Month: August 2026

  New Delhi: Scientists have developed a new type of plastic that can be broken down into its original chemical building blocks and remade multiple times without losing its strength, offering a promising step toward reducing plastic waste. Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder redesigned a durable thermoset plastic, commonly used in aerospace and microelectronics, using a reversible chemical process. Unlike conventional plastics that degrade in quality after repeated recycling, the new material can be disassembled into monomers and rebuilt while retaining its original properties. The study, published in Nature Chemistry focuses on a polycyanurate thermoset rather than the PET plastic used in everyday bottles. Researchers said the breakthrough demonstrates how futu...

  Large wildfires can do more than destroy forests they can also create their own weather, according to a new research brief published by PreventionWeb. Researchers say intense fires generate powerful heat and smoke that influence wind patterns, cloud formation, rainfall and lightning, sometimes affecting areas hundreds of kilometres away from the flames. According to Yunyao Li from the University of Texas at Arlington, the relationship between weather and wildfires is two way. While weather conditions such as heat, dry air and wind influence how fires spread, extremely intense wildfires can begin altering the atmosphere around them. One of the most striking effects is the formation of fire whirls, or fire tornadoes. As the intense heat causes air above the flames to rise rap...

  Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have developed a new cable stay reinforcement system that could make large offshore wind turbines more resilient against the combined impacts of earthquakes, strong winds and ocean waves. The study, led by Professor Behzad Fatahi and conducted by PhD researcher Nadeem Fairley with support from engineering firm Arup, focused on a 15 MW offshore wind turbine supported by a monopile foundation. The researchers compared a conventional turbine tower with a newly designed cable-stayed tower using advanced numerical modelling. Improving Structural Resilience The proposed design uses high tensile steel cables and supporting struts to strengthen the turbine tower. The added reinforcement increases structural stiffness, he...

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is made up largely of discarded fishing gear rather than household plastic waste, according to two studies published in Scientific Reports. Researchers found that fishing related debris accounts for the majority of large floating plastic in the North Pacific accumulation zone. The studies estimate that the patch contains around 79,000 metric tonnes of floating plastic spread across approximately 1.6 million square kilometres of ocean. On average, this amounts to about 50 kilograms of plastic per square kilometre, making the pollution far less dense than the commonly perceived image of a floating island of trash. Researchers found that more than three-quarters of the plastic mass consists of objects larger than five centimetres. Fishing nets alone accou...

After months of drought and repeated heatwaves, France and Spain are battling some of their worst wildfires in recent history. As of July 30, 2026, the largest fires have affected southwestern France and central and eastern Spain, with firefighters receiving support through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. In France, wildfires that began on July 22–23 near the Atlantic coast spread rapidly across the Gironde region around Bordeaux, burning nearly 40,000 hectares. The fire became the second-largest single wildfire in France since World War II. Dense maritime pine plantations, dry vegetation, strong winds, and a fire-generated thunderstorm (pyrocumulonimbus) accelerated the spread. More than 240 homes were destroyed, around 220,000 residents and tourists were evacuated, and ...

Aug 3, 2026: Nepal National Security Council (NSC) has reviewed the recent violent incident in Devangunj, Sunsari district, and directed authorities to strengthen coordination among security agencies and other stakeholders to prevent similar incidents in the future. The decision was taken during the 43rd NSC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Balendra Shah. The council assessed the clashes between two groups in Sunsari, which resulted in one death, and reviewed the overall security situation in the area. The meeting also focused on disaster preparedness and response measures in view of the ongoing monsoon season and the increased risk of heavy rainfall, floods and landslides. Members discussed strengthening coordination and readiness to minimise the impact of rain induced disasters. ...

Aug 3: The Tamil Nadu government has constituted an expert advisory committee to assess the potential impacts of a strong El Niño event and strengthen the state's preparedness for extreme weather during the 2026–27 and 2027–28 financial years. The committee, formed by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department through a government order issued on July 28, will provide scientific guidance to reduce risks from climate related disasters. The panel will study the likely effects of El Niño on rainfall patterns, drought conditions and other climate risks across Tamil Nadu. It will identify vulnerable regions, monitor rainfall and drought trends, and recommend precautionary measures based on scientific assessments. The committee will also assist the Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction...

  New Delhi, Aug 2: Countries across the world are strengthening efforts to tackle climate change, improve waste management, conserve biodiversity, and prepare for increasingly frequent extreme weather events through innovative policies and scientific solutions. A major breakthrough in plastic recycling has emerged from researchers at the University of Manchester, who have developed a "super enzyme" capable of breaking down tough polycarbonate plastics into their original building blocks. Scientists believe the technology could pave the way for a truly circular plastic economy by enabling high-quality recycling while reducing dependence on crude oil for new plastic production. Climate scientists have also warned that tropical ecosystems are facing unprecedented risks. A recen...

Aug 2, 26 : Strong environmental laws, effective institutions and accessible justice systems are essential for achieving a fair and inclusive transition to a greener economy, according to a new report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Released on the first anniversary of the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) landmark advisory opinion on climate obligations, the report highlights the environmental rule of law as a key pillar of a "just transition." It stresses that public participation, access to justice, rights-based governance and equitable financing are crucial to ensure vulnerable communities are not left behind during the shift to sustainable economies. The report comes as countries continue negotiations on just transition frameworks under global c...