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A new study has found that for a wide range of earthquake scenarios in Alaska, an earthquake early warning (EEW) system could provide at least 10 seconds of advance notice before hazardous shaking begins enough time for people to take cover, halt surgeries, or slow trains. Researchers Alexander Fozkos and Michael West from the University of Alaska Fairbanks say that increasing the number and improving the spacing of seismic stations could extend warning times by an additional 5 to 15 seconds. Alaska, which experiences tens of thousands of earthquakes each year and has seen some of the world’s largest quakes, currently has no public EEW system in place. Their findings, published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, could help expand the U.S. ShakeAlert network, now...

In a landmark step to combat plastic pollution South Africa Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has unveiled draft regulations proposing a nationwide ban on plastic microbeads. The move aims to protect marine biodiversity, river systems, and even human health from the growing dangers posed by microplastics. The proposed rules, open for public comment, would prohibit the manufacture, sale, import, and export of microbeads and products containing them. These tiny particles, often less than five millimetres in size, are commonly used in cosmetics, cleaning agents, pesticides, and toiletries for their abrasive properties. But their environmental cost is steep they do not biodegrade, slip easily through water treatment systems, and accumulate in oceans, lakes...

Chennai, Aug 8, 2025 — Migratory birds that visit Tamil Nadu each year are changing their travel patterns due to unpredictable rainfall, experts say. Wetlands such as Pulicat Lake and Vedanthangal, which normally attract large numbers of flamingos, storks, and other species, are seeing fewer birds or shorter visits. In some cases, birds are arriving later than usual or appearing in unexpected places, including city lakes. Scientists say changing monsoon patterns are the main reason. Heavy rains in short bursts can flood wetlands, while long dry periods leave them without enough water or food. This disrupts the timing of migration, which depends on steady environmental signals. “Birds follow seasonal clues to know when to travel. When the rains come too early or too late, it confus...

Aug 8, 2025 — France is battling its worst wildfire in nearly 80 years, as flames continue to tear through the Aude region in the country south. The fire has destroyed more than 16,000 hectares of land an area one-and-a-half times the size of Paris. One person has died, three are missing, and two others, including a firefighter, are in critical condition. Hundreds of firefighters have been working around the clock for three days, but the blaze remains out of control. The fire started Tuesday near the Mediterranean, about 100 km from the Spanish border and spread quickly due to hot, dry winds. Drone footage shows blackened forests and thick smoke covering the skies. Officials say it is the largest wildfire France has seen since 1949. Christophe Magny leading the firefighting operat...

A national water quality survey conducted under the Central Pollution Control Board’s National Water Quality Monitoring Programme has revealed that nearly half of the wells tested in 10 districts across Kerala are contaminated. Of the 31 wells sampled in October 2024, 16 showed varying degrees of contamination, raising serious concerns over groundwater safety. Districts where the wells were tested include Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Palakkad, and Kannur. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board, which conducted the tests, flagged several wells for immediate investigation to ensure public health safety. Particularly alarming were a few samples with extremely high Most Probable Number (MPN) values ranging from 400 to 4000...

Europe forests once reliable allies in the fight against climate change, are now showing signs of distress. A new study published in the journal Nature reveals that climate change-induced heatwaves and droughts, combined with human activities like excessive logging and reduced afforestation, are significantly reducing the ability of forests to absorb carbon dioxide. Forests currently cover around 40% of Europe’s landmass and have historically absorbed about 10% of the continent’s carbon emissions. But recent data from the Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) inventory shows that the carbon sink capacity of forests declined by 27% between 2010–2014 and 2020–2022. Researchers note an even steeper drop in 2025. Extreme weather events are disrupting tree growth and photosynthesis while ...

In the wake of the devastating cloudburst that hit Dharali village in Uttarkashi, the Uttarakhand Health Department, under the direction of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has launched an immediate and comprehensive emergency medical response to assist affected residents. Medical teams were rapidly deployed to the disaster zone, providing urgent care and coordinating relief operations. Health Secretary Dr. R Rajesh Kumar is leading the health response, personally overseeing hospital readiness and ensuring that all necessary facilities are fully equipped to handle the surge in patients. “No patient shall face a shortage of medical care,” Dr. Kumar stated during his inspection of emergency and ICU services in major hospitals in Dehradun. He emphasized that mental health support ...

As 180 nations gather in Geneva to negotiate a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty, India finds itself in a deeply conflicted position defending its rapidly growing petrochemical industry while grappling with the environmental damage it is causing at home. India has joined ranks with countries like China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Russia in opposing any treaty provisions that would impose production caps on plastic polymers or restrict toxic chemicals used in plastic manufacturing. Instead, India has pushed for the treaty to focus only on waste management, not curbing production. But the stakes are high. If the treaty passes in its current form supported by over 106 of the 180 nations present it would require binding international rules to reduce not just plastic pollution, but the ...

SYDNEY: The Great Barrier Reef has recorded its sharpest decline in coral cover in 39 years, with scientists blaming climate change-driven heatwaves, tropical cyclones, and coral-eating starfish outbreaks for the devastation. The 2024 mass bleaching event has now become the most widespread ever documented, leading to over 70% loss in hard coral cover in some regions. According to the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), this marks the fifth mass bleaching since 2016, and part of the ongoing global coral bleaching crisis that began in 2023. AIMS surveyed 124 reefs between August 2024 and May 2025. The findings were stark: •48% of reefs saw a decline in coral cover. •42% remained unchanged. •Only 10% showed recovery. The northern GBR, especially around Lizard Isla...

The devastating cloudburst and flash floods that struck Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand on August 5, 2025, mark yet another grim reminder of how vulnerable the Himalayan region is to climate change and extreme weather events. While the immediate impact was tragic with lives lost, villages destroyed, and critical infrastructure swept away the broader implications are equally alarming. This article breaks down the disaster, the science behind it, and what it tells us about the intersection of climate change, human activity, and disaster preparedness in one of India’s most ecologically sensitive zones. What Happened in Uttarkashi? On the afternoon of August 5, around 1:30 PM, sudden floods swept through the Dharali and Sukhi Top areas of Uttarkashi district. The Kheer Ganga river ov...