Saturday, July 4, 2026

Climate change as a matter of fact (stifling globe-spanning intense heat edition)

 

Map and headline:  New York Times, 7/3/2026
The bouts of exceptional warmth are driven in large part by the continued emissions of heat-trapping gases, mainly from the burning of fossil fuels.

Related posts:
May-June 2026
Climate change turned up the heat on Planet Earth (May 2026 worldwide edition).  (6/11)

April 2026
If right-wing parties gain control, then Europe will only get hotter (b/w Looney Tunes at the Heartland Institute).  (4/30)

March 2026

February 2026

January 2026
Climate change as a matter of fact:  That's why it's called "extreme weather".  (1/29)
 

Screwworm tally in United States reaches 31


Graphic and headline:  Texas Public Radio, 7/3/2026

The most recent Texas detections were two infestations in sheep in Crockett County, both confirmed June 30. 
This tracker is updated as new infestations are confirmed. Continue reading for answers to common questions about the New World screwworm, including how infestations begin, which animals are at risk and what Texans should know. 
What is the New World screwworm? 
Despite its name, the New World screwworm isn't a worm. It is the larval stage of the fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax), a parasite that feeds on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. 
Infestations begin when an adult female screwworm fly lays eggs in an open wound or natural body opening. Within hours, the eggs hatch and the larvae begin feeding on living tissue, unlike common maggots, which feed on dead or decaying tissue. 
As the larvae burrow deeper into tissue, wounds become larger and often infected. Without treatment, infestations can be fatal.

Related posts:
June 16-30, 2026

June 1-15, 2026

Jan-May 2026

2025

Long-term effects of bird flu on Gannet colonies in Scotland and Wales

 
Photo and headline:  RSPB, 7/3/2026

According to a new study led by the RSPB and Aarhus University, Gannet populations at two of the world’s largest colonies, Bass Rock in Scotland and Grassholm in Wales, are not expected to recover from the impact of bird flu until 2041 at the earliest. 
The findings show bird flu was responsible for a fourfold increase in the deaths of adult Gannets. The UK is responsible for a high proportion of the global population. 
In the 11 years prior to 2022, the average annual mortality rates were 6% at Bass Rock and 11% at Grassholm. During the outbreak, this rose to 33% and 47% respectively.\ 
In 2023, a year after the outbreak, this led to a 26% decrease in the size of the colony at Bass Rock and a 38% decline at Grassholm.

Other bird flu posts:
July 2026

June 21-30

June 11-20:

June 1-10:

May 16-31

May 11-15

May 6-10

May 1-5:

April 26-30:

April 21-25:
California bird flu news:  It's everywhere, it's everywhere!  (4/23)

April 16-20
 
April 11-15:

April 6-10:  
Even the 1% have to deal with bird flu  (The Hamptons Long Island edition).  (4/9)

April 1-5
Lancaster County Pennsylvania reports yet another case of bird flu. (4/1

March 26-31:

March 21-25:

March 16-20:

March 11-15, 2025

March 6-10, 2026.  

March 1-5, 2026

February 20-28,2026
SHOCKER!!  Dead birds found in Ohio gated community.  Bird flu suspected.  (2/21)

February 10-19, 2026
February 1-9, 2026

January 21-31, 2026

January 11-20, 2026
New York tells resident don't touch those dead birds.  (1/17)

January 1-10, 2026
Bird flu strain of avian influenza:  "The picture has grown darker and stranger than most would have imagined".  (1/8)
Bird flu reported on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. (1/8)Dozens of vultures die of bird flu in North Carolina.  (1/8)

December 16-31, 2025

December 1-15, 2025

November 15-30, 2025

November 1-15, 2025

October 2025

September 2025

April-August 2025