Renewable Revolution

June was the warmest on record since 1895 in the United States, with a monthly average temperature of 71.8°F in Lower 48 states, 3.3°F above normal.


According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there have also been eight weather and climate disasters with losses exceeding $1 billion each in the first half of the year – a combination of severe storms and massive flooding.


In the Arctic, sea ice extent plunged 100,000 sq. miles below the previous record low set in June 2010, the National Snow and Ice Data Center showed.


The sea ice extent was 525,000 sq. miles below the 1981-2010 long-term average. From mid-June onwards, ice cover reduced 70 percent faster than typical rate of ice loss, at an average rate of 29,000 sq. miles a day. (Guardian, AP, Washington Post $, The Hill, Bloomberg, Climate Central, Guardian, Washington Post $)