Record-breaking temperatures and devastating wildfires swept across North America, while monsoon rains wreaked havoc in Pakistan, India, and Japan. Meanwhile, a scorching heat dome enveloped southern Europe, and the north Atlantic Ocean warmed to unprecedented levels. Is this just another week on climate crisis-afflicted planet Earth? “The climate crisis is a topic an illustrator must tackle with regretful regularity,” says Pete Reynolds, whose artwork features a bursting thermometer as a besieged lighthouse on this week’s cover. Scientists are hoping that the cyclical El Niño effect is the primary cause of the recent ocean temperature spikes and ice melts, but some experts fear a dangerous tipping point may have been reached.
As the UN reported the beginning of July as the hottest week on record for the planet, the data suggests a gloomy outlook. Global environment editor Jonathan Watts spoke to experts and examined the data, revealing a crisis that refuses to relent. Meanwhile, extreme weather events have become a key driver of deadly human migration patterns, as Fatima Bhutto reports in a separate piece. The consequences are stark: entire communities are being forced to flee their homes in search of safety and stability.
Global Climate Crisis EscalatesIn other news, Russia’s Wagner group almost plunged the country into civil war last month, yet the ruling elites seem eager to downplay the episode and reintegrate key players. Africa correspondent Jason Burke reveals that one reason for this might be Wagner’s extensive business interests on the continent, which generate significant income and resources for the Kremlin.
In a different vein, extreme hoarding is often portrayed as a problem that can be solved by simply disposing of unwanted items. However, in her long read, Samira Shackle paints a more nuanced picture, highlighting the distressing psychological condition that drives this behavior and the importance of targeted intervention.
Music fans will be delighted by this week’s edition, which celebrates the enduring appeal of Bruce Springsteen. Jonathan Freedland pens a poignant piece on how ageing rockers teach us about more than just music, while Herpreet Kaur Grewal explores the complex resonance between the Boss and his female fans in Culture.