As climate extremes intensify worldwide, communities from Chile to California are grappling with unprecedented disasters—and scientists say the crisis may be even worse than we realized. Here's the latest:
Chile: Pregnant Mom Loses Home in Deadly Wildfires
Seven-months-pregnant Camila Lange surveyed the ashes of her Vina del Mar home this week, one of hundreds destroyed in Chile's deadliest wildfires in decades. The fires consumed entire neighborhoods and a historic botanical garden, with 112 confirmed deaths. 'It’s like a warzone,' said one firefighter battling blazes fueled by record heat.
California: Back-to-Back 'Atmospheric Rivers' Flood LA
Southern California faced its second major storm this week, with 23cm of rain triggering mudslides and blackouts for 1.4 million people. San Francisco saw 96kph winds toppling trees as emergency crews raced to clear debris. Memes of surfers catching waves on flooded streets went viral—dark humor for a dire situation.
Spain: Drought Emergency Declared in Barcelona
Catalonia residents are rationing water as reservoirs dip below 16% capacity—the worst drought in modern history. 'We’re literally watching our taps run dry,' said Barcelona student Maria Torres, echoing the anxiety of 6 million affected people.
Sea Sponges Drop Climate Truth Bombs
New research on 400-year-old Caribbean sponges suggests global warming began earlier—and might be 0.5°C hotter—than previous estimates. Scientists call it a 'game-changer' for understanding our climate timeline.
From raging fires to biblical floods, these disasters remind us: Our planet is sending an SOS. Will we listen?
Reference(s):
Wildfire, drought, flooding spread pain of weather extremes globally
cgtn.com