Generate Capital, a sustainable infrastructure finance and development firm, this morning announced a $2 billion fundraise from major institutional investors.
Why it matters: It's a lot of money — company representatives are calling it among the largest single private investments in sustainability.
The rapid succession of precedent-shattering extreme weather events in North America and Europe this summer is prompting some scientists to question whether climate extremes are worsening faster than expected.
Why it matters: Extreme weather events are the deadliest, most expensive and immediate manifestations of climate change. Any miscalculations in how severe these events may become, from wildfires to heat waves and heavy rainfall, could make communities more vulnerable.
Wildfires are growing across the western U.S., triggering evacuation orders, as the threat of "dry lightning" prompted red flag warnings and fire weather watches to be issued from central California to northwest South Dakota on Monday.
Of note: As temperatures again rise, 80 large wildfires were burning across nearly 1.2 million acres in the West Sunday — 10 more than the previous day, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
A chemical leak at a Houston-area water park left dozens of people with breathing and skin irritation problems on Saturday — including 26 who were hospitalized, one in a critical condition, per the New York Times.
Driving the news: Lina Hidalgo, Houston's chief elected official, told reporters over 60 people had undergone decontamination procedures following the leak at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown in Spring, Texas.
Another heat wave is striking the U.S. — this time engulfing the northern Rockies and High Plains, where temperatures were set to soar into the triple digits this weekend. The heat won't relent for a week in some areas.
Why it matters: Extreme heat contributes to the potential for new wildfires to form, as well as extreme wildfire behavior.
