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A new study has found that billions of disposable face masks (DFMs) used during the COVID-19 pandemic now pose a significant environmental risk. Improperly discarded masks, particularly the N95 variety, are contributing to widespread microplastic pollution and releasing toxic chemicals into the environment. The Scale of the Problem The pandemic saw a dramatic surge in the use of disposable masks, with a study in the journal Environment Pollution estimating that their use increased by nearly 9,000% between March and October 2020. Globally, an additional 129 billion DFMs were used monthly. These masks, made from non-recyclable polymers like polypropylene, were often improperly discarded on streets, in parks, and in waterways, where they now pose a persistent threat. Researchers project...

A scientifically trained observer has identified a potentially extraordinary meteorological event: winds from the Southwest Monsoon (SWM) may have crossed the western Himalayan mountain range and reached the Tibetan Plateau. If confirmed, this would be an unprecedented occurrence, as the Himalayas have long acted as a crucial barrier, keeping the moisture-laden winds within India and leaving Tibet arid. A Challenge to Geographic Norms The existence and activity of the Indian monsoon are predicated on the Himalayas serving as a natural boundary. The Tibetan plateau typically receives its limited precipitation from Western Disturbances during the winter and spring. The potential for the SWM to breach this barrier signals a profound change in the region's fundamental climatic processes....

North India is grappling with an unprecedented climate emergency as extreme and intense rainfall events have caused widespread devastation across the region. According to Sunita Narain, director-general of the Centre for Science and Environment, the monsoon of 2025 has been anything but normal, with a "deluge of Biblical proportions" and an alarming disruption of fundamental weather systems. Record-Breaking Deluge and Human Cost The scale of the devastation has been immense, with vast areas flooded, infrastructure destroyed, and livelihoods wiped out. The extreme rainfall is the new abnormal. • Punjab experienced heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on 24 out of 31 days in August. • Himachal Pradesh saw heavy rain for more than 90% of the last three months, with rainfall exceeding...

BRUSSELS – The European Union has postponed its planned vote on the controversial 2040 climate emissions target, a move that signals deep divisions among member states over the economic implications of ambitious climate goals. Initially set for a vote by environment ministers, the decision has been pushed back to the EU heads of state summit in October, as several countries requested more time to review the proposal. Concerns Over Competitiveness and Carbon Credits The proposed target, a 90% emissions reduction by 2040 from 1990 levels, is a key component of the EU's Climate Law. However, it is facing opposition from states like Slovakia and Hungary, which have expressed concerns about the impact on industrial competitiveness. Slovakia's Environment Minister, Tomas Taraba, called the...

WELLINGTON – The New Zealand government has announced an additional $300,000 in funding to extend the Enhanced Taskforce Green program in the Tasman district. The initiative, which employs local job seekers to assist with flood clean-up, will now continue until December 2025, providing vital support for a community still reeling from severe weather events in June and July. Dual-Purpose Program Aids Recovery and Employment The Tasman district experienced extensive damage to farms, orchards, and other rural properties from slips, silt, and debris. In response, the government initially allocated $500,000 for the program in July. The new funding brings the total investment to $800,000 and will allow crews to return to properties needing further assistance. The program has a dual benef...

According to a recent report, the flash flood that devastated Dharali village in Uttarakhand, leaving dozens missing and feared dead, was a result of a critical failure in "last-mile communication." Despite the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing warnings two days in advance, the message did not effectively reach the community, turning a preventable forecast into a full-blown tragedy. The Problem with Current Climate Communication The incident in Dharali highlights a broader problem: climate communication in India is often too abstract and inaccessible. The report argues that for warnings to be effective, they must be: Messages need to be delivered in a way that creates a sense of immediate danger, not as a routine forecast. Information should be broken down into easy...

Lightning is the primary cause of wildfires in Canada, accounting for nearly half of all fires and over 90% of the total area burned, according to a new study. The research warns that the effects of climate change are expected to increase the frequency of these blazes, as rising temperatures lead to more lightning strikes and drier vegetation. A Growing Threat from Above A study published in May 2025, which analyzed data from 2000 to 2020, found that fires ignited by lightning tend to be more destructive than those caused by human factors. This is because lightning-induced fires often occur in isolated, hard-to-reach regions and can ignite in clusters, overwhelming fire management agencies. Scientists have also found a direct link between climate change and the increase in cloud-t...

NEW DELHI – A groundbreaking new study by Indian scientists has established a direct link between the formation of massive ice sheets in Antarctica 34 million years ago and the early evolution of the Indian monsoon system. This discovery, based on the analysis of fossil leaves from Nagaland, not only reshapes our understanding of Earth's climatic history but also serves as a crucial warning about the future impacts of global climate change. The research was led by scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (Lucknow) and the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (Dehradun), both autonomous institutes under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Fossil Evidence Unlocks a Climatic Mystery The investigation began with the discovery of remarkably well-preserve...

China is undergoing a massive clean energy transition that is poised to trigger a global decline in fossil fuel demand, according to a new report titled China Energy Transition Review 2025 by the think tank Ember. The report highlights China's rapid pace of clean energy investment and deployment, which is being driven by strategic goals beyond just climate change, including energy security and economic competitiveness. Key Findings from the Report In 2024, China invested a staggering $625 billion in clean energy, which accounted for 31% of the global total. Its wind and solar capacity more than doubled in just three years to reach 1,408 gigawatts (GW), surpassing coal's installed capacity by early 2025. The growth of wind and solar generation is outstripping electricity demand gro...

NEW DELHI – Hospitals across Delhi have sounded an alert as the national capital grapples with a significant outbreak of the H3N2 flu, a type of influenza A virus. Health officials are urging citizens to take precautions and seek medical help early, as this strain has shown a tendency to cause more severe and prolonged illness compared to other seasonal flu viruses. Understanding the Threat The H3N2 virus is known for its ability to mutate, making it more difficult to manage. It spreads easily through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or speaking, and can also be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces. The symptoms typically appear within one to four days of exposure and can include: • Severe and sudden fever • Persistent cough • Sore throat • ...