January 2026 Climate Update

Climate in the news 

1. From the fifth National Climate assessment, see how climate change is affecting each region of the country.
2. Affluent Australians are moving south to Tazmania to escape the brutal heat and fires on the mainland.  This is beginning to happen in the US, as people move north for the same reasons.  Climate migration will become a bigger and bigger problem in the years ahead,  The poor will be left behind or flee with no resources.
3. 2025 was the third hottest year ever recorded. The trend of rising global temperatures is accelerating.
4. Iran's water crisis is a foretelling of what will happen in many countries and regions. The US Southwest is not immune.
5. The world is now in water bankruptcy.  As in finances, we are using more freshwater than is being replenished.  It is unsustainable.  More climate refugees fleeing crop failure are inevitable. The sooner we address climate change, the less bad the future will be.

Climate education: Berkeley Annual Global Temp report 

Good climate news: 

1. Clean energy is still winning!  Investment last year was three times that of fossil fuel investments.  Ten Good News charts!
2. Seven quiet wins for climate and nature
3. Yale survey shows 2/3 of Americans want renewables and climate action.

How we can all help preserve a livable world for future generations.

There is not a defining moment when all is lost, in the climate fight.  The issue is how bad things will become.  Every 1/10th of a degree heating we can help prevent, will mean a better world.  So even when things look bleak, even when we go backwards, there IS HOPE  . . . if we keep doing our part.  So, what can we do?

1. Nothing is more important in the next 10 months than electing candidates who believe in the rule of law, acknowledge climate change science and pledge to take action.  So, donate to, campaign for and vote for those candidates, and get your friends and family to do the same.  It won't necessarily be comfortable, but our kids', grandkids' and all future generation's futures depend on this election. We must not look away.
2. Call your national representatives monthly simply asking them to protect the rule of law, protect science and act on climate change. This is most important if your representatives are Republicans. They need to know you are watching and expecting them to act.
3. As always, think about ways to reduce your carbon emissions, and then take action.