A hurricane of misinformation

Also: At least 73% of all animals have disappeared in last 50 years

͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌      ͏ ‌     

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 Hello and welcome to The Independent's weekly roundup of top climate stories.   Florida residents are grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm that has caused at least 14 deaths, left 3.4 million people without power, and caused extensive damage, the full extent of which is still being assessed.   As evacuation alerts were issued for millions, experts warned that this storm could be among the deadliest and most destructive in recent years, arriving just as residents began recovering from last month's Hurricane Helene.   Hurricane Milton quickly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, making it the Gulf's strongest late-season storm on record. Scientists note that rapidly intensifying storms like Helene and Milton, which bring heavier rainfall, are now twice as likely to occur. An aerial view shows destruction at the Spanish Lakes country club in Fort Pierce, Florida, in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images) Amid multiple disasters, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) faced a surge of misinformation.   Elon Musk, on his platform X, shared claims that FEMA blocked donations, deliberately closed local airspace, and even "treasonously" redirected funds to "ferry illegals."   Donald Trump alleged that funds specifically reserved for disaster relief were being used to house undocumented migrants, and that Democrats were intentionally neglecting Republican areas in disaster-hit North Carolina.   FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell described the spread of false conspiracy theories surrounding hurricanes as "absolutely the worst I have ever seen."   At the same time, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis denied that the climate crisis is making hurricanes more intense, contradicting the views of scientists.   Meanwhile, the Atlantic hurricane season is far from over – and meteorologists are watching a moving area of thunderstorms over the Atlantic Ocean. Stuti Mishra Asia Climate Correspondent | @StutiNMishra Top climate headlines How many more hurricanes will it take for us to wake up? By Alan Rusbridger  When you can't afford to flee imminent disaster: The Floridians unable to evacuate before Milton hits By Katie Hawkinson Florida is now twice as likely to be hit by hurricanes like Helene and Milton thanks to climate crisis By Alexa St. John and Stuti Mishra Life in the climate crisis Global wildlife population declines by nearly three-quarters in half a century Nature is in "free fall" as a result of human activity, with global wildlife populations falling by nearly three quarters in 50 years, conservationists warn.   The world is fast approaching dangerous and irreversible "tipping points" in natural systems such as the Amazon rainforest and the polar ice caps, which pose grave threats to humanity and wildlife, a new report from conservation charity WWF says.   The latest edition of the Living Planet Index compiled by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) warns monitored global populations of amphibians, birds, fish, mammals and reptiles have seen an average decline of 73 per cent in 50 years. Read more Should you buy a used electric car? Here's why second hand EV sales are soaring and why you should go electric Could you live with an EV? We answer all your electric car questions and give it a go ourselves The future of home electric car charging – and how your EV could soon be powering your washing machine Support The Independent At The Independent, nobody tells us what to think; we make up our own mind and aren't afraid to do things differently. Like our readers, we value honesty and integrity above outside influences.   With your support, we challenge the status quo, uncover crucial stories, and amplify unheard voices. If you like what we do, do take out a subscription and help support the best quality online-only journalism. SUBSCRIBE: 6 MONTHS FOR £66 £1 SUBSCRIBE: 6 MONTHS FOR £66 £1 INDYBEST / BEST BUYS 11 best eco-friendly and natural cleaning products that actually work CLIMATE IN NUMBERS 13 There have been 13 named storms thus far during this year's Atlantic hurricane season. Read more  QUOTE OF THE WEEK The real cost will be borne by the communities left waiting for aid amidst this storm of lies Providing aid agencies with critical funding could be the difference between life and death for millions of Americans, writes Fema worker Nathalie Beasnael – but Republican paranoia is getting in the way. Read more The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's climate newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's climate newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy notice and cookie policy