SCIENCE
A major ocean current in the Southern Hemisphere has reversed direction for the first time in recorded history, in what climatologists are calling a “catastrophic” tipping point in the global climate system. The development, which was confirmed by Spanish marine scientists at El Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) in Barcelona, has triggered widespread alarm among climate scientists due to its potential to accelerate global warming and destabilise weather patterns worldwide. The collapse involves the deep overturning circulation in the South Atlantic — part of the global conveyor belt of ocean currents — which typically pulls cold, nutrient-rich water up from the ocean floor and drives planetary heat distribution. The study, published on July 2, identifies a collapse and reversal of the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) in the South Atlantic — a key part of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). This current system plays a crucial role in regulating global temperatures and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide in the deep ocean. The ICM’s data show that the flow of the DWBC current reversed from northward to southward for several consecutive months in 2023 — the first such event in 30 years of continuous monitoring.
ENERGY
Tribes lose: Tribal leaders say the federal tax and spending bill will cause widespread clean energy job losses in their communities and also jeopardize climate projects. (Grist)
Thanks Donny: US shale executives plan to drill significantly fewer wells in 2025 than initially planned, according to a Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas survey. Nearly half of oil executives expect to drill fewer wells this year, with 42% of large firms (producing 10,000+ barrels daily) anticipating significant decreases. Trump’s tariffs have increased drilling costs by 4-6%, while steel tariffs are weighing on customer demand and delaying drilling due to uncertain casing prices. Lower oil prices driven by tariff-related economic concerns and increased OPEC+ production are hurting profits in the oil sector.
Even Idaho. Idaho Power proposes to meet projected demand growth by adding more than 3,000 MW of solar, wind, and battery storage, converting coal plants to gas, and increasing efficiency and demand response. (Energy Storage News)
Big Bad Bill:According to Princeton University’s REPEAT project modeling, US emissions will drop only 3% from current levels by 2030—effectively flatlining—rather than the required 40% reduction needed to meet climate targets. This means emissions will be just 20% lower than 2005 levels by 2030, instead of the pledged 50-52% reduction. The policy reversals will add an extra 7 billion tonnes of emissions to the atmosphere by 2030, leaving the US 2 billion tonnes short of its greenhouse gas target for that year. This shortfall equals roughly 4% of current global emissions annually—equivalent to adding Indonesia’s entire annual output (the world’s sixth-largest emitter) each year.Using EPA estimates, these 7 billion extra tonnes would cause over $1.6 trillion in global climate damages.
Rule of law: Elisa Morgera, the UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, said states “must ban fossil fuel ads and lobbying, criminalize greenwashing (misinformation and misrepresentation) by the fossil fuel industry, media and advertising firms, and enforce harsh penalties for attacks on climate advocates who are facing a rise in malicious lawsuits, online harassment and physical violence,” the Guardian reports.
Big bucks: Despite considerable support, California’s so-called Climate Superfund bills keep stalling in Sacramento amid fierce lobbying and industry pressure. Fossil fuel companies and other opposition groups outspent supporters 10 to 1 in lobbying against legislation this year.
Counting on states. When President Donald Trump signed legislation to revoke California’s authority to enforce stricter tailpipe emissions standards and to ban sales of gas-powered cars by 2035, the effects rippled far beyond the Golden State. Seventeen states relied on California’s Clean Air Act waivers to adopt stronger vehicle pollution rules on their own, including New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Massachusetts, Washington. As the legal battle plays out, states that have relied on the waivers are leaning into expanding multimillion dollar ways to keep their EV transitions on track.Among their efforts: amping up rebates, tightening rules on the carbon intensity of fuels and cracking down on pollution where trucks congregate.
Backasswards: The wealthier and more democratic a nation, the less their citizens engage in climate activism | Journal of Environmental Psychology
Take Action!
“When driving is not an option.” A talk by national author Anna Zivarts Thursday July 17 at 7pm at Arcata’s D Street Community Center. Sponsored by Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities. 350 Humboldt is a co-sponsor.
A discussion of the non-drivers in every community, the importance of meeting the transportation needs of non-drivers, how communities can work better for non-drivers (and everyone else), and valuing the expertise of non-drivers.
If you can’t make it to the talk, Anna Zivarts is the guest on the this week’s EcoNews Podcast.
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The BLM’s Bakersfield and Central Coast offices are accepting public comments through Wednesday, July 23. A flood of opposition can make a real difference.
This plan threatens:
- Air and water quality in frontline communities
- Critical wildlife habitat, open space, and outdoor recreation
- California’s progress on climate and clean energy
- Public health in regions already burdened by oil and gas pollution
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Stand.Or: One out of every two American families belong to Amazon Prime. Yet 80% want Amazon to reduce emissions. Will you sign our letter to Amazon’s leadership demanding they commit to zero-emission deliveries by 2030 and to greater transparency on emissions? And if you are a Prime member, let us know!