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Polar Bears Increasingly Thrive in the World’s Hottest Regions: A Study on Weight Gains

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Polar bears in Svalbard

Researchers Monitor Polar Bears’ Body Condition in Svalbard

John Earls, Norsk Arctic Institute

In the Svalbard archipelago of Norway, a region known for its climatic extremes, polar bears are surprisingly gaining weight despite the alarming reduction of sea ice. However, scientists warn this trend may not be sustainable.

The northern Barents Sea, located between Svalbard and Russia’s Novaya Zemlya, is warming disproportionately—seven times faster than the global average. Over the past two decades, sea ice around Svalbard has diminished, disappearing two months earlier each year. Currently, polar bears must swim over 200 kilometers between their hunting grounds and birthing caves.

<p>Despite this challenging environment, the overall size and weight of Svalbard’s polar bears has increased since 2000, presenting a puzzling contradiction. <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jon-Aars-2">Jon Aars</a>, who led the research at the Norwegian Polar Institute, claims it's positive news for Svalbard. However, he cautions that areas most affected by climate change show severe decline in polar bear populations.</p>

<p>This widely dispersed solitary predator counts among its many challenges the difficulty of accurate population estimates. The numbers <a href="https://www.iucn-pbsg.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PBSG-Status-Criteria-and-Report_Final_2024Oct7.pdf">are declining</a> in some regions while stable or even increasing in parts of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland; for nine populations, data remains insufficient.</p>

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<p>Estimations suggest the Barents Sea bear population ranges from 1,900 to 3,600 individuals, and appears stable or potentially increasing. From 1995 onward, researchers used tranquilizers via helicopter to study 770 bears, measuring their body length and thorax circumference to approximate weight.</p>
<p>Analysis of trends demonstrated a decline in body condition until 2000, followed by a gradual increase leading up to the last assessments in 2019.</p>

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                 data-caption="Polar bears depend on sea ice for many aspects of their lives" 
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                <p class="ArticleImageCaption__Title">Crucial Role of Sea Ice in Polar Bear Survival</p>
                <p class="ArticleImageCaption__Credit">Trine Lise Sviggum Helgerud, Norsk Arctic Institute</p>
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<p>In spring, the birth of seal pups on sea ice provides a vital food source for polar bears, allowing them to build fat reserves for the warmer months. Researchers like Earls speculate that diminishing ice may actually assist bears in hunting seals more easily.</p>
<p>With the retreating ice, bears are adapting by exploring new food sources. The approximately 250 bears remaining on Svalbard may increasingly hunt bearded and harbor seals along the coast, while thriving walrus populations might offer additional sustenance.</p>
<p>These adaptable "local bears" are now raiding nesting colonies for bird eggs and chasing reindeer, showcasing a remarkable resilience. According to researchers, such flexibility may be delaying their extinction, says <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jouke-Prop">Jouke Prop</a> of the University of Groningen.</p>
<p>"This is a desperate tribe. They're doing unique things," he notes. "While this adaptability may not apply universally, it could suffice for a while in Svalbard."</p>
<p>Although polar bears have not yet reached Svalbard's ecological limits, thanks to the prohibition of hunting since 1973, warming temperatures threaten to disrupt the delicate food chain that begins with algae on sea ice, according to Prop.</p>
<p>"Should the sea ice vanish, sustaining a significant number of polar bears will become incredibly challenging," he warns.</p>
<p>"There exists a threshold beyond which continuous sea ice loss will negatively impact polar bears in Svalbard," Aars adds.</p>

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            <h3 class="SpecialArticleUnit__Heading">Uncover the Beauty of Svalbard and Tromsø</h3>
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                <p>Embark on an adventurous journey to Norway's Arctic region. Discover the scientific marvels behind the Northern Lights, the unique Arctic ecosystem, and how humans adapt to the challenges of the Far North.</p>
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  1. Keyword Inclusion: Strategic use of relevant keywords like “polar bears,” “Svalbard,” and “climate change” in titles, captions, and throughout the text.
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  4. External Links: Retained high-quality external links to credible sources, both for enhancing authority and providing users with further reading options.
  5. Adaptive Language: Used active language to engage readers while remaining informative, suitable for an audience interested in environmental issues.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Data Reveals 2025 as Earth’s Third Hottest Year on Record

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According to Copernicus, the European Union’s climate monitoring service, last year ranked as the third warmest on record in modern history.

This finding aligns with existing trends; Copernicus data reveals that the last 11 years have consistently been the warmest in history.

In 2025, the average global temperature soared to approximately 1.47 degrees Celsius (2.65 degrees Fahrenheit) above the baseline period from 1850 to 1900. This reference period is significant as it predates the industrial era, marking a time before extensive carbon emissions entered our atmosphere.

“Annual surface temperatures exceeded average levels across 91 percent of the globe,” stated Samantha Burgess, head of climate strategy at the European Center for Medium-Range Forecasts, which operates Copernicus. “The primary contributor to these record temperatures is the accumulation of greenhouse gases, largely from fossil fuel combustion.”

Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, global leaders committed to limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. However, this goal appears increasingly unachievable as temperatures have neared or surpassed this threshold for three consecutive years.

Mauro Facchini, director of Earth Observation at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defense, Industry, and Space, noted at a press conference: “A three-year average temperature exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels is a milestone we never anticipated.” He emphasized the urgent need to address climate change.

A woman shields herself from the scorching sun near the Colosseum in Rome during July.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images File

The U.S. government is anticipated to unveil its 2025 climate metrics on Wednesday. NASA provides its reports separately from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, owing to differing methodologies in calculating average annual temperatures, which often leads to variations in findings.

Nevertheless, the overarching trend is unmistakable: the planet is warming at an alarming rate, possibly faster than scientists had predicted.

Europe faces bleak climate data, compounded by the U.S. administration’s aggressive moves to roll back climate regulations and retreat from international efforts to mitigate warming.

Last week, the Trump administration announced its withdrawal from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, diminishing the U.S. role in global climate change discussions. Additionally, plans to withdraw support from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which produces crucial reports on climate change impacts, were made public.

The United States is set to officially leave the Paris Agreement later this month, following a one-year waiting window.

A child enjoys a refreshing mist under a fog system in Milan during July.
Luca Bruno / AP File

President Donald Trump has labeled climate change “the work of con artists,” and his administration has actively sought to downplay critical climate reports such as the National Climate Assessment. Efforts are underway to reduce the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, a primary cause of global warming.

Simultaneously, steps are being taken to promote the coal industry, including ordering coal-fired power plants to continue operations (coal is notorious for generating significant greenhouse gas emissions). The administration is also attempting to reverse many of the Biden administration’s climate initiatives, including subsidies for electric vehicles.

According to preliminary findings from Rhodium Group, an independent research firm monitoring U.S. emissions, climate pollution in the United States is projected to rise by approximately 2.4% in 2025. This increase may not stem directly from President Trump’s policies, as many regulations are yet to be implemented. The rise is likely due to high natural gas prices, growth in energy-intensive data centers, and particularly cold winters.

Rhodium Group anticipates that U.S. emissions will eventually decrease as renewable energy sources become more economically feasible compared to fossil fuels. However, the expectation of emission reductions is now less optimistic than prior to Trump’s administration.

The greenhouse gases that trap heat are intensifying weather patterns, resulting in more extreme conditions and increasing the likelihood of heavy rainfall, heatwaves, and flooding.

Last year emerged as the third-costliest year for weather-related disasters, an analysis by the nonprofit organization Climate Central revealed. In 2025, it was reported that 23 meteorological events inflicted damages surpassing $1 billion, resulting in 276 fatalities and $115 billion in total damages.

In Fleurance, France, a pharmacy thermometer indicates a scorching 45 degrees Celsius, equivalent to 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
Isabel Souliment / Hans Lukas, from Reuters file

While greenhouse gas emissions remain the principal driver of rising global temperatures, natural fluctuations also contribute. La Niña patterns, characterized by colder-than-average water in the central Pacific, generally lead to lower global temperatures, while El Niño events can raise them.

Though the La Niña pattern emerged in late 2025, NOAA scientists expect a return to neutral conditions early this year.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Arctic Experiences Hottest Conditions in 125 Years Amid Record Low Sea Ice, According to NOAA Report

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The previous season marked the highest temperatures in the Arctic for the past 125 years. March, typically the month with the greatest sea ice extent, recorded the lowest levels in 47 years of satellite data. The North American tundra exhibited unprecedented greenness, showing more vegetation than ever before.

These findings, released on Tuesday in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s annual Arctic Report Card, illustrate the swift and dramatic changes taking place in the region as global temperatures rise.

“The Arctic is warming at a pace that exceeds the global average, with the last decade being some of the hottest on record,” stated Steve Sarr, NOAA’s acting principal scientist and associate administrator for ocean and atmospheric research.

Due to this warming, “over 200 watersheds in the Alaskan Arctic are turning orange as permafrost thaws, ecosystems evolve, and elements like iron are released into rivers,” Thursday indicated. The research highlighted increased acidity and higher levels of toxic metals in these discolored streams.

This is just one of many consequences of climate change affecting the region detailed in the report. This marks the 20th year that NOAA has published the Arctic report card, which originally surfaced during President Donald Trump’s second term.

The Trump administration has worked to diminish or eliminate other climate change reports, including the National Climate Assessment and the extensive climate disaster database. President Trump has labeled climate change a “swindler” and is actively trying to reduce the Environmental Protection Agency’s power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

Matthew Druckenmiller, a writer of the report and researcher at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, affirmed during a Tuesday press conference that the team faced “no political interference concerning our findings.”

Independent scientists consulted by NBC News remarked that the report conveys a similarly urgent tone and message as in previous years, with a few minor distinctions.

“Frankly, we haven’t observed a significant shift in tone compared to prior Arctic report cards, which is encouraging,” commented Tom Di Liberto, a climate scientist and media director at Climate Central. “The implications of their conclusions remain consistent with earlier Arctic report cards. The Arctic acts as a warning sign.”

Di Liberto, who previously worked in NOAA’s communications office before his position was cut in March as part of staff reductions, noted that the previous year’s report emphasized reducing fossil fuel production, whereas this year’s report does not mention fossil fuels at all. Otherwise, he identified no major differences.

NOAA unveiled a report at the American Geophysical Union’s annual meeting in New Orleans, highlighting how climate change is disrupting ecosystems and threatening livelihoods in the Arctic. This event is one of the largest scientific gatherings of the year, attracting thousands of scientists.

Mark Alessi, a climate scientist and fellow at the Union of Concerned Scientists, remarked that the report card “effectively communicates the realities of what is occurring on the ground in the Arctic.”

“Anyone reading this will understand that we continue to raise the alarm,” he emphasized.

In strong language, the report’s authors point out that proposed budget cuts to scientific programs collecting data in the Arctic, including satellite programs monitoring sea ice, threaten to undermine the data collection essential for this report and related decision-making.

“Aging infrastructure, along with risks to funding and staffing, could further erode existing AONs.” [Arctic Observing Network] Gaps are forming that hinder long-term trend analysis and decision-making,” the report warned.

Specifically, the report highlights several satellites within the Defense Weather Satellite Program set to be decommissioned in 2026. The cessation of these satellites will restrict sea ice measurements. It also mentions that the tundra greenness dataset will remain unchanged due to NASA funding cuts, and other climate datasets may also be jeopardized by proposed federal budget cuts in fiscal year 2026.

The Arctic is warming two to four times quicker than the rest of the globe, a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification. This process alters ocean currents and the degree of sunlight absorbed by the Earth’s surface at the poles.

“This feedback loop leads to the loss of sea ice and land ice, increased absorption of sunlight, and consequently, more rapid warming,” explained Alessi.

Temperature records are categorized by the Arctic water year, with the latest data ranging from October 2024 to September 2025.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

2025 Projected to be the Second Hottest Year on Record

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Firefighters operating in Spain during August

Pedro Pascual/Anadolu, via Getty Images

This year is poised to be the second hottest on record, following 2024, with numerous areas facing extraordinary storms, wildfires, and heat waves.

The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Agency (C3S) reports that the average temperature in 2025 is currently 1.48 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial baseline. If this holds, it will tie with 2023, falling only behind 2024, which recorded a rise of 1.6 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.

While the planet warmed during the El Niño phase in 2024, it is now experiencing a La Niña phase, where the upwelling of cold water in the tropical Pacific Ocean typically results in lower global temperatures. However, fossil fuel emissions are projected to set a new record in 2025, leading to rising temperatures and exacerbating catastrophic weather events.

“The truth is that extreme events impact communities, societies, and ecosystems. We understand that in a warmer world, these extreme events will be more frequent and intense,” explains Samantha Burgess from C3S. “The storms will intensify due to increased moisture in the atmosphere.”

This summer, a heatwave in Europe resulted in an additional 16,500 fatalities associated with climate change. In October, Hurricane Melissa, the strongest hurricane to strike Jamaica, claimed over 80 lives and caused significant damage, with financial losses reaching $8.8 billion. Research from World Weather Attribution indicates that climate change enhanced Melissa’s rainfall by 16% and reduced wind speed by 7%.

In November, a series of cyclones and storms triggered landslides and flooding in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, resulting in over 1,600 deaths.

Currently, Arctic sea ice extent is at its lowest recorded level for this time of year, and Antarctic sea ice is also below normal levels.

According to C3S, the three-year moving average temperature is projected to surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius for the first time since the pre-industrial era. Scientists anticipate that global warming will exceed the long-term average of 1.5°C by 2029, falling short of the Paris Agreement objectives.

“There isn’t a clear boundary at 1.5 degrees, but we know that impacts worsen beyond that threshold,” Burgess states. “We are also nearing a critical tipping point.”

According to an October report, a tipping point has seemingly been reached, leading to the irreversible decline of tropical coral reefs, and the world could soon face additional tipping points, including the demise of the Amazon rainforest and the collapse of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, along with the decline of Antarctic sea ice.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Tinseltown Takeover: The Rise of Harry Potter Fan Fiction as Hollywood’s Hottest Commodity

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tFanfiction once involved sharing secret sketches in the hidden nooks of the internet. There, Darcy was envisioned as the roommate of a peculiar vampire. It was an underground pastime that went unnoticed by Tinseltown executives. Yet, here we are in 2025, according to Hollywood Reporter News. The iconic photo fetched at least $3 million (a staggering £2.2 million).

The backstory of Alchemy, Senlinyu appears somewhat nebulous. The original narrative by Senlinyu, titled Manacled, resided in a niche genre known as “Dramione,” where Hermione Granger often found herself entangled in an improbable romance with Draco Malfoy. Now devoid of any references to Hogwarts, Butterbeer, or Nimbus from the 2000s, and with characters renamed, Alchemy will hit shelves and online platforms later this month as a dark fantasy saga about a young woman grappling with memory loss, who finds herself at the mercy of a formidable and ruthless necromancer.

In a similar vein, The Love Hypothesis is making its way to cinemas. Lili Reinhart portrays a doctoral candidate who becomes involved with Professor Tom Bateman. If you think the pairing of Hermione and Draco is unusual, this one draws inspiration from a Star Wars fanfic subgenre known as Reiro, focusing on the taboo romance between Rey and Kylo Ren.

This isn’t the first occasion Hollywood has sought inspiration from fanfiction for its next blockbuster. While studios previously turned to pulp novels, classic theater, or acclaimed short stories from The New Yorker to fill theaters, producers are now increasingly looking towards Tumblr and our own archives, including AO3. In 2019, Sony Pictures Television secured a first-look deal with Wattpad, an online platform that has become a breeding ground for aspiring authors, generating scripted series and films based on the site’s most popular narratives. Wattpad started as a sassy take on One Direction but remarkably led to five films (direct-to-streaming) between 2019 and 2023, and also birthed the After series along the way.

And then, of course, there are the infamous 50 Shades. Originally a Twilight fanfic, it evolved into a trilogy of films that grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide, even though it was panned by critics. Its success demonstrated to studios that original research isn’t always essential. The saga begins with Edward and Bella’s intriguing narrative and could still be a billion-dollar franchise.

What drives Hollywood’s attraction to these projects? Logically, it relates to the brand recognition garnered through proxies. When given the option, Harry Potter enthusiasts are likely to want to see their beloved Hermione and Draco engaged in magical escapades. Meanwhile, readers of AO3’s “original” works, often numbering in the millions, feel a shared sense of ownership over this odd transition from fanfiction to the big screen—something studios greatly value.

Fanfiction is a source of existing enthusiasm that works to corporate advantage. Such immense online followings provide proof of concept, eliminating the need for focus groups or test screenings. They come equipped with a ready-made, highly enthusiastic community. In an industry where original scripts are often treated as financial risks, this data suggests that these films aren’t mere gambles; they are seen as incubators for franchises.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The World’s Hottest Engine Unveils the Mysteries of Microscopic Physics

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Extreme Engine Artist Representation

Milen Lab

The world’s most advanced engines are remarkably compact, achieving astonishing levels of efficiency, mirroring some of nature’s tiniest machines.

A thermodynamic engine represents the most straightforward mechanism to illustrate how the laws of physics govern the conversion of heat into useful work. These engines feature areas of heat and cold interconnected by a “working fluid” that goes through cycles of contraction and expansion. Molly’s Message and James Mirren from King’s College London and their team have constructed one of the most extreme engines yet, utilizing microscopic glass beads in place of traditional working fluids.

The researchers employed electric fields to trap and position the beads in diminutive chambers crafted from metal and glass with minimal air. To operate the engine, they varied the electric field parameters to tighten and loosen the beads’ “grip.” A handful of air particles within the chamber acted as the cold section of the engine, while manipulated spikes in the electric field represented the hot section. These spikes enabled the particles to move significantly faster than the sparse air particles in their vicinity. Notably, the glass particles experienced speeds greater than what they could achieve in gas while remaining cool to the touch, despite their temperature briefly spiking to 10 million Kelvin—approximately 2,000 times the sun’s surface temperature.

This glass bead engine functioned in an atypical manner. During certain cycles, it displayed striking efficiency, as the strength of the electric field propelled the glass beads at unexpected speeds, effectively generating more energy than was inputted. However, in other cycles, the efficiency dropped to negative levels, as if the beads were being cooled in scenarios where they should have heated further. “At times, you believe you’re inputting the correct energy. You’re attempting to run the fridge with the appropriate mechanisms designed to operate the heat engine,” explains Message. The temperature of the beads fluctuated based on their location within the chamber, an unexpected outcome given that the engine was designed to maintain specific hot or cold sections.

These peculiarities can be attributed to the engine’s minuscule size. Even a single air particle colliding randomly with the beads can drastically impact the engine’s performance. Although traditional physical laws generally prevail, sporadic extreme phenomena persist. Mirren notes that a similar situation exists for the microscopic components of cells. “You can observe all these strange thermodynamic behaviors, which make sense on a bacterial or protein level, but are counterintuitive for larger entities like ourselves,” he states.

Raul Rika from the University of Granada in Spain mentions that while this new engine lacks immediate practical applications, it may deepen researchers’ understanding of natural and biological systems. It also signifies a technical breakthrough. Loïc Rondin from Paris’ Clay University asserts that the team can further investigate numerous unusual characteristics of the microscopic realm with this relatively straightforward design.

“We are significantly simplifying what will become a biological system ideal for testing various theories,” states Rondin. The team aspires to apply the engine in the future for tasks such as modeling how protein energy varies during folding.

Journal Reference: Physical Review Letters, In print

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Sexting Sensation: Why Text Messaging is the Hottest Trend in TV Shows

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In the concluding episode of Ted Lasso’s second season, Ted sends a straightforward text to his ex-wife: “Knock, Knock.” It’s not particularly unusual, but the striking part is that this seems to be the very first message he ever sent to his son’s mother. Until now, she’s never texted him back. The empty spaces surrounding the message indicate that the characters have a history of communication.

This issue has been a thorn in the side of television. Why does Emily in Paris receive her boyfriend’s first text saying, “Hey, how about Paris?” Or when Rebecca mistakenly texts her crush using her eccentric ex-girlfriend’s best friend’s phone—why is their conversation history nonexistent when she sees a message about a house party several episodes later? In 2021, Wired journalist Zack Jason highlighted in a series of articles that these characters have no texting history, making it “not allowed and awkward to witness.”

It seems that studios and streamers have taken note. Nowadays, television writers strive to accurately portray their characters’ texting history.

In the dark comedy currently airing, friends and neighbors often text one another. When Jon Hamm’s character Coop wishes to meet up with his lover, we see a long history filled with previous booty calls, and even sexy snapshots. When his son texts his crush, it’s evident that she has previously replied with just “K.” Meanwhile, the newly released thriller series The Stolen Girl showcases text threads bursting with emojis between spouses and colleagues. Ted Lasso’s approach was revised in Season 3; viewers can now observe Ted’s interactions with various people, including a message to his upstairs neighbor stating, “I swear to you, I’m not playing music.”




“I swear to you, Mrs. Shipley, I’m not playing music”… A very unusual call in Ted Lasso’s Season 3. Photo: Amelia Tate

“It drives us all mad when there’s no text history. That’s something we’ve fought for years,” states Dave Henri, managing partner at Modern Motion, a California-based graphic design firm. The Magic Phone software can be installed on a set of prop devices. The app syncs with a Bluetooth keyboard that allows crews to trigger notifications, or a bubble that pops up when someone is typing, enabling actors to send past messages and display appropriate responses in real-time. Magic Phone allows productions to incorporate text message histories complete with convincing timestamps, and its realism is employed in several Apple TV+ productions, including morning shows, shrinks, and Ted Lasso.

“I believe studios and creatives are recognizing that viewers are accustomed to analyzing these devices,” Henri adds. “A lot of thought goes into this now because fans know to look for errors.”

A contemporary worker, Rodgers, collaborated on Ted’s extensive text history in Season 3. He notes that it went through 25 to 30 revisions before the visuals were perfected. “We engaged with the writers, directors, and showrunners, reflecting on what Ted had previously told his mother or what he said to his doctor three months back,” states Rogers. Several graphics were adjusted post-premiere to enhance viewer experience for those watching the show later. “If they realized that sending a message at 10:53 AM wasn’t feasible, they aimed to rectify it to ensure it was flawless.”




Ambika mod of The Stolen Girl. Photo: Matt Squire/Disney

An astonishing amount of effort goes into crafting what appears on the screen for just a moment. “You’re simply sending text messages, and there are 13 or 14 iterations. We think about what a character’s phone displays, what the contact image should be, or whether we even need that image,” Rogers explains. A unique gag for observant viewers shows that Ted’s mother had texted him previously, attaching a photo of a router without a plug and stating that her internet was down. “We loved the three or four different photos they provided of that router. That’s how detailed we get.”

While adding Easter eggs like this can be enjoyable, past texts must not distract from the central plot. This is because the audience tends to miss the “hero text” being sent or received during crucial moments. Script editor Charlie Neal faced this dilemma with The Stolen Girl. Important texts were written into scripts by head writers, but he filled in the conversation history, subsequently approved by writers and producers. “What’s needed is to keep the focus on what’s significant,” he emphasizes. Past texts must not be “quirky, attention-catching, or lengthy” as viewers’ attention can drift away. Conversely, overly mundane messages may also distract. If silence prevails, it becomes distracting too.

Neal even drew inspiration from his own real-life text exchanges. “What do you text your colleagues about?” might be something like, “I’m heading out for coffee, would you like something?” However, he had to ensure that nothing was added that could misrepresent the story or alter the audience’s perception of characters. Continuity is paramount—if a character receives a text on one day, it must be visible in the next day’s history, occasionally amidst random messages.




A booty call between friends and neighbors. Photo: Amelia Tate

In the end, Neal wrote 10-20 historical texts for each interaction, although only one or two appear on the screen. At one point in The Stolen Girl, a character scrolls through the DMs sent to a media outlet’s social media profiles, and Neal even had to “channel the voices of internet trolls” to craft these messages. He was also tasked with assigning names to the senders. All names displayed onscreen must receive approval from the legal department; for instance, if a journalist named Amelia Tait appears alongside another journalist named Amelia Tait, Neal named the troll after a fellow crew member.

Ultimately, while texting history may not make or break a show, it is certainly appreciated by the audience. “Today’s television viewers are so perceptive that they will notice if the minor text dated April 26th contradicts anything else in the script,” observes Neal. Actors enjoy interacting with these sound devices as well. “Helping an actor visualize and react to the message is truly one of the best experiences,” Henri remarks. Interestingly, Harrison Ford was reportedly a fan of the Magic Phone on a reduced set, and Kandy even notes how one actor’s typing appears like that of a skilled hacker due to the software, despite their actual method resembling “hunting and pecking with just two fingers.”

Nowadays, if a character’s text history is absent, viewers might feel confident that it was a deliberate choice. “When a typing bubble repeatedly appears and vanishes without any action, it’s a modern metaphor for unresolved communication,” Kandy points out—almost a sign that the text is meant to signify something. The team behind crafting these messages is pleased that their work is finally receiving recognition. “We often go unnoticed or are overshadowed in industry roles,” Rogers states. “But we’re continually evolving,” or to put it another way, people may not exclaim “OMG” at the moment, but if you know, you know (iykyk).

Source: www.theguardian.com

Stay entertained while ranking the hottest video game characters | Games

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IS Lara Croft Hot? This is the question that has been troubling us for nearly three decades. She made her debut on the cover of Face Magazine in 1997 alongside the tagline “larger than Pammy.” TV special aimed at uncovering the “real” tomb raider. But what does science have to say about it? In a world where American academics are hesitant to use the term “woman” without jeopardizing their research funding, it is reassuring to see that a betting site named Casino Days has taken on this important task and recently compiled a list of “the top 10 most attractive video game characters according to science.”

Using the so-called “golden ratio” – which assesses beauty based on facial proportions – the company discovered that Lara Croft ranks as the second most attractive video game character in the virtual realm. Ultimately, claiming the top spot is Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher series.

The rest of the rankings include Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption in fifth place and Yennefer of Vengerberg from The Witcher in eighth place. What’s most surprising about these findings is not the ongoing fixation on the attractiveness of video game characters, but rather the enduring popularity of these familiar faces. When will we see Guybrush Threepwood on the list? Mario must be wondering when his turn is. Sporting a pointed, pixelated chest is one thing, but coordinating the hat with the shirt under those dungarees during a hard day of plumbing? That takes dedication. Consistency. Blessing.

Hello, is it me you’re looking for… The dashing protagonist 3 of Luigi’s Mansion 3. Photo: Nintendo

Real scientists, this time, have discovered that “good behavior” can make one’s face appear even more attractive to others – with sincerity being deemed more attractive than deceit, but men losing points for appearing aggressive. So, judging video game characters based on the symmetrical perfection of their faces seems somewhat antiquated.

According to “science,” the most captivating video game characters include Bella Goth from The Sims, Harvey from Stardew Valley, King of Hyrule, the Red Ghost from Pac-Man, and Flo from Diner Dash. If we continue to assert rankings and ratings on each other, even hundreds of years later, why stop now – can’t we at least tone down our desires a bit? Can’t we acknowledge the allure of the perpetually fiery king in those mobile game advertisements?

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Brutally taken away…Guybrush Threepwood. Photo: Lucasarts

Unfortunately, a press release from Casino Days has crowned Princess Zelda as the most attractive video game character. Not only is this tragic due to its sexist undertones, but also because Zelda embodies a multitude of femininity. Does she have too many resemblances to Ganondorf, and like Princess Peach before her, can’t she catch a break without being objectified? The text itself highlights the dangers of being cute and blonde in a world dominated by malevolence, forcing Zelda to constantly assert her identity as cute rather than just blonde. Will she have to reveal more skin to prove her worth? (Most likely, yes. Those Bokoblins mean business.)

Isn’t she cute and blonde? Zelda: The Legend of Zelda: The Kingdom’s Tears Photo: Nintendo

We are living in a time of significant transformations and upheavals. And by that, I don’t mean that World War III is looming on the horizon. I mean that the women in games are getting a facelift, with Ciri in Witcher 4 likely lost some of her allure because she matured. So, amidst all the chaos and evil in our world, some things remain constant – everyone can agree that from left to right (B, A, start) – Lara Croft and Geralt of Rivia are hot. Regardless of what comes next, it’s evident that we will continue to debate the attractiveness of lines of code for years to come.

Source: www.theguardian.com

2024 to surpass global warming benchmarks as hottest year on record

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Scientists announced on Friday that the world has experienced the first full year with global temperatures exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius (34.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.

The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Agency (C3S) confirmed this milestone, attributing it to climate change causing global temperatures to rise to unprecedented levels for modern humans.

C3S director Carlo Buontempo described the trajectory as remarkable, with every month in 2024 being either the warmest or second warmest on record.

The average global temperature in 2024, according to C3S, is projected to be 1.6 degrees Celsius (34 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than the pre-industrial period from 1850-1900, prior to significant CO2-emitting fossil fuel usage.

Last year marked the hottest year on record, and the past decade has consistently ranked among the warmest.

While the Met Office anticipates average temperatures in 2024 surpassing 1.5 degrees Celsius, they estimate a slightly lower average of 1.53 degrees Celsius (34.75 degrees Fahrenheit). US climate data for 2024 is also set to be released on Friday.

Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, governments have committed to preventing average temperatures from surpassing 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid severe climate disasters.

Despite reaching the first year above 1.5°C, C3S believes there is still an opportunity to alter this trajectory and work towards meeting the Paris Agreement goals to curb rising emissions.

In 2024, a woman pours water drop by drop into a bucket after drawing water from a well in a village in Zimbabwe.
Jekesai Nikizana/AFP – Getty Images File

The impacts of climate change are being felt across all continents, affecting populations from wealthy to impoverished nations.

Wildfires in California, devastating fires in Bolivia and Venezuela, heavy rains in Nepal, Sudan, and Spain, and fatal heatwaves in Mexico and Saudi Arabia were all experienced in 2024.

Climate change is intensifying storms and heavy rains due to increased atmospheric heat retention and moisture levels, with water vapor reaching record highs in 2024.

Despite escalating costs from these disasters, some countries are weakening in their commitment to emission control measures.

Incoming US President Donald Trump has dismissed scientific consensus on man-made climate change and its hazardous consequences, despite the country experiencing numerous billion-dollar climate disasters in 2024.

Flooded roads in New Port Richey as Florida looks to recover from Hurricane Milton in October 2024.
Spencer Pratt/Getty Images

Chukwumerije Okereke, a global climate governance professor, emphasizes that the 1.5 degree temperature surpass should serve as a wakeup call for key political figures to take action.

Despite ongoing warnings from scientists, many countries are failing to meet their responsibilities, Okereke added.

Carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere hit a record high of 422 ppm in 2024, according to C3S.

Zeke Hausfather, a research scientist, anticipates that 2025 will be among the hottest on record, but unlikely to top the rankings.

As anthropogenic emissions remain a primary driver of climate warming, the transition from El Niño to cooler La Niña conditions is expected to moderate temperatures moving forward.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Monday surpasses Sunday to become the hottest day on record.

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summary

  • Monday marked the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, surpassing the previous record.
  • The global average temperature soared to 17.15 degrees Celsius (62.87 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday, reported by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.
  • Climate change and the El Niño phenomenon contributed to the extreme heat experienced this summer.

Sunday’s record as the hottest day ever recorded on Earth lasted only one day.

Based on Preliminary data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, the global average temperature hit 17.15 degrees Celsius (62.87 F) on Monday, surpassing the previous day’s record of 17.09 degrees Celsius.

This week saw two consecutive days with the highest temperatures ever recorded on Earth.

Copernicus attributed the record-high global temperatures to an unusually warm winter in Antarctica.

Despite the record-breaking temperatures, climate scientists anticipate further warming in the future due to human-induced climate change.

On Monday, people braved scorching heat in Tehran, Iran; China; France; Florida; Athens, Greece; and Tokyo.
Reuters, AP, Getty

Bob Henson, a meteorologist and climate writer at Yale University’s Climate Connections, expressed concern over the recent temperature spikes, emphasizing the urgent need to address climate change.

Extreme heat conditions have led to triple-digit temperatures in various regions, including California, raising wildfire concerns.

Furthermore, the El Niño weather pattern has exacerbated the summer heat, contributing to higher global temperatures.

Henson predicts a cooling La Niña event later this year, which may help lower average temperatures.

Despite potential fluctuations, the long-term trend indicates a continuous rise in global temperatures if climate change remains unchecked.

Copernicus analyzes global temperature trends using climate reanalysis data dating back to 1940, monitoring temperature changes worldwide.

While Monday’s record could be surpassed, experts suggest a slight decrease in temperatures in the near future.

“The phenomenon is ongoing, and temperature patterns may shift, but early data indicates a potential cooling trend in the coming days,” mentioned Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Sunday reached record-breaking temperatures as the hottest day ever recorded on Earth.

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summary

  • According to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, Sunday was the hottest day on record.
  • The global average temperature reached 17.09 degrees Celsius (62.76 degrees Fahrenheit), breaking the previous record set in July last year.
  • Last month was the hottest June on record worldwide.

Sunday is The hottest day on record According to data from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, on Earth:

The global average temperature reached 17.09 degrees Celsius (about 62.76 degrees Fahrenheit), slightly surpassing the previous record of 17.08 degrees Celsius recorded on July 6, 2023.

“We are now in truly uncharted territory and there is no doubt that new records will be broken in the coming months and years as the climate continues to warm,” Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, said in a statement.

So far, both July this year and July 2023 have been much warmer than the 1991 to 2020 average, according to Copernicus data. Before last year, the hottest day on record was August 12, 2016, when the average temperature reached 16.8 degrees.

Last week, a heatwave that hit southern and central Europe reportedly sparked wildfires in southern Italy, forcing the Greek Ministry of Culture to close the Acropolis for several hours. Associated Press.

In the United States, High temperature warning Six states, including Arizona, California and Montana, enacted special heat stroke laws on Tuesday. Officials believe more than 300 people have died from heat stroke in Maricopa County, Arizona, so far this year.

Last month was the hottest June on record globally, breaking records for the 13th consecutive month of record high temperatures. Copernicus Service Monitoring.

“As it gets hotter, we're going to have to significantly recalibrate how we live our lives,” said Bharat Venkat, director of the UCLA Thermal Lab, which studies the effects of rising temperatures.

As a more personal example, Venkat said he took his dog for a walk at a local mall this summer because the sidewalk was “really hot and I was worried his paws would get burned.”

He stressed that at a larger, more severe level, “many of these adverse effects overlap with existing social inequalities.”

People with underlying medical conditions are more susceptible to heatstroke. People who work outdoors, like delivery people or farmers, face a bigger problem. Certain structures, like prisons and food trucks, retain more heat, making them especially hot for people inside.

Global average temperatures typically peak between late June and early August because this is the hottest time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, which contains most of the world's land mass and population.

In the Southern Hemisphere, average temperatures are also rising due to melting Antarctic sea ice, the Copernicus Service reported.

This year has been particularly warm because of an El Niño weather pattern, said Bob Henson, a meteorologist and climate writer at Yale University's Climate Connections.

La Niña is Estimated Arrival There should be a moderate cooling effect over the next few months.

But overall temperatures will continue to rise and records will continue to be broken, Henson said.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

The Southwest may have recorded its hottest June ever

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LAS VEGAS — Some parts of Arizona, Nevada, and Texas have just had their hottest June on record, with scorching temperatures breaking several long-established records.

This record-breaking heat foreshadows another extremely hot summer for the U.S. and globally, raising concerns for the upcoming weeks and months as July and August are typically the hottest months of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

In Phoenix, the average temperature was 97 degrees Fahrenheit, marking it as the hottest June in the city’s over 100-year history. As reported by the National Weather Service.

Last month, the temperature was nearly two degrees higher than the previous record set in June 2021. Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport noted 14 days with temperatures surpassing 110 degrees in June, according to the weather service.

The scorching heat has already claimed 13 lives due to heatstroke in Maricopa County so far this year, which encompasses Phoenix and many surrounding areas, with 162 more deaths under investigation. According to the county public health department.

Last year, a record 645 people died from heatstroke in Maricopa County amidst unusually hot weather for the region. Phoenix reported temperatures of 110 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for 31 consecutive days last summer, surpassing the previous record of 18 days set in 1974.

July has already begun with challenges, as 110 million people across 21 states are under heat warnings or advisories heading into the Independence Day holiday.

The heatwaves were felt across the Southwest last month.

In neighboring Las Vegas, Nevada, the city recorded its highest-ever temperature in June.

“June 2024 was historically the hottest in Las Vegas,” stated the National Weather Service’s field office. According to a post on X from last Sunday. The previous record was set 8 years ago in 2016.

Triple-digit temperatures were recorded nearly every day last month, with an average temperature of 94.6 degrees in June, seven degrees above usual and 1.8 degrees higher than the previous record, as per the National Weather Service.

The heat persisted, with an average high temperature of 106.2 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low of 83 degrees Fahrenheit, providing little relief during the night.

Climate change is anticipated to bring more frequent heatwaves. Studies indicate that as the planet warms, heatwaves will become more common, prolonged, and intense.

The National Weather Service noted that it’s not just the new milestone that stands out. “What’s even more striking is how much it surpassed the previous record,” the statement said, highlighting the 1.2-degree difference between the average June high temperature and the previous record.

West Texas also saw scorching temperatures in June, with El Paso experiencing its hottest June on record, breaking a record from 30 years ago. According to the National Weather Service.

The average temperature in El Paso reached 89.4 degrees, surpassing the previous record set in 1994 by 0.4 degrees.

Extreme heat warnings and advisories are in place for various states along the West Coast and parts of the South, including Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and Florida.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

February 2022: The Hottest Month on Record

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Severe wildfires broke out in Chile earlier this year.

ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy

Earth just experienced its hottest February on record, with average global temperatures rising 1.77 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average for the same month, according to a preliminary report from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Agency (C3S). This marks the ninth consecutive month of record high heat.

“While this may seem surprising, it is actually not surprising because continued warming of the climate system will inevitably lead to new temperature extremes.” carlo buontempo C3S said in a statement.

Europe experienced an especially unusually hot month, with average temperatures 3.3 degrees Celsius above the monthly average from 1991 to 2020. Conditions were unusual, with hot and dry weather causing fires in the Americas, including the deadliest wildfire in Chile's history. Most of the rest of the world's land is warm.

The ocean heat is even more extreme, with February's global average sea surface temperature higher than August 2023, making it the ocean's hottest month on record. The average sea surface temperature of 21.09°C recorded in a single day at the end of February was the highest daily temperature on record, and the amount of sea ice in both the Arctic and Antarctic was below average.

richard allan Researchers from the University of Reading in the UK say the record heat on both land and oceans is mainly due to rising concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the warming effects of the El Niño climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean. ing. Fewer reflected aerosols due to reduced air pollution also contributed to the heat in some areas, he said.

Latest information suggests that last year's record-breaking El Niño, which began in June 2023, could weaken and be replaced by a cooler La Niña by the middle of this year. projection According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. But that may not bring instant respite. Historically, the year following an El Niño event bears the brunt of its heating effects.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

January Breaks Record as Hottest Month; Global Temperature Surpasses 1.7°C Rise

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Devastating wildfires break out in Chile following January's heat wave and drought

Javier Torres/AFP via Getty Images

Temperature records continue. According to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Agency, January this year was the hottest on record, with temperatures 1.7 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average.

This means there were 12 months in which the Earth's average surface temperature was more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above the average between 1850 and 1900, the pre-industrial reference point.

“2024 begins with another record month,” Samantha Burgess of the Copernicus Climate Change Service said in a statement. She said: “Rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are the only way to stop global temperatures from rising.”

At the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, countries pledged to work to prevent global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Climate scientists will not consider this limit to have been breached until the Earth's long-term average temperature exceeds this level for many years.

The long-term average is now 1.25°C warmer than before the industrial revolution. Richard Betts At the Met Office, the UK's National Weather Service. However, carbon emissions are still increasing, and by this standard it seems certain that the 1.5°C limit will be breached soon, perhaps around 2030.

Long-term global averages are rising in line with climate model predictions. However, the extremely rapid warming over the past year or two has far exceeded expectations. Among other records, in 2023 he recorded for the first time a day warmer by 2 degrees Celsius than the average from 1850 to 1900.

It remains unclear why there has been such rapid warming over the past year or so, and how long it will continue. Factors that may have accelerated warming include the 2022 eruption of Tonga Volcano, which pumped large amounts of water into the stratosphere, and reduced aerosol pollution from ships.

For practical reasons, climate scientists have defined pre-industrial temperatures as the average from 1850 to 1900, since there are few records of temperatures before then. However, using this as a baseline could mean that the level of warming due to fossil fuel emissions is being underestimated.

One 2017 survey This indicates an error of approximately 0.2°C. Another announcement this week put the difference at 0.5°C, based on analysis of sponges, meaning we have already breached the 1.5°C limit, but other climate scientists They are not satisfied with this.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Earth has just experienced its hottest year on record

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Last year was the hottest on record on Earth, the European Union’s climate change agency announced Tuesday, confirming what scientists had predicted and feared.

The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Agency says global temperatures in 2023 will be higher than in any year dating back to at least 1850, reaching a level of “unprecedented highs” and averaging 1.48 degrees Celsius (Fahrenheit) higher than before the industrial revolution. 2.66 degrees) high.

This is a milestone that many climate scientists saw coming after a year filled with extreme weather. Since June, the Earth has been warmer than normal every month, with July and August 2023 becoming the two warmest months on record. According to Copernicus’ report.

This trajectory of global warming has been predicted by climate models, but last year’s developments remained exceptional.

A man cools off during a heatwave in Baghdad on July 6, 2023.
Hadi Mizban / AP File

Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, said “2023 was an extraordinary year in which the climate record fell like dominoes,” adding that last year’s temperatures were “higher than any time in at least the past 100,000 years.” There is a high possibility that it will exceed that amount,” he added.

Last year, the effects of that warming were felt almost everywhere on Earth. A dangerous and intense heatwave has hit parts of North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The world’s oceans were also unusually warm, with months of extreme sea surface temperatures, intensified storms, and tropical cyclones. And the fires raged during Canada’s historic wildfire season, burning at least 45 million acres and plummeting air quality in cities south of the border.

“Thanks to the work of the Copernicus Program throughout 2023, we knew there would be no good news today. But the annual data presented here shows that the impacts of climate change are increasing.” We provide further evidence that

Last year’s warm conditions were driven by El Niño, a natural weather pattern characterized by warmer-than-normal waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. El Niño typically exacerbates the background warming caused by anthropogenic climate change, increasing the likelihood of extreme temperatures.

A man cools off during a heatwave in Phoenix on July 16, 2023.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images File

The Copernicus report highlights the challenges ahead in keeping global warming within limits set by the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement. In the climate agreement, countries agreed to limit temperature increases to 1.5°C (2.7°F) above pre-industrial levels to avoid the most devastating consequences of climate change.

According to the Copernicus report, almost half of the days in 2023 were warmer than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. According to Copernicus scientists, this criterion does not by itself mean that the goals of the climate agreement have failed, as it refers to a warming of more than 1.5 degrees over several decades, but it still “sets a disastrous precedent.” It is said that

The European report was one of the first to confirm this new record. Other organizations, including NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, are expected to release their own findings later this week.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Climate talks will only meet minimum requirements after hottest year in human history

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UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday that the era of fossil fuels “must end” and that science suggests there is no way to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) without eliminating fossil fuel use. It has been shown that it is impossible to contain, he added.

“Whether we like it or not, the phasing out of fossil fuels is inevitable.” he wrote to x. “Let’s hope it’s not too late.”

The COP28 climate summit was controversial from the start. The host country, the UAE, is rich in oil resources, and the conference chairman, Sultan Al Jaber, is the CEO of the UAE’s national oil company ADNOC.

At the beginning of the conference, Al-Jabbar addressed criticism at an online event in late November, claiming there was “no science” to support the need to phase out fossil fuels to curb global warming. I took a bath. As first reported by the Guardian.

The incident comes amid waning confidence that oil companies are working to reduce fossil fuel emissions. Big oil and gas companies have previously signaled they would do their part to transition to clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but over the past year they have walked back many of those claims. Critics have accused the industry of “greenwashing,” even as companies ramp up exploration and hundreds of new oil and gas projects are approved around the world.

Throughout the meeting, which culminated in extension negotiations, critics questioned how much could have been accomplished on fossil fuels when it was held in Dubai and led by Al Jaber. These concerns came to the forefront when it became clear that the final deal did not commit to phasing out fossil fuels.

Although the phrases “migration” and “phasing out” are similar, there are important differences between them. Phasing means that their use in the energy system is eventually eliminated, whereas “transition” represents a compromise, meaning that their use is reduced but still continues .

Nate Hartmann, a former State Department official and founder and director of the University of Maryland Center for Global Sustainability, said an open question heading into the meeting is whether world leaders will seriously discuss the future of fossil fuels. He said that.

“There was a risk that it could have been an exercise to avoid problems,” he said.

But Hartmann said countries should “transition” away from fossil fuels in an equitable manner, triple the amount of renewable energy installed by 2030 and step up leaks of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. He said the final agreement he is seeking makes clear that: World leaders actually envisioned a future without fossil fuels.

“The results show that this issue was not only substantively discussed, but also highlighted in the document. There are good and strong elements,” said Hartmann, who attended the 21st COP this year. Told. “Sending this kind of signal about the transition away from fossil fuels is going to be important.”

Still, the agreement is not legally binding, and its critics, especially leaders of poor developing and island nations that are disproportionately affected by climate change, argue that it does not eliminate fossil fuels. , says it is not enough to keep global temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius. Global warming.

Many climate scientists and activists have expressed frustration that calls for the “phasing out” of fossil fuels have been significantly weakened.

“While the COP28 consensus rightly emphasizes nature as a solution, it is unfortunate that it does not recognize the need to phase out the use of fossil fuels,” said the nonprofit National Wildlife Refuge. said Mustafa Santiago Ali, the federation’s executive vice president for conservation and justice. he said in a statement Wednesday.

Emotions were further heightened when the draft agreement was published earlier this week.goa I wrote it on Monday’s X. “COP28 is now on the brink of complete failure.”

Over the past 30 years, countries have finally realized that in order to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by around 2050 and avoid the worst consequences of climate change, countries need to transition away from fossil fuels. It was first agreed upon at the United Nations Summit.

It was hailed as a major milestone, as it merely touched on an issue that had been an issue at previous COP meetings.

“The fact that the phasing out of fossil fuels is now at the center of the international scene is in itself unimaginable five years ago, and is a huge step forward,” said the director of the Stockholm Environmental Research Institute and senior scientist. Michael Lazarus said. , based in Seattle. “That means fossil fuels now have an expiration date, an expiration date. We are at a point where we can envision a transition away from fossil fuels.”

Lazarus said the consensus nature of international processes – in which all countries participating in the deliberations have a de facto veto – makes global progress difficult.

“People talk about how it’s just words and not actions, but the arguments that come out of these international conferences have incredible resonance and have the power to change the conversation,” Lazarus said. Told. “Unless we have a sense of global action to phase out fossil fuels and reduce emissions across the board, countries will not have the same incentives to act in the ways they need to.” I guess.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com