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Six of the world’s leading public development banks have launched a renewed and expanded effort to tackle marine plastic pollution through the Clean Oceans Initiative 2.0. The announcement was made at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held in Nice, France, where leaders from around the world gathered to push forward ocean sustainability goals under the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14. The banks behind this global effort include Agence Française de Développement (AFD), European Investment Bank (EIB), Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), Cassa Depositi e Pres titi (CDP), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB)—the latest to join the group, strengthening the initiative’s reach in Asia. €3 Billion Commitment for 2026–20...

An alarming gap in India’s reporting systems has obscured the actual toll of deadly heatwaves sweeping the country. A recent investigation has uncovered major inconsistencies in official records, revealing that thousands of heat-related deaths may be going uncounted due to fragmented and outdated data mechanisms. Three key agencies—the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), and the India Meteorological Department (IMD)—have reported starkly different figures for heatwave casualties. This disjointed approach leaves a critical gap in understanding the real human cost of extreme heat events, making policy action and preventive measures dangerously inadequate. As India faces more frequent and severe heatwaves driven by climate change, the fa...

A bold new initiative, One Ocean Finance, has been launched by a coalition of UN agencies and international partners, aiming to revolutionize global finance for ocean conservation and sustainable development. Announced at the Blue Economy Finance Forum in Monaco, the initiative opens a co-design phase that will shape an inclusive financial platform dedicated to the health of the world's oceans. The initiative seeks to close the persistent "ocean finance gap," which has seen Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) receive the least funding of all the global goals. Between 2015 and 2019, only $10 billion was directed toward ocean sustainability far short of the $175 billion required annually. One Ocean Finance aims to mobilize both public and private capital, not only to sa...

A massive forest fire broke out in the Kaldi region of Jammu and Khashmir’s Udhampur district late Monday afternoon, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and prompting a swift response from forest and fire officials. The blaze, reported between 4:00 and 4:30 PM, quickly spread across the dry forest terrain. Local authorities, along with forest department teams, were immediately deployed to the site. While officials confirmed that a major portion of the fire has been brought under control, firefighting efforts remain active as crews continue to douse remaining hotspots and prevent further spread. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and officials are maintaining a close watch on the affected area. Updates are expected as the situation develops and assessments o...

The 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference began this week in Nice, France, underlining urgent concerns about the planet's oceans facing record-high temperatures, rising sea levels, and growing risks to coastal communities. Running from June 9 to 13, the conference is co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, bringing together world leaders, scientists, UN agencies, and activists to accelerate global action for ocean protection and resilience. Opening remarks from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles highlighted the urgent need for science-led, bold interventions to halt the decline of ocean health. “We live in an age of turmoil, but the resolve I see here gives me hope,” Guterres said, acknowledging the plane...

In September 2023, seismic stations worldwide picked up an unusual, rhythmic pulse repeating every 92 seconds a signal that persisted for nine straight days and mysteriously reappeared after a month. Too faint for humans to feel, but strong enough to register from Alaska to Australia, this baffling global signal left scientists searching for answers. Their investigation led to Dickson Fjord in East Greenland a narrow, steep-sided inlet flanked by 3,000-foot cliffs. Satellite imagery later revealed a fresh scar where a massive chunk of mountain had collapsed into the water on September 16, 2023. The landslide, involving over 25 million cubic yards of rock and ice — equivalent to 10,000 Olympic swimming pools — triggered a colossal mega tsunami. Waves as high as 650 feet surged down the fj...

As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi-NCR and several northwestern states are set to endure blistering heat until at least Wednesday, June 11. The heatwave will grip regions including Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, and Madhya Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are expected to remain unaffected for now. Rajasthan is likely to face the brunt of the heat, with IMD warning of severe heatwave conditions in some parts on Monday, June 9. Delhi-NCR will continue to witness a clear sky and harsh heat, with maximum temperatures ranging between 41°C and 43°C and minimums hovering around 27°C to 29°C. Hot and dusty winds from the northwest at speeds of up to 30 kmph will further aggravate the disc...

In a stark warning about the accelerating impacts of climate change, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has declared 2024 the hottest year ever recorded in the South-West Pacific region. Released on June 5, 2025, the State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2024 report paints a harrowing picture of widespread heat, destructive cyclones, marine heatwaves, and rising sea levels signaling urgent risks to ecosystems, economies, and communities across 21 nations. According to the WMO, the region which includes Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and numerous Pacific island nations saw land and ocean temperatures exceed all previous records, even surpassing the blistering heat of 2023. This record warmth was driven significantly by the 2023/24 El Niño event, who...

A strong earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale struck northern Chile on Friday, causing brief but widespread disruptions across several communities. The tremor, which occurred at 1:15 pm local time, was centered near the Atacama Desert coast at a depth of 76 kilometers, according to data from the US Geological Survey. Though powerful, the quake resulted in no reported casualties, offering a measure of relief to residents and emergency responders. Initial impacts included minor structural damage to buildings and widespread power outages that left more than 20,000 people without electricity. Utility teams have since begun restoration efforts in affected areas. Small landslides were also triggered in hilly regions, but authorities report that none posed serious threats to communiti...

China has reinforced its commitment to marine disaster preparedness and ocean science with the launch of two major initiatives: the South China Sea Tsunami Advisory Centre and a deep-sea test facility. Announced in conjunction with World Ocean Day, these developments signal the country's growing focus on ocean safety, scientific advancement, and international collaboration in marine research. The newly established tsunami advisory centre, located in Sanya, Hainan province, is designed to enhance early warning systems for marine disasters across the South China Sea. The region, known for its seismic activity and vulnerability to tsunamis, is home to multiple island nations and busy maritime routes, making real-time hazard monitoring and communication critical. Operated jointly by China’s...