Breaking Down: Collapse

The good insects are disappearing, while we're left with the ones that make life harder. What gives?Flesh-eating screwworms feast on humans in Mexico; human cases top 500 - Ars TechnicaThe Ticks Are Winning – Mother JonesMountain insects are running out of room as the planet warmsWhere have all the wasps gone this summer?

A summary of the state of heatwaves and their impact on our health:Global Warming Has Accelerated Significantly - Foster - 2026 - Geophysical Research Letters - Wiley Online Library‘Stop all outdoor activities’: South Korea records its highest ever temperature | South Korea | The GuardianScorching Summers May Be Speeding Up How Fast Your Body AgesThree lions die of suspected heatstroke at Tokyo zoo as Japan swelters | Japan | The Guardian

An update on the state of drought throughout the world:EU considers emergency meeting as nuclear shutdown leaves Hungary facing energy crisis | Euronews‘Worst we’ve known’: UK turns to imports as drought and heat hit vegetable crops | Food & drink industry | The GuardianCalifornia drought may have pushed parts of the Sacramento Valley aquifer toward permanent collapseColorado declares town abandoned amid water and leadership crisis | Colorado | The GuardianItaly's Po River valley on drought alert‘Mini Dust Bowl’ could be forming in the US, expert warns. Will El Niño make it worse?Foreign firms taking billions of litres from UK aquifers to make bottled water | Water | The Guardian

In the midst of this crazy summer, let's take a look at the state of the wildfires around the globe.In the latest NOAA run for the Nino 3.4 region, published 30 July there is now no model run that peaks below 4.1°C. This is setting up for the most significant global climate event in 150 years : r/collapseFrance Blitzes Its All-Time Record for Area Burned by Wildfires : r/collapseFast-moving wildfires threaten city of Spokane, WA; National Guard activatedWashington’s wildfires are a warning for the entire U.S. | Scientific AmericanWildfires are raging – and the world has junked 45 climate pledges. Disaster looms, and little wonder | Bill McGuire | The Guardian

Taking a short break from the podcast to deal with some family matters - I will be back!In the meantime, here's a story highlighting institutional catabolic collapse from the perspective of the IRS.The IRS Is Imploding – Mother Jones

The coming demographics shift is a catch-22. Having fewer young people means a sever imbalance in care of increasing number of elderly (among many other wide-reaching economic impacts) but adding more people means quicker destruction of the biosphere. The Demographic Challenge | IESE InsightU.S. Population Growth Slows Due to Historic Decline in Net International MigrationAmericans should work past 65 to avoid ‘retirement crisis,’ says BlackRock CEO. What to do if that doesn’t work for you

A replay of Kellan and I's interview with Richard Heinberg 4 years ago, on news of his passing this week.

Sources:Appeals Court Rules USPS Will Suffer 'Irreparable Harm' if Prevented From Blocking Ballots | IBTimes UKICE to Pay Thomson Reuters $125 Million to Find ‘Voter Fraud’Trump setting stage to declare emergency around midterms, former White House attorney says | PBS NewsFederal Agents Were Told FBI Will No Longer Investigate ICE Confrontations - The New York TimesICE's Largest Detention Centre Described as 'Graveyard for Living People' in New Human Rights Report | IBTimes UK'Many More Coming': Trump's DOJ Begins Quietly Stripping Citizenship from Naturalised Americans | IBTimes UKWhite House teleprompter operator made more than $100K betting on Trump's speeches: Sources - ABC NewsBeshear says McConnell health updates needed as questions continue over senator’s communication | whas11.comTrump Pauses $1 Billion in Medicaid Funds From Two States (3)