Sunday, February 22News That Matters

Breaking News

Role of Private Sector’s  in Green Transition: Highlights of Climate Conference 2024 in Mumbai

Role of Private Sector’s in Green Transition: Highlights of Climate Conference 2024 in Mumbai

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Mumbai, Maharashtra witnessed the Climate Conference 2024 on January 12, 2024, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Themed "Decoding the Green Transition for India," the event focused on the integral role of the private sector, climate tech startups, and institutional investors in mobilizing financial resources and technical capabilities. The conference aimed to leverage government initiatives, involve civil society and communities, and promote innovative climate services and adaptation technologies. Key dignitaries present at the inaugural session included Ms. Leena Nandan, Environment Secretary, Mr. Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, Mr. K Rajaraman, Chairman, IFSCA, Mr. Mike Hankey, U.S. Consul General, and Mr. Nadir Godrej, Chairman & ...
NASA-ISRO Collaboration: NISAR Satellite to Provide Unprecedented Insights into Earth’s Cryosphere

NASA-ISRO Collaboration: NISAR Satellite to Provide Unprecedented Insights into Earth’s Cryosphere

Breaking News, Disasters, Space, Thoughts & Talks
NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are joining forces to launch the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, slated to become a game-changer in monitoring Earth's cryosphere – the frozen surfaces of land and ice. Set to launch in 2024 from southern India, NISAR will offer unparalleled observations, measuring key Earth vital signs related to the health of wetlands, ground deformation caused by volcanoes, and the dynamics of land and sea ice. NISAR's unique capabilities lie in its ability to observe nearly all of the planet's land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days. This comprehensive coverage will be facilitated by two radar systems: an L-band system with a 10-inch wavelength and an S-band system with a 4-inch wavelength. The L-band is adept at penetrat...
Study Reveals Major US Atlantic Coast Cities Are Sinking at Alarming Rates

Study Reveals Major US Atlantic Coast Cities Are Sinking at Alarming Rates

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Thoughts & Talks
A recent study has uncovered a concerning reality for major cities on the US Atlantic coast, including New York City, Long Island, and other coastal regions – they are sinking at a rate of 2mm per year. The sinking land poses significant threats, raising concerns about flooding, long-term viability, and the potential impact on densely populated areas. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences, sheds light on the impact of sinking land on major metropolitan areas like Baltimore, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. These coastal cities are already susceptible to flooding, and the additional threat of sinking land amplifies the risks. While the sinking may appear gradual, researchers emphasize that the consequences are real and pose a serious threat to th...
Earthquake Tremors Shake Delhi and Adjacent Regions; Epicenter Near Afghanistan

Earthquake Tremors Shake Delhi and Adjacent Regions; Epicenter Near Afghanistan

Breaking News, Disasters
On Thursday, at approximately 2:50 pm local time, Delhi and its adjoining areas experienced tremors from a magnitude 6.1 earthquake, with the epicenter located near Afghanistan, according to the National Center for Seismology. The earthquake's impact was felt across Delhi, creating a sense of panic among residents as buildings shook and people rushed out into the open. The tremors were also reported in Pakistan's Lahore and various parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Poonch. The National Center for Seismology swiftly confirmed the earthquake's magnitude and shared information about its epicenter. As of now, there are no immediate reports of casualties or property damage in the affected regions. Local authorities in Delhi have urged citizens to remain calm and vigilant while assu...
Impending Catastrophe in Kashmir as Over 100 Rock Glaciers Face Melting Threat

Impending Catastrophe in Kashmir as Over 100 Rock Glaciers Face Melting Threat

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the Amrita School for Sustainable Futures of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kerala, has unveiled a looming environmental crisis in Kashmir. The research, led by Assistant Professor Remya S. N, reveals that more than 100 active permafrost structures, commonly known as rock glaciers, in the region are at risk of melting, posing a severe threat to the Jhelum river basin. According to a report published in Down To Earth (DTE), the study indicates that these rock glaciers, which accumulate large amounts of water, are showing signs of swelling and displacement, indicative of permafrost melting. If the temperatures continue to rise, it could lead to massive devastation in the Jhelum basin, with potentially disastrous consequences for the region...
Second Earthquake Strikes Japan Within a Week: Magnitude 6.0 Tremor Adds to Nation’s Woes

Second Earthquake Strikes Japan Within a Week: Magnitude 6.0 Tremor Adds to Nation’s Woes

Breaking News, Disasters
Japan experienced another earthquake on Tuesday, registering a magnitude of 6.0. The recent quake comes just over a week after the country's deadliest quake in nearly eight years, which occurred on January 1, with a magnitude of 7.6. The January 1 earthquake resulted in significant damage to properties, loss of lives, and triggered tsunami waves on the west coast. The death toll from the earlier earthquake has now exceeded 100, with over 200 people still missing. The recent magnitude 6.0 quake caused strong shaking, though no tsunami warning has been issued by authorities so far. The series of earthquakes has left thousands of homes without power and displaced tens of thousands, with ongoing rescue and relief efforts. The situation remains challenging as the country copes with the af...
Undersea Earthquake slackened up Coast of Tonga with 5.6 mag without damage

Undersea Earthquake slackened up Coast of Tonga with 5.6 mag without damage

Breaking News, Disasters
On January 9, 2024, at 10:41 AM (Tongatapu Time), an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 struck under the South Pacific Ocean, approximately 175 kilometers off the coast of Tonga. The earthquake occurred at a very shallow depth of 10 kilometers, making it potentially impactful, as shallow earthquakes tend to have a larger effect. Key Details: Location: 242 km ENE of Nuku‘alofa, Tongatapu, Tonga. Coordinates: 20°2'15"S 173°11'29"W. Depth: 10 km (6 mi), classified as a very shallow depth. Magnitude: 5.3, detected by 49 stations. Maximum Error Range: ±0.085. Low tsunami risk, as earthquakes under magnitude 6.5 usually do not cause tsunamis. The earthquake may have been felt in Tonga, with Nuku‘alofa being the nearest significant population center, located 242 kilometers...
Tokyo Runway Collision: A Tragedy and Lession Learned

Tokyo Runway Collision: A Tragedy and Lession Learned

Breaking News, Disasters, Thoughts & Talks
On January 2nd, 2024, a Japan Airlines Airbus A350 carrying 379 people collided with a Japanese Coast Guard aircraft at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. While miraculously all passengers and crew on the JAL flight survived, five of the six crew members on the Coast Guard plane tragically perished. The accident sent shockwaves through Japan and the aviation industry, prompting a thorough investigation and renewed focus on runway safety. The Incident: The JAL flight was approaching Haneda for landing when it collided with the Coast Guard turboprop aircraft on the runway. The smaller plane burst into flames, while the JAL aircraft skidded down the tarmac, sustaining significant damage. Thankfully, a swift and coordinated emergency response ensured the safe evacuation of all passengers and crew fr...
Unlocking the Lifesaving Potential of Location-Based Technology with Cutting-Edge Solutions to improve Emergency Response

Unlocking the Lifesaving Potential of Location-Based Technology with Cutting-Edge Solutions to improve Emergency Response

Breaking News, Disasters, Tech, Thoughts & Talks
In the recent age of technological advancement, location-based technology stands out for its versatility and wide-ranging applications. While commonly recognized for mapping, navigation, and analytics, one of its most impactful yet often overlooked use cases is its potential to save lives and expedite emergency/disaster response efforts. This article explores the views and insights of the transformative role of location-based technology in emergency situations, shedding light on its capabilities, applications, and the potential it holds for improving overall emergency preparedness. The Power of Location-Based Technology in Emergencies There are views and pictorial representation of a scenarios where chaos erupts due to an emergency, and it counts every second by the humanity. The traditi...
New York City’s Record Snow Drought Persists Despite Winter Storm: 692-Day Streak Continues

New York City’s Record Snow Drought Persists Despite Winter Storm: 692-Day Streak Continues

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
New York City's historic two-year snow drought may not end with the current winter storm system. Despite the arrival of the storm passing through the East Coast, as of 7 p.m. Saturday, only 0.2 inches had been recorded in Central Park. The National Weather Service forecasted only 0.8 inches of accumulation before the storm moves out to sea late on Sunday night. The city's 8.5 million residents have not seen more than 1 inch of snowfall in Manhattan's Central Park since February 13, 2022, marking a record-long streak of 692 days. The lack of snow in New York City is considered another sign of how climate change is affecting global weather patterns.