Living in a human-altered world

+ a year of weather and climate extremes US Edition - Today's top story: What is a strong El Niño? Meteorologists anticipate a big impact in winter 2023-2024, but the forecasts don't all agree [View in browser]( US Edition | 28 December 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( As I write this note, governments and climate researchers are still digesting the outcome of the recent global climate change conference. That meeting produced a statement that includes the world’s first international pledge to transition away from fossil fuels – and it comes none too soon, as weather and climate-driven disasters made clear this year. Readers clearly sensed Earth’s growing vulnerability to weather and climate extremes in 2023. One of our most-read articles explained what North America [may experience during the strong El Niño cycle]( that began in early summer. Another favorite among readers examined how California and Florida [attracted residents for decades thanks to their livable climates](, but now share disturbing futures as the climate crisis subjects them to heat waves, wildfires, storms and flooding. Other stories from 2023 explored sustainability decisions at the household level. We explained why the natural gas industry has worked for decades to downplay research showing that gas stoves [produce harmful indoor air pollution](, and how public messaging about recycling has [undermined efforts to cut waste generation]( – the “reduce” part of the “Reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra. We also produced articles about protecting and engaging with the outdoors. One story examined the hard work done by wildland firefighters, who [could see a pay cut]( depending on how Congress resolves its extended federal budget negotiations. On a happier note, we dove into botanizing – intentionally [observing and learning about the plants that surround us](, indoors and out. [ [Miss us on Sundays? Get a selection of our best and most popular stories (or try our other weekly emails.]([]]( Jennifer Weeks Senior Environment + Cities Editor Today's newsletter supported by [readers like you.]( The El Niño pattern stands out in the warm sea surface temperature anomalies in the Pacific in 2023. NOAA Climate.gov [What is a strong El Niño? Meteorologists anticipate a big impact in winter 2023-2024, but the forecasts don’t all agree]( Aaron Levine, University of Washington An atmospheric scientist explains how El Niño works, this year’s oddities and why this phenomenon doesn’t last long. Iconic California from a 1920s orange box label. Covina Citrus Industry Photographs [California and Florida grew quickly on the promise of perfect climates in the 1900s – today, they lead the country in climate change risks]( Henry Knight Lozano, University of Exeter From semitropical playgrounds to life-endangering climate risks: Going back over a century, California’s and Florida’s growth has been predicated on climate – and promises of the good life. Gas stoves without adequate ventilation can produce harmful concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images [When science showed in the 1970s that gas stoves produced harmful indoor air pollution, the industry reached for tobacco’s PR playbook]( Jonathan Levy, Boston University The natural gas industry has spent years trying to undermine scientific findings about gas stoves and health. If this sounds familiar, that’s no accident. Editors' picks A worker sorts cardboard at a recycling center in Newark, N.J. Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images [Decades of public messages about recycling in the US have crowded out more sustainable ways to manage waste]( Michaela Barnett, University of Virginia; Leidy Klotz, University of Virginia; Patrick I. Hancock, University of Virginia; Shahzeen Attari, Indiana University New research shows that Americans may have absorbed public messaging about the importance of recycling too well. A Wyoming Hotshot crew conducts night operations on the Pine Gulch fire in Colorado in August 2020. Kyle Miller, Wyoming Hotshots, USFS [Wildland firefighters face a huge pay cut without action by Congress – in the midst of strenuous, dangerous work during fire season]( Brent C. Ruby, University of Montana Working a day on the firelines as a wildland firefighter can require the endurance of riding the Tour de France. That takes a toll, as a physiologist explains. You may be surprised by what’s growing on a familiar trail. Benjamin Goulet-Scott [Take a break from your screen and look at plants − botanizing is a great way to engage with life around you]( Jacob S. Suissa, University of Tennessee; Ben Goulet-Scott, Harvard University Botanizing is the practice of observing and appreciating plant life. Two plant scientists explain how it benefits people and the planet. - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Trying out new social media? Follow us: • [Threads]( • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon](• [Post.news]( • [LinkedIn]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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