Energy & Environment — Earth hits second consecutive summer heat record

View Online Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story  World sees record hot summer for second consecutive year Summer temperatures broke records again in 2024, according to the European Union agency that tracks global warming.  © Getty Newly released data from the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service found that June and August were the hottest months on record, and  August marked the 13th time global temperatures exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average, the temperature the Paris Climate Agreement says is the threshold for catastrophic warming.   It's less clear whether July broke records, with Copernicus putting the month at slightly cooler than last year while the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration determined it was a fraction of a degree hotter.   Overall, the three-month period from June to August this year was 0.69 degrees hotter than the average for 1991-2020 and 0.03 degrees above the previous record held by summer of 2023, according to the E.U. agency.   Copernicus also determined that the global average temperature for the 12-month period ending in August was the highest of any 12 months on record, measured as 0.76 degrees above the average for 1991-2020 and 1.64 degrees hotter than the pre-industrial average, the latter half of the 19th century.   Compared to previous long-term averages, the calendar year so far has seen temperatures 0.70 degrees above the average for 1991-2020 and 0.23 degrees hotter than the first eight months of 2023.   The data indicate 2024 will likely be the warmest year on record.   Read more at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, we're Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: Biden administration takes step toward indigenous-proposed marine sanctuary off California coast The Biden administration has taken the penultimate step in designating a new marine sanctuary off California's coast.  Full Story Newsom proposes emergency rules to protect kids from harmful hemp products California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) issued a proposal Friday for emergency regulations to ban THC-containing hemp products, in a bid to protect children from potentially toxic effects.  Full Story Former Volkswagen boss Winterkorn goes on trial over diesel cars rigged to cheat on emissions tests FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Former Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn went on trial Tuesday on charges of fraud and market manipulation in connection with the corporate scandal over Volkswagen's use of rigged software that let millions of cars cheat on emissions tests and emit high levels of harmful pollutants.  Full Story In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: UN nuclear watchdog head is in Ukraine out of renewed concern over Zaporizhzhia power plant safety KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog was holding talks with senior officials Tuesday in Ukraine over safety concerns for Europe's largest nuclear power plant, where attacks were recently reported nearby. Full Story What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Loss of bats to lethal fungus linked to 1,300 child deaths in US, study says (The Guardian)   Harris abandons 2019 pledge to ban plastic straws (Axios) Egypt Seeks Rare LNG Cargoes for Winter, Squeezing Supply (Bloomberg) On Tap  Upcoming news themes and events we're watching next week: The House could take up the End Chinese Dominance of Electric Vehicles in America Act of 2024 as part of a larger suite of China-related bills. Tuesday: The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing titled "The Fish and Wildlife Service Gone Wild: Examining Operation Long Tail Liberation." Wednesday: The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on permitting-related bills, including a new draft bill from Chair Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and a resolution that aims to undo the Biden administration's NEPA regulations. The House Oversight Committee is slated to hold a hearing on the Biden administration's energy policies. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on water-related legislation. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton is slated to appear.  The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on the nomination of Matthew Marzano to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.   Thursday: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on the Energy Department's role in advanced computing research. Helena Fu, director of DOE's Office of Critical and Emerging Technologies, is slated to appear What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: White House mocks Trump for answer on child care costs The White House and Democrats mocked and ridiculed former President Trump after he delivered a lengthy answer to a question about lowering the cost of child care in which he suggested tariffs on foreign nations would address the problem ... Read more New poll shows Florida, Texas within margin of error in Harris-Trump race Florida and Texas are within the margin of error in the presidential race between former President Trump and Vice President Harris, according to a poll released Friday.  Read more   You're all caught up. See you next week!  Check out The Hill's Energy & Environment page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

If you believe this has been sent to you in error, please safely unsubscribe.