policy progress, customer behavior, and technology—for making its climate goals unattainable​. This comes as all six big U.S. banks (including Wells) already quit the Net-Zero Banking Alliance in recent months, amid political pushback on ESG investing​.

• Why it matters: Climate advocates call the move a “cowardly, shortsighted” retreat​. Wells Fargo is the world’s 5th-largest fossil fuel financier; its U-turn signals major banks may prioritize business-as-usual over climate promises when pressured. The decision underscores how the Trump administration’s attacks on corporate climate policies are reshaping the finance sector’s approach to sustainability​.

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