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A recent study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) found that human-produced greenhouse gases doubled the likelihood of the deadly flooding in Brazil compared to the preindustrial era. The flooding, which affected over 90% of Brazil's southernmost state, was exacerbated by climate change and the El Niño phenomenon. Factors such as poor flood-control infrastructure and deforestation also contributed to the severity of the floods. The study highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme rain events worldwide due to rising temperatures. The researchers emphasize the need for governments to implement policies that reduce vulnerability and protect against floods in a warming world. [Extracted from the article]

Dan Hoffman Isn't What Comes To Mind When You Think of a millionaire. The unassuming Hoffman, 32, wasn't born rich, he doesn't live in a lavish house or fight cigars [...]

IMAGINE, IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN, WHAT IT'S LIKE TO be John F. Kennedy Jr. You're 34 years old, not married, still looking for a career. Your mother, who protected you [...]

Soon after Newsday published a book review by Michael Fumento, the newspaper's book editor, Jack Schwartz, began receiving anonymous phone calls late at night. Nasty calls. 'They made a lot [...]

California's Democratic Senator Alan Cranston leaves a powerful political legacy, despite his involvement in the Keating savings and loan scandal. In the midst of controversy and poor health, he is retiring.

Florida's home insurance industry is facing significant challenges, with seven insurers going bankrupt in recent years. This has left many homeowners struggling to find new coverage, often at higher costs, and with unresolved claims for hurricane damage. A working paper by researchers at Harvard University, Columbia University, and the Federal Reserve suggests that Florida's insurance market may be more precarious than previously thought, with lax regulation and monitoring contributing to the problem. The paper also highlights how the rating system used by Demotech, Inc., an insurance ratings firm, allows risky mortgages to be passed on to government-sponsored enterprises like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, Demotech's president disputes these claims and argues that the real issue is consumer and contractor fraud. The study's findings are concerning, and experts suggest that the GSEs should update their criteria for insurance ratings. Florida officials have also expressed concerns about Demotech's ratings, but the company has downgraded only a few insurers due to political pressure. The situation has caused financial chaos for some homeowners, leading to a loss of faith in the insurance system. [Extracted from the article]

Countries will begin their fourth round of United Nations talks to negotiate a global treaty on plastic in Ottawa, Canada. The negotiations have brought together the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, which supports mandatory limits on plastic, and a smaller group of countries, including the US, that resist limiting plastic production. Recent studies have highlighted the environmental and health impacts of plastic, including its contribution to carbon pollution and the amount of plastic waste generated by companies like Amazon. However, the International Council of Chemical Associations warns that placing a cap on plastic production could have negative economic and environmental consequences. [Extracted from the article]

Aeroseal, a company that developed technology in collaboration with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, has created a solution for sealing leaky heating and cooling systems in homes. Their computer-tracked system can locate and target leaks, even those behind walls, and then release an aerosolized sealant to fill them. This process can reduce leakage by about 80% in new homes and up to 95% in existing buildings. While upfront costs can be high, new laws aimed at reducing emissions in buildings are creating a demand for Aeroseal's services. [Extracted from the article]

The US government has decided to abandon its plan to collect data on home insurance prices and availability at the Zip code level due to rising premiums and climate risks. Instead, it will collaborate with state insurance regulators to obtain the necessary information. The insurance industry and Republicans in Congress opposed the data collection, citing resource and manpower concerns. The Federal Insurance Office (FIO) will now gather data from state insurance commissioners and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), covering over 80% of the US property insurance market. The move has raised concerns about the government having an incomplete understanding of risk if disclosures are selective. Climate change-induced storms, floods, and fires have disrupted the home insurance market, leading to insurers ceasing to write new policies in certain states and transferring liability to state-created insurance programs. Home insurance rates have also increased in many states. The NAIC will collect over 70 points of data at the Zip code level, including information on policy non-renewals and cancellations, deductible sizes, and mitigation discounts. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports on environmental remediation programs by the U.S. Dept. of Energy. It mentions the role of chemical engineer Jennifer Wilcox in disbursing funds for such projects, describes her priorities in capturing and storing carbon dioxide and creating guidelines to do so, and the need for new technologies to achieve the capture and storage.

The article discusses the issue of wildfires in California and the impact on insurance. It mentions the growing number and severity of wildfires due in part to climate change, the need to delineate fire risk zones to help determine insurance rates, and the technologies that can assist in setting these zones.

Byline: LESLIE KAUFMAN The book from President Obama's longtime strategist is due out in the fall of 2014. To view this article at nytimes.com, click here: [...]

Byline: LESLIE KAUFMAN The book will look back at her time as secretary of state and also at 'the urgent, ongoing need for American leadership in a changing world.' To [...]

Byline: LESLIE KAUFMAN E. L. Doctorow, the author of âThe Book of Danielâ and âRagtimeâ among many other novels, has a new work, âAndrew's Brain,' coming in early 2014. To [...]

Byline: LESLIE KAUFMAN Ms. Kelley has previously written unauthorized biographies on Oprah Winfrey and Nancy Reagan. To view this article at nytimes.com, click here: [...]

Byline: LESLIE KAUFMAN Thomas Keneally is writing about World War I and World War II. To view this article at nytimes.com, click here: [...]

Byline: LESLIE KAUFMAN The winning book was inspired by a real-life tale of a gorilla who thrives after being moved from a small cage to a zoo. To view this [...]

Byline: LESLIE KAUFMAN Mr. Stone is the author of 'Damascus Gate'' and 'Dog Soldiers,'' which won the National Book Award in 1975. To view this article at nytimes.com, click here: [...]

Byline: LESLIE KAUFMAN Michael Hastings, a reporter and author, has a digital book due out next month about the campaign. To view this article at nytimes.com, click here: [...]

According to a report by Swiss Re, the United States and the Philippines are the countries most affected by climate-driven extreme weather in terms of their economies. The US experiences annual losses of about $97 billion, which is almost 0.4% of its GDP, while the Philippines experiences losses of $12 billion, representing 3% of its GDP. The report also highlights that annual losses from floods, hurricanes, winter storms, and severe thunderstorms amount to about $200 billion globally. The analysis predicts that Poland and the Czech Republic will be at the highest risk of increasing damages through 2050, particularly from climate-related flooding. The report emphasizes the need for adaptation measures, especially in developing countries that have limited resources to recover from natural catastrophes. [Extracted from the article]

A new report by the United Nations highlights the perilous situation faced by migratory animals due to overhunting, habitat loss, and pollution. The report reveals that one in five migratory species is at risk of extinction, with migratory reptiles and fish being particularly vulnerable. The primary causes of this crisis are human activities such as hunting, fishing, and habitat destruction. The report emphasizes the need for international cooperation to protect these species and identifies crucial habitat areas that should be prioritized for conservation efforts. While there have been some successful conservation partnerships, urgent action is needed to prevent further decline and extinction of migratory species. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the growing gap in home insurance coverage in the United States, as insurance rates rise and insurance companies withdraw from certain markets. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides aid to individuals affected by disasters, but there are concerns about the distribution of aid, with studies showing that areas with fewer White residents receive less assistance. In response to these issues, FEMA has announced reforms to its Individual Assistance program, including automatic cash benefits for urgent needs and a new home repair allowance. However, the underlying problem of an underinsured population remains, which may lead to increased taxpayer subsidies. [Extracted from the article]