Transform or be transformed: Humanity's climate change dilemma

+ is there such thing as too much music? US Edition - Today's top story: Transformational change is coming to how people live on Earth, UN climate adaptation report warns: Which path will humanity choose? [View in browser]( US Edition | 28 February 2022 [The Conversation]( Climate change has been ignored for too long, and transformational change is coming – the question is whether countries transform themselves for the better or wait for climate change to transform them. That’s one of the key messages from a new international assessment of the world’s ability to adapt to rising global temperatures. Edward Carr, one of the report’s authors, [explains the findings and describes the changes people are already contending with around the world](. Read Carr’s analysis of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate report, then dive deeper into the impact climate change is having on vulnerable residents in the U.S. and elsewhere through [heat waves](, [rising sea levels]( and [storms](. Another article checks in on the [$100 billion commitment]( developed countries made to help poorer nations adapt. We also have a [refresher on the terminology]( you might hear when scientists talk about climate change. And our coverage of the war in Ukraine continues, with an analysis of the potential of the West's [harsh sanctions on Russia](, the history of [misusing the word "genocide](" for political reasons and more. Also today: - [What it means to “de-Nazify” Ukraine]( - [Your avocados may be coming from drug cartels]( - [Life-saving care for transgender youth]( Stacy Morford Environment + Climate Editor Weather and climate extremes are already here, and communities will have to adapt. Michael Hall via Getty Images [Transformational change is coming to how people live on Earth, UN climate adaptation report warns: Which path will humanity choose?]( Edward R. Carr, Clark University An author of the report explains the damaging effects climate change is already having and why adaptation is essential. Ethics + Religion - [Putin’s claim to rid Ukraine of Nazis is especially absurd given its history]( Jeffrey Veidlinger, University of Michigan A Holocaust historian explains why Ukrainian history needs to be understood in terms of both past violence against Jews as well as the state’s pluralistic vision. Health + Medicine - [Transgender youth on puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones have lower rates of depression and suicidal thoughts, a new study finds]( Diana Tordoff, University of Washington; Arin Collin, University of Washington A wealth of evidence supports the protective mental health effects of gender-affirming care, despite ongoing legislation that asserts otherwise. Economy + Business - [US-EU sanctions will pummel the Russian economy – two experts explain why they are likely to stick and sting]( David Cortright, University of Notre Dame; George A. Lopez, University of Notre Dame By working with allies, the Biden administration has been able to place severe sanctions on Russia – including targeting Putin’s inner circle and banning banks from SWIFT. - [Affordable housing – in pandemic times, what works and what doesn’t?]( Emily Hamilton, George Mason University Housing affordability has been an important public policy issue since the onset of the pandemic. Economist Emily Hamilton explains the research on some popular affordable housing policies. Arts + Culture - [Is it possible to listen to too much music each day?]( Rami Toubia Stucky, University of Virginia As long as you don’t tune out the world and protect your hearing, it’s hard to overdo it. - [How Mexico’s lucrative avocado industry found itself smack in the middle of gangland]( Jeffrey Miller, Colorado State University The recent US ban on avocado imports from Mexico underscores the risks of being so heavily reliant on a product that comes from one region in one country that’s rife with violence and corruption. Politics + Society - [Biden nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court: 7 questions answered]( Alexis Karteron, Rutgers University - Newark A constitutional law professor provides insight on what Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman nominated to the Supreme Court, could mean for how that court works. - [A new Cold War emerging as Russia launches full-scale invasion of Ukraine]( Jaro Bilocerkowycz, University of Dayton The days of Soviet bloc countries in Eastern Europe disappeared at the end of the Cold War nearly 30 years ago. It appears Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to start a new Cold War.. - [How much damage could a Russian cyberattack do in the US?]( Scott Jasper, Naval Postgraduate School Russian information warriors have the capacity to damage critical US infrastructure systems. - [Beyond NATO, new alliances could defend democracy and counter Putin]( John Davenport, Fordham University Existing alliances arose in the wake of World War II, when global politics were very different and today’s challenges were yet unimagined. - [Putin’s claims that Ukraine is committing genocide are baseless, but not unprecedented]( Alexander Hinton, Rutgers University - Newark Vladimir Putin has justified his invasion of Ukraine with baseless claims that Ukraine is committing genocide. It isn’t the first time a political leader has cried genocide for political means. Trending on site - [Putin’s public approval is soaring during the Russia-Ukraine crisis, but it’s unlikely to last]( - [How long does protective immunity against COVID-19 last after infection or vaccination? Two immunologists explain]( - [First solar canal project is a win for water, energy, air and climate in California]( Reader Comments 💬 "I think everyone has use for therapy at some stage of their life and would do well to get used to the idea from infancy. The opportunity to talk candidly to an impartial third party is not a sign of weakness or shame, but a valuable asset. You will not be judged or chided and may be given some useful advice that would not be forthcoming from friends or relatives for fear of causing offence...” – Reader Anita Spinks on the story [Think therapy is navel-gazing? Think again]( - More from The Conversation US - Like this newsletter? 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