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Looks like last month was the hottest ever recorded. -

Preliminary data from NASA and the Japan Meteorological Administration suggest that July was the warmest month since such temperature records began in the late 1800s. And in case you are wondering, 2015 is on track to be the hottest year on record, too. Mashable

California's drought will cost the state $2.74 billion this year. -

In the fourth year of a severe dry spell, the agricultural industry alone will lose an estimated $1.84 billion and 10,000 seasonal jobs. Reuters

The EPA proposes methane cuts for the oil and gas industry. -

The White House wants to reduce emissions of the potent greenhouse gas 40 percent to 45 percent by 2025—the new rule, which only applies to new drilling wells, would get us about halfway there. Environmental groups suggest expanding the rules to existing infrastructure, too. Time

Islamic leaders issue climate declaration. -

On the heels of Pope Francis' encyclical and ahead of the Paris climate conference, religious figures at a symposium in Istanbul today said the world's 1.6 billion Muslims have a responsibility to act on climate change. The statement urges nations to phase out greenhouse gases and commit to 100 percent renewable energy. The Guardian

City grime contributes to smog. -

That black soot you see on urban buildings comes from pollution that's settled onto the surface. But that ick doesn't just sit there, says a new study. When sunlight hits the grime, the reaction releases compounds into the air that trigger ozone and smog formation. CityLab

Shell now has final approval to drill for oil in the Arctic Ocean. -

The company began drilling shallow wells in the Chukchi Sea on July 30. Now that its safety equipment is onsite, the U.S. Department of the Interior has given Shell the go-ahead to drill deeper into oil-bearing zones—despite its own warning that there's a 75 percent chance of a major spill. The Hill