National

Ominous forecasts about the impact of climate change serve as the backdrop for the world — led by U.S. lawmakers and companies — to debate big action on the problem, which could upend energy systems and our way of life.

Energy & Environment

Axios Generate

Data: IEA; Note: Includes Shell, Exxon, BP and other major oil and gas companies, ADNOC, CNPC, CNOOC, Equinor, Gazprom, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, Lukoil, Petrobras, Repsol, Rosneft, Saudi Aramco, Sinopec and Sonatrach; Chart: Simran Parwani/Axios

Oil companies have boosted clean energy investment, but it's unevenly spread in the industry and the sector should parlay big profits into more aggressive initiatives, the International Energy Agency said.

Why it matters: "High prices are generating an unprecedented windfall," IEA said in a new report.

"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for producer economies to fund diversification activities and for the major oil and gas companies to deliver more diversified spending."

Zoom in: Solar and wind have accounted for the largest investments, with Europe-based multinationals steering the most capital by far.

More broadly, a number of companies worldwide — both investor- and state-owned — are also boosting investments in hydrogen, carbon capture and other tech.

But plans are generally more ambitious than underlying investments so far, IEA said.

The big picture: That's part of a much wider IEA analysis that shows global energy investment — spanning power and grids, efficiency, fuels and more — is set to rise 8% this year.

Nonetheless, "today’s energy investment trends show a world falling short on climate goals, and on reliable and affordable energy."

Oil giants criticized for uneven clean energy investment

The sector should parlay big profits into more aggressive initiatives, IEA said in a new report.

clean energy

U.S. gasoline consumption by year

Data: Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Energy Information Administration; Chart: Simran Parwani/Axios

The rise in U.S. fuel prices isn't yet spurring a major pullback in driving, but that could soon change, a new Dallas Fed analysis finds.

The big picture: Gas demand is historically not very sensitive to prices.

But "prices may be closer to consumers' pain threshold than inflation-adjusted prices might suggest," Dallas Fed economist Garrett Golding writes.

If they rise higher, "expect consumers to respond by cutting back on fuel consumption and overall spending sooner than later."

What we're watching: Remote work options could reduce demand, per the report, but it's "too early to fully assess the impact."

And many low-wage workers — the ones most hurt by high costs — lack that choice.

Gas prices aren't leading to less driving — yet

Gas demand is historically not very sensitive to prices.

Gas prices

On first day of summer, heat wave intensifies and heads for the South

By this weekend, highs in Texas are forecast to reach 105°F or above.

Forecast high temperatures for Wednesday, June 22, 2022.

Forecast high temperatures for Wednesday, with boxes indicating daily records to be tied or broken. Photo: Weatherbell.com

Heat waves

Extreme weather

Climate change

A look at the scientific breakthroughs changing the world, explorations in space and in worlds beyond our own and the threats posed to us by our own planet, both out of our control and of our own making.

Science

The Department of the Interior on Tuesday announced nearly $26 million in funds for water and energy efficiency grants in Western states. The grants, paid for under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will go toward conserving local water supplies amid the severe drought in the West.

Why it matters: Most of the West is mired in drought conditions, particularly the Southwest, where a megadrought dating back more than two decades is the most severe such event in at least 1,200 years.

Driving the news: The Interior Department has approved grants for 14 projects in eight Western states to help boost water use efficiency through such actions as upgrading water meters, installing gates to control water flow and more.

According to a statement, the department aims to save more than 12 billion gallons of water per year with these grants, which it says would be enough water to fill about 880,000 swimming pools. 

Zoom in: The projects aim to reduce residential use and increase the efficiency of irrigation systems.

Two projects will also involve building solar power facilities to provide clean energy to water-related infrastructure. 

"We are making a historic investment in drought resilience and water infrastructure to help more families, farmers and Tribes gain access to clean water," said Tanya Trujillo, Interior's assistant secretary for water and science, in a statement.

The big picture: The infrastructure bill allocated $8.3 billion for water infrastructure projects via the department's Bureau of Reclamation, and the new announcement comprises part of a total of $160 million in WaterSMART grants provided this year.

Recipients of the new grants include the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which will receive $2 million for a turf replacement program, and the city of Rialto, California, for a $2 million advanced metering implementation project.

Other grants will go to community projects in Utah, Texas and Colorado. 

Context: As of June 16, 78% of the West was classified as being in drought conditions, with 44% of this region in the two most severe categories. 

With the exception of parts of the Southwest, which is seeing beneficial rains associated with the monsoon season, little drought relief is forecast this summer across the West.

Federal officials have issued increasingly urgent warnings about the need to conserve water.  

Interior Department devotes nearly $26 million to water efficiency

The grants will go toward improving water efficiency and conservation.

Lake Mead at record low levels on May 10, 2022.

A plaque is displayed at the Nevada-Arizona state line on the Hoover Dam, with Lake Mead in the background, on May 10. Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images.

Drought

The Biden administration announced a new temporary pay raise for federal wildland firefighters Tuesday, significantly bumping their wages over the next two fiscal years.

Why it matters: The wage increase comes as the Forest Service is struggling to hire firefighters in parts of the country, especially Western states, amid an already abnormally active fire season.

By the numbers: The Biden administration said it will increase federal wildland firefighters' salaries by $20,000 per year or 50% of their current base salary, whichever is lower. 

The pay increase will come from $600 million allocated through the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal signed by President Biden last year.

This comes after the administration bumped the pay for federal wildland firefighters to $15 per hour last year.

Despite that pay raise, the Forest Service has still been struggling to meet its hiring targets.

As of mid-May, the service had hired more than 10,100 permanent and seasonal firefighters, or roughly 90% of its target of 11,300 total personnel.

It confirmed to Axios on June 9 that it has "struggled to fill positions in some areas of the country, especially in the Pacific Northwest and California, where the labor pool is low and pay isn’t as competitive as we would like it to be."

It also cited high labor demand as another factor behind its staffing shortage and hiring difficulties in those areas.

Data recently obtained by Buzzfeed News showed that California’s federal wildland fighting force had been just 65% to 70% staffed, potentially reflecting frustrations over low pay, inadequate benefits, poor living conditions and the extreme mental and physical toll from the job.

What they're saying: "There’s an old expression that God made man — and then he made a few firefighters," Biden said in a statement Tuesday. 

"Firefighters are some of the bravest men and women among us, and the backbones of our communities, protecting our homes, businesses, schools and families from catastrophe," he added.

"But we know there is more work to do, especially as climate change fuels more wildfires. I will do everything in my power, including working with Congress to secure long-term funding, to make sure these heroes keep earning the paychecks — and dignity — they deserve."

Along with the pay raise, the Biden administration announced new programs meant to focus on the mental and physical well-being of firefighters.

The big picture: 31,000 fires have already scorched more than 3,215,000 acres around the U.S. this wildfire season, well above 10-year averages for this time of the year, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

The already-severe wildfire season is being driven by record-setting heat waves and a deepening climate-change-driven drought across much of the Western U.S.

As of June 14, over 57% of the U.S. was under at least abnormally dry conditions, while almost 20% of the country was experiencing at least extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Go deeper: Arizona wildfire threatens national observatory

Axios' Andrew Freedman contributed to this report.

Biden announces pay bump for federal firefighters

It comes as the Forest Service is facing hiring difficulties amid an already-severe fire season.

A Forest Service wildland firefighter battling the Caldor Fire near Twin Bridges, California, in August 2021.

A Forest Service wildland firefighter battles the Caldor Fire near Twin Bridges, Calif., in August 2021. Photo: Karl Mondon/Digital First Media/The Mercury News via Getty Images

Wildfires

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

The first day of the summer, the longest day of the year and the summer solstice officially arrived on Tuesday, June 21.

The big picture: Yet, the hot weather arrived in the U.S. and Europe before the summer solstice with extraordinary heat waves sending temperatures soaring into uncharted territory, Axios’ Andrew Freedman reports.

The summer solstice, officially at 5:13 a.m. ET, marks the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere when the Earth is at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt toward the sun, according to Almanac.com.

It’s the longest day and shortest night of the calendar year in the Northern Hemisphere.

The June solstice marks the start of winter in the Southern Hemisphere and is the shortest day of the year there.

Heat wave shattering records ahead of summer

Meanwhile, the early season extreme heat is a development meteorologists are calling "unsettling" and "unprecedented," Axios' Freedman reports.

These events are a clear warning sign of global warming's growing influence on day-to-day weather.

Summers are becoming deadlier as climate change blankets millions in heat waves whose public health consequences were until recently not fully understood.

Why it matters: Extreme heat is increasingly taking a toll on children, pregnant people and other vulnerable populations, forcing authorities to roll out new strategies against an environmental threat that dwarfs floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters, Axios’ Arielle Dreher reports.

First day of summer adds "cool" drinks and a few deals

Heat waves shattered records on 2 continents before summer began

Target offers rare clearance discount in overstock sale

Fourth of July fireworks have "less bang" for the buck

Hello summer: The longest day of the year and solstice are here

The first day of the summer, the longest day of the year and the summer solstice have arrived.

Sunrise in the Republic of Macedonia on June 21, 2022

June 21 is National Smoothie Day and International Yoga Day. Photo: Robert Atanasovski/AFP via Getty Images

Weather

Two extraordinary heat waves sent temperatures soaring into uncharted territory in Europe and the U.S. prior to the summer solstice, setting new benchmarks for the month of June in several European countries.

Why it matters: The early season extreme heat is a development meteorologists are calling "unsettling" and "unprecedented." These events are a clear warning sign of global warming's growing influence on day-to-day weather.

Heat waves are deceptively deadly, with heat illnesses striking the most vulnerable among us, from the homeless to the elderly, along with poorer residents who cannot afford air conditioning.

Such events are particularly dangerous when they occur in late spring or early in the summer, before people are accustomed to the high temperatures.

Satellite-derived image of land surface temperatures in Europe on June 19, 2022. 

Land surface temperatures detected by the Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B satellites on June 19, 2022. Image: Platform Adam.

The big picture: The jet stream, which is a fast-flowing river of air flowing from east to west at high altitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, connects the two continental heat waves via a pattern of atmospheric waves. During the past week, the jet stream across Europe and North America have both been dominated by strong ridges of high pressure, also known as heat domes.

In Europe, the heat wave began weeks ago as hot air built up over north Africa. This air mass eventually made its way northward into Spain. Aided by a highly amplified jet stream setup, the heat then surged into France and on to Central Europe.

A persistent area of low pressure centered west of Portugal helped draw the hot air northward through its counterclockwise airflow.

Across the U.S., the jet stream has been contorted aloft like a snake, with the heat dome currently centered in the middle of the country. Temperatures across the Midwest are forecast to reach the triple-digits Tuesday.

Zoom in: Human-caused global warming is altering the background conditions in which extreme heat events occur, and some studies suggest it is also affecting the jet stream itself.

A warming planet is causing heat waves to become more intense, as well as more frequent and longer lasting.

Numerous studies have attributed particular extreme heat events to global climate change, including in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere.

By the numbers: The heat in Europe and the U.S. has not been your typical summertime hot weather, in fact, the temperatures would be unusual for midsummer, let alone mid-June. National June heat records were set in Switzerland, Poland and the Czech Republic over the weekend.

>200: Total number of monthly records set or tied in France, along with more than a dozen all-time heat records, according to weather historian Maximiliano Herrera.

102.6°F (39.2°C): High temperature in Cottbus, Germany, on Sunday, which was the hottest day ever recorded in that location dating back to 1888.

102.2°F (39.0°C): High temperature Sunday in Husinec, Czech Republic, which is now the hottest June temperature on record for the country.

110.3°F (43.5°C): High temperature June 18 in San Sebastián, Spain, which was the hottest day ever recorded in that location.

109.2°F (42.9°C): High temperature on June 18 at Biarritz, France, for its hottest day on record. This crushed the previous record, from August 2003, by 4°F.

Sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean.

Sea surface temperature anomalies in the Mediterranean Sea. (European Union, Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service)

The heat wave has helped elevate water temperatures in the Mediterranean to 9°F above average, depriving coastal areas of southern Europe of heat relief and potentially harming marine life.

Meanwhile... In the U.S., the record temperatures have not been quite as sizzling as they have been in Europe, but the heat has been relentless.

101°F: High temperature Monday in Minneapolis, breaking a daily record. 

2,074: Number of warm temperature records set or tied, including daily highs and lows, in the Lower 48 states during the seven-day period ending on June 17, compared to just 444 cold records during the same period, according to NOAA.

22: Number of all-time warm temperature records set or tied during the seven-day period ending on June 17, compared to zero all-time cool temperature records during the same period.

What's next: While Europe catches a break from the heat, the Midwest and South will see temperatures climb to dangerously hot levels this week, before the extreme heat slides westward along the Gulf Coast to Texas. The National Weather Service describes Tuesday's conditions as "stifling heat and humidity" with temperatures 15-25°F above average in some areas.

With drought in command of Texas and most of the West, it's likely that more record-breaking extreme heat events are in store for the actual summer season.

Go deeper: Heat wave to migrate from Midwest to the South this week

The extreme heat set new national records for June in Europe, and has proven relentless in the U.S.

People try to keep cool in a water sprayer during a heat wave in Belgium.

People try to keep cool outside amid a heat wave in Brussels, Belgium, on June 18, 2022. Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images.

Land surface temperatures on June 19, 2022 via satellite sensors. Image: Platform Adam.

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