Global Scans · Climate Change & Extreme weather · Weekly Summary

• [New] Climate change poses a significant threat to life on Earth, and a major driver of climate change is the emission of greenhouse gases that include CO2. Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board
• [New] Extreme weather events, storms, heatwaves, floods and drought cycles, will increase in frequency as global temperatures rise. Metro
• [New] Climate change would cut 4% off annual global GDP by 2050 and 20% by the end of the century. UN News
• [New] Extreme weather events such as storm surges, rising sea levels, and saltwater intrusion, along with rising water-related disasters, threaten the region, which already accounts for more than 40% of the world's floods. Al Jazeera
• [New] A $1 investment in nature-based adaptation for climate change results in $4 of environmental, social, and economic benefits through avoided losses and reduced risk. The Dirt
• [New] Floods killed more than 1,300 people and caused $20 billion in losses since late November across parts of South and Southeast Asia, devastation that highlights the increasing risks from climate change and extreme weather for the fast-growing region. Insurance Journal
• [New] During COP 30, the UN Climate Change Conference held in Brazil in November, countries pledged to triple adaptation resources and set a target of mobilizing $1.3 trillion annually in climate finance by 2035. Ediciones EL PAIS S.L.
• [New] Climate Risks: Heatwaves, urban pollution and extreme weather are rising faster than India's health, water and urban adaptation capacities. INSIGHTS IAS - Simplifying UPSC IAS Exam Preparation
• [New] Geological carbon storage is not a limitless backstop - and assuming otherwise puts the world at risk of irreversibly exceeding the Paris Agreement's 1.5 C threshold for global warming. Reccessary
• [New] Even the U.S. capitol in Washington D.C. will be heavily impacted by sea level rise. The Systems Perspective
• [New] The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change took notice, establishing a sobering new worst-case scenario: By 2100, meltwater from Antarctica, Greenland, and mountain glaciers combined with the thermal expansion of seawater could raise global sea levels by over 2 meters. Wired
• [New] Sea-level rise threatens coastal terminals across North America and South America. Yahoo Finance
• [New] The world invested US$ 554 billion into solar PV projects in 2024, leading renewable electricity generation sources, but significantly more capital across technology types will be needed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050. PV Tech
• [New] A failure to quickly transition away from the use of fossil fuels could bring disastrous changes to the planet's ecosystem and result in dangerous increases in extreme weather across the globe with poor countries more vulnerable to severe impacts. Al Jazeera
• [New] New Jersey is likely to see between 2.2 and 3.8 feet of sea-level rise by 2100 if the current level of global carbon emissions continue, but seas could rise by as much as 4.5 feet if ice-sheet melt accelerates. Inside Climate News
• The UN calls for developed countries to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact in SDG 13 and The Paris Agreement sets up the net-zero goal for our global society: stating that greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 at the latest and decline 43% by 2030. UNSW Sites
• A marine heatwave known as a blob was especially severe this year in the north-western and central Pacific Ocean, which could lead in the coming months to increased flooding in the US Pacific north-west and especially wintery weather in eastern North America. Climate Impacts Group
• Victoria's frontline public health system $35.5m in 2025-26 ($38.3m / 4 years) for continued operation of Victoria's Local Public Health Units, water regulation functions to protect Victoria's drinking water, and the Epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma Program and extreme weather alert system. A deep dive on the 2025 Victorian Budget | VCOSS
• Forecasts vary significantly, but some campaigners have called for a moratorium on new AI data center builds, warning they could significantly increase global emissions by 2030, slowing or even reversing current progress on climate change. KPMG
• Extending rebates for hot water upgrades will help to address Victoria's contribution to climate change and reduce climate impacts. A deep dive on the 2025 Victorian Budget | VCOSS
• Geopolitical disruptions, a volatile policy environment, increasing climate change impacts, and trade disputes are some of the key challenges that global companies will navigate in the year ahead. Erm
• As average temperatures rise due to climate change, droughts and extreme heat events are expected to become more frequent, prolonged and severe across California. Live Science
• The lungs of the Earth, a lifeboat against climate change, a filter against sentiment destroying the Great Barrier Reef and a haven for wildlife will be provided real protection, while incentives will be provided to support a modern forestry industry based on plantations. The Guardian

Last updated: 13 December 2025