🌿 Climate & Environment

July 9th, 2026

Today's top 3 stories, curated by Daily Direct.

Grist

Western Europe just set the record for its hottest June ever

Western Europe shattered its all-time June heat record this month, with multiple countries logging temperatures never before seen in recorded history. Dangerously high overnight lows offered little relief, compounding the health risks for millions of residents. The event underscores a troubling pattern of climate extremes hitting the continent with increasing intensity and frequency.

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Carbon Brief

Interview: Dr Sun Yixian on his new database tracking Chinese climate β€˜leadership’

A new database is cataloguing the expanding footprint of Chinese-led global climate initiatives, offering researchers and policymakers a clearer picture of Beijing's growing influence in international climate governance. Dr Sun Yixian's project arrives at a critical moment, as China positions itself as a counterweight to U.S. withdrawal from multilateral climate efforts. The tool promises to sharpen debate over whether China's climate diplomacy reflects genuine ambition or strategic soft power.

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Guardian Environment

Western Europe records hottest-ever June as heatwaves intensify

Western Europe shattered its June temperature record this year, with surface air temperatures running more than 3C above average as wildfires tore through France and Spain. Scientists attribute the intensifying heat directly to carbon pollution, warning of escalating risks to human health, ecosystems, and critical infrastructure. The UK's third heatwave of the year underscores that extreme heat is no longer an occasional crisis but a recurring feature of European summers.

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Climate & Environment β€” July 9th, 2026 - Daily Direct