Even if countries meet the more aggressive goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, global warming could likely still trigger several climate “tipping points" that would drastically change life on Earth, according to a new study published in the journal Science on Thursday.
Why it matters: "Tipping points" refer to junctures in the climate system that, when crossed, can usher in irreversible changes. Tipping points include the near-complete melting of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet or the shutdown of the ocean current that includes the Gulf Stream.
Superbugs are strengthening their foothold: The COVID-19 pandemic spurred a 15% increase in hospital-related infections and deaths in 2020, per the CDC.
Why it matters: The U.S. was already reporting an antimicrobial resistant (AMR) infection every 11 seconds, and a death from them every 15 minutes before the pandemic. Low- and middle-income countries face worse conditions.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for counties threatened by the dangerous Fairview and Mosquito Fires Thursday, as firefighters across the drought-ravaged western U.S. battled scores of wildfires in the searing heat.
Driving the news: Both the deadly Fairview Fire in Riverside County and the Mosquito Fire in El Dorado and Placer counties that jumped a river Thursday are "threatening multiple communities and critical infrastructure, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents," per Newsom's statement.
Blistering heat and dangerous fire weather are threatening much of the West and the Great Plains — particularly in California, Idaho, Montana and Oregon, where thousands of firefighters are battling several massive wildfires.
Threat level: The long duration of record-setting temperatures is affecting a broad region facing unprecedented drought. This, plus weather systems that are encouraging the air to rise to set off thunderstorms, is leading to perilous wildfire risk situations across multiple states.
Small and simple, kind gestures have immense, underestimated power.
Why it matters: When it comes to doing nice things for others, a little goes a long way. That should encourage all of us to put in that bit of extra effort to make someone smile.
🖼️ The big picture: Researchers demonstrated the power of small acts of kindness in a new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology.
