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Asia is heating nearly twice as fast as the global average, driving extreme weather events, ocean warming, and glacier loss that are taking a heavy toll on its societies and economies, according to the State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Record Heat and Deadly Heatwaves Grip the Continent In 2024, the average temperature anomaly across Asia was 1.04°C above the 1991–2020 average, making it either the warmest or second warmest year on record, depending on datasets. Countries such as Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, China, and India recorded exceptional heat. Myanmar hit a national temperature record of 48.2°C, while India experienced prolonged heatwaves responsible for over 450 deaths. East Asia faced months of abnormal heat stre...

Global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions hit record levels in 2024, accelerating climate change and pushing the Earth’s climate system into increasingly dangerous territory. These findings come from the third edition of the Indicators of Global Climate Change (IGCC) report, published in Earth System Science Data. The IGCC serves as an annual update to track critical climate indicators between major reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Human Activity Driving Unprecedented Warming The IGCC report, compiled by over 60 international scientists, including former IPCC authors, confirms that nearly all the observed warming over the past decade is human-induced. In 2024, global average surface temperatures likely exceeded the 1.5°C mark above pre-industrial levels, wit...

Intense, short-lived summer downpours across the Alps are set to become far more frequent and severe as temperatures rise due to climate change, scientists have warned. A new study by researchers from the University of Lausanne (UNIL) in Switzerland and the University of Padova in Italy suggests that a 2°C regional temperature increase could double the frequency of these dangerous rainstorms. The Alpine region, warming faster than the global average, is especially vulnerable. In June 2018, Lausanne in Switzerland witnessed this risk firsthand when 41 millimeters of rain fell in just 10 minutes, flooding large parts of the city and causing damage estimated at 32 million Swiss Francs. Although such extreme events remain rare today, they are projected to become much more common as climate ...

Contrary to long-held beliefs about glass being a safer packaging option, a new study by France's food safety agency ANSES has revealed that drinks sold in glass bottles contain far more microplastics than those in plastic or metal containers. The study found that beverages such as beer, soda, and iced tea in glass packaging contained up to 100 microplastic particles per litre nearly 50 times higher than in plastic bottles. Published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, the study traced the unexpected source of contamination to the paint on metal caps used to seal glass bottles. According to lead researcher Iseline Chaib, particles isolated from the drinks matched the shape, colour, and polymer composition of the cap paint, indicating they likely flaked off during sealing. ...

  In a major push towards cleaner air and sustainable urban living, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday unveiled a comprehensive 25-point Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025. The ambitious plan focuses on reducing pollution from dust, vehicles, waste, and industrial sources while promoting greenery and clean technologies across the capital. “This is not just a document but a roadmap for a clean and healthy Delhi,” said Gupta at the launch event, reaffirming her government’s promise to halve Delhi’s pollution by 2030—a key pledge in the BJP’s 2025 election manifesto. Key Measures Under the Plan: Electric Vehicle Push The city will roll out over 5,000 electric buses and 2,299 e-autos this year. New EV charging stations will be installed at markets, malls, metro station...

A major new climate study has warned that the collapse of a vital Atlantic Ocean current could bring severe and unprecedented winter cold to northern Europe even in a world made warmer by greenhouse gas emissions. The research, led by Dr René van Westen and a team from Utrecht University, was published on June 11, 2025, in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. It examined what could happen if the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) were to completely shut down in the future. The AMOC is an important part of the Earth’s climate system. It moves warm water from the tropics to northern latitudes and sends cold water back towards the equator along the ocean floor. This process helps balance temperatures across Europe and other regions. However, scientists have raised c...

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has taken a major step towards promoting gender equality across its global activities. The Executive Council recently approved an updated Gender Action Plan designed to integrate gender considerations into weather, water, and climate services. This plan aims to ensure that climate warnings, disaster responses, and scientific services are inclusive and reach all sections of society. The new plan focuses on three main areas: improving planning by including gender-sensitive goals and data; ensuring fair representation of women in leadership roles, with a target of at least 40% female participation in decision-making bodies; and building skills by offering training and leadership programs for women and young girls interested in science and technol...

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Anglo American Crop Nutrients have begun a global initiative to reclaim salt-affected soils as part of efforts to fight drought and land degradation. This project was announced in line with the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought and aims to tackle a major threat to global food security. Around 10% of the world’s irrigated and rain-fed farmlands are affected by salinization a process where excessive salts build up in the soil, preventing plants from absorbing water and essential nutrients. This leads to falling crop yields and unproductive farmland. Causes include the use of salty irrigation water, climate change-driven dry conditions, rising sea levels affecting coastal lands, and misuse of fertilizers. If left unchecked, sa...

A new global study has revealed that research into photocatalytic degradation of microplastics has sharply increased over the past two decades, offering hope for addressing the growing threat of plastic pollution. The analysis reviewed 204 scientific articles published between 2005 and 2024 and highlighted the growing role of light-driven nanomaterials in breaking down microplastic and nanoplastic waste. Photocatalysis involves using materials that, when exposed to light, produce reactive oxygen species capable of breaking apart plastic polymers. This method is considered environmentally friendly because it requires no harmful chemicals and operates under mild conditions using sunlight or artificial light. China has emerged as the leader in this field, accounting for nearly 42% of th...

A new survey conducted by Greenpeace and Oxfam, released at the Bonn Climate Conference 2025, shows that a vast majority of Indians support imposing taxes on oil, gas, and coal companies for the environmental harm they cause, such as floods, droughts, wildfires, and health-related impacts. According to the findings, 80 per cent of Indian respondents believe that fossil fuel corporations should bear financial responsibility for the damage linked to their operations. More than half of the participants said that the taxes should specifically target oil and gas companies. Meanwhile, 23 per cent suggested businesses in general should pay, 13 per cent recommended levies on consumer goods, and 10 per cent said working individuals should also contribute. When asked who should be primarily re...