Breaking News Archives - Page 131 of 131

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

Australia’s Submerged Ancient Landscapes Revealed: Northwest Shelf’s Hidden History

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

Recent research published in Quaternary Science Reviews unveils the hidden history of Australia’s Northwest Shelf, which was once an expansive, habitable landscape connecting the Kimberley and western Arnhem Land. This submerged continental shelf, stretching nearly 390,000 square kilometers, formed a unique cultural zone during a significant part of Australia’s human history, around 18,000 years ago. As the last ice age concluded, rising sea levels submerged this vast area, creating a complex landscape that remained undiscovered until now. The study used high-resolution maps and projections of past sea levels to reveal an archipelago, lakes, rivers, and a large inland sea that existed on the Northwest Shelf. This region, previously thought to be environmentally unproductive, turns ou...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

2°C Global Temperature Rise Could Make Indus Valley Uninhabitable for 2.2 Billion

Breaking News, Environment, Learning & Developments

A new study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences warns that if global temperature rise by 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, about 2.2 billion people living in the Indus River Valley in northern India and eastern Pakistan may face prolonged periods of heat exceeding human tolerance. The research indicates that regions including northern India, eastern Pakistan, eastern China, and Sub-Saharan Africa will experience high-humidity heatwaves, which are even more dangerous due to reduced evaporative cooling capabilities. These areas are primarily home to lower-to-middle-income countries, where many individuals lack access to air conditioning or effective means to combat the health risks associated with extreme heat. Beyond specific thresholds of he...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

Growing Threat: Zoonotic Infections Could Kill 12 Times More People in 2050

Breaking News, Idea & Innovations

A recent study published in BMJ Global Health warns that zoonotic infections, diseases that transfer from animals to humans, are poised to become a grave global health threat. The research indicates that by 2050, these infections could potentially claim twelve times more lives than they did in 2020, necessitating urgent action to address this growing menace. This concern arises in the backdrop of heightened awareness following the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in animals and swiftly spread worldwide. The study reveals that the environmental and population changes observed over the last six decades have led to an increase in “spillover events” – instances where diseases jump from animals to humans. These events are responsible for the emergence of pandemics. The research analyzed e...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

UN Report says Global Emission Reductions Fall Short of Climate Goals by 2030 including worst impacts

Breaking News, Thoughts & Talks

A new report by the United Nations warns that global emissions are predicted to decrease by only 2 percent below 2019 levels by 2030, significantly below the required 43 percent reduction to avert the worst impacts of climate change. The report comes ahead of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, where countries are expected to push for stronger climate action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. According to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent by 2030 is crucial to limit temperature rise and avoid severe climate impacts such as droughts, heatwaves, and rainfall extremes. The report analyzed the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of 195 countries to the Paris Agreement, including 20 new or...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

Iceland Declares State of Emergency Amidst Seismic Surge: Volcanic Eruption Imminent?

Breaking News, Idea & Innovations

Iceland, known for its stunning landscapes, is on high alert as a series of powerful earthquakes strike the Reykjanes peninsula, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency. The seismic activity near Grindavik has raised concerns about a potential volcanic eruption, leading to the evacuation of the village and heightened vigilance across the region. Iceland’s Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management has declared a state of emergency due to intense earthquake activity, particularly at Sundhnjukagigar north of Grindavik. The seismic events have not only damaged infrastructure but also heightened the risk of a volcanic eruption. Authorities warn that the earthquakes could escalate, emphasizing the need for immediate civil defense measures. Seismic Surge Points to Poss...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

Arctic Witnesses Record-Breaking Warmth in 2023, Signaling Alarming Climate Changes

Breaking News, Environment

The year 2023 has set a disturbing record as the warmest summer ever recorded in the Arctic, with far-reaching consequences for both the region and the global environment. This revelation comes from the recently released Arctic Report Card for 2023, a collaborative effort involving 82 scientists worldwide who assessed the Arctic’s vital signs, highlighting the profound effects of climate change. The summer of 2023 shattered the previous temperature record set in 2016, with temperatures in July, August, and September rising significantly, surpassing the 2016 record by four times the usual increment. Wildfires ravaged Canada, Greenland experienced unusual warmth leading to ice melting, and sea surface temperatures in various Arctic seas soared to 9 to 12 degrees Fahrenheit (5 to 7 degrees...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

Deadly Earthquake Strikes Remote Region in China’s Gansu Province Made Huge Losses

Breaking News, Disasters

A powerful magnitude-6.2 earthquake struck Jishishan county in China‘s northwestern province of Gansu, on the northern edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, around midnight on Tuesday. The seismic event has resulted in at least 111 reported deaths and over 230 injuries, according to Chinese state media. The quake, occurring at a depth of 10 km, has prompted extensive rescue and relief efforts in the affected region. The earthquake’s epicenter was 5 km from the border between Gansu and a neighboring province, with strong tremors felt in various parts of Qinghai province. The area, characterized by its remote and mountainous terrain, poses challenges for rescue operations. The affected county, Jishishan, is known for its high altitude, and the cold weather in the region adds complexity to ...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

India Faces Increased Seismic Activity in 2023: Alarming Rise in Earthquakes

Breaking News, Disasters

In 2023, India experienced a significant surge in seismic activity, largely attributed to the active Almora Fault in western Nepal. Three major earthquakes rattled the region, with magnitudes of 5.8 on January 24, 6.2 on October 3, and 6.4 on November 3. The aftermath of these quakes resulted in continuous tremors throughout the year, affecting neighboring countries, including India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nepal. The seismic activity in the region is not unexpected, given its proximity to the Himalayas, an area prone to earthquakes due to the collision of tectonic plates. The collision of the Indian Tectonic Plate with the Eurasian Plate generates ongoing seismic events in the region. The statistics for earthquake occurrences in recent years highlight the intensified seismic acti...

Dec222023 by disasters2 Comments

NASA Warns of Impending Flood Risks: Strong El Niño Could Trigger Repeated Inundation Along Western Coasts

Breaking News, Climate Actions

A NASA analysis has sounded the alarm about the potential threat of increased flooding in cities along the western coasts of the Americas this winter due to a powerful El Niño. The warming of surface temperatures in the Central to East Pacific Ocean could lead to a series of significant floods, with up to five “10-year flood events” expected to impact cities like Seattle and San Diego. This article explores the implications of the NASA analysis, highlighting the risks posed by a potent El Niño and the broader concerns related to climate change and rising sea levels. El Niño’s Influence & Flood Risk Assessment El Niño, a natural phenomenon occurring every two to seven years, involves a shift in sea surface temperatures that alters equatorial trade winds. This change weakens or reverse...