Climate Impact Report – 9/18
September 18, 2023
tags
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10
CountriesTen countries and territories – including the U.S. – saw severe flooding in 12 days.
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202
DeathsAs of September 9, Arizona’s Maricopa County confirmed 202 heat-associated deaths, far more than the 175 confirmed by the same time last year.
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Record
HeatAnemones, sponges, jellyfish, and other marine ecosystems are bleaching throughout the Everglades amid record temperatures in Florida.
Key Facts Of The Day 9/18
Hurricanes
- On Saturday, Atlantic Storm Lee pummeled a large swath of New England and Maritime Canada with destructive winds, rough surf, and torrential rains that toppled trees, flooded roadways, and cut power to tens of thousands.
- One person was killed in Maine when a tree limb fell on his vehicle.
- Hurricane Nigel is expected to grow rapidly over the next few days and likely become a major hurricane on Tuesday.
- Hurricane Nigel is currently not a threat to land.
- Ten countries and territories – including the U.S. – saw severe flooding in 12 days.
Wildfires
- As of last Friday, 58 large active wildfires have burned 329,261 acres across 11 states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, ID, LA, MT, NM, OR, TX, and WA. This year to date, 42,502 wildfires have burned 2,181,540 acres across the country.
- In Arizona, 3 fires have burned 7,427 acres as of Friday.
- In California, 2 fires have burned 29,899 acres as of Friday.
- In Colorado, 3 fires have burned 7,810 as of Friday.
- In Louisiana, 5 fires have burned 43,577 acres as of Friday.
- In New Mexico, 3 fires have burned 18,986 acres as of Friday.
- In Oregon, 11 fires have burned 103,053 acres as of Friday.
- In Texas, 2 fires have burned 800 acres as of Friday.
- In Washington, 7 fires have burned 14,555 acres as of Friday.
Extreme Heat
- As of September 9, Arizona’s Maricopa County confirmed 202 heat-associated deaths, far more than the 175 confirmed by the same time last year.
- Anemones, sponges, jellyfish, and other marine ecosystems are bleaching throughout the Everglades amid record temperatures in Florida.
- A drought is causing a slowdown in shipping traffic at the Panama Canal and creating problems for the global supply chain.
- Fall colors in 2023 may be less vibrant due to extreme heat.
New Reports and Data
- A September 2023 study found that climate change reduces global river water quality.
- A September 2023 study found that living in an area with high levels of particulate air pollution was associated with an increased incidence of breast cancer.
- A September 2023 study found that pregnant women exposed to air pollution give birth to smaller babies, but living in a greener area may mitigate the risks.