Wildfire smoke and storms: Dense smoke from Canadian wildfires pushed air quality in Washington, D.C. into unhealthy-to-very-unhealthy levels for a 30th straight hour, with forecasters warning it could spread toward Boston as severe thunderstorms threaten the region. Heat and climate reality: A Minnesota homesteader describes the daily grind of surviving a heatwave—cooling homes, managing water, and adjusting meals—while another op-ed argues global warming is now “definitely here,” showing up fast as heat domes and wildfire smoke. Iceland’s climate signals in wildlife: A look at puffins in Iceland links warm Gulf Stream waters to sand-eel shortages, with glacier melt potentially reshaping currents that affect food webs. EU climate policy for Iceland: The European Commission and Iceland agree in principle to extend Iceland’s EU ETS aviation exemption for international flights by three years, keeping it until 2030, with continued support for sustainable aviation fuel. EU ETS overhaul: The Commission is set to propose a major EU ETS redesign—free permits longer, slower tightening, and cleaner-tech support—aimed at protecting industrial competitiveness. Ocean currents shift: A UN-linked piece highlights changes in ocean currents tied to climate change, with implications for ecosystems. Local action on EU talks: Iceland’s Young Farmers Association opposes EU membership and the August 29 referendum, warning negotiations could hurt farming investment and generational renewal. Aviation and emissions: A study on “mega events” argues spectator travel dominates emissions, pushing organizers to reward lower-carbon transport rather than rely on offsets. Skywatching with climate context: Guides for the Perseids and the Aug. 12 total solar eclipse note Iceland’s place in the path of totality, as summer extremes keep weather uncertainty in focus.