Oliver Milman

A 60-year study of yellow-bellied marmots in Colorado has secured more than $100,000 after researchers used OnlyFans and supporters created the $OnlyMarms cryptocurrency. The funds, including about $6,000 from OnlyFans and more than $88,000 from the memecoin, will keep the project operating for another year after US science funding cuts threatened its continuation. Researchers say long-term monitoring is important because climate change is altering marmot body mass, snowfall patterns and survival, but they stress that cryptocurrency and social-media donations are no substitute for stable government funding.

A study of fossilized leaf cells from the 56-million-year-old Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum finds that forests initially became denser as carbon dioxide rose but then collapsed, losing about 60% of standing vegetation biomass. The findings challenge claims by members of the Trump administration that fossil-fuel pollution will green the planet. Researchers say heat, drought, nutrient shortages, pests, disease and wildfire eventually overwhelm any fertilization benefit from extra CO2, while modern forests face these pressures at a much faster rate alongside logging, fragmentation and agricultural conversion. They warn that rapid emissions cuts are needed to avoid long-lasting forest loss and climate thresholds.

July 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded in the contiguous United States, with average temperatures 3.3°F above the 20th-century average and records dating back to 1895. Multiple heat domes affected broad regions, while wildfire smoke from fires in the US and Canada worsened conditions. Scientists attributed the extreme heat and fires in significant part to human-caused climate change. The heat increased electricity costs, disrupted travel, outdoor activities and exercise, and affected millions of Americans. The article also highlights Donald Trump's support for fossil fuels and opposition to clean energy, while an unusually strong developing El Niño could drive global temperatures to new records.

The Guardian presents a reader-voted list of the year’s top invertebrates, featuring the common woodlouse, immortal jellyfish, leaf sheep, greengrocer cicada, Lord Howe Island stick insect, wandering glider, moscardón bumblebee, bootlace worm and horseshoe crab. The final entry is to be revealed in a subsequent update.

A World Weather Attribution analysis finds that fossil-fuel-driven global heating made the extreme fire weather behind Canada’s 2026 wildfires at least twice as likely. Nearly 700 fires have burned about 3.8 million hectares, forcing evacuations and sending hazardous smoke across Canada and the United States. The study says similarly severe conditions, once expected less than once every 40 years, now recur every two to 15 years in the Northwest Territories and Ontario. Scientists argue that climate change is driving a fundamentally more extreme scale of fires and that adaptation alone is insufficient without rapidly reducing fossil-fuel use. The findings contradict Donald Trump’s attempts to blame Canada for the smoke and fires, while British Columbia continues to face dangerous conditions and evacuation orders.

The 14-foot, 1,650-pound great white shark Contender, the largest tagged male in the Atlantic, has been tracked moving north from the US coast to Nova Scotia. Researchers say rising ocean temperatures and shifting prey distributions are altering the ranges of several shark species, increasing sightings near swimming and fishing areas. Despite public concern and an isolated Florida bite, unprovoked shark attacks remain rare, while humans kill roughly 100 million sharks annually. Scientists say increased shark sightings can indicate healthier marine food webs but also serve as a visible warning of climate-driven ocean change, urging people to remain aware rather than avoid the ocean.

Wildfires in southwestern France and parts of Spain forced thousands of evacuations as firefighters worked to contain blazes before another severe heatwave. Conditions improved in some Spanish municipalities and the Gironde fire was described as stabilised, but flare-ups, extreme heat and poor air quality continued to threaten communities. The EU deployed pooled aircraft, helicopters and ground crews, while Red Cross teams provided emergency shelter and aid. France detained 184 people over suspected arson, and Spain reported a wildfire death toll increase to 14. UN climate chief Simon Stiell and Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez linked the disasters to worsening climate change, with scientists warning that health, economic and ecological effects may persist for years.

Wildfires across Canada, the United States and Europe are causing evacuations, hazardous smoke and extensive destruction in climate-change-driven conditions. Evidence from Maui, three years after its deadly fires, shows that survivors may continue to experience respiratory, cardiovascular and mental-health problems, while children face lasting emotional and physical impacts. Researchers warn that recovery requires years of monitoring and intervention, and recommend measures such as clean-air centers to protect people from both intense and repeated low-level smoke exposure.

An extreme heatwave is expected to affect about 70 million people across the southern and central United States, with temperatures commonly reaching 95–105°F and isolated desert areas potentially reaching 120°F. The event is the country’s third major heat dome in a month and may break records around Denver, while western Nebraska faces forecasts of 108°F. Persistent nighttime heat and humidity pose heightened risks to older adults, pregnant people, children and those with existing health conditions. The report links the increasing frequency and severity of US heatwaves to human-caused climate change and notes simultaneous heat, wildfire and mortality concerns in Europe and the UK.

Former FDA deputy commissioner Frank Yiannas called the US federal response to a cyclospora outbreak close to “catastrophic” and urged an independent, congressional or inspector-led review. More than 4,000 people have reportedly been sickened, with thousands more potential cases under investigation across nine states. The FDA linked lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms to the outbreak, then faced accusations of mishandling the attribution; Taylor Farms says the agency apologized, while the FDA denies doing so but maintains there is strong evidence of a connection. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr said the outbreak was under control despite the investigation expanding to 7,400 potential cases.

Donald Trump blamed Canada for smoke from its extensive wildfires, telling Prime Minister Mark Carney that Canada should stop the fires and potentially pay damages or face tariffs. Scientists rejected the accusation, saying the fires are primarily driven by extreme heat and climate change rather than inadequate forest management, particularly in Canada’s remote boreal forests. Experts also said large-scale clearing or “raking” would be impractical and potentially counterproductive. The article notes that wildfire smoke affects both countries, causes serious health risks, and underscores the need to address greenhouse-gas emissions while adapting to a hotter climate.

Estonia, Luxembourg and the UK lead Yale University’s environmental performance index, which shows broad global progress on pollution reduction but continued failure to address the climate crisis at necessary speed. European countries dominate top rankings, while the US places 27th due to insufficient emissions cuts and China remains heavily coal‑reliant despite clean‑energy growth. India is penalized for forest loss, pollution and weak conservation. Yale researchers emphasize that political will, economic disparities and offshored pollution shape outcomes, and they argue competitive pressure between nations can drive further improvements toward net‑zero goals.

A recent study warning that New Orleans has reached a point of no return due to accelerating sea level rise has triggered strong local reactions, ranging from political dismissal to community-led planning for potential relocation. Experts argue that long-term survival is uncertain as coastal wetlands disappear and flood risks intensify, despite extensive federal investment in levees and surge barriers. Some residents and community groups are exploring inland options in Mississippi should a major hurricane force mass displacement, while others insist that investment and adaptation can preserve the city. The absence of coordinated state or national strategies for climate-driven relocation leaves New Orleans facing mounting insurance costs, infrastructure challenges and an unclear future as environmental pressures escalate.

Analysis of the first 24 matches of the 2026 World Cup shows that two games, in Miami and Monterrey, were played under severe heat conditions exceeding the threshold previously identified by the global players’ union Fifpro for delaying or postponing matches. Four additional matches were held in cities where high wet‑bulb temperatures were mitigated by stadium air conditioning. Experts warn of risks to players, fans and stadium workers, urging stronger protections as extreme heat intensifies due to the climate crisis. Fifa has introduced measures such as later kick‑off times, mandatory hydration breaks and additional cooling capacity, and says it will continue monitoring conditions and apply contingency protocols as needed.

Public concern about climate change in the United States remains high despite reduced media coverage and the Trump administration’s intensified push for fossil fuel extraction. Polling shows about two‑thirds of Americans remain worried about the climate crisis and generally favor renewable energy, while only small minorities support candidates who promote expanded fossil fuel use. Cuts to climate journalism and the prominence of other issues have limited public discourse, yet experts note that Americans increasingly connect rising living costs to climate impacts. Trump’s efforts to block renewable projects and bolster coal are broadly unpopular, and research shows households face significant financial burdens from climate‑related damages, particularly in states such as California, Louisiana and Florida. Policymakers remain hesitant to foreground climate issues due to perceived political risk, despite continued public support for action.

The Guardian’s live coverage reports that Mike Johnson tried to reinterpret Donald Trump’s remark that he “loved” rising inflation, even though Trump did not clearly explain the comment and continued discussing the Iran war. Trump threatened further strikes on Iran, claimed a secret US operation had moved oil through the Strait of Hormuz, and sought an additional $350bn for the Pentagon alongside restrictive voting legislation. The coverage also details Democratic opposition to Bill Pulte’s proposed appointment as acting intelligence director, concerns about shrinking missile stockpiles, a $70bn immigration-enforcement law, Republican-backed redistricting in Florida and restrictive voting measures in California. Other developments include Graham Platner’s Democratic Senate primary victory in Maine, mixed results for Trump-backed candidates in South Carolina, Bill Gates’s congressional testimony about Jeffrey Epstein, and Trump’s proposal that AI companies return value to the public.

US immigration policies under the Trump administration have further restricted entry for people displaced by climate‑driven disasters, despite rising global displacement linked to extreme weather. Migrants from countries such as Honduras, Sudan and Somalia describe worsening dangers at home and new threats of deportation in the US as pathways for protection narrow. Experts say climate displacement is not recognized in asylum law and reforms are unlikely as political sentiment hardens. Advocates warn that shutting legal avenues will push displaced people toward more dangerous migration routes.

US entry restrictions under the Trump administration disproportionately target immigrants from countries most vulnerable to climate impacts, with 22 of 39 restricted nations facing severe environmental risk. Survivors of disasters in places like Honduras, Haiti and Sudan describe increasingly limited pathways to safety as immigration rules tighten and temporary protected status is rolled back. Experts warn that climate-driven displacement is rising globally, yet current US and international frameworks do not recognize environmental harm as grounds for asylum. Efforts to update immigration law, including proposed climate‑displacement legislation, have stalled amid wider political resistance and a push for mass deportations. Cuts to foreign aid and the dismantling of refugee programs are expected to worsen global instability and displacement, while courts weigh the future of TPS for several affected countries.

Heat-related emergency visits in the United States are projected to nearly double by 2040, increasing annual cases from about 109,000 to as many as 237,000 and driving healthcare costs above $1bn. Researchers warn that rising temperatures, worsening climate impacts and growing vulnerability among older adults and low‑income residents will strain public health systems, with California and Las Vegas facing the highest total burdens and the north‑east and Ohio valley experiencing the most severe impacts per heat event. Cuts to federal programs, rising energy costs and limited preparedness in many cities further heighten risks for people unable to cool their homes.

Global banks increased fossil fuel financing to $906bn in 2025, reversing expected declines and intensifying investment in coal, oil and gas despite escalating climate risks. JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and major Japanese banks led the surge, with six financial centers responsible for the vast majority of funding. While some European banks reduced their exposure, the largest institutions sharply expanded funding for fossil fuel project expansion. Analysts link the trend to political pressure, including the resurgence of pro‑extraction rhetoric in the United States, and warn that voluntary climate commitments have proven ineffective. Environmental groups call for stronger regulatory action as scientific projections indicate that the 1.5C warming threshold is likely to be breached imminently.

Most upcoming US AI datacenters are planned for regions already in severe drought, increasing concerns about growing water demand. Major technology companies are pursuing large-scale projects that rely heavily on water for cooling, drawing backlash from farmers, environmental groups and local communities. Experts warn that expanded datacenter construction will intensify strain on aquifers, particularly in arid western states. Some states are considering new restrictions, ranging from mandatory reporting to outright moratoriums. A high-profile project in Utah backed by Kevin O’Leary faces escalating opposition amid fears it will worsen stress on the Great Salt Lake. While the industry promotes more efficient cooling and water stewardship, projections show datacenter water use will grow rapidly, contributing to broader global water shortages exacerbated by climate change.

A massive Utah datacenter project called Stratos, backed by Kevin O’Leary, has sparked intense bipartisan backlash amid mounting concerns over water consumption, rising emissions, and increased energy demand in drought‑stricken regions. Critics warn that datacenter growth driven by artificial intelligence threatens water security and will significantly increase fossil fuel use. Opponents cite risks to the Great Salt Lake, soaring power needs, and broader environmental consequences, while political leaders attempt to manage voter unease. Similar controversies are emerging nationwide as communities question the sustainability of large-scale datacenter expansion.

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner denied former partner Lyndsey Fifield’s allegations that he physically intimidated or assaulted her during their relationship and rejected her claim that he knew his skull-and-crossbones tattoo resembled a Nazi SS symbol. Platner attributed the allegations to Fifield’s Republican political ties, while his campaign said he strongly disputes claims of physical altercations. Bernie Sanders declined to comment on the new allegations. The live coverage also reported Donald Trump’s plans to replace a canceled Freedom 250 concert with a rally featuring himself, his proposal to extend and potentially name a Lincoln Memorial promenade after himself, a $700 million coal-industry aid package, controversial personnel decisions, and ongoing disputes over Iran policy and California’s gubernatorial election count.

The US administration is directing $700m in Defense Production Act funds to support existing coal plants, construct new facilities in Alaska and West Virginia, and expand coal export capacity. The initiative is presented as a measure to lower energy costs, though experts note coal is more expensive than renewable energy. Environmental groups condemn the move as harmful to public health, wasteful, and contrary to climate goals, while the coal industry supports it as a response to rising electricity demand. Coal employment and production continue long-term declines despite efforts to revive the sector.

Democratic-led states including California and New York are weakening major climate policies, citing energy costs, while Republican-led states accelerate renewable energy growth, with Texas emerging as a clean‑energy leader despite its fossil‑fuel ties. Advocates warn that scaling back emissions‑cutting programs will drive long‑term costs and undermine climate goals, while policy changes in states such as Rhode Island and Maryland similarly roll back renewable and efficiency mandates. Polling shows widespread public concern about climate impacts, and experts argue that strong climate policies are essential for both economic relief and long‑term resilience.

Happy, a 55-year-old Asian elephant at the Bronx Zoo, was euthanized due to progressive age-related health problems. Known for her role in a major legal case over animal personhood and an earlier scientific study demonstrating elephant self-recognition, she drew national attention. The Nonhuman Rights Project had argued for her release to a sanctuary, but New York’s top court rejected the effort in 2022. Zoo staff emphasized her long-term care, while animal rights advocates highlighted her decades in captivity. Happy leaves behind her companion Patty, likely the last elephant to remain in a New York City zoo.

Undercover footage from a Maine salmon hatchery operated by Cooke Aquaculture shows alleged abuse, including clubbing and cutting live fish, deformities, poor hygiene and environmental risks. The findings prompted state and certification investigations and renewed scrutiny of the broader US aquaculture industry, which the Trump administration aims to rapidly expand through deregulation and new offshore development zones. Critics warn of systemic animal welfare failures, ecological impacts, disease transmission, pollution and escapes, while supporters argue that domestic aquaculture would strengthen seafood supply and reduce imports.

Utah approved the massive Stratos AI datacenter, triggering widespread backlash over its projected energy consumption, water use, and environmental risks in a drought‑stricken region. The 40,000‑acre project, backed by Kevin O’Leary, would require more power than the state currently uses and could intensify the ecological crisis facing the Great Salt Lake. Environmental groups, residents, and scientists warn of severe impacts on air quality, local temperatures and ecosystems, while developers argue it will generate jobs and strengthen U.S. AI competitiveness. Nearly 4,000 objections were filed, a referendum effort is underway, and state officials say the project must meet conditions to avoid harming the lake or raising energy costs. Developers withdrew and plan to resubmit their water application, resetting public objections and fueling accusations of sidestepping opposition.

Major American cities lag far behind global peers in public transit availability, with cities such as Houston, Detroit and Indianapolis operating a fraction of the transit vehicles found in European and Asian metros. A Transportation for America study estimates a $4.6tn investment over 20 years is needed to reach world-class standards, a figure small compared with projected highway spending. Experts attribute the gap to decades of car-centered urban development, zoning laws, highway expansion and political resistance to transit funding. Recent federal actions, including cuts to transit funding and opposition to congestion pricing, have further hindered progress. Although public demand for better transit exists and some local improvements continue, achieving parity with global leaders would require major shifts in funding priorities and urban planning practices.

Rising sea levels, rapid wetland loss and land subsidence are projected to leave New Orleans surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico within decades, prompting researchers to call for immediate planning to relocate residents. A new study warns the region faces some of the world’s highest sea level increases and that even major flood defenses will eventually fail. Experts argue that past and recent policy decisions, including the cancellation of a major sediment diversion project, have accelerated risk and reduced options for land restoration. Legal uncertainties over holding oil and gas companies accountable further complicate protection efforts. Researchers recommend beginning a coordinated retreat to higher ground north of the city, noting that unplanned outmigration has already begun and that political reluctance to acknowledge the threat delays essential preparation.

Rapid coastal erosion on North Carolina’s Outer Banks has caused dozens of homes to collapse into the ocean, prompting residents to relocate surviving structures inland. Intensifying sea level rise and natural island migration have accelerated land loss in Buxton and Rodanthe, creating hazardous conditions and forcing expensive efforts such as house moving, beach nourishment and reconstruction of coastal defenses. Experts warn that these shifts illustrate broader risks facing low‑lying US communities and note that engineered solutions provide only temporary relief. Residents remain resilient but face increasingly difficult choices as erosion continues to outpace interventions.