Hurricane Beryl, which made landfall at the beginning of July this year broke records as the earliest Category 5 Atlantic hurricane ever which was attributed to warmer early-season ocean temperatures. This storm was another reminder of climate change and served to warn hurricane-prone communities that these storm seasons are becoming longer and more dangerous. These extreme weather events pose significant threats to society’s health, homes, and livelihoods in unforeseen ways.
While we can clearly see the catastrophic destruction caused by hurricanes like Katrina which devastated 800,000 US homes and left over a million people homeless for at least a month, hurricanes leave other damages that are not always addressed but are sometimes just as dangerous as the initial disaster. Immediate disaster response usually focuses on restoring power an access to food, housing, and water, as relief organizations come together to aid afflicted communities.
But what about the other damages that are left for hurricane survivors to face after the initial storm response?
For those individuals who can return home, the next step is to survey damages. A Sense of relief may come when a home appears to have survived the storm with little visible water damage. But, it is important not to write off water damage or to save it for a later home improvement project. Water damage and moisture left unchecked leave the opportunity for mold spores to grow and wreak havoc on your health.
Mold, which starts out as Mildew, will begin to grow only 24 to 48 hours after water exposure. Because it grows so quickly, and because it is often not immediately acted on by hurricane and flooding victims, it is safe to ‘assume that mold is already present in homes’ that have endured hurricanes and flooding events, according to the CDC. While this initial period is critical for homeowners, it is often very difficult to actually prevent. And, because mold is sneaky and often undetectable to our senses, it may grow unnoticed in our homes, in our cars, at our work, or amongst our belongings, for years, which can cause various health issues.
So what health issues may occur from mold?
Mold exposure is detrimental to our health and may cause and exacerbate health conditions. Acute exposure may lead people to have wheezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and other common cold symptoms. Prolonged exposure, however, may cause severe allergic responses, skin infections, asthma, and chronic respiratory illnesses. This makes it important to be aware of small changes to our health, particularly in the period coming out of hurricanes and flood events. Still, some types of mold and infections have long incubation periods, making it difficult for individuals and clinicians to connect its symptoms to an actual mold exposure event which slowly manifests after water damage has occurred.
Increases in severe hurricanes and flooding events and subsequent mold exposures have recently brought a lesser-known health condition, Invasive mold Infections (IMI)s, into the spotlight as well. Infection rates of IMI’s have markedly increased particularly in areas hit by extreme weather. After Hurricane Harvey hit Texas in 2023, IMI rates increased by 17.5% during the period after the hurricane. Infectious disease epidemiologists from the CDC who surveyed this disease emergence, attributed this rise in cases to mold exposure in homes impacted by the hurricane. While most of those who contracted an IMI were immunocompromised and at a greater risk of illness, researchers have warned that these pathogens are becoming more ‘virulent and potent’ as warming climates offer them favorable conditions for adaptation. IMI’s may soon pose a risk to healthier populations of people as well, and, as climate change continues to spread to areas that historically may face fewer threats of extreme weather events, the risk of mold exposure and contracting these IMI’s may also rise.
Experiences from contemporary pandemics like COVID-19 and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), have shown us that overlooking potential threats to emerging diseases leaves societies unprepared to effectively manage or respond to their future consequences. Climate change is a threat that will continue to impact societies in unprecedented ways, and it is unrealistic to assume immunity from its effects simply for living far away from those areas experiencing more extreme weather.
So, what is currently being done to prevent mold exposure after hurricanes?
The simple answer is: not enough. Without a ‘systematic surveillance’ system for mold exposure in the US, it is difficult to track down sources of mold exposure and those individuals who may be unknowingly exposed. Because rates of mold exposure have been shown to be connected to extreme weather events it could make sense for Disaster relief organizations to develop mold assessment and surveillance systems. For those, disaster-struck communities this would be particularly beneficial, especially since emergency assistance would extend past immediate and urgent needs as well as recognize the delayed, or secondary damages, like mold, which homes and victims often face.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that aid or surveillance by these organizations will improve, or be offered even amidst the growing threat of climate change and subsequent mold exposure. FEMA, the main emergency response agency in the US, recently announced that there is not enough funds to cover this season’s projected relief needs because of record-breaking natural disasters. While this had only been speculatory, those communities hit by Hurricane Beryl in July saw this concern become a reality; FEMA began ‘denying requests for aid’ because of their limited budget and projected finances for this season. Although these disaster relief organizations have an ever-increasing need in our societies, the increasing cost of climate disasters is making it harder for them to provide aid and manage effective response.
It is essential for individuals to know how to prevent mold growth and to manage mold exposure when it happens in your home. To prepare for a hurricane or for a flooding event, protect areas of the home that may be vulnerable to water damage, especially where there are unsealed barriers. If your house is prone to flooding, protect or cover those belongings that might be in contact with water or mold growth.
After the hurricane, it’s important to remember that mold can grow within 24-48 hours in places where there was water exposure. For those individuals returning to their homes after the storm has passed, it is vitally important to check for signs of water damage and to take photos of any potentially affected areas of damage! This is often necessary for individuals hoping to file insurance claims.
When inspecting your home, look for warps in the walls, check your roof for leaks or damage, inspect those areas in your home with little light exposure, and take notice of discolorations or damages to your carpets, floors, and walls.
If you end up finding mold and plan to remove it yourself, make sure to use personal protective equipment to prevent skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion of mold. Additionally, use dehumidifiers and air conditioning units to dry up moisture in the air immediately after a hurricane, and open windows when cleaning out mold.
If you are unsure whether there is mold in your home, or if you notice small changes in your home or to your health in the time after a flooding event, it is best to contact professional mold remediation services to get it checked out and cleaned properly.
As extreme weather events are becoming more frequent across the US, we can learn how to protect ourselves and our homes from mold. By educating friends and family about the risks and prevention measures for mold exposure communities can be more resilient against the long-term impacts of these weather events, which can be just as devastating as the initial storm itself.
Mold exposure and IMI’s are yet another facet of climate change. As the climate crisis grows increasingly complex, it is even more necessary that we shift our focus beyond immediate disasters and prioritize long-term strategies that safeguard the health of communities today and in the future.
Alyssa is a graduate Public Health Student at Lund University in Sweden. Originally from New England, USA, she grew up in the mountains and is passionate about making sustainable systems in public health.
The post Amidst a record-breaking hurricane season, mold may be in your homes. What does that mean for you? appeared first on Climate Generation.
Amidst a record-breaking hurricane season, mold may be in your homes. What does that mean for you?
Climate Change
DeBriefed 15 August 2025: Raging wildfires; Xi’s priorities; Factchecking the Trump climate report
Welcome to Carbon Brief’s DeBriefed.
An essential guide to the week’s key developments relating to climate change.
This week
Blazing heat hits Europe
FANNING THE FLAMES: Wildfires “fanned by a heatwave and strong winds” caused havoc across southern Europe, Reuters reported. It added: “Fire has affected nearly 440,000 hectares (1,700 square miles) in the eurozone so far in 2025, double the average for the same period of the year since 2006.” Extreme heat is “breaking temperature records across Europe”, the Guardian said, with several countries reporting readings of around 40C.
HUMAN TOLL: At least three people have died in the wildfires erupting across Spain, Turkey and Albania, France24 said, adding that the fires have “displaced thousands in Greece and Albania”. Le Monde reported that a child in Italy “died of heatstroke”, while thousands were evacuated from Spain and firefighters “battled three large wildfires” in Portugal.
UK WILDFIRE RISK: The UK saw temperatures as high as 33.4C this week as England “entered its fourth heatwave”, BBC News said. The high heat is causing “nationally significant” water shortfalls, it added, “hitting farms, damaging wildlife and increasing wildfires”. The Daily Mirror noted that these conditions “could last until mid-autumn”. Scientists warn the UK faces possible “firewaves” due to climate change, BBC News also reported.
Around the world
- GRID PRESSURES: Iraq suffered a “near nationwide blackout” as elevated power demand – due to extreme temperatures of around 50C – triggered a transmission line failure, Bloomberg reported.
- ‘DIRE’ DOWN UNDER: The Australian government is keeping a climate risk assessment that contains “dire” implications for the continent “under wraps”, the Australian Financial Review said.
- EXTREME RAINFALL: Mexico City is “seeing one of its heaviest rainy seasons in years”, the Washington Post said. Downpours in the Japanese island of Kyushu “caused flooding and mudslides”, according to Politico. In Kashmir, flash floods killed 56 and left “scores missing”, the Associated Press said.
- SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION: China and Brazil agreed to “ensure the success” of COP30 in a recent phone call, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.
- PLASTIC ‘DEADLOCK’: Talks on a plastic pollution treaty have failed again at a summit in Geneva, according to the Guardian, with countries “deadlocked” on whether it should include “curbs on production and toxic chemicals”.
15
The number of times by which the most ethnically-diverse areas in England are more likely to experience extreme heat than its “least diverse” areas, according to new analysis by Carbon Brief.
Latest climate research
- As many as 13 minerals critical for low-carbon energy may face shortages under 2C pathways | Nature Climate Change
- A “scoping review” examined the impact of climate change on poor sexual and reproductive health and rights in sub-Saharan Africa | PLOS One
- A UK university cut the carbon footprint of its weekly canteen menu by 31% “without students noticing” | Nature Food
(For more, see Carbon Brief’s in-depth daily summaries of the top climate news stories on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.)
Captured
Factchecking Trump’s climate report
A report commissioned by the US government to justify rolling back climate regulations contains “at least 100 false or misleading statements”, according to a Carbon Brief factcheck involving dozens of leading climate scientists. The report, compiled in two months by five hand-picked researchers, inaccurately claims that “CO2-induced warming might be less damaging economically than commonly believed” and misleadingly states that “excessively aggressive [emissions] mitigation policies could prove more detrimental than beneficial”80
Spotlight
Does Xi Jinping care about climate change?
This week, Carbon Brief unpacks new research on Chinese president Xi Jinping’s policy priorities.
On this day in 2005, Xi Jinping, a local official in eastern China, made an unplanned speech when touring a small village – a rare occurrence in China’s highly-choreographed political culture.
In it, he observed that “lucid waters and lush mountains are mountains of silver and gold” – that is, the environment cannot be sacrificed for the sake of growth.
(The full text of the speech is not available, although Xi discussed the concept in a brief newspaper column – see below – a few days later.)
In a time where most government officials were laser-focused on delivering economic growth, this message was highly unusual.
Forward-thinking on environment
As a local official in the early 2000s, Xi endorsed the concept of “green GDP”, which integrates the value of natural resources and the environment into GDP calculations.
He also penned a regular newspaper column, 22 of which discussed environmental protection – although “climate change” was never mentioned.
This focus carried over to China’s national agenda when Xi became president.
New research from the Asia Society Policy Institute tracked policies in which Xi is reported by state media to have “personally” taken action.
It found that environmental protection is one of six topics in which he is often said to have directly steered policymaking.
Such policies include guidelines to build a “Beautiful China”, the creation of an environmental protection inspection team and the “three-north shelterbelt” afforestation programme.
“It’s important to know what Xi’s priorities are because the top leader wields outsized influence in the Chinese political system,” Neil Thomas, Asia Society Policy Institute fellow and report co-author, told Carbon Brief.
Local policymakers are “more likely” to invest resources in addressing policies they know have Xi’s attention, to increase their chances for promotion, he added.
What about climate and energy?
However, the research noted, climate and energy policies have not been publicised as bearing Xi’s personal touch.
“I think Xi prioritises environmental protection more than climate change because reducing pollution is an issue of social stability,” Thomas said, noting that “smoggy skies and polluted rivers” were more visible and more likely to trigger civil society pushback than gradual temperature increases.
The paper also said topics might not be linked to Xi personally when they are “too technical” or “politically sensitive”.
For example, Xi’s landmark decision for China to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 is widely reported as having only been made after climate modelling – facilitated by former climate envoy Xie Zhenhua – showed that this goal was achievable.
Prior to this, Xi had never spoken publicly about carbon neutrality.
Prof Alex Wang, a University of California, Los Angeles professor of law not involved in the research, noted that emphasising Xi’s personal attention may signal “top” political priorities, but not necessarily Xi’s “personal interests”.
By not emphasising climate, he said, Xi may be trying to avoid “pushing the system to overprioritise climate to the exclusion of the other priorities”.
There are other ways to know where climate ranks on the policy agenda, Thomas noted:
“Climate watchers should look at what Xi says, what Xi does and what policies Xi authorises in the name of the ‘central committee’. Is Xi talking more about climate? Is Xi establishing institutions and convening meetings that focus on climate? Is climate becoming a more prominent theme in top-level documents?”
Watch, read, listen
TRUMP EFFECT: The Columbia Energy Exchange podcast examined how pressure from US tariffs could affect India’s clean energy transition.
NAMIBIAN ‘DESTRUCTION’: The National Observer investigated the failure to address “human rights abuses and environmental destruction” claims against a Canadian oil company in Namibia.
‘RED AI’: The Network for the Digital Economy and the Environment studied the state of current research on “Red AI”, or the “negative environmental implications of AI”.
Coming up
- 17 August: Bolivian general elections
- 18-29 August: Preparatory talks on the entry into force of the “High Seas Treaty”, New York
- 18-22 August: Y20 Summit, Johannesburg
- 21 August: Advancing the “Africa clean air programme” through Africa-Asia collaboration, Yokohama
Pick of the jobs
- Lancaster Environment Centre, senior research associate: JUST Centre | Salary: £39,355-£45,413. Location: Lancaster, UK
- Environmental Justice Foundation, communications and media officer, Francophone Africa | Salary: XOF600,000-XOF800,000. Location: Dakar, Senegal
- Politico, energy & climate editor | Salary: Unknown. Location: Brussels, Belgium
- EnviroCatalysts, meteorologist | Salary: Unknown. Location: New Delhi, India
DeBriefed is edited by Daisy Dunne. Please send any tips or feedback to debriefed@carbonbrief.org.
This is an online version of Carbon Brief’s weekly DeBriefed email newsletter. Subscribe for free here.
The post DeBriefed 15 August 2025: Raging wildfires; Xi’s priorities; Factchecking the Trump climate report appeared first on Carbon Brief.
DeBriefed 15 August 2025: Raging wildfires; Xi’s priorities; Factchecking the Trump climate report
Climate Change
New York Already Denied Permits to These Gas Pipelines. Under Trump, They Could Get Greenlit
The specter of a “gas-for-wind” compromise between the governor and the White House is drawing the ire of residents as a deadline looms.
Hundreds of New Yorkers rallied against new natural gas pipelines in their state as a deadline loomed for the public to comment on a revived proposal to expand the gas pipeline that supplies downstate New York.
New York Already Denied Permits to These Gas Pipelines. Under Trump, They Could Get Greenlit
A “critical assessment” report commissioned by the Trump administration to justify a rollback of US climate regulations contains at least 100 false or misleading statements, according to a Carbon Brief factcheck involving dozens of leading climate scientists.
The report – “A critical review of impacts of greenhouse gas emissions on the US climate” – was published by the US Department of Energy (DoE) on 23 July, just days before the government laid out plans to revoke a scientific finding used as the legal basis for emissions regulation.
The executive summary of the controversial report inaccurately claims that “CO2-induced warming might be less damaging economically than commonly believed”.
It also states misleadingly that “excessively aggressive [emissions] mitigation policies could prove more detrimental than beneficial”.
Compiled in just two months by five “independent” researchers hand-selected by the climate-sceptic US secretary of energy Chris Wright, the document has sparked fierce criticism from climate scientists, who have pointed to factual errors, misrepresentation of research, messy citations and the cherry-picking of data.
Experts have also noted the authors’ track record of promoting views at odds with the mainstream understanding of climate science.
Wright’s department claims the report – which is currently open to public comment as part of a 30-day review – underwent an “internal peer-review period amongst [the] DoE’s scientific research community”.
The report is designed to provide a scientific underpinning to one flank of the Trump administration’s plans to rescind a finding that serves as the legal prerequisite for federal emissions regulation. (The second flank is about legal authority to regulate emissions.)
The “endangerment finding” – enacted by the Obama administration in 2009 – states that six greenhouse gases are contributing to the net-negative impacts of climate change and, thus, put the public in danger.
In a press release on 29 July, the US Environmental Protection Agency said “updated studies and information” set out in the new report would “challenge the assumptions” of the 2009 finding.
Carbon Brief asked a wide range of climate scientists, including those cited in the “critical review” itself, to factcheck the report’s various claims and statements.
The post Factcheck: Trump’s climate report includes more than 100 false or misleading claims appeared first on Carbon Brief.
https://www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-trumps-climate-report-includes-more-than-100-false-or-misleading-claims/
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