Tuesday, November 4News That Matters

Climate Actions

India Weather Alert: IMD Warns of Heavy Rainfall in Northeast and Heatwaves in Large Parts of Country

India Weather Alert: IMD Warns of Heavy Rainfall in Northeast and Heatwaves in Large Parts of Country

Breaking News, Climate Actions
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a nationwide alert as extreme weather patterns continue to grip different regions of the country. While the Northeast braces for intense rainfall, large parts of central, eastern, western, and southern India are expected to experience heatwave conditions through the week. Extremely Heavy Rainfall in Meghalaya on May 13 The IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places over Meghalaya on May 13, 2025. The Northeast will continue to receive fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph, occasionally gusting up to 50 kmph, over the next five days. Heavy Showers for Sub-Himalayan Regions and Nicobar Islands The eastern Himalayan foothills wi...
Will Climate Finance Taxonomy Help India Unlock $2.5 Trillion in Green Investment?

Will Climate Finance Taxonomy Help India Unlock $2.5 Trillion in Green Investment?

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
India has taken a major step towards aligning its financial system with climate goals by unveiling a draft Climate Finance Taxonomy on May 7, 2025. This move aims to direct both domestic and foreign investments into truly sustainable activities, improve investor confidence, and reduce the risk of greenwashing. With ambitious climate targets set—achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and ensuring that 50% of electricity comes from non-fossil sources by 2030 India needs to unlock $2.5 trillion in green investment by the end of this decade. The taxonomy is designed to facilitate this capital flow while providing clarity on what constitutes a climate-aligned economic activity. Why a Climate Finance Taxonomy? Despite an increasing number of financial institutions adopting green finance termi...
15,000 Deaths from Wildfire Smoke Linked to Climate Change in U.S. Study Finds

15,000 Deaths from Wildfire Smoke Linked to Climate Change in U.S. Study Finds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
A landmark study has found that human-caused climate change led to 15,000 additional deaths from wildfire air pollution in the continental United States over a 15-year period ending in 2020. The research, led by Oregon State University and published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, is the first to quantify how many people have died as a result of climate-driven increases in wildfire-related fine particulate pollution (PM2.5). The study reveals that 2020 alone accounted for over a third of these deaths, during which massive wildfires burned across California, Oregon, Colorado, Arizona, and the Pacific Northwest. These fires released vast quantities of fine particulate matter—PM2.5—tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing and worsenin...
India Braces for Yet Another Year of Intensifying Heat

India Braces for Yet Another Year of Intensifying Heat

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
New Delhi, May 9, 2025  India has entered another year marked by extreme heat, with forecasts indicating that large parts of the country will experience above-normal daytime and nighttime temperatures throughout 2025. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while the upcoming southwest monsoon is expected to be normal, a sharp increase in the number of heatwave days is likely in many regions. The dual impact of extreme daytime heat and unusually warm nights is expected to worsen health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. With temperatures already climbing, reports of heatwave and warm night conditions have begun to emerge across the country. The situation poses serious challenges to public health, especially for informal workers and outdoor laborers...
Deep Sea Awakens: Axial Seamount’s Looming Eruption & Its Role in Shaping Ocean Life

Deep Sea Awakens: Axial Seamount’s Looming Eruption & Its Role in Shaping Ocean Life

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano nearly 300 miles off the Oregon coast, is rumbling with seismic activity, hinting at an imminent eruption before the end of 2025. Known for past eruptions in 1998, 2011, and 2015, this deep-sea volcano lies at the intersection of a tectonic plate boundary and a geological hotspot. As magma accumulates beneath the surface, scientists are closely monitoring the site for what could be a spectacular yet safe eruption offering a window into Earth’s inner workings and its influence on ocean ecosystems. What Is Axial Seamount? Axial Seamount also known as Coaxial Seamount or Axial Volcano is a submarine shield volcano located on the Juan de Fuca Ridge in the Pacific Ocean. Situated about 480 kilometers west of Cannon Beach, Oregon, it rises roughly 1,100 me...
Baglihar Dam Gates Open Amid Heavy Rainfall, Flood Risk Grows in Jammu & Kashmir

Baglihar Dam Gates Open Amid Heavy Rainfall, Flood Risk Grows in Jammu & Kashmir

Breaking News, Climate Actions
The Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River has opened two spillway gates following intense rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir, prompting flood alerts in downstream areas. Rising water levels in the Chenab are now threatening low-lying settlements, raising concerns about potential inundation. The heavy rainfall has also triggered landslides along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, disrupting one of the region’s most vital transport corridors. A major slide in the Chamba area has forced authorities to suspend vehicular movement along the route. Road-clearing operations are currently underway, with the highway expected to reopen once debris is removed and conditions stabilize. The developing weather emergency comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions following the recent terror attack in P...
Searing Autumn: Australia Sweats Through Record Heat as Winter Fades into Haze

Searing Autumn: Australia Sweats Through Record Heat as Winter Fades into Haze

Breaking News, Climate Actions
As winter approaches Australia remains gripped by an unrelenting autumn heatwave, with vast regions of the country experiencing temperatures more typical of midsummer. The southern half of the continent, particularly Victoria and parts of New South Wales, is enduring one of its warmest autumns on record. March 2025 became Australia's hottest ever, and the unusual heat has stretched well into May. Melbourne and Hobart have reported their warmest May nights in recorded history while some areas have seen daytime temperatures surge over 10°C above seasonal averages. The primary driver is a prolonged high-pressure system over southern and southeastern Australia. Known as "blocking highs," these systems have stalled the usual west-to-east flow of weather, trapping dry and warm air masses o...
Nepal Cry from the Mountains: Melting Glaciers, Dying Forests and Nation on the Edge

Nepal Cry from the Mountains: Melting Glaciers, Dying Forests and Nation on the Edge

Breaking News, Climate Actions
Nepal is one of the least contributors to global carbon emissions, is emerging as one of the most affected nations in the world due to the accelerating impacts of climate change. The Himalayan nation is witnessing a sharp increase in climate-induced disasters as glaciers melt rapidly, rainfall becomes erratic, and extreme weather events intensify. Between mid-2018 and mid-2024, Nepal recorded 32,375 disaster incidents, 91.2% of which were climate-related, according to the Nepal Disaster Report 2024. These events resulted in 3,672 deaths, 446 missing persons, and over 11,700 injuries. Infrastructural damage was extensive, with more than 57,000 homes affected and over 43,000 public infrastructure units destroyed. The primary factors contributing to Nepal’s vulnerability include its rel...
Mosquitoes, Money & Heat: Why West Nile Virus Thrives in America’s Wealthiest Neighborhoods

Mosquitoes, Money & Heat: Why West Nile Virus Thrives in America’s Wealthiest Neighborhoods

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
Each summer as warm evenings descend on American cities, a silent danger begins to stir: West Nile virus. Though often associated with tropical or rural areas, this mosquito-borne illness has quietly taken root in urban landscapes especially in the most affluent neighborhoods. In 2012, an unprecedented outbreak scorched Park Cities, a wealthy enclave within Dallas. The virus sickened 225 people, triggered 173 neuroinvasive cases like encephalitis and meningitis, and claimed 19 lives. Other major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Sacramento have also developed persistent West Nile hot spots. Why cities? Why the rich? The key vector is Culex quinquefasciatus, the Southern house mosquito. These mosquitoes don’t travel far and breed in stagnant water found in lawns, drains, flower...
Wealthiest 10% Cause Two-Thirds of Global Warming Since 1990: Study Links Climate Crisis to Income Inequality

Wealthiest 10% Cause Two-Thirds of Global Warming Since 1990: Study Links Climate Crisis to Income Inequality

Breaking News, Climate Actions
Global warming refers to the long-term rise in Earth's average surface temperature due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, mainly released from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas, along with emissions from deforestation, industrial processes, and high-consumption lifestyles. A new study published in Nature Climate Change sheds light on who is most responsible for this climate disruption and the answer points directly to the world’s wealthiest individuals. According to researchers the richest 10% of people globally are responsible for nearly two-thirds of global warming since 1990, with the top 1% alone causing 26 times more heatwave-related climate extr...