6 October, 2024
Headlines From a Warming World
The Book
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind, leaving little time for writing and reflection. But amidst the chaos, I found a little time to read a great book, "Niki" by Greek author Christos Chomenidis. This novel explores Greece's tumultuous political and social history through the lens of one family, focusing on the life of a young woman named Niki (the name means "victory") in the politically charged landscape of 20th-century Greece.
The book covers significant events such as World War II, the Greek Civil War, and the ideological conflicts that divided the nation. It reflects the trauma and resilience of people living through these times. Niki, who grows up in a left-wing family, becomes the focal point through which the novel portrays the impact of war, exile, and persecution on individuals and families. It's a deeply personal, emotional, and engaging book.
Have you had the chance to dive into a good book lately?
The Hurricane
Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in late September 2024, caused significant devastation in the southeastern United States, particularly in Florida and North Carolina, where flooding reached catastrophic levels. The storm left more than 200 people dead and caused tens of billions of dollars in damage. A week after the storm hit, the full scale of the destruction remains unclear, with many towns facing a long road to recovery.
Did climate change cause it? Not directly—hurricanes have always occurred. However, the storm's intensity was amplified by warm ocean temperatures, a pattern linked to climate change. Warmer waters fuel more powerful hurricanes, making events like Helene more frequent and destructive.
In response to these climate risks, the largest U.S. real estate app, Zillow, will soon include climate risk assessments for properties. These listings will show vulnerability to natural disasters, including wildfires, flooding, extreme temperatures, high winds, and poor air quality. Will this change how people buy homes? Only time will tell, I suppose.
Tokyo’s Underground Tunnels
On the other side of the world, Tokyo has been expanding its underground tunnels and reservoirs to mitigate the growing risk of heavy rainfall and flooding due to climate change.
Greening Antarctica?
Meanwhile in Antarctica, recent studies show that the continent's vegetation has increased more than tenfold over the past four decades. This expansion of plant life in Antarctica is a sign of the profound changes to our planet’s climate.
If the state of the world makes you feel a bit concerned, rest assured that justice remains vigilant.
Remember the two young "Just Stop Oil" activists that threw tomato sauce on Van Gogh's Sunflowers? The painting was behind glass and therefore undamaged. But the protestors have now been sentenced to two years in prison. Justice is served. The world is safe again.