THE BRIEF

August Sets Heat Record Globally

August 2026 was Earth's hottest month on record, driven by climate change and El Niño.

THE BRIEF

WHAT'S REPORTED

▸August 2026 reached record warmth for a single month. — NPR Science, BBC Science
▸Climate change is the primary driver of August's record heat. — NPR Science, BBC Science
▸European climate service Copernicus officially reported August as hottest month measured. — NPR Science
▸El Niño's rising influence contributed significantly to August record temperatures. — BBC Science

Keep reading

Representatives Frost and Lee introduced the SLOTHS Act to ban wild sloth imports to the United States.

WHAT'S REPORTED

▸The bill is known as the SLOTHS Act, standing for Stopping Legalized Organized Trafficking and Harm. — Inside Climate News

The Trump administration promised new methane regulations for the oil and gas sector after a decade of efforts.

WHAT'S REPORTED

▸Methane emissions in the Permian Basin originate from oil wells, pressure valves on pipelines, gas processing plants, and routine system maintenance. — Inside Climate News

Texas regulators processed data center permits despite Governor Abbott's ordered pause on such projects.

WHAT'S REPORTED

▸FracTracker analysis of public records released Monday revealed the permitting continued after Abbott's pause order. — Inside Climate News

A study found deep-sea species populations including octopus, krill, squid and shrimp declined after the 2011 Deepwater Horizon spill.

WHAT'S REPORTED

▸The research was published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. — Inside Climate News