Good morning, fellow climate leaders!

Here’s what’s happening in climate today:

• We’re underestimating the risk of widespread crop failure.

• Major automakers are now involved in lithium mining.

• Low-income communities will receive $7 billion for residential solar.

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BIG DEAL

Changing jet streams and crop failure

The climate crisis is causing changes in the jet stream, leading to extreme weather events and increasing the risk of crop failure worldwide.

Why it matters: Climate and crop models are currently underestimating the risks of reduced crop yields in major crop-producing regions.

• This has significant implications as climate change continues to impact global food security, highlighting the need to anticipate climate shocks and build resilience in our food systems.

• Changing weather patterns, particularly the shifting jet stream, will have a significant impact on agricultural regions globally.

Why it's happening: Scientists analyzed climate models and observational data from 1960 to 2014, as well as future projections.

• Under a high emissions scenario, a wavy jet stream can trigger lower crop yields, with regions in Eastern Europe, East Asia, and North America expected to be affected.

• They found that the jet stream, which influences weather patterns, has been altered by climate change. These changes, referred to as a "strongly meandering jet stream," can trigger reduced crop yields.

• Previous instances, like the heat wave in Russia in 2010, have demonstrated the link between jet stream shifts and negative impacts on agriculture.

What's next: Lower crop yields are expected in the near future, raising concerns about food security.

• The study emphasizes the need for proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with climate change-induced crop failures.

• This includes improving climate models to accurately represent the effects on agricultural conditions and enhancing adaptation strategies for vulnerable regions.

• Prioritizing investments in sustainable and resilient agricultural practices, like regenerative agriculture, are critical to ensure food security in the face of a changing climate.

Bottom line: Lower crop yields are expected in the near future, raising concerns about food security.

HOT TOPICS

News that matters

⛏ Automakers like Ford and General Motors are striking deals with lithium mining companies to secure the crucial raw materials for electric vehicle (EV) production. The move aims to avoid shortages that could impede their transition to EVs and hinder their competitiveness against companies like Tesla. (New York Times)

💧 Approximately 45% of U.S. tap water may contain "forever chemicals" known as PFAS, according to a U.S. Geological Survey study. The research, conducted over five years and spanning more than 700 locations, is the first to compare PFAS contamination in both public and private water supplies nationwide. (NPR)

💦 Water scarcity in drought-prone Corpus Christi, Texas, poses a challenge to President Biden's plan for a clean hydrogen hub, which would require energy-intensive and expensive seawater desalination plants. Producing hydrogen requires significant amounts of fresh water, exacerbating the issue of water scarcity in a climate-affected world. (Reuters)

😎 The EPA has launched a $7 billion funding program to support residential solar projects in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The initiative aims to promote environmental justice, cost savings for families, job creation, and the expansion of solar programs. (Smart Cities Dive)

🤞🏼 The British government has refuted claims that it is abandoning its $14.76 billion climate funding pledge. The government maintains its commitment to spending £11.6 billion on international climate finance, denying reports suggesting a drop in funding. Criticism of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's climate policies has arisen following the resignation of the international environment minister. (Reuters)

👷🏼 President Biden faces a delicate balance between supporting green energy and addressing labor concerns as contract negotiations begin between automakers and the United Auto Workers (UAW). The union wants to ensure a smooth transition for workers and equitable pay and benefits for EV jobs. (Washington Post)

🔥 As extreme summer heat continues, the resilience of the electric grid is being tested. Despite the increasing role of wind and solar power, the grid has managed to maintain power supply. However, with record-breaking temperatures and weather patterns, the grid's transition to cleaner energy sources faces new challenges. (E&E News)

🌍 African nations, including Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia, are seeking a share of revenue from carbon offset projects on their territories to benefit from the growing global emissions offset market. During a recent conference, they expressed their intent to demand a portion of the revenue, following Zimbabwe's announcement that 50% of program revenue would go to the state. (Bloomberg)

🚲 Rad Power Bikes is exiting the European market to focus on e-bike sales in North America. The move involves laying off around 40 employees and discontinuing sales in the UK and the European Union. The company aims to concentrate on its core market and prioritize safety, reliability, and product quality. (The Verge)

🏛 The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has released its first two finalized standards. ISSB Chair Emmanuel Faber discusses the significance of these standards and the ongoing work on Scope 3 emissions. (GreenBiz)

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CLIMATE DATA

Is it better to take a cruise or fly?

Cruise ships in Europe emitted more sulphur than one billion cars last year, according to a report by Transport & Environment.

Sulphur oxide and methane emissions from cruise ships at European ports have returned to pre-pandemic levels, with a significant increase in numbers of cruise ships. The industry has committed to pursuing carbon-neutral cruises by 2050, and there have been technological advancements to support this shift, including plans for an emissions-free cruise ship by 2030.

Taking a cruise holiday is approximately three times more carbon-intensive than flying to a similar destination and staying abroad. A seven-day round-trip cruise from the UK to destinations in France and Spain has an estimated carbon footprint of 875kg of CO₂ per passenger. In comparison, a direct return flight from London to A Coruña has a carbon footprint of 241kg of CO₂ per passenger. (Energy Monitor)

ACCLIMATE RECS

Dive deeper

Hackers already infiltrate EV chargers. It could only get worse. Most intrusions have been innocuous, but a nefarious plot could bring down the grid. Experts have suggestions for improving security. (Grist)

Patagonia’s Former CEO Now Makes Nature Her Business. Kris Tompkins, who left the company to devote her life to wildlife conservation, says capitalism and environmentalism can work together. (WSJ)

Big meat’s big PR investments are blocking climate action. As big oil and gas PR tactics remain under scrutiny, big meat’s lobby flies under the radar and deals some serious blows to the race to decarbonize. (Energy Monitor)

Why climate tribalism only helps the deniers. From nuclear power to electric vehicles, battles between activists risk getting in the way of reducing emissions. (The Guardian)

Why Acclimate? The global economy needs to acclimate to a new reality, like a hiker conquering a Colorado 14er.

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As always, thanks for reading, and see you next time.

—Rick Jarrell

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” - Teddy Roosevelt