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A brutal summer heatwave caused more than 50,000 deaths in European cities and is already "the worst ever recorded."

CNN, 10/22/2026

Synopsis: According to two studies published in the journal *Nature Health*, more than 50,000 people died in Europe during the brutal heatwaves that struck the continent in the summer of 2026, with temperatures approximately 2.9 degrees Celsius above the average for the 1991-2020 period. On certain days, temperatures in some countries were more than 12 degrees Celsius higher than usual.

It has been the deadliest summer to date. More than 32,600 of these deaths are directly attributed to climate change, driven by pollution from fossil fuels.

This alarming death toll comes to light just weeks before international leaders are set to meet in Turkey for the annual UN climate talks, and days after a United Nations report warned that the global possibility of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels has already vanished.

Europe is the fastest-warming continent, and extreme heat-the deadliest form of extreme weather-is already becoming unbearable.

Record levels of carbon dioxide will affect us for centuries

Noticias ONU, 10/27/2026

Synopsis: In 2025, CO2 concentrations reached a record 426.8 parts per million-153% of pre-industrial levels-while methane and nitrous oxide levels also hit all-time highs. Every additional part per million matters because it traps more heat. We are overloading both the ocean and the atmosphere.

CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide-the three primary long-lived greenhouse gases resulting from human activity-are trapping an unprecedented amount of heat in the atmosphere, fueling more extreme weather events and creating associated risks for our economies and societies.

The last 11 years have been the warmest on record, and this trend is set to continue. Because CO2 has a very long lifespan, it will affect the global climate not just for years, but for decades and even centuries to come.

When the Bulletin was first published in 2004, the annual average CO2 level-measured by the WMO's Global Atmosphere Watch network of monitoring stations-was 377.5 ppm; today, it is nearly 427 ppm.

The growth rate of CO2 has tripled since the 1960s, accelerating from an average annual increase of 0.8 ppm to 2.4 ppm per year during the 2011-2020 period.

The exceptional 3.5 ppm surge observed between 2023 and 2024 coincided with a strong El Niño event, which reduced the efficiency of the biosphere by causing more frequent droughts, drier vegetation, and an increase in wildfires.

The WMO noted that as countries transform their energy systems toward decarbonization, special attention must be paid to two potent but less abundant gases closely linked to the production and distribution of electricity: molecular hydrogen (H2) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)-the latter of which has risen steadily over the last three decades, in line with the growth of global electrification.

"It has an atmospheric lifetime of over 1,000 years and the highest 100-year global warming potential-approximately 24,300 times that of CO2. The increase in SF6 in 2025 reached an all-time high," the agency's report states.

Hydrogen concentrations have risen by 5.3% between 2010 and 2024. Hydrogen is used as an energy storage medium for sectors that are difficult to decarbonize-such as steel production, maritime shipping, and long-duration energy storage-as well as for renewable energy sources and as a fuel for transport. Its leakage into the atmosphere is a growing concern, as it influences atmospheric chemistry and exerts a significant indirect warming effect.

Both H2 leakage and the persistence of SF6 represent potential threats that could undermine the climate benefits of the energy transition. Careful monitoring of the Earth's atmospheric composition is essential for detecting, understanding, and preventing the unintended consequences of these changes.

Spain has already warmed by 1.75°C: data revealing what our climate will be like in 2050

National Geographic, 10/19/2026

Synopsis: Spain has warmed by 1.75 °C since 1961, as confirmed by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET). And the future could be even more extreme: climate projections point to further temperature increases, longer summers, and growing pressure on water resources. Warming is no longer a distant threat; it is already transforming the country.

The latest warning came in 2026, when Spain recorded its hottest summer since at least 1869. Temperatures across the peninsula reached an average of 24.5 °C, surpassing the record set just a year earlier. This succession of extraordinary temperatures raises an inevitable question: what will life in Spain be like in just 25 years?

It has always been hot in Spain. But what is happening now is unprecedented in modern climate records. In 2025, the national average temperature reached 15.1 °C-1.1 °C above the 1991-2020 baseline. Throughout 2025, 25 records for "warm days" were broken, while no records for "cold days" were set.

In the summer of 2026, the average temperature across the peninsula reached 24.5 °C-an anomaly of 2.4 °C relative to the typical average.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that this trend will continue throughout the 21st century, intensifying heatwaves, droughts, and other extreme phenomena. The sea is another decisive factor. In 2025, a significant portion of the Spanish Mediterranean waters reached their highest annual average temperatures since records began in 1940. Marine warming contributes to warmer nights in coastal areas and can provide energy and moisture to certain episodes of intense precipitation.

The ultimate magnitude of the warming will depend, in part, on future emissions.

Mexico: a thirsty generation mobilizes in the face of the water crisis

DW, 10/20/2026

Synopsis: In Guadalajara, since the beginning of 2026, complaints from residents regarding the poor quality of the water reaching their homes-which appears murky and yellowish when it comes out of the taps-have intensified.

Water tests conducted by academic colleagues and community groups have reportedly identified concentrations of residual chlorine, fluorides, nitrates, nitrites, lead, aluminum, mercury, and iron, as well as the presence of bacteria, viruses, and a high level of water hardness.

The legitimate demand for potable water has prompted many people of various ages to take to the streets to express their discontent-for the first time in their lives.

Experts call for climate change to be addressed as a global health emergency: "The Earth is on track to suffer heatstroke."

El País, 10/27/2026

Synopsis: The 'Lancet Countdown' report proposes that the WHO create a mechanism to address the impacts of global warming in a coordinated manner, similar to how pandemics are handled.

In 2023, exposure to high temperatures claimed 710,000 lives worldwide. Seventy percent of these deaths can be directly attributed to human-caused climate change, primarily driven by the use of fossil fuels.

The 146 researchers from over 100 institutions across 30 countries who contributed to this report examined 54 indicators related to the health impacts of climate change.

They conclude that "threats to human health and survival have reached unprecedented levels," with many of these impacts accelerating "over the last decade compared to the previous one." Consequently, they urge governments to recognize climate change as a "global health emergency" and call for the development of a new instrument within the World Health Organization (WHO) to address it.

"This is an unprecedented crisis that, in the long term, requires a new system to be addressed adequately," explains Professor Marina Romanello, Executive Director of the Lancet Countdown. "That is why we recommend that the UN and individual nations establish a new global mechanism for health emergency response-one that allows for an appropriate and urgent approach to climate change as it relates to human health," the researcher adds.

Emissions need to be cut by 18% over four years to limit the temperature peak to 1.7 degrees.

Noticias ONU, 10/21/2026

Synopsis: The world will exceed the 1.5°C threshold set in the Paris Agreement, but the peak of warming could be limited to 1.7-1.8°C if emissions fall by 18% by 2030, 45% by 2035, and 69% five years after that. Global emissions plateaued in 2025, but those of the United States grew by 133 megatonnes-the largest increase of any country-and its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is one of the reasons why projections have worsened compared to last year.

This is the conclusion of the latest report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which outlines a scenario in which the peak of warming-expected around the middle of the century-would be limited to 1.7-1.8°C. "Exceeding [the limit] does not mean giving up," stated UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

The report notes that opportunities to step up action are greater than ever. Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, renewable energy has seen a meteoric rise, the total energy supply from coal and oil has grown more slowly than anticipated, and climate policies have succeeded in reducing emissions in many places.

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen highlighted the cost of inaction: "Every additional fraction of a degree and every extra year of warming above 1.5°C exacerbates climate impacts and risks-such as the deadly floods, heatwaves, and wildfires that have devastated numerous countries this year. We must do everything in our power to keep the peak of warming as low as possible and return to 1.5°C by the end of the century. It is possible."

However, if current policies continue, warming will reach a catastrophic 2.8°C over the course of this century and will continue to rise thereafter, the report warns.

The report notes that the United States is primarily responsible for the worsening projections. Furthermore, it is the only country that has not submitted its emissions inventory since 2024, and-along with Argentina and Saudi Arabia-it is one of three G20 members that have not presented new mitigation targets for 2035. BR>

Greenhouse gas emissions fall for the third consecutive year in Brazil

agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br, 10/25/2026

Synopsis: Brazil emitted 2.060 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases (GtCO2e) in 2025-a 6% decrease from 2024 and the third consecutive year of decline-according to the SEEG (Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimates System) of the Climate Observatory. This brings levels back to where they were before the administration of Jair Bolsonaro. The drop is attributed to reduced deforestation, primarily in the Amazon and the Cerrado.

However, the country's climate target under the Paris Agreement was to reach 1.32 GtCO2e by 2025.

Gross emissions resulting from land-use change-which consists mainly of deforestation-fell by 15%, from 957 million to 814 million tonnes. In other sectors, there was little variation: agriculture and livestock remained stable, while emissions from the energy sector rose by 1.2% and those from waste by 3.6%.

What the Earth's sixth mass extinction means for humanity

DW, 10/19/2026

Synopsis: Human activity is driving plants and animals toward extinction at an unprecedented rate. The loss of biodiversity already threatens food supplies, drinking water, and the development of new medicines.

Biodiversity encompasses all forms of life on the planet. Each species plays a role: ecosystems regulate the climate, purify water, maintain the soil, and contribute to food production.

Biodiversity is in crisis due to human pressure on ecosystems-exerted through intensive agriculture, the burning of fossil fuels, and pollution. Over the last 52 years, monitored vertebrate populations have fallen by an average of 73 percent; in freshwater ecosystems, the decline is 85 percent, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature's *Living Planet* report. Other studies estimate that one million species are threatened with extinction.

Between 1700 and 2000, 85 percent of the world's wetlands disappeared. Their loss degrades water quality and increases the cost of water treatment. Furthermore, more than 75 percent of food crop types depend, at least in part, on pollinators such as bees and bats.

A British government report warned that all essential ecosystems are "on a trajectory toward collapse" and that their deterioration threatens the global food supply.

Earth has experienced five mass extinctions, in which a large proportion of species vanished over a relatively short geological period. According to scientists, the current rate indicates that the planet is undergoing a sixth mass extinction, driven primarily by human activity.

Biodiversity is an interdependent system. For example, sea otters-hunted to near-extinction along the U.S. Pacific coast during the 19th century for their fur-left sea urchins without predators, which devastated kelp forests. These habitats support other species, protect coastlines, and absorb carbon; the recovery of the sea otters has helped these forests grow back.

As the climate summit approaches, the UN states that the current 1.5°C warming limit is no longer achievable.

CNN, 10/21/2026

Synopsis: A UN climate report concludes that the planet will inevitably exceed the 1.5-degree Celsius maximum warming target set by the Paris Agreement within the next few years.

While previous emissions gap reports had expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of meeting the 1.5°C target, this is the first in which the authors state that failing to meet it is "imminent and inevitable."

This year's report examines new scenarios involving an "overshoot" of emissions and what would be required to limit peak warming to 1.7°C or 1.8°C, before subsequently bringing temperatures back down to 1.5°C through emissions cuts and the use of carbon-removal technologies.

The report makes it clear that every additional fraction of a degree of warming above 1.5°C increases the risk of irreversible changes-including those affecting ice sheets, carbon stored in permafrost, ocean circulation, and coral reef systems-along with devastating impacts on humanity.

According to the Nairobi-based UNEP, the lowest-impact scenario would keep peak warming between 1.7°C and 1.8°C and bring global average temperatures back down to 1.5°C or lower by the year 2100.

However, to follow this path, global greenhouse gas emissions would need to be reduced far more significantly than what is currently being considered for the upcoming COP31 talks.

This would require emissions reductions of 18% by 2030, 45% by 2035, and 69% by 2040, relative to 2025 levels.

Climate change: New York protects itself by raising a park to contain rising sea levels

Noticias ONU, 10/31/2026

Synopsis: New York is raising East River Park in Lower Manhattan by up to three meters and constructing hidden walls and floodgates to protect more than 110,000 residents, with an investment of $2 billion. The UN warns that 770 million people live less than five meters above high-tide level and calls for "more predictable funding" for climate change adaptation.

The project is expected to be completed by 2027.

Bobby Issac, Deputy Commissioner for Coastal Resiliency Construction at the city's Department of Design and Construction, explained that most of the protection is out of sight. A retaining wall runs, concealed, through the heart of the park. At the water's edge, concrete-filled piles extend some 30 meters down into reclaimed land. When a storm approaches, nothing in the park needs to be moved. At other points along the waterfront, crews will close 18 floodgates, and further south, nearly 100 deployable barriers will be raised. With about 90% of the system already in place, temporary barriers can be installed to plug any gaps-with a few days' notice-until the project is fully complete.

The rate of sea-level rise has nearly doubled since 1993. For a city with 840 kilometers of coastline, the threat is not just the next hurricane, but also the daily tide.

Study reveals that extreme heat affects the brain in older adults

Xinhua, 10/28/2026

Synopsis: Extreme heatwaves, combined with air pollution, increase the daily risk of an acute stroke by up to 40.4 percent among people aged 65 and older in São Paulo-a situation unfolding against a backdrop of climate change and environmental degradation, according to a study that highlights the challenges posed by an aging population in Latin America.

The study notes that intense heat can trigger a cascade of physiological changes, including dehydration, which reduces the fluid content of the blood and increases its viscosity, while also disrupting the regulation of body temperature and cardiovascular function. Researchers also examined factors that may protect brain health during the aging process, such as diet, physical activity, sleep, smoking status, body mass index, cholesterol levels, blood glucose, and blood pressure. The study calls for the coordination of healthcare prevention efforts with climate adaptation measures.

This warning is therefore particularly relevant for Latin America and the Caribbean, a region where the population is aging rapidly.

Almost all shallow-water coral reefs could collapse by 2075: UICN

El Espectador, 10/22/2026

Synopsis: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has warned that the vast majority of shallow-water, warm-water coral reefs could collapse by the year 2075. In an assessment of 127 such ecosystems, 122 were found to be critically endangered, primarily due to thermal stress resulting from climate change. Experts state that there is still time to take action.

According to the IUCN, the primary threat facing coral reefs worldwide-and the main driver of their decline-is thermal stress caused by climate change. Ocean warming and marine heatwaves trigger mass bleaching events, leading to an ever-increasing rate of coral mortality.

The ecosystem of the Western Galápagos Islands is one that has already collapsed. This occurs when hard corals-which form the living, growing foundation of the reef on the seabed-essentially disappear, and the space is taken over by rubble, algae, and sponges.

Coral reefs are among the clearest indicators of ocean health, as they support a quarter of all marine species.

The ocean is turning bluer because of El Niño, and that's not good news.

National Geographic, 10/21/2026

Synopsis: Recent satellite observations of the equatorial Pacific reveal a shift in color that goes beyond mere aesthetics. A multitude of microscopic organisms tint the water green and sustain a significant portion of marine life; the bluer the ocean, the less life it contains.

This transformation coincides with the El Niño event currently affecting the planet. This phenomenon-characterized by an anomalous warming of the tropical Pacific waters-alters winds and ocean circulation, hindering the transport of nutrients to the surface.

In January 2026, as a result of El Niño, satellites detected a Kelvin wave near Micronesia. This is a pulse of warm water capable of traveling thousands of kilometers and transporting heat across the ocean-an invisible current that modifies marine conditions along its path and alters the atmosphere above it. The trade winds, which typically push surface waters from the Americas toward Asia, weaken and may even reverse direction. This mechanism promotes further warming and helps to intensify the phenomenon.

In its most recent report, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that surface temperatures in certain parts of the eastern equatorial Pacific exceeded typical values by more than 4°C.

Meanwhile, PACE-a satellite designed to study plankton, aerosols, and clouds-has detected subtle variations in the water that would otherwise be imperceptible to the naked eye. By comparing these measurements with those from the previous year, scientists observed that the water appears bluer and less green.

The explanation lies in phytoplankton-a group of microscopic organisms comprising thousands of species that, much like land-based plants, perform photosynthesis and thrive when provided with light and nutrients dissolved in the water. Their abundance influences the color of the sea: specific concentrations of these organisms and their green pigments alter the light reflected by the water. When their numbers decrease, the ocean can take on a more bluish hue.

Under normal conditions, winds facilitate the upwelling of deep, colder waters-rich in these compounds-toward the surface layers where photosynthetic organisms grow. This process is known as upwelling.

During El Niño, the weakening of the trade winds reduces this supply of nutrients in certain regions of the Pacific, leading to a decline in phytoplankton populations, which can trigger a cascade of effects throughout the marine food web:

Google has been ordered to halt construction at its data centers in Finland, after having cut down 250,000 trees.

Aporrea.org, 10/24/2026

Synopsis: Following the felling of approximately 250,000 trees, Finland's licensing and supervisory authority has issued a notice requiring Tuike Finland-a Google subsidiary-to suspend all preparatory work with environmental implications at the sites. These sites are part of a €13 billion (approximately $15.1 billion) investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure in Finland.

"Finland takes issue with how the company has managed the development of its data centers. We believe that these actions alter the environment and create impacts-the identification and assessment of which are, in fact, a fundamental objective of the environmental impact assessment process," stated Tommi Muilu, director of the authority's Environment Department, in a press release.

Government of Colombia repealed decree for the protection of the Amazon biome

Prensa Latina, 10/27/2026

Synopsis: Colombia's Ministry of Environment revoked a decree today-issued under the previous administration-that had provided protection to the Amazon biome by designating it as a Reserve for Renewable Natural Resources.

The now-repealed regulation prohibited the granting of new mining concessions and hydrocarbon exploration or extraction contracts, as well as the issuance of any new environmental licenses, permits, or authorizations for such activities within the territory of this ecoregion.

The decree was intended to safeguard more than 80 percent of the forest cover within the Amazon biome by applying precautionary and preventive principles against activities that could cause cumulative impacts on the ecosystem.

In essence, the regulation sought to help prevent the Amazon from reaching a critical "tipping point"-a scenario in which it could progressively lose its capacity for regeneration and trigger irreversible degradation processes.

The Colombian Amazon biome accounts for approximately seven percent of the entire Amazon region and spans 10 departments.

"Super El Niño" threatens to trigger a shortage of this popular product in Latin America and across the globe.

RT, 10/17/2026

Synopsis: According to analysts, Brazil-the leading Latin American producer of this staple commodity-saw a decline of more than 40% during the first half of September compared to the previous period, driven by record or near-record rainfall in the country's Center-South region.

Raw sugar futures are being affected by fears of an intense El Niño event. These risks also extend to India and Thailand-two of the world's major producers-with regard to the 2026-2027 season. Uncertainty surrounding rainfall and reservoir levels is adding further pressure to supply prospects.

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Selected until October 15, 2026

Latin America's legal step toward combating ecocide

DW, 10/07/2026

Synopsis: On Thursday, October 1, 2026, a group of more than 30 experts from 14 Latin American countries presented a model law aimed at codifying the crime of ecocide across the subcontinent.

The proposal consists of 18 articles and stipulates that "anyone who, through action or omission, causes serious damage to the environment that is either widespread or long-lasting, shall be punished with a prison sentence of eight to twenty years."

Lina Muñoz-a Colombian lawyer, educator, and representative of the Alliance of Environmental Legal Clinics of Latin America and the Caribbean-noted: "In Latin America, there are now frequent attempts to weaken environmental legislation and oversight." In this context, ecocide serves as "an indispensable tool for defending life on our planet."

Rising sea levels, wetlands, and extreme weather are disrupting the balance that turned the Mekong region into a rice-producing powerhouse.

Noticias ONU, 10/05/2026

Synopsis: For generations, agriculture in Vietnam's Mekong Delta has relied on a delicate pact. The river would overflow, recede, and overflow again, carrying fresh water and sediment across a flat landscape-a region whose vast fields helped make the country one of the world's leading rice exporters.

As sea levels rise, saltwater is penetrating further and further inland. Climate change is also making established patterns of drought and flooding less predictable.

Furthermore, dams built upstream have trapped much of the sediment that once flowed downstream; the volume has dropped from approximately 143 million metric tons two decades ago to an estimated 32 million today.

Some farmers are responding to this changing environment not by keeping the saltwater out, but by finding ways to put it to use-for instance, by farming shrimp.

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu: "If we do not all act together, climate change could push more than 132 million people into poverty."

La Iguana.tv, 10/12/2026

Synopsis: On Monday, October 12, Director-General Qu Dongyu opened the FAO World Food Forum in Rome, focusing on the direct impact of the climate crisis on the most vulnerable rural populations. "Climate extremes are becoming increasingly frequent and severe. By 2030, more than 132 million people could be pushed into poverty as a result, unless we all act together," he warned.

In his remarks, he highlighted the knowledge held by Indigenous peoples, noting that it contains "the answer to sustainability challenges that modern science is only now beginning to rediscover."

He also emphasized that "artificial intelligence, digital tools, and cutting-edge science can accelerate solutions that we could not have imagined just a few years ago."

Through the Rome Water Dialogue, he urged a focus on "one of the most critical issues of our time: how to manage, share, and protect water for food, for people, and for the planet."

"The ocean is transforming before our eyes": scientists, upon learning of 2025 data

El Espectador, 10/04/2026

Synopsis: The Copernicus Marine Service-the European Union program that monitors the environment and climate change-has published its tenth Ocean State Report. Compiled by more than 120 scientists from around the world, the report offers the starkest warning to date regarding the profound changes occurring in the oceans as a result of climate change, all while an unprecedented El Niño event takes shape.

It notes that the total amount of heat stored in the ocean reached its highest recorded level in 2025, absorbing 23 zettajoules of heat-nearly 40 times the total energy consumed by humanity that year.

Furthermore, the report documents a progressive rise in both sea levels and ocean acidity.

As the ocean absorbs more heat, the authors warn, the effects ripple throughout the entire marine system. For instance, warmer waters fuel marine heatwaves, can intensify storms, disrupt ecosystems, and contribute to sea-level rise through thermal expansion and the melting of glaciers.

These are the 3 countries in Latin America that will suffer the most from the economic blow of El Niño

La Iguana, 10/08/2026

Synopsis: Ecuador, Paraguay, and Argentina are the Latin American countries that could suffer the most significant negative economic impact in 2026 due to the climate phenomenon known as El Niño, the World Bank (WB) warned in its report, "Economic Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean."

"El Niño poses additional downside risks, as droughts in some parts of the region and floods in others could affect production and increase price pressures-with Ecuador, Paraguay, and Argentina potentially facing the greatest impacts," the document explains.

"This vulnerability is rooted in the region's energy matrix. Given that hydroelectric power accounts for nearly half of Latin America's total electricity generation, prolonged droughts-particularly in parts of northern South America, the Andean region, and Central America-pose serious risks to power generation capacity," it noted.

Venezuela: Crossing between Táchira and Apure closed following the collapse of the Burgua bridge due to rains

La Iguana.tv, 10/10/2026

Synopsis: The Ministry of People's Power for Transportation reported that heavy rainfall in the Andean region caused the collapse of the Burgua Bridge, located on the "Local 1" road, on the border between the states of Táchira and Apure. Due to this situation, authorities have closed the bridge to traffic while they address the emergency.

"We invite you to stay tuned to our social media channels, where we will provide updates on the work being carried out to recover this important structure and restore connectivity between the two states," the Ministry of Transportation stated in an official announcement.

Study confirms that global warming exacerbated heat and drought in Venezuela

Ultimas Noticias, 10/07/2026

Synopsis: Warming caused by human activity exacerbated heat and intensified extreme droughts in Venezuela during the 2015-2024 decade, according to a study published in the scientific journal *Weather and Climate Extremes*. The study compared the climate during those years with a simulation of what conditions would have been like in the absence of global warming, finding that the country would have experienced less severe conditions.

The research shows that this warming intensified conditions already influenced by natural weather variations. The El Niño phenomenon continues to play a significant role, particularly regarding drought episodes.

The study reveals a much higher frequency of warm nights than would have occurred without human-induced warming. The lack of nighttime relief is significant because the human body requires recovery time from the heat endured during the day. If temperatures remain high after sunset, this recovery process is hindered. While the study does not quantify deaths or hospitalizations in Venezuela, it highlights a level of exposure that poses a health risk.

It also underscores the combination of heat and humidity. When the air is highly humid, sweat evaporates less easily, making it harder for the body to cool itself. In Venezuela, there are days in every month where temperatures exceed the 26°C threshold.

Venezuela: Rains in Portuguesa leave 4 bridges collapsed and rural settlements cut off

La iguana.tv, 10/13/2026

Synopsis: The rains in Portuguesa have caused the collapse of four bridges, four footbridges, and four small culvert bridges, leaving dozens of rural settlements and thousands of coffee-farming families cut off. This was reported by Governor Primitivo Cedeño, who provided an assessment of the damage to the state's road infrastructure, adding that various areas have experienced flooding due to rivers and streams overflowing their banks.

This has forced residents of dozens of rural settlements to make their way across roads with water reaching their waists, while carrying children and the elderly on their backs.

The grain-producing hub of Portuguesa is among the areas most severely affected by the rains. The emergency puts the grain harvest at risk, as it is currently impossible to access production sites or transport grain to collection centers.

Sardines: a "superfood" at risk due to climate change

DW, 10/08/2026

Synopsis: "Adriatic sardines are shrinking"-so reported a news portal in the Croatian region of Istria, noting that the average size of sardines has decreased by three to four centimeters over the last two decades.

Researchers have identified overfishing and climate change as the causes.

Following a summer of record-breaking temperatures-during which the surface of the Adriatic Sea reached 30 degrees Celsius-the future of the sardine in this region has become even more uncertain. This also threatens the survival of the local fish-canning industry, one of the oldest along the Croatian coast.

For many, the loss of the sardine fishery would be a severe blow, especially since the coastal regions of the Adriatic have already experienced significant deindustrialization since the 1990s.

The Adriatic Sea is warming much faster than other parts of the Mediterranean. A Croatian research institute found that, over the last decade, the deep waters of the Adriatic have warmed four times as much as they did throughout the entire previous century. This makes the environment increasingly inhospitable for sardines, which require specific temperature ranges to reproduce.

At one time, there were about 35 such factories operating across Istria, Dalmatia, and the Croatian islands; today, only four remain. Tourism has also played a role-and, much like the sardine population, it has become increasingly unpredictable in the face of these heatwaves.

What the loss of Papua's eternal snow-the last tropical ice between the Andes and the Himalayas-signifies

BBC, 10/09/2026

Synopsis: On the peaks of the world's second-largest island, almost all the snow has vanished.

A century ago, the 300-km stretch of the Sudirman Range featured permanent snow and ice on its four main peaks. Now, it is expected that these will disappear entirely within a year or two.

Glacial coverage around the summit has shrunk from nearly 1,900 hectares in the 19th century to about 16 hectares today.

The retreat of glaciers in Papua is driven by the same forces affecting ice worldwide, notes Šabacká: the warming of the atmosphere caused by human activity, including the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas.

As temperatures rise, the freezing level shifts to higher altitudes in the mountains; consequently, a greater proportion of precipitation falls as rain rather than snow-even in places where it once snowed regularly.

Populations of wild species continue to decline, and Latin America is bearing the brunt.

El País, 10/07/2026

Synopsis: The organization WWF and the Zoological Society of London have released their *Living Planet* report, which assesses the state of global biodiversity. Based on 52 years of data-up to and including 2022-the report confirms a sustained decline in wildlife populations. Latin America and the Caribbean, being the most biodiverse region, have been hit the hardest.

Since 1970, there has been an average 73% decline in wildlife populations globally; for Latin America and the Caribbean, that figure reaches 95%.

To calculate the global index, the organizations measured changes in the population sizes of 5,790 vertebrate species, comprising 35,803 distinct populations. For Latin America, the data covers 1,405 species across 4,737 populations.

Freshwater species have been the most severely affected, experiencing an average overall decline of 85%-this includes fish found in rivers, lakes, and wetlands, as well as otters, crocodiles, and more. Terrestrial species follow with a 69% decline, while marine species have seen a 59% decline-the slowest rate of change among the three major ecosystem types.

The way we produce energy and food, along with the structure of our financial system, is largely responsible for bringing us to this point. The report notes that in 2023, approximately $7.3 trillion was directed toward activities harmful to nature, while only $220 billion went toward activities that protect or restore it.

Ethiopia made history by becoming the first country in the world to ban the import of gasoline and diesel vehicles.

Huffington Post, 10/18/2026

Synopsis: Unlike European countries, which view this transition as a long-term climate goal, the Ethiopian government adopted this radical measure for reasons of economic survival and energy strategy.

This move was driven, firstly, by the expenditure of billions of dollars in foreign currency to import and subsidize fossil fuels, and secondly, by the desire to harness the country's vast hydroelectric potential-bolstered by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which has doubled domestic electricity generation.

The ban applies strictly to vehicles with purely internal combustion engines; hybrid and fully electric vehicles are exempt and remain permitted.

The number of electric vehicles on the road has grown rapidly, surpassing 115,000 units, supplemented by more than 100 electric buses operating in the capital, Addis Ababa. The official target is to reach 500,000 electric vehicles by 2030.

However, for many citizens, the transition is challenging due to the high upfront cost of new electric cars, the lack of a robust network of public charging stations, and the very rapid depreciation of electric models in the second-hand market.

Summer was the hottest ever recorded in Western Europe, reports Copernicus.

AFP, 10/02/2026

Synopsis: A record 52% of European territory was exposed to intense heat stress this summer-defined as a perceived temperature exceeding 38°C-which can cause symptoms ranging from dizziness and headaches to multiple organ failure or death, the European Union's climate observatory reported.

According to Copernicus, this summer was the hottest ever recorded in Western Europe, featuring four of the ten most intense heatwaves ever known on the continent-most notably in France, but also in the United Kingdom and Belgium.

In 2026, "there were 17 days when at least 60% of Western Europe experienced temperatures above 30°C, compared to 11 days in 2003 and 7 days in 2025."

Approximately 80% of the continent experienced "strong" heat stress, meaning a perceived temperature above 32°C.

"The summer of 2026 demonstrated the extent to which heat stress is becoming increasingly widespread," added Burgess, noting that this is the leading cause of weather-related mortality globally.

Venezuela: Extreme drought strikes at the heart of family-run livestock farming in Paraguaná

Ultimas Noticias, 10/07/2026

Synopsis: Prolonged lack of rainfall pushes the resilience of small-scale producers to the breaking point.

"Two years ago, a single goat would give me up to three liters of milk a day. Today, I struggle to get even half a liter. Half the herd has gone dry due to the heat and the lack of sufficient feed," says Jesús, a local producer, as he runs his hand along the bony back of one of his best-producing goats.

The drastic drop in milk yields is being felt throughout the entire supply chain. The artisanal production of cheese, *requesón* (ricotta-style cheese), whey, and traditional goat-milk preserves has fallen to critical levels in the rural settlements of the Falcón municipality. Kitchens and small, family-run cheese-making operations are running at a fraction of their capacity due to a lack of raw materials.

Following two consecutive periods without sufficient rainfall-on land that is already arid-this prolonged scarcity has overwhelmed existing community infrastructure, which now requires urgent maintenance to cope with the climate crisis.

Without water or pasture, the weakest animals collapse from exhaustion after traveling for kilometers among parched *cují* trees in search of the few remaining green shoots. Pregnant goats are unable to carry their pregnancies to term.

"You watch as the kids die in your own hands. Pregnant goats either miscarry or die during labor; if a kid is born, it's so weak that it can't even stand, and within a few hours, it collapses. We are losing both our current herd and the future of our livestock," says Jesús, gazing toward the horizon to avoid looking at an enclosure that now feels far too large for the few animals left.

"There is no money to buy a truckload of water or a sack of feed," the small-scale breeders agree. Their only remaining option is to liquidate their assets-selling off parts of their herds at fire-sale prices-in a desperate attempt to save the animals that are still standing.

The artisanal dams that used to store water for six months are now large fissures in the dry mud. The deeper reservoirs, lined with stone slabs to hold water for up to a year, exhausted their reserves after the second period without rain.

Mudslide leaves six injured and thousands of homes affected in Santiago, Chile

Últimas Noticias, 10/10/2026

Synopsis: Authorities in the municipality of Las Condes remain on alert due to the risk of further mudslides and have provided an updated assessment of the emergency following a technical meeting.

A mudslide that struck the Las Condes commune resulted in damage to 2,015 homes in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of Chile. Additionally, six people were injured, including a one-year-old child.

In light of the risk of further mudslides, a temporary suspension of classes at schools has been ordered, and more than 1,000 people have been evacuated.

Ecuador: Mazar Reservoir Nears Its Most Critical Level

Telesur, 10/12/2026

Synopsis: The Electric Corporation of Ecuador (Celec EP) raised an alarm over the weekend regarding the rapid depletion of the Mazar reservoir-Ecuador's largest strategic water reserve-which saw its water level drop by nearly six meters in just 10 days, including a decline of 1.53 meters in a single day.

With a drop of this magnitude, the reservoir is now less than ten meters above its minimum safe operating level. Crossing that threshold would jeopardize the national electricity supply.

With a capacity of 170 megawatts, the Mazar facility can store up to 410 million cubic meters of water. It plays a vital regulatory role, supplying water to downstream power plants: Molino (1,100 megawatts) and Sopladora (487 megawatts). As the reservoir approaches its operational limit, the stability of the entire interconnected power system is put at risk, and the margin for maneuver is exhausted.

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