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  Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are disrupting the traditional seasonal migrations of Himalayan pastoral communities, increasing risks to livestock and threatening livelihoods that have sustained generations of shepherds. In October 2025, Joginder Chand a 50 year old shepherd from Udyol village in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district experienced the dangers of increasingly unpredictable mountain conditions. While returning from high altitude grazing grounds with a herd of around 600 sheep and goats, Chand and four other shepherds were crossing the Jarol Jot pass when an avalanche swept away more than 100 animals. The five shepherds took shelter in a mountain cave where they remained stranded for seven days, surviving on a small supply of roasted corn. For Ch...

Wildfire smoke from Indonesia has driven a sharp rise in demand for oxygen equipment and air purifiers across Southeast Asia, as prolonged haze affects air quality, disrupts schools and raises concerns about respiratory health. The months long haze has spread across parts of the region, prompting families to seek ways to improve indoor air quality. Medical equipment suppliers and consumer electronics retailers have reported significant increases in sales as pollution levels remain a concern. AA Alive a medical equipment company based near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia reported a 35 per cent increase in sales of oxygen equipment during the haze. The company supplies oxygen tanks and oxygen concentrators to patients who need respiratory support. An oxygen tank can provide a continuous supp...

  Florida has permanently protected nearly 1,500 acres of agricultural land across two cattle ranches through conservation agreements worth a combined $8.7 million. The move aims to prevent future development while preserving farmland supporting ranching and safeguarding wildlife habitats. The properties located in Manatee and Highlands counties, have been enrolled in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The agreements restrict future development but allow agricultural activities to continue helping maintain the land’s role in food production and the rural economy. The newly protected properties are located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor a network of natural areas intended to connect habitats and support...

  Global climate action accessible climate finance and stronger adaptation measures are expected to dominate discussions at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkiye from November 9 to 20, 2026. Following COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the focus is shifting from setting climate targets to implementing existing commitments under the Paris Agreement. However, insufficient emissions reductions, barriers to climate finance and growing climate risks continue to challenge international efforts. COP31 will be an important test of whether countries can turn political commitments into practical measures that protect communities, ecosystems and economies. Five major expectations are shaping the agenda. 1. Climate finance and Pacif...

Qatar has tested blue coated road surfaces as a way to reduce heat absorption and improve outdoor comfort in a country that experiences extreme summer temperatures. The pilot project, launched in August 2019 by the Public Works Authority, Ashghal, examined whether a specialised reflective coating could keep roads and pedestrian areas cooler than conventional asphalt. The trial covered up to 200 metres of vehicle lanes on Abdullah bin Jassim Street, near Souq Waqif, and another 200 metres of pedestrian and cycling paths in front of Katara Cultural Village. The initiative aimed to assess whether the coating could reduce surface temperatures and potentially be introduced more widely across Qatar's road network. How the blue coating works Conventional asphalt absorbs a large propor...

  A new study using data from NASA’s Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite has revealed significant weaknesses in advanced computer models used to estimate river conditions worldwide. The findings highlight potential risks for climate change predictions irrigation planning, hydropower operations and water resource management. The research led by Colin Gleason a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst used satellite observations to identify where machine learning based river models provide reliable estimates and where they produce inaccurate results. According to the study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters rivers that are affected by dams those flowing through arid regions and Arctic rivers a...

A study examining how Japanese farmers respond to climate change related crises has found that many rely on short term, ad hoc adaptation measures rather than incorporating climate risks into long term farm management strategies. The study analysed data collected from 232 Japanese farmers using structural equation modelling (SEM). Researchers developed a Farmers’ Adaptation to Climate Change model based on Mitroff’s crisis management theory to understand how farmers perceive climate risks and respond to climate-related damage. The findings show that Japanese farmers generally have moderate to high levels of awareness of climate change, although their adaptation practices vary. The analysis found that existing adaptation practices play a statistically significant role in shaping manag...

  Disaster warnings can save lives only when people at risk receive, understand and act on them. The article highlights the need to shift disaster risk reduction from simply delivering warnings to ensuring that individuals can take protective action and receive assistance when necessary. Written by environmental scientist and development professional Pramod Dabrase, the article introduces the concept of the Disability Disaster Rescue Management System (DRMS) 2.0 a proposed people centred approach designed to connect official disaster warnings with individuals current locations, accessibility needs and available support. The article argues that sending an alert to a district, mobile phone or household does not guarantee safety. A warning becomes effective only when the person ...

  A new environmental documentary has highlighted the growing pollution threatening Lake Victoria, Africa largest lake as journalists from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda investigate the damage caused by gold mining, palm oil plantations, pesticides and sewage. Titled “Ziwa Victoria (Part 2): Tainting the Shores”, the 25 minute episode is the third instalment of Giving Nature a Voice a documentary series produced by filmmakers in East Africa. It is now streaming on the environmental documentary platform The Green Channel. Lake Victoria is shared by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and supports millions of people who depend on it for food, employment and drinking water. A 2023 research overview published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research estimated that more than 42 million people rely o...

  October 16, 2026: Housing accounts for 43% of the direct economic losses from disasters reported by countries, highlighting the urgent need to invest in safer buildings and household preparedness, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) said on Tuesday. Marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, observed on October 13 under the theme “Resilience Starts at Home,” the UN agency called on governments, businesses and communities to make housing resilience a priority. It emphasised the importance of building homes in safer locations, enforcing resilient construction standards and helping families prepare for disasters. Data reported by countries through the Sendai Framework Monitor show that around half of the people reported as affected by ...