Record-Breaking Heat Scorches Middle East; Fires Burn in Amazon, Peatlands
Responders work together to extinguish peatland fire in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, September 23, 2015.
Credit: Anugerah Wicaksono
The Washington Post (8/10) said record-breaking heat is scorching the Middle East, with temperatures soaring to 140 degrees Fahrenheit in the UAE and Iran and 129 degrees in Iraq and Kuwait.
Yale Climate Connections (8/16) said early-dry season forest fires are burning in parts of Brazil, Peru and Bolivia owing to drier-than-usual conditions in parts of the Amazon.
A New York Times (8/8) feature said rising temperatures are drying out carbon-rich peatlands, which are becoming more susceptible to burning and releasing more carbon into the atmosphere.
Reuters (8/15) said Mexico will begin a pilot cap-and-trade program, which will serve as a test run for a national carbon market set to launch in 2018.
Climate Home (8/11) said Brazil’s Senate approved the Paris climate agreement, clearing the way for ratification this September.
The Hill (8/10) said the United States and India agreed to spend $30 million to research smart grid and energy storage technologies – with $15 million of the total coming from private sector partners.
The Hill (8/13) said U.S. President Obama announced he will roll out new tools to combat climate change before the end of his term.
The Washington Post (8/16) reported on one measure rolled out Tuesday: new fuel-efficiency standards for heavy-duty vehicles.
