Scientists in the UK are attempting to alter the climate by sending reflective particles into the atmosphere in a bid to tackle the looming climate crisis.

London

Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently amid rising sea-levels and increasing temperatures.

Climate Crisis

Scientists in the United Kingdom are exploring a geoengineering method to potentially mitigate climate change by sending reflective particles into the atmosphere. This approach aims to reduce Earth's temperature by reflecting more of the sun's radiation back into space. Among the proposed methods are the introduction of seawater sprays, which may enhance cloud reflectivity, and the thinning of cirrus clouds, which can trap heat. While deemed low-cost, scaling these efforts globally could entail considerable expenses and risks. There are concerns that such interventions might disrupt weather patterns and affect rain distribution in critical food production regions.

In another aspect of climate change, health impacts are emerging as significant challenges. A phenomenon known as thunderstorm asthma, linked to increased pollen levels, poses serious health risks. This was notably observed in Australia with a fatal storm event in 2016. Strong thunderstorms can draw pollen into their structure, breaking it into finer particles that are widely dispersed, aggravating respiratory issues. The pollen season, particularly for ragweed, is lengthening, further fueled by elevated CO2 levels that increase pollen emission. This extended pollen season is predicted to continue, affecting millions of individuals with asthma and similar conditions. Monitoring and forecasting pollen levels will be crucial steps forward.



Scientists attempt to dim sun to curb climate change

Today, we're covering two climate stories. We'll start with a potential solution to climate change, and then we'll turn to the impacts of climate change on pollen levels and a phenomenon known as thunderstorm asthma. Brett, this first story from The Independent on scientists in the UK attempting to dim the sun by putting things in the atmosphere to try to reduce the temperature of Earth. Yeah, it's a form of geoengineering. Geoengineering is basically a man's attempt to alter the climate, whatever they can do. But this attempt is not really a new thing I've read. Sending reflective particles into the atmosphere, which again, would send more of the sun's radiation back into space instead of on the surface. Another idea they have is seawater sprays. I'm not sure how they do this, which would cause clouds to become brighter, more reflective. And finally, thinning cirrus clouds, which cirrus clouds actually act as a blanket, trapping more of the sun's heat closer to the surface. It's low cost, the study is. But if you're going to talk on a global scale, I suspect this is going to be a high cost. Yeah, high cost. They said they would do it safely, responsibly. Could be some negative impacts, though there's some concerns that could disrupt weather patterns and shift rain away from where food production areas are. So certainly yet another attempt at trying to alter and try to reduce the impacts of climate change. We'll see how that unfolds. We'll turn to our second story. This is from the BBC about how climate change is supercharging pollen and making allergies worse. And one of the interesting phenomenons mentioned in this article, Brett, is something called thunderstorm asthma. Yeah, an event, what we call thunderstorm asthma, occurred in Australia. 10 fatalities, a big thunderstorm developed back in 2016. And what happens with thunderstorm asthma, a very strong thunderstorm is able, with its updraft, draw a lot of pollen up into the storm. And once that pollen gets up into the storm, it gets broken apart into very tiny particles. And then those tiny particles come back down in the downdraft towards the surface and are spread everywhere. And it becomes a big problem. Yeah, so certainly a lot of health impacts with these pretty rare events. But sort of broadening out to the larger picture about the impact of climate change on pollen, what are we seeing in terms of the pollen season? And are there any specific types of pollen that seem to be really increasing more rapidly? Yeah, the pollen season is certainly increasing. Ragweed is the big one, obviously, the big problem here. And the ragweed season, Dan, has increased about 20 days over the past 20 years. And the projections are that we could see another 50 days of ragweed season by the end of this century. Already 50 million people are affected by asthma and pollen-related issues. And a wide-ranging problem, plants in a higher CO2 atmosphere, higher carbon dioxide, they emit more pollen. So this will only continue to get worse as climate change accelerates. Important to monitor pollen levels and be able to forecast them here going forward. Thank you, Brett, for those insights. For other information about climate and other stories, you can find that at accuweather.com slash climate.

Russia pummeled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia's Vladimir Putin, officials said.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Russia hits Kyiv with largest drone attack after Trump-Putin call

U.S. President Donald Trump marked the passage of the new spending bill, which includes changes to food assistance, student loan programs, and clean energy credits. Robert Costa joins "CBS Mornings" to break down what's in the legislation.

Washington

Trump set to sign "big, beautiful bill"

More than 80 Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Thursday (July 3), according to health officials, as Israel intensified its strikes, hitting a school-turned-displacement facility. CNN’s Paula Hancocks looks at the damage and humanitarian toll.

Jerusalem

More than 80 people killed in Gaza in one day

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv will do "anything" to advance EU accession talks. Zelenskyy spoke alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Ukraine will do 'anything' to advance EU accession talks: Zelenskyy

President Donald Trump said Washington will start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying what tariff rates they will face on imports to the United States, a clear shift from earlier pledges to strike scores of individual deals.

Global Tariffs

Trump: Letters telling countries their tariff rate going out Friday

Indonesian rescuers on Thursday (July 3) temporarily halted a search for 30 people still missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near the island of Bali with the loss of six lives, the national search and rescue agency said.

Gilimanuk

Indonesia suspends search for 30 missing after ferry sinks near Bali

After marathon debate sessions in the Senate and House, President Donald Trump’s budget bill passed in the House. Republicans secured the biggest win of Trump’s presidency.

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Florida says the first group of migrant detainees have arrived at the new immigration detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz." CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul has more.

Ochopee

First group of detainees arrive at "Alligator Alcatraz," Florida says

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday (July 3) that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that he plans to hold a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more.

Trump speaks with Putin, plans call with Zelenskyy

CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez reports on a lawsuit from lawyers for Kilmar Abrego Garcia alleging he suffered “torture and mistreatment” after he was wrongfully deported and held in El Salvador’s notorious mega prison.

Tecoluca

Kilmar Abrego Garcia claims he was tortured in El Salvadoran prison

The Kremlin welcomed the development, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov claiming it proves Western arsenals are being depleted and predicting that less aid will hasten the end of the conflict.

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Two contractors employed by UG Solutions spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity as they were revealing their employers’ internal operations.

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Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke for hours on the House floor about potential impacts of President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that Republicans are looking to pass before July 4. Following debate, the House is set for a final vote on the massive budget bill.

House debates Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' ahead of final vote

CBS News political contributor Caroline Polisi joins "CBS Mornings" to break down the jury's verdict in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial and the judge's decision to deny bail for the music mogul ahead of his sentencing.

Manhattan

Sean "Diddy" Combs denied bail after split verdict

Liverpool soccer player Diogo Jota has died aged 28, just weeks after marrying his childhood sweetheart. The footballer passed away in a car crash in northern Spain.

Madrid

Liverpool soccer player dies in car crash 10 days after wedding

The Pentagon said that U.S. strikes 10 days ago had degraded Iran's nuclear program by up to two years, suggesting the U.S. military operation likely achieved its goals despite a far more cautious initial assessment that leaked to the public.

Tehran

Iran Strikes

Iran nuclear program degraded by up to two years: Pentagon

Days before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama announced the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit he founded, will have the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation, but China insists it will choose the successor of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Lhasa

China rejects Dalai Lama’s succession plan

The U.S. Congress inched towards approving President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, despite attempts by Democrats to stop it. The bill is Trump’s signature legislation which includes massive spending increases on the military and immigration enforcement while slashing social programs.

Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill nears approval

Sean (Diddy) Combs was found guilty on prostitution-related charges, but was acquitted on more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking giving him a maximum sentence of 20 years. But the courtroom victory was subdued following a judge’s ruling to deny him bail.

New York

Diddy denied bail, avoids life in prison

President Trump says Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, but it remains unclear if Hamas will accept the terms. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Debora Patta has more.

Trump says Israel has agreed to Gaza ceasefire conditions

Bryan Kohberger changed his plea to guilty Wednesday for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. CBS News national correspondent Carter Evans has more on the case.

Boise

New details revealed as Kohberger pleads guilty for 2022 Idaho murders

The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down a state abortion law that was adopted in 1849 in a 4-3 landmark decision. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports.

Madison

Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down 176-year-old state abortion ban

Macron and Putin held regular discussions around the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Macron visiting Putin in Russia in February 2022, but dialogue eventually stalled.

Paris

Macron held 'substantial' phone call with Putin

President Trump toured “Alligator Alcatraz,” a migrant detention center he teamed up with Ron DeSantis to build in the Everglades.

Everglades

Protesters gather around ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ as President Trump visits

Jurors in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal criminal trial said they have reached a verdict on four of the five counts, but they cannot reach a verdict on Count 1, which is racketeering conspiracy. The judge has instructed the jury to keep deliberating. Deliberations will resume Wednesday (July 2).

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The U.S. Senate passed the Republicans' reconciliation bill on Tuesday (July 1) after more than 24 hours of marathon voting on amendments. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote.

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The new order does not rescind existing sanctions on ousted longtime President Bashar al-Assad, his top aides, officials and family members who are accused of having committed war crimes and human rights violations against Syrian civilians.

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Former criminology graduate student Bryan Kohberger has agreed to plead guilty to killing four Idaho college students in 2022, a move that would spare him the death penalty under a deal with prosecutors, ABC News reported on Monday (June 30).

Moscow

Suspect in murders of four Idaho college students to plead guilty

Thailand's Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty pending a case seeking her dismissal, adding to mounting pressure on a government fighting for survival on multiple fronts.

Bangkok

Thai court suspends PM from duty pending case seeking her dismissal

Israeli strikes killed at least 60 people across Gaza on June 30 in some of the heaviest attacks in weeks as Israeli officials were due in Washington for a new ceasefire push by U.S. President Donald Trump.

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