There is widespread coverage of a new World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report that finds, according to the Independent, that the number of extreme weather disasters has “increased nearly fivefold in the past 50 years”. It says some 771 climate-related disasters were recorded during 1970-1979 compared with 3,165 during the decade 2010-2019, adding: “The climate crisis, which is causing many types of extreme weather events to become more likely and more severe, is likely to be a key driver of the increase, says the report.” BBC News reports: “As global temperatures have risen in recent decades, there has been a significant uptick in the number of disasters related to weather and water extremes.” It adds: “Scientists say that climate change, more extreme weather and better reporting are behind the rise in these extreme events. But improvements to warning systems have helped limit the number of deaths.” Reuters runs under the headline: “Weather disasters becoming more frequent and costly, UN agency says.” It continues: “The WMO, whose report was issued days after Category 4 Hurricane Ida hammered southern Louisiana, attributed the growing frequency to both climate change and improved disaster reporting.” The newswire adds: “Costs from the events also surged from $175.4bn in the 1970s to $1.38tn in the 2010s when storms such as Harvey, Maria and Irma ripped through the US. But while hazards became more costly and frequent, the annual death toll has fallen from more than 50,000 in the 1970s to around 18,000 in the 2010s, suggesting that better planning was paying off.” The Daily Telegraph coverage is titled: “Natural disasters are increasing – but they are not killing people as often.” It adds: “The WMO said studies had found that recent heatwaves and heavy rainfall were likely to be being exacerbated by climate change, while the picture for drought, thunderstorms and tornadoes was less clear-cut.” The Hill and Forbes also have the story.

There is continuing coverage across the media of the China trip by John Kerry, the US president’s climate envoy, who arrived in the city of Tianjin on Tuesday. Associated Press via the Guardian reports that Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has “warned US climate envoy John Kerry that deteriorating US-China relations could undermine cooperation between the two countries on climate change”. It continues: “In a video link call on Wednesday, Wang told Kerry that such cooperation cannot be separated from the broader relationship and called on the US to take steps to improve ties, a foreign ministry statement said.” The New York Times reports the statement under the headline: “China warns US: Strained relations could sink climate cooperation.” The paper adds: “Mr Kerry told Mr Wang that the US remained committed to ‘cooperating with the world to tackle the climate crisis, which must be addressed with the seriousness and urgency that it demands,’ the State Department said by email.” Reuters also has the story. The Financial Times, citing Chinese state media, quotes Wang saying the US has made a “major strategic miscalculation [that] has resulted in the sudden deterioration of bilateral relations in recent years”.

There are also various reports from Chinese media outlets regarding Kerry’s visit. Guancha.cn, a Shanghai-based website focused on running news reports and opinion pieces, features comments made by Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the outlet, Wang told a daily press briefing on Wednesday that although China and the US had “differences on some issues”, the two nations shared “common interests in a wide range of areas such as climate change”. Shanghai Observer, a website affiliated to state-run newspaper Jiefang Daily, carries an opinion piece discussing if the “Tianjin meeting” between Kerry and his Chinese counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, could “become an opportunity for China and the US to break the deadlock”. The article says that “it is hopeful” that cooperation on climate change could “inject positive energy” to the Sino-US relations”. “But, at the same time, some challenges and obstacles cannot be neglected,” it adds.

On the same topic, a report in the Global Times, a Chinese state-run tabloid, says that Kerry is visiting China “in a special moment”. The article lists the reaction towards Kerry’s trip by various international media outlets and highlights one piece titled, “US-China talks threaten to isolate Australia” in the Australian. Cankaoxiaoxi, an affiliation with Xinhua, the state news agency, also has a round-up of foreign media coverage on the matter. As for international media outlets, CNN has a report titled, “Kerry warns nations are running out of time to decarbonise and challenges China to move away from coal”. Bloomberg reports that, according to the US Department of State, Kerry’s meeting with Chinese officials “would discuss cooperative action” with the approach of COP26 in Glasgow. Another Reuters article and Kyodo News report that Kerry “encouraged China to do more to reduce emissions”, citing a US State Department spokesperson.

Elsewhere, the National Energy Administration (NEA), China’s energy regulator, has “promised to learn from its mistakes and improve its planning and policymaking” following a high-level government environmental inspection, reports Reuters. The inspection team accused the NEA of “prioritising energy supply as well as the profits of energy enterprises over the protection of the environment” in January this year, the newswire notes. Chinese industry news portal Beijixing Electricity Net has published a list of “rectification measures” released by the NEA in response to the criticism from the Central Ecological and Environmental Inspection Team (CEEIT). Carbon Brief’s in-depth Q&A explains the significance of such inspections.

The damage caused by Hurricane Ida in the Caribbean and southern US could cost insurers $18bn, Reuters reports, citing catastrophe modelling company Karen Clark & Co. Another Reuters article reports that US energy firms “strained to get offshore operations back up and running on Thursday as the extent of Hurricane Ida’s damages became more apparent”. It adds: “About 80% of the Gulf of Mexico’s oil and gas output remained offline in hundreds of platforms and rigs as energy firms struggled to complete aerial surveys and return workers because of damages to onshore terminals and base sites.” The New York Times says tropical storm Larry has become the 12th named storm of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season and the fourth in the last week. The paper says last year had the most named storms on record, at 30, beating the 28 recorded in 2005. It reports: “The links between hurricanes and climate change are becoming more apparent. A warming planet can expect stronger hurricanes over time, and a higher incidence of the most powerful storms – though the overall number of storms could drop, because factors like stronger wind shear could keep weaker storms from forming.” Further Reuters reports say that tropical storm Larry, currently near the Cape Verde islands off west Africa, is expected to strengthen into a hurricane soon, with another piece saying there is a 30% chance of a rain system in the southwest Caribbean becoming a cyclone over the next 48 hours. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that New York city’s mayor has declared a state of emergency after “record-breaking rain” brought by the remnants of Ida. It adds: “Tornadoes spawned by the storm ripped through parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, images on social media showed.” The Hill says the “first-ever flash flood emergency warning” has been issued for parts of New York city. Reuters, citing CNN, says one person has died in flash flooding in New Jersey. A news feature for Politico says Ida is “supercharging a fight in Washington over spending tens of billions of dollars to protect the US from future storms” as part of the infrastructure bill passed by the Senate. It explains: “[Backers of the bill] say Ida demonstrates that such projects work, pointing to $14.5bn in newly built levees, floodgates and other coastal defences that helped blunt the hurricane’s damage. But many House Republicans, including those in districts devastated by the hurricane, say the Senate’s bipartisan infrastructure bill is overkill.”

Separately, Reuters reports that US president Joe Biden has declared an emergency in California over the ongoing Caldor fire, which has been burning since mid-August. Reuters also reports that firefighters have “fought back a huge, wind-driven wildfire” in the blaze that was threatening a town near Lake Tahoe. It reports: “The Caldor fire was among nearly two dozen raging across California and scores of others elsewhere in the West, during a summer fire season shaping up as one of the most destructive on record. The blazes have been stoked by extremely hot, dry conditions that experts say are symptomatic of climate change.”

In other extreme weather news, Reuters reports that severe drought may force hydro-reliant Brazil to ration power, according to the country’s vice president. Another Reuters piece says storms in Spain have caused floods and blackouts.

Climate Home News reports that COP26 delegates from developing countries are “increasingly frustrated by a lack of information about how they can access Covid-19 vaccines ahead of the Glasgow summit”. It adds: “As of 1 September, no vaccines had been delivered by the UK government and most of those who applied had heard nothing about if, when and how they would receive the jabs. Climate Home News has spoken to climate campaigners in Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Pakistan, Argentina and Nicaragua who do not know whether they will safely attend the critical event. They told Climate Home News the situation was stressful and unfair, threatening to limit participation from poorer parts of the world.” The outlet adds: “The UK COP26 organisers insisted all delegates who requested a vaccine had been contacted about how to book appointments. The first doses of AstraZeneca are due to be administered next week, they told Climate Home.” Separately, the Guardian reports that Glasgow, host city for COP26, has had its hottest summer on record.

The Indian government has “urged utilities to import coal as coal-fired electricity generation surged”, Reuters reports, adding that “several power plants [are] on the verge of running out of [the] fuel”. The newswire adds: “Overall electricity generation rose 16.1% in August, while coal-fired power output rose 23.7% from a year earlier, a Reuters analysis of daily load despatch data by federal grid regulator POSOCO showed.” Business Standard reports that India’s largest power firm NTPC “is looking at several methods to augment supply ”. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that Indian aluminium producers “are calling on state-run Coal India to restore supplies of the fuel, after the producer cut back shipments to prioritise deliveries to power plants amid surging electricity demand”. The Hindu reported the story several days ago.

In other coal news, Reuters reports that Chinese coking coal futures “soared 8% to hit their daily upper limit and an all-time high on Thursday”. Finally, Reuters reports that Indonesian state-run coal producer PT Bukit Asam has announced plans to “build three solar power projects on former mine sites as part of its expansion into renewable energy, the company’s chief executive said on Wednesday”.

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has written to chancellor Rishi Sunak, reports the Times, “highlighting the Bank’s work in ensuring that financial institutions take account of global warming”. The paper quotes the letter, published yesterday, saying: “We have instigated a number of initiatives that help ensure…regulated firms develop capabilities to effectively identify, measure, manage and, where needed, mitigate the financial risks they face from climate change.” Reuters also has the story. Another Reuters article says that the EU lending arm, the European Investment Bank, has “created a Climate and Environment Advisory Council to advise on how its green projects are run and enlisted European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde among other high-profile members”.

The Guardian reports analysis by Imperial College London finding that UK household energy bills are set to rise “after prices on the UK’s wholesale electricity market soared to a record high last month, furthering concerns about more families being pushed into fuel poverty this winter”. The paper continues: “The report, which was commissioned by the energy company Drax, suggested a boom in global gas prices was responsible for driving up UK wholesale electricity prices to record levels.” It quotes the report saying: “Ultimately, Britain needs to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels to be spared the effects of price swings.” The Times also covers the report under the headline: “Gas lights up price for electricity.” It says: “Electricity prices in Britain last month were the highest since records began, driven in part by surging global gas prices, according to a new analysis.” The paper adds: “Stocks of gas are low after a cold winter in Asia and Europe, while Brazil has burnt more gas in power plants after a dry year reduced output from hydroelectric dams. Exceptionally hot summer weather in North America, southern Europe and Siberia has further increased demand for electricity for use in air conditioning, and so pushed up gas usage in power plants.” Bloomberg reports that European gas prices have subsided from record highs after the oil producers’ cartel OPEC confirmed it would raise production. Reuters reports that gas prices rose 7% in the US “as the market prepared for an inventory report later this week likely indicating a low addition to stockpiles, with a dent to production in the US Gulf of Mexico in the footsteps of Hurricane Ida further elevating prices”.

There is continuing coverage of the news that the UK is introducing “E10” petrol as standard, containing 10% ethanol in a bid to reduce transport emissions. The Times says that “one in five forecourts…will only sell the E10 petrol even though drivers of some 600,000 older and classic cars have been told not to use it”. An article for the Conversation asks of the switch to E10: “Will it bring benefits?” It says: “One benefit is as the plants that will become the fuel grow, they absorb more carbon dioxide than what will be released into the air during fuel production and combustion, lowering emissions. But by how much that happens is still an active topic of debate. The concept is good, but the source of ethanol makes a critical difference.” A full-page comment in the Daily Mail by columnist John Naish asks: “Will the new type of petrol wreck your car… and your lawnmower?” It says: “A number of scientific experts warn that E10 will actually cause at least as much damage to the environment as conventional petrol, if not more.” An editorial in the Sun argues: “Yet another eco measure singles out the poorest for punishment. New ‘greener’ E10 petrol may damage hundreds of thousands of older cars over time. Those drivers must use Super Unleaded instead…at 15p a litre more.”

An editorial in the Financial Times reflects on the decision by Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon to add two Green party minsters to her government: “The Scottish Greens’ co-leaders, Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, have made history by becoming the first Green party ministers in any UK government. Yet neither is in cabinet, which raises questions about how effectively they will be able to deliver on the zero-carbon buildings, green skills and circular economy measures for which they are now responsible.” The paper compares the arrangement to one adopted by the government in New Zealand and adds: “If New Zealand and Scotland end up with governments that bear the lustre of green politics but deliver little of concrete value it will be a shame. Mainstream parties of all stripes have struggled to deal with the profound threat of climate change. Adding ministers immersed in the complexities of climate policymaking is welcome. Green politicians, meanwhile, have too often lacked experience with the rigours of political office, a necessary ingredient if their ideas are ever to become reality.” The editorial notes that “momentum is growing” for Green parties in Europe and that the German Greens “could still be part of a new coalition government in the EU’s largest economy”. The piece concludes: “Should this happen, it would be a serious advance. Yet a more impressive model for promoting green measures may be taking shape elsewhere – in Washington DC. President Joe Biden vowed to embed climate policy across his administration…Different political systems will inevitably find different ways to meet rising demand to address environmental problems, especially climate change. They are welcome. Scotland’s version may not prove to be the best, but it is very unlikely to be the last.” Relatedly, Reuters reports: “Canada’s ‘infernal summer’ puts climate change at forefront of election.” The newswire continues: “Canadians are demanding decisive action from leaders to tackle climate change after a summer of extreme weather intensified environmental concerns, making it the No. 1 issue in September’s snap election, polling data shows.” Reuters also reports that Japan has announced a list of growth priorities ahead of upcoming elections, including “to promote green technology and digitalisation”.

In other news from Scotland, the Times reports: “Scotland is in pole position to drive economic growth in the UK’s transition to net-zero emissions, according to new research.” Bloomberg, citing a statement from the body, reports that the Crown Estate Scotland is to launch a leasing round for offshore wind aimed towards “decarbonising Scotland’s oil and gas sector”. And the Herald says “North sea industry leaders have mounted a spirited defence of the oil and gas sector warning that curbs on UK production would only increase reliance on imports and disrupt the energy transition”.

In the Guardian, Iraq’s deputy prime minister and finance minister Ali Allawi and International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol write: “To stand a chance of limiting the worst effects of climate change, the world needs to fundamentally change the way it produces and consumes energy, burning less coal, oil and natural gas.” They note that this could result in “a 75% plunge in net revenues for oil-producing economies” such as Iraq. Solutions mentioned by the pair include renewables and energy efficiency. They conclude: “Countries such as Iraq cannot make the transition to clean energy alone. If they are to bring together the financial resources, expertise and policies to transform their economies in an equitable, affordable way, they will need international support. Otherwise, the path to net-zero and the security of the world’s energy markets will both be imperilled.” The Guardian reports the pair’s comments under the headline: “Opec member urges oil producers to focus more on renewable energy.” The article adds: “The finance minister of Iraq, one of the founding members of the global oil cartel Opec, has made an unprecedented call to fellow oil producers to move away from fossil fuel dependency and into renewable energy, ahead of a key Opec meeting.”

In his last regular column for the magazine, veteran climate campaigner Bill McKibben writes in the New Yorker: “Dealing with global warming is always going to be about the balance of power.” He reflects on his career and campaigns against the Keystone XL pipeline, as well as on divestment. McKibben also introduces his new newsletter “the Crucial Years”, in which he writes about how he hopes to address further warming: “By rapidly deploying renewable energy on a huge scale…[And] by simultaneously building a fairer, less polarised world – by building solidarity within countries and among them.”

In the second “chapter” of its Road to COP26 series, Politico includes a feature on carbon removal by forests, which notes that they already absorb about 10% of the EU’s CO2 emissions. The piece continues: “But it’s a risky gamble as those trees are in danger from some of the consequences of climate change, including increasing wildfires, droughts and pests. And trees that burn or die end up releasing their captured CO2 back into the atmosphere.” Other pieces in the series include an article on the “perils of regulating geoengineering” and a related feature that says: “Geoengineering – humanity’s last resort – may not work well enough to spare us”. A fourth article looks at “second thoughts” over the closure of nearly 32 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2035 in France, Germany, Belgium and Spain.

The continuous decline of glaciers in the Pyrenees means the mountain range in southern Europe could be “ice-free” in the coming decades, a new study warns. Using high-resolution satellite data and observations from unmanned air vehicles and lidar, the researchers assess the glacierised area and thickness of Pyrenean glaciers during 2011-20. In this period, “their total area shrank by 23.2% and thickness decreased by 6.3 metres on average”, the study says. It concludes that “there is no sign of slowdown in shrinkage of Pyrenean glaciers respect to previous decades”.

The contribution of insects to the decomposition of dead trees accounts for 29% of the carbon released from deadwood globally, a new study suggests. A field experiment of wood decomposition across 55 forest sites and 6 continents shows that “deadwood decomposition rates increase with temperature, and the strongest temperature effect is found at high precipitation levels”, the paper says. Applying their findings to a global map of deadwood carbon, the researchers estimate that around 11bn tonnes of carbon per year is released from deadwood globally, with 93% originating from tropical forests. The paper features in the Nature podcast.

New research estimates the albedo (reflectance) of the Earth’s surface for 1998-2017 by measuring “earthshine” – the sunlight reflected from Earth to the dark part of the moon’s face and back. The researchers find a “gradual, but climatologically significant” decline in albedo corresponding to a net climate forcing of around 0.5 Watts per square metre. The drop in albedo shows “no correlation” with measures of solar activity, the authors say, but instead is “attributed to a warming of the eastern Pacific, which is measured to reduce low-lying cloud cover and, thereby, the albedo”.