Welcome to Thursday, August 12th, meteors and meteorites...

A major report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says our failure to curb fossil-fuel emissions has led to “widespread and rapid changes” in every region of the world.

Over here, we outline five major insights from the report, and what we can do to prevent things from getting worse.

Here's a preview:

The Heat Is On

The world has already warmed 1.1°C (2°F) since the dawn of the industrial revolution. Now, the IPCC report warns it’s likely to exceed 1.5°C - one of the goalposts of the 2015 Paris climate agreement - within the next 20 or 30 years—even if greenhouse gas emissions fall significantly.

Environmental dangers mount with every degree of global warming, resulting in an increasing number of heatwaves and severe droughts. Expect the demise of myriad animal and plant species, as well as some coral reefs, which sustain fisheries for large swaths of the globe. 

How do you feel about the U.N.'s climate-change report?

DHS Warns of Threat of Violence From Trump Conspiracy

Homeland Security has warned state and local law enforcement to prepare for potential violence from conspiracy theorists who believe Donald Trump will be reinstated as president by August 13.

After the 2020 election, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell claimed that Trump would be reinstated as president on August 13th, 2021. Lindell announced that his three-day cyber symposium (August 10-12) would reveal evidence that the 2020 election was a fraud, which would prompt the Supreme Court to overthrow the election. 

There is no constitutional mechanism for Trump to be reinstated as president. There is also no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election.

Are you concerned about additional election-conspiracy-related violence?

‘Vote-a-Rama’ on Democrats’ $3.5 Trillion Spending Plan

The Senate wrapped up its third “vote-a-rama” of the year early Wednesday morning before it passed Democrats’ budget resolution that would allow the reconciliation process to be used for a $3.5 trillion spending package. 

Amendments adopted during this vote-a-rama are technically non-binding for committees receiving reconciliation instructions and drafting the reconciliation bill. However, Sen. Joe Manchin’s opposition (D-WV) prevented the Senate from adopting a “wraparound” substitute amendment for the budget resolution like it did earlier this year, so it will go to the House with adopted amendments in the bill.

We’ve tracked the amendment votes from this vote-a-rama here. Take a look then join the conversation:

How do you feel about the Senate’s vote-a-rama?

All the Memes Fit to Post

And, In The End...

Don't forget:

There are less than 500,000 elephants left on the planet. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) predicts they’ll be extinct by 2040 if humans don't act now.

—Josh Herman

Talk to us via email at editorial [at] causes.com. And don’t forget to keep in touch @Causes.