Collapse Catch-Up: June 24–30, 2023

Welcome to the 20th edition of Collapse Catch-Up, a weekly newsletter that catches you up on the latest signs that we are living through the collapse of global industrial civilization. You can find the 19th edition here.

This week I have news about record-breaking heat waves, declining crop yields, failed climate goals, rapidly melting ice sheets, the danger of forever chemicals, ecosystems collapsing faster than expected, and much more. Here we go…

Heat & Fire

Texas continues to bake under a record-breaking heat wave that las lasted for weeks. Several cities have hit or surpassed 110°F, making Texas one of the hottest places on Earth. The rate of emergency visits for heat-related conditions is up 30% from last year, and there have been at least 13 deaths. But that’s not nearly as bad as Mexico, where the heat has caused over 100 deaths.

The historic heat wave has led to an all-time record demand for energy as people crank up their air conditioners, and it’s expected to get even worse. Now, the heat wave is spreading to other states across the US including New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Officials fear the heat will cause energy shortages across 2/3 of North America.

Technically, this heat wave could have happened even if there were no climate change, but…