NASA's Earth Observatory

AUGUST 15, 2023 Weekly News

FEATURED                   Temperature Extremes 2023 Warmer-than-average temperatures are showing up locally and globally, with consequences for people, landscapes, and ecosystems.             LATEST IMAGES OF THE DAY view the archive

Typhoon Lan Lashes Japan The island nation braced for the second major storm in less than a week.       July 2023 Was the Hottest Month on Record Earth in July 2023 was 1.18°C (2.12°F) warmer than the average for the month, and warmer than any other month in the 143-year record.       Exceptionally Low Antarctic Sea Ice The extent of winter sea ice surrounding Antarctica is in uncharted territory in the satellite record.       Black Mesas and Sand Dunes in Mauritania Dunes formed on the slopes of dark mesas in this photo taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station.       Relentless Wildfires in Canada At the fire season's midway point, a surge of activity is darkening skies in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon.       Devastation in Maui Strong winds and dry weather helped fuel destructive wildfires on Hawaii's second-largest island.       Alaska's Mendenhall Glacier The glacier is a popular tourist destination near Juneau, but each year there is less of it to see.

LATEST IMAGES FROM THE PAST 7 DAYS view archive of natural events

July 2023 Was the Hottest Month on Record Earth in July 2023 was 1.18°C (2.12°F) warmer than the average for the month, and warmer than any other month in the 143-year record. (Aug 11, 2023)       Relentless Wildfires in Canada At the fire season's midway point, a surge of activity is darkening skies in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon. (Aug 11, 2023)       Devastation in Maui Strong winds and dry weather helped fuel destructive wildfires on Hawaii's second-largest island. (Aug 10, 2023)       A Zigzagging Path for Khanun The storm is heading for South Korea after winding its way through the Ryukyu Islands. (Aug 8, 2023)

NASA | 8800 Greenbelt Rd., Greenbelt, MD 20771

Πάρνηθα: Το ημιτελές έργο του καθαρισμού των δασών «απειλεί» τον Εθνικό Δρυμό

 https://www.tovima.gr/2023/08/13/society/parnitha-to-imiteles-ergo-tou-katharismou-ton-dason-apeilei-ton-ethniko-drymo/

Αποκαλυπτικές φωτογραφίες με κορμούς σε ντάνες μέσα στο δάσος εν μέσω Αυγούστου - Δεκαέξι χρόνια μετά τη μεγάλη καταστροφή του Εθνικού Δρυμού της Πάρνηθας και ενώ το δάσος δεν έχει ακόμη αναγεννηθεί οι ελλείψεις στην πρόληψη παραμένουν απειλητικές


Ήταν πριν από δέκα ημέρες, αμέσως μετά την πρώτη πανσέληνο του Αυγούστου, γνωστή και ως του οξύρυγχου που ανεβήκαμε στον Εθνικό Δρυμό της Πάρνηθας.

Είχαμε αφήσει πίσω μας ένα δραματικό Ιούλιο που έκαψε πολλές εκατοντάδες χιλιάδες στρέμματα. Τα Δερβενοχώρια ήταν και πάλι ανάμεσα στα σημαντικά πύρινα μέτωπα, όπως και το 2007, μόνο που φέτος ο άνεμος οδήγησε τις φλόγες δυτικά προς την πλευρά της Μάνδρας, αυτή τη φορά, ευτυχώς, δεν την πήγε προς την Πάρνηθα.

Η καταστροφή μπορεί να μην άγγιξε τον εθνικό δρυμό της Πάρνηθας, ωστόσο είναι ανυπολόγιστα μεγάλη.
Το λεκανοπέδιο της Αττικής από εφέτος τον Ιούλιο ασθμαίνει ακόμη περισσότερο από πριν καθώς πλέον «νοσούν» βαρύτατα οι περισσότεροι από τους λιγοστούς πνεύμονες πρασίνου που απόμειναν να το περιβάλλουν.

Οσον αφορά την Πάρνηθα όμως, εδώ το πάθημα τους έγινε μάθημα, σκέφτηκα, ενώ βρισκόμουν στο χώρο συγκέντρωσης από όπου σε λίγο θα ξεκινούσε η πεζοπορία.....

https://www.tovima.gr/2023/08/13/society/parnitha-to-imiteles-ergo-tou-katharismou-ton-dason-apeilei-ton-ethniko-drymo/

APEC News

Secretary Granholm: There is No Option but to Work Together to Save the Planet

Issued by the 13th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting

Seattle, The United States, 15 August 2023

“As our energy sectors evolve, you can't just have an energy transition, it must also be just,” said the United States’ Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm on Tuesday. 

“The bottom line is, there is no option but to work together. Our greatest challenges can be our best opportunities and that none of us is alone in this fight to save the planet.”

Secretary Granholm opened the 13^th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting by exhorting her counterparts from APEC member economies to face climate change by pursuing a just energy transition.

Ministers convened in Seattle against the pressing backdrop of extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change and volatile energy markets. The last time ministers met was eight years ago in 2015. 

“There is no rational discussion of our energy future which is not also about climate change, and there's no serious discussion about climate change which is not also about energy,” Secretary Granholm added.

Secretary Granholm noted the progress that member economies have made has been significant since the time they last met, including increasing the collective renewable capacity by more than 50 percent and updating the energy security initiative to reflect the transition to modern energy systems, among others.

Secretary Granholm reminded ministers that in many ways the APEC region has come to define the world energy economy where APEC’s 21 members account for 56 percent of world energy demand, 58 percent of world energy supply and 68 percent of electricity generated.

“Now we need to up our ambition and we need to hone in on our top priorities,” Secretary Granholm urged. “As energy ministers, we will not only help pave a path out of climate hazards, but also toward the opportunities at the heart of clean energy transitions.” 

For further details, please contact:

Masyitha Baziad +65 9751 2146 at mb@apec.org
Michael Chapnick +65 9647 4847 at mc@apec.org

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association,update

 

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association Contact: AHEPA Headquarters Phone: 202.232.6300 E-mail: ahepa@ahepa.org From the desk of AHEPA Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos

Brothers and Sisters of the AHEPA Family and Friends, Since 1922, AHEPA has consistently been ready to offer support to those in need. As Supreme President, my first action was to establish the Greece Wildfires fund, providing immediate assistance to those in Greece. I want to express my gratitude to all of you for the efforts you've put forth so far in our endeavor to aid Greece in recovering from the wildfires that have impacted the country this summer. Yesterday, I was approached to assist one of our Districts which has taken the lead in providing aid to those suffering in Hawaii. AHEPA's presence is far-reaching, and we strive to offer assistance as promptly as possible by collaborating with our Chapters and Districts to uphold the philanthropic aspect of our mission. The knowledge that the AHEPA Family consistently steps up as the first to volunteer assistance in any disaster situation is something that each and every one of us should take pride in. We cannot ignore the reality that natural disasters are becoming more prevalent nowadays, and we will consistently be called upon to help. It is our duty, as a philanthropic organization, to do what we can during moments that may appear the most dire. I urge you to consider contributing to our efforts according to your means. As most of us are aware, tragedy recently struck the Island of Maui, Hawaii resulting in the loss of life, property, and business in the City of Lahaina. Our brothers in District 20 have made us aware that at least four families from the Maui Greek Orthodox Mission Church in Maui have been made homeless and lost their jobs because of the fires. The Mission is collecting monetary donations, 100% of which will be distributed to victims of the fires. AHEPA Headquarters is donating $5000 to match donations sent by any AHEPA Chapters.   If you’d like to show your love and support for our Christian Brothers, Sisters and their families, please go to:   Maui Mission | Home Page   To make an online donation: 1.    Scroll down to the section titled “Donations” (approx. half-way down the page) in the center of your screen.  2.     Click on, “Online donation to the Maui Mission: Fire Relief Effort.” 3.    Please put AHEPA Chapter or District number in memo box   If you would like to make a pledge, select one of the following methods: ·        Send a text to the parish at: (617) 838-7904  ·        Send an email to: firerelief@mauimission.org   Mail your pledge check to the following: Maui Greek Orthodox Christian Mission For: FIRE RELIEF EFFORT Post Office Box 532642 Kihei, HI 96753

Donate Now! AHEPA Senior Living Board Holds Annual Meeting, Reelects Chairman Ike Gulas The AHEPA Senior Living (ASL) Board of Directors reelected Attorney Ike Gulas, Birmingham, Ala., to a second term as chairman of the board, July 23, 2023, during its annual board meeting in Las Vegas, Nev. Gulas has served on ASL’s board for more than 25 years. “I am humbled by the confidence placed in me by my fellow board members and consider myself fortunate to work with AHEPA Senior Living as it furthers its mission of providing dignified affordable senior housing and quality aging services to those who need it.” Gulas said. “It is an exciting time of growth for AHEPA Senior Living, and I look forward to helping it achieve its goals. Our board looks forward to working with President and CEO Steve Beck, and the executive team, to meet our mission. Together we will meet the challenges the future holds.” “Ike’s contributions as a board member for decades have been critical to our position in the affordable independent and affordable assisted living markets,” Beck said. “We look forward to working with Ike and the entire board of directors, including the board’s newly elected officers and executive committee. We had an almost near perfect turnout of board participation in Las Vegas and that is a testament to the high level of energy and passion this board brings to the table.” Board Executive Officers In addition to Gulas, the ASL Board of Directors officers are: Vice Chairman John Zourzoukis, Columbia, S.C.; Secretary Demetrios “Jimmy” Makris, New Port Richey, Fla.; and Treasurer Michael Pihakis, Bridgeville, Pa. Gulas also appointed board member, Attorney Christ Coumanis, Daphne, Ala., as counsel to the board. read more AHEPA Senior Living Announces Grant Awards Totaling Half Million Dollars The AHEPA Senior Living (ASL) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the distribution of $500,000 in grants to nonprofit charitable and service organizations. “Congratulations to this year’s round of grantees,” ASL Chairman of the Board Ike Gulas said. “We are proud to support these worthy mission-driven organizations. In doing so, we strengthen vital life-saving services for survivors of domestic violence and their families, advance opportunities for access to education, bolster critical at-home nutritional services for vulnerable seniors, support programs that empower and celebrate women, and encourage volunteerism.”  The board announced the grant recipients at this year’s annual board meeting held in Las Vegas, July 21 to 23. Since 1996, AHEPA Senior Living has supported nonprofits, including the Order of AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles, and Maids of Athena to an amount that exceeds $9 million. About ASL Serving more than 5,000 older adults across the United States, AHEPA Senior Living (ASL) is a mission-driven, nationwide provider of affordable independent and assisted senior living communities. Since 1980, it has developed and has managed more than 90 affordable senior housing communities in 21 states administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program. Through its subsidiaries, ASL owns and manages four affordable assisted living communities with 532 units in Indiana. The mission of ASL is to provide older adults with safe, healthy, and enriching affordable residential communities and quality services that allow them to thrive and enjoy peace of mind. ASL is based in Fishers, Ind. Visit ahepaseniorliving.org