This Week on Earth: Oct 30-Nov 5

Saturn viewed from Northwestern’s Dearborn Observatory. (Jake Houston)

Chicago

In the last week of October, Chicago saw unseasonably warm highs of up to 78ºF between October 29 and 31. These were the warmest temperatures seen over these days since 1998 and the second warmest in recorded history. 

Chicago’s Fox 32 News conducted a poll asking viewers their feelings about the October warm spurt, to which 70% responded “favorably,” while only 30% responded “unfavorably.” These temperatures were much higher than Chicago’s seasonal averages of around 56ºF for late October, per the National Weather Service. 

These higher temperatures are likely a result of global warming due to fossil fuel emissions and will only become more frequent in the coming decades. Fox 32’s poll results could be an indication that the general public is largely unconcerned with the climate implications of unexpectedly warm weather.

United States

This week, Taylor Swift wraps up the U.S. dates of her record-breaking Eras Tour with three final shows in Indianapolis. The nearly two-year tour, which spanned over 150 shows across five continents, has had massive cultural, economic and environmental impacts.. 

The tour’s impact on the environment is unprecedented. Swift’s private jet emissions from the 2024 leg of the tour alone totaled to a little over 500,000 kg, which is equivalent to that of 122 gas-powered vehicles driven for one year. This does not account for the emissions associated with transportation of crew, equipment and fans around the globe. 

In addition to transportation, the venues themselves also utilize a significant amount of energy. Lighting, sound systems, air conditioning and single-use materials further contribute to the tour’s detrimental environmental impact. 

Swift claims to have eliminated the tour’s impact by purchasing double the carbon credits necessary to offset its emissions. This practice has become commonplace among celebrities looking to make up for their higher-than-average emissions.

“The wealthier you are, the easier it is to be sustainable,” said Leah Thomas, author of the Intersectional Environmentalist. 

Spain 

This week, Spain suffered its worst flooding disaster in over 20 years. By November 1st, the death toll had increased to 158 as of November 1st, and surrounding regions were severely impacted by the floods.

“Right now, the most important thing is to save as many lives as possible,” said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on the government’s relief efforts.

Many motorists in affected areas had to climb out of their cars onto trees and bridges to escape the catastrophic storm.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, global warming can cause river floods to become larger and more frequent. This sets the stage for more high-risk and life-threatening natural disasters in the near future as climate change accelerates.