If the globe is warming, shouldn’t there be less snow?

The article addresses a common question about global warming and snowfall. It features insights from Kevin Reed, an associate professor at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University. Reed explains that while overall snowfall is decreasing in a warming world, higher temperatures allow the atmosphere to hold more water, leading to more precipitation. This can result in heavy snowfall during certain times. The article also touches on the concept of warmer air holding more moisture, leading to more intense weather events, such as the floods in New York and New Jersey following Hurricane Ida.

Hallelujah, Churches Have Seen the Light

The article discusses the Presbyterian Church's decision to divest $4-$7 million from fossil fuels, including stakes in Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Marathon Petroleum, Phillips 66, and Valero Energy. This move is significant due to the historical ties between western Christianity and the oil industry. The article also touches on the early days of the oil industry in the U.S. and how religion played a role in the expansion of oil companies, particularly mentioning Lyman Stewart and John D. Rockefeller. Additionally, the article covers the media's climate change coverage in May and June, noting an initial increase followed by a decrease in attention. It criticizes news outlets for not taking the climate crisis seriously despite earlier pledges. Furthermore, the article shares personal reflections on wildfire fatigue and the decision to move away from California, as well as a critique of BP and Shell for their performative support of the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month while contributing to the climate crisis.

Hallelujah, Churches Have Seen the Light

The article discusses the Presbyterian Church's decision to divest $4-$7 million from fossil fuels, including stakes in Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Marathon Petroleum, Phillips 66, and Valero Energy. This move is significant due to the historical ties between western Christianity and the oil industry, as detailed by Darren Dochuk in his book 'Annointed with Oil'. The article also touches on the early days of the oil industry in the U.S., where religious beliefs and oil exploration were closely linked, particularly by figures like Lyman Stewart and John D. Rockefeller. The divestment by the Presbyterian Church is seen as a major step in the broader societal shift away from fossil fuels. Additionally, the article includes a section on climate coverage in the media, addressing the intersection of climate crisis with other major news events and the start of wildfire and hurricane seasons. It also critiques BP's social media engagement with the LGBTQ community in the context of environmental issues.

The Great Resignation Hits NYC Prosecutors

The article discusses a significant wave of resignations among prosecutors in New York City, highlighting the issue as part of 'The Great Resignation'. A substantial number of prosecutors have left their positions in the past year, with offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Queens experiencing high turnover rates. Factors contributing to this trend include pandemic-related burnout, low salaries, and increased workloads. The latter has been exacerbated by two new laws aimed at making the judicial process more equitable by requiring prosecutors to share more documents with defense teams earlier, thereby increasing their workload in an already overwhelmed court system.

Fire in Manhattan High-Rise Injures 38; Lithium-Ion Battery Blamed

A fire in a Manhattan high-rise, caused by a lithium-ion battery in an electric bicycle, resulted in at least 38 injuries. Firefighters performed a dramatic rescue of a woman from the 20th floor, where the fire originated. The FDNY used ropes in what was described as a 'last resort' tactic. The fire has raised concerns about the safety of lithium-ion batteries, which have been linked to 200 fires in New York City this year alone. The article also touches on the confusion among residents during the fire, the response by emergency services, and the broader implications for building safety and emergency preparedness.

How climate change can supercharge snowstorms

The article discusses the paradox of increased snowfall in certain conditions despite global warming. Kevin Reed, an associate professor at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University, explains that while overall snowfall is decreasing, higher temperatures allow the atmosphere to hold more water, leading to more precipitation. This can result in heavy snowfall when temperatures are just below freezing. The article also touches on the risks associated with different types of precipitation, including the potential for flooding from both rain and melting snow, especially when temperatures hover around the freezing point.

If the globe is warming, shouldn’t there be less snow?

The article addresses a common question about global warming and snowfall, citing Kevin Reed, an associate professor at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University. Reed explains that while overall snowfall is decreasing due to global warming, higher temperatures allow the atmosphere to hold more water, leading to more precipitation, which can still fall as snow under certain conditions. He notes that warmer air leads to more humidity and moisture, which can result in sudden downpours and flooding, as seen after Hurricane Ida. Reed also discusses how slight increases in temperature can lead to more snowfall when temperatures are just below freezing, and the flooding risks associated with freezing temperatures.

Takeaways From New York’s Midterm Election Results

New York's midterm elections showed signs of Democratic resilience and surprising Republican gains. Governor Kathy Hochul won against Lee Zeldin, who acknowledged the close margin in his concession. Despite being outnumbered, Republicans in New York had their strongest statewide performance in decades, capitalizing on issues like crime and inflation.

At Least 38 Injured in High-Rise Fire in Manhattan

A fire broke out in a high-rise building in Midtown Manhattan, leading to a dramatic rescue of a trapped woman by firefighters. The fire, which occurred at 429 East 52nd Street, injured at least 38 people. Chief Fire Marshal Daniel E. Flynn identified the cause of the fire as a lithium-ion battery from an electric bicycle. The apartment where the fire originated contained at least five e-bikes, and there is an ongoing investigation into whether the resident was conducting unauthorized bike repairs. This incident adds to the approximately 200 fires in New York City this year attributed to lithium-ion batteries, which have resulted in six fatalities.

Five Ways to Prevent the Next Sandy

The article discusses the prevalence of illegal basement apartments in Queens, New York, and the risks they pose during extreme weather events. It highlights the impact of Hurricane Ida, which caused severe flooding and resulted in at least 16 deaths, many in basement apartments. The city's response to Hurricane Sandy nine years earlier is mentioned as insufficient in the face of new climate challenges, such as sudden downpours. The article details the city and state agencies' efforts to improve flood management through new flood maps, emergency systems, and infrastructure projects like drainage systems, porous streets, and rain gardens. It also mentions specific initiatives like the daylighting of Tibbetts Brook and a $2 billion drainage project in southeast Queens.