Breaking News Archives - Page 224 of 292

Feb122025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Satellite Data Uncovers Years of Warning Signs Before Anak Krakatau’s Devastating 2018 Eruption and Tsunami

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Tech

A groundbreaking analysis of satellite data has revealed that the catastrophic 2018 eruption and collapse of Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano which triggered a deadly tsunami was preceded by years of subtle but accelerating movements along its mountainside. Researchers at Penn State University found that the volcano's flank had been slipping for over a decade, showing signs that could have potentially served as an early warning if monitored in real time. The study, recently published in Geophysical Research Letters, highlights how advanced radar satellites can detect minute ground deformations, helping scientists track unstable ocean volcanoes and predict possible collapses before they occur. "Ocean volcanoes, when unstable, can collapse catastrophically and generate tsunamis," expl...

Feb112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Explores Climate Adaptation Strategies Among African Mountain Farmers

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A recent study examining climate adaptation in African mountain regions has shed light on how farmers perceive and respond to climate change. Researchers interviewed 1,500 farmers across ten mountain regions, uncovering both shared and region-specific adaptation strategies. Mountain communities are particularly vulnerable to climate change, yet little is known about their adaptation responses. This study aimed to determine whether farmers are making incremental adjustments such as modifying existing practices or engaging in transformational changes that fundamentally reshape their livelihoods. Findings revealed that farmers across all study sites recognize multiple climate-related challenges, with the most common responses being intensified farming practices and reliance on off-farm ...

Feb112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Freetown Share Africa First Heat Action Plan to Combat Rising Temperatures

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, has taken a groundbreaking step in climate adaptation by launching Africa’s first Heat Action Plan (HAP) to tackle the growing threat of extreme heat. The initiative was unveiled during the first-ever African Urban Heat Summit on February 6, 2025, organized by Freetown’s city government and Climate Resilience for All (CRA), a global climate adaptation NGO. The summit brought together African mayors, policymakers, and climate experts to discuss urban heat resilience. Sierra Leone’s Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh and Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr introduced the HAP, emphasizing its importance in protecting vulnerable communities from rising temperatures. “Extreme heat is disrupting lives, straining healthcare systems, and threatening economic st...

Feb112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Satellite Data Reveals Warning Signs Before Anak Krakatau Tsunami Disaster

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

A new study has revealed that Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano, which collapsed in a devastating 2018 eruption and triggered a deadly tsunami, had been slipping for years showing warning signs that could have been detected in advance. Researchers at Penn State analyzed satellite data and found that the mountainside had been slowly shifting before its collapse, offering valuable insight into predicting similar disasters in the future. Published in Geophysical Research Letters, the study used a technique called Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) to track surface deformation over a 12-year period. The analysis showed that the detachment fault beneath Anak Krakatau experienced approximately 15 meters (50 feet) of movement from 2006 to 2018, with notable acceleration just befo...

Feb112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Record January Heat Shows La Niña Struggling to Cool a Warming World

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

January 2025 has shattered temperature records, marking the hottest start to a year ever recorded 1.7°C above pre-industrial levels. Many climate watchers expected a cooling effect due to the natural La Niña phenomenon, but global warming appears to be overpowering it. Scientists now warn that human-driven ocean warming is beginning to overwhelm natural climate patterns, making temporary cooling phases like La Niña less effective. La Niña is part of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a climate pattern that influences global temperatures by shifting ocean heat between basins. While El Niño causes warming, La Niña typically brings cooler global temperatures by shifting heat away from the eastern Pacific. Historically, La Niña has helped suppress temperature spikes, but this year, ev...

Feb112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Without FEMA Disaster Recovery Could Crumble, Are States Ready to Go It Alone?

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

ruins and millions in urgent need of aid. In such a crisis, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would typically deploy supplies, financial relief, and emergency assistance within hours. But what if FEMA no longer existed, and states had to handle disasters alone? With former President Donald Trump questioning FEMA’s future and proposing that states take over disaster recovery efforts, the debate over disaster management is more relevant than ever. Climate change is driving more frequent and severe catastrophes, raising concerns about whether states could cope without federal assistance. Role of FEMA in Disaster Relief FEMA was established in 1979 to coordinate national disaster response efforts, but the federal government has been involved in relief efforts since the 18...

Feb102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Rising Mega Droughts Earth Dry Spell Expands by 12 Million Acres Annually

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

A shocking new study published in Science reveals that mega droughts severe, long-lasting dry spells are increasing at an alarming rate, expanding by 50,000 square kilometers (12 million acres) each year. These extreme droughts are depleting water sources, devastating agriculture, and fueling wildfires worldwide. Scientists have compiled the first-ever global catalog of megadroughts since 1980, ranking them by severity. "We found that these multiyear droughts are growing in size, intensity, and impact," said Pascal Buri, a glaciologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and one of the study’s authors. The study began with droughts in Chile, which has faced a water crisis since 2010. However, researchers soon expanded their focus and discovered droughts lasting more than two years ...

Feb102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

State of Emergency Declared in Santorini as Earthquake Swarm Intensifies

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

The Greek government has declared a state of emergency on the island of Santorini as the region experiences a relentless series of earthquakes. The "earthquake swarm," which began as minor tremors in late January, has escalated into a significant seismic event, shaking the island multiple times a day. The tremors are also affecting nearby islands in the Aegean Sea, with some quakes occurring just minutes apart. Escalating Seismic Activity Over the past two weeks, seismologists have recorded thousands of earthquakes, with as many as 30 daily exceeding magnitude 4.0. The largest so far, a magnitude 5.1 quake on February 6, was felt in Athens, Crete, and even parts of Turkey, more than 240 kilometers away. The earthquakes, occurring at depths of less than 10 kilometers, are shallow enou...

Feb102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

LA Schools Face Tough Road to Recovery After Wildfires

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

As Los Angeles County students return to school after devastating wildfires, the focus is on more than just rebuilding classrooms. With over 1,000 schools closed and 600,000 students affected, the impact extends beyond lost buildings it disrupts learning, mental well-being, and the stability schools provide. Learning Loss and Emotional Recovery Past disasters show that pushing students back into classrooms too quickly can be counterproductive. Florida reopened most schools just a week after Hurricane Ian in 2022, but experts suggest emotional healing must come before academic recovery. Following Hurricane Helene in 2024, North Carolina sent over 260 counselors to support affected students. Schools integrated recovery into lessons science teachers used water testing kits to analyze...

Feb102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate-Driven Wildfires Could Reshape Global Emissions Accounting: UN Expert

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Opinions

The growing impact of climate-driven wildfires is forcing a rethink in how greenhouse gas inventories calculate emissions, says Minal Pathak, an associate professor at Ahmedabad University and co-author of the United Nations Emissions Gap Report. For the first time, the 2024 report has included wildfire emissions, highlighting the complexities of accounting for these fires in global climate data. Pathak explains that wildfires are categorized as either natural or anthropogenic, with the latter resulting from activities like agricultural burning. While CO₂ from fires is often considered carbon neutral since forests can regrow and reabsorb emissions climate change is altering this balance, making it harder to predict how forests recover and store carbon. Recent wildfires in Los Angeles...