Meanwhile...

[oioioi]

Lake Mead's capacity falls below 30%

For the first time since Lake Mead was filling in the 1930s its water storage capacity is now below 30%.

The last time Lake Mead was at its maximum depth, or ‘full pool' was the summer of 1983. Since then the depletion of Lake Mead water has continued on and off over the last 39 years, and increased dramatically over the last 20 years during a historic drought and increased growth in the southwest United States.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/lake-meads-capacity-falls-below-30percent/ar-AAYeV0g


Republicans finally weighed in on climate change last week. It wasn’t pretty

The U.S. lost massive ground in combating climate change during the Trump administration, a recent report says. Now, congressional Republicans are offering their own climate plan — which doesn’t actually do anything new — while slamming President Joe Biden for climate shortfalls GOP opposition caused.

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2022/06/07/opinion/republicans-finally-weighed-in-on-climate-change-last-week-it-wasnt-pretty/


Almost all of Portugal in severe drought after hot, dry May

Almost the whole of Portugal was in severe drought at the end of May, the country’s weather service said Thursday.

The month of May was the hottest in the southern European country for the last 92 years, weather service IPMA said in its monthly climate report.

The average temperature of just over 19 C (66 F) was more than 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than usual, it said.

At the same time, average May rainfall of just under 9 millimeters (0.35 inches) was just 13% of what would normally be expected.

https://www.stltoday.com/news/science/almost-all-of-portugal-in-severe-drought-after-hot-dry-may/article_9cabaf95-4536-5c72-80f4-e21bec7461b6.html


Next UN assembly president warns world in dangerous crisis

Hungarian Ambassador Csaba Korosi was elected Tuesday as the next president of the U.N. General Assembly, and he warned immediately that the world is in the throes of a dangerous crisis and the credibility of the United Nations is at stake.

Korosi, who takes over the presidency of the 193-member world body in September, said there is “a red alert” for the global climate and crises in food, energy and water supplies. In addition, he said, people everywhere are still affected by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, “the global economy is at the threshold of recession and the sovereign debts are at an unprecedented level.”

https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-general-assembly-climate-covid-politics-health-d0ab3de642bc4753094b717ede42aa5a


Major floods in Australia cause significant lettuce shortage

Australia has been suffering from a shortage of lettuce, following adverse weather conditions which affected production.

According to the BBC, consumers have been hit by soaring prices for some fresh fruit and vegetables with social media users posting pictures of lettuces costing over A$10 (US$7.18), which is three times the usual price.

Like other countries around the world, Australia has been hit by food supply chain issues caused by the war in Ukraine and the pandemic.

However, Australia's own food production has also been affected by extreme weather events such as major flooding on the east coast earlier this year.

https://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2022/06/08/major-floods-in-australia-cause-significant-lettuce-shortage/


Global Food Crisis: Is The Worst Ahead Of Us?

The global food crisis is here. Food supplies cannot keep up with demand. As a result, food prices soar, making it hard for people to put food on the table. For instance, in May 2022 the FAO Food Price Index reached 157.4, near a record high of 159.7 points from March. That's close to what some experts call the "boiling point," where societies descend into famine, chaos, and riots.

Patrick Penfield, a professor of Supply Chain Management Practice at Syracuse University, thinks this is just the beginning stages of a global food crisis.

"The global food supply chain is 'stressed' and has been adversely impacted by weather events — droughts, extreme heat, floods, tornadoes, and cyclones — food growing issues such as the avian flu, bacteria, and disease. [There is also] COVID, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, high energy, fertilizer, and pesticide costs. These issues make it extremely difficult for food producers to grow crops and animals and produce products to ensure a steady global food supply," Penfield told IBT.

https://www.ibtimes.com/global-food-crisis-worst-ahead-us-3536602


Extreme weather warning issued in Spain amid heatwave as temperatures soar to 43C

The Aemet weather agency said a mass of hot air from North Africa is sweeping over Spain. The hottest areas are expected to be in central and south-western Spain, and the heatwave is expected to last at least until Wednesday.

Highs of a sweltering 43C are forecast for the southern cities of Seville, Cordoba and Badajoz. Meteorologists said the temperature in Madrid could hit 38C, which is well above average for early June, while the forecasted high in coastal Barcelona is 32C.

A statement from Aemet said: "The heat will be very intense on the mainland and in the Balearics at least until next Wednesday and it is not ruled out that it could extend for a couple of days. The intense heatwave is very rare for the month of June."

Last year, Spain recorded its highest temperature since records began - 47.4C in Montoro in the southern province of Córdoba in August.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/newsmanchester/extreme-weather-warning-issued-in-spain-amid-heatwave-as-temperatures-soar-to-43c/ar-AAYndch

[NJCher]

1. The last few stories

Make me realize how important my work in heading up my town’s community gardening is. No droughts here but if there are, we are prepared with plenty of mulch.