Unprecedented number of heat records broken this year, and other nature and climate stories you need to read this week

A record 15 national heat records have been broken since the start of this year, according to influential climate historian Maximiliano Herrera.

That's before you even consider the additional 130 monthly national temperature records that have been broken, along with tens of thousands of local highs around the world's monitoring stations, he told The Guardian.

He noted that heat records are being shattered more rapidly and across a broader range than ever before, even though last year's contributing El Niño has since faded.

So what regional records have been broken this year?

The El Niño weather phenomenon has also contributed to a drought that has destroyed crops across Southern Africa, Reuters reports.

Approximately 68 million people, or 17% of the region's population, need aid, according to Elias Magosi, executive secretary for the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

"The 2024 rainy season has been a challenging one with most parts of the region experiencing negative effects of the El Niño phenomenon characterized by the late onset of rains," he said at the SADC's recent meeting in Zimbabwe.

The combination of El Niño weather patterns and above-average temperatures caused by human-induced climate change has made this Southern Africa's worst drought in years.

A new study has found that an architectural zigzag design on walls can help buildings absorb less heat, emitting the heat back to space instead.

Analysis by UNICEF has revealed the extent of the danger extreme heat poses to children's health. In eight countries, children spend more than half the year in temperatures above 35°C. The research also revealed that half a billion children live in areas with twice as many very hot days as in the 1960s, highlighting the pace of climate change.

Healthy soil makes a diverse range of noises, compared to unhealthy soil. Scientists from Australia’s Flinders University listened to microphones planted in the ground which revealed that cleared land emitted only bland white noise.

Bermuda faced 35ft waves and winds of up to 85mph, as Hurricane Ernesto swept through the island.

The International Court of Justice is set to hold public hearings starting 2 December in an advisory opinion case seeking to define countries' legal obligations to fight climate change.

Turkey has tackled wildfires to its North and West, which have been fanned by strong winds, forcing many villages to evacuate to escape the blazes.

COP29 is the next meeting of the group of 198 countries that have signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, taking place in Baku between 11-22 November. Here's what you need to know about the UN Climate Summit and the need to advance key priorities.

Extreme weather is impacting sporting events around the world. From running marathons at night to moving annual events to different seasons, here's how sporting organizations are racing to stay ahead of climate change impacts.

The aviation industry is also experiencing the effects of a warming climate, as more frequent extreme weather events cause worsening turbulence. Read our explainer on turbulence here to learn more.