Thursday, January 29News That Matters

Climate Actions

India Drafts Emission Intensity Rules for Industries to Power Carbon Trading and Meet 2030 Climate Goals

India Drafts Emission Intensity Rules for Industries to Power Carbon Trading and Meet 2030 Climate Goals

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
India has released a draft framework to set mandatory targets for reducing industrial emissions under the Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025. The draft, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is aimed at accelerating India’s commitment to cut emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. These rules will support the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023, creating a structured system for reducing and trading greenhouse gas emissions in energy-intensive industries. The draft rules are currently open for public comments and suggestions for a 60-day period from the date of notification. What is Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI)? Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI) refers to the amoun...
Donald Trump Ends Climate Panel, Halts Key Reports, Future Research

Donald Trump Ends Climate Panel, Halts Key Reports, Future Research

Breaking News, Climate Actions
In a controversial move former US President Donald Trump’s administration has dismissed all authors of the National Climate Assessment (NCA) a crucial panel that has long shaped the country's understanding of climate change. The decision comes alongside a broader trend under Trump to cut climate research funding, withdraw from climate treaties, and promote fossil fuel development over green alternatives. The National Climate Assessment, launched under the US Global Change Research Program, is released every five years and provides scientific insight on the state of America’s climate from past observations to future predictions. Its findings have helped guide policies to protect the environment and vulnerable communities. The sixth report was expected in 2027, but that now appears to ...
Climate Disasters to Cost a Record $145 Billion in 2025, Warns Swiss Re Study

Climate Disasters to Cost a Record $145 Billion in 2025, Warns Swiss Re Study

Breaking News, Climate Actions
Climate disasters are set to cost $145 billion in insured losses globally in 2025 a sharp 6% rise from last year making it one of the costliest years on record, according to a new report by reinsurance giant Swiss Re. This projected figure surpasses the $137 billion loss in 2024 and is well above the historical average. The rise is driven by a growing number of extreme weather events which experts link to climate change, urban expansion, and increasing populations in high-risk zones. A major driver of this year’s spike is the wildfires in Los Angeles which alone are expected to cause $40 billion in insured damages, the report said. Total Damage Far Worse While insured losses are skyrocketing, the total losses from natural disasters including damages not covered by insurance...
Drought Heat & Dehydration: Kidney Disease Risk Rising in Colorado San Luis Valley

Drought Heat & Dehydration: Kidney Disease Risk Rising in Colorado San Luis Valley

Breaking News, Climate Actions
New research shows that prolonged heat and dryness in Colorado’s San Luis Valley significantly increased the risk of kidney disease between 1984 and 1998. The findings highlight a direct link between climate change and human health particularly for agricultural workers in arid, drought-stricken regions. Kidney Health Threatened by Climate in High-Altitude Desert The San Luis Valley, North America's largest high valley desert, is now at the center of a disturbing trend: rising cases of kidney damage and disease linked to low humidity, rising temperatures, and long-term drought. A 15-year study, recently published in Weather, Climate, and Society, tracked health data from agricultural workers in the region and revealed a worrying pattern a 10% drop in humidity led to a 2% increase in a...
New SFINCS Model Boosts Flood Forecasts, Speeds Up Storm Readiness for Coastal Areas

New SFINCS Model Boosts Flood Forecasts, Speeds Up Storm Readiness for Coastal Areas

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
A revolutionary open-source flood model called SFINCS, developed by PhD researcher Tim Leijnse of Deltares and VU Amsterdam, is transforming how we predict and prepare for coastal flooding caused by tropical cyclones and extreme storms. A Faster, Smarter Way to Predict Coastal Flooding Tropical cyclones rising sea levels, and extreme rainfall have already impacted hundreds of millions in coastal communities across the globe. To safeguard lives and livelihoods, it's no longer enough to track just one factor like storm surges. Instead, experts must understand the complex interaction of waves, rain, and river flows all of which can combine into dangerous compound floods. That’s where SFINCS (Super-Fast INundation of CoastS) comes in. Developed by Tim Leijnse, who receives his ...
Monsoon Extremes Put Marine Life At Risk in Bay of Bengal: Warns Study

Monsoon Extremes Put Marine Life At Risk in Bay of Bengal: Warns Study

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
A groundbreaking study has revealed that both extremely strong and weak monsoons have historically led to a 50% decline in food availability for marine life in the Bay of Bengal. Researchers warn that with climate change likely to worsen monsoon variability, marine productivity and millions of livelihoods are at serious risk. Monsoons: A Double-Edged Sword for Marine Ecosystems In the dynamic environment of the Bay of Bengal, monsoons play a central role in ocean health. But this new research, conducted by teams from the University of Arizona and IIT Gandhinagar and published in Nature Geoscience, finds that monsoon extremes are harmful, regardless of whether rainfall is too much or too little. The culprit is disrupted ocean mixing, the vertical movement of water that brings nutri...
Heat to Chill in a Flash: Over 60% of the World Faces Deadly Climate ‘Flips’

Heat to Chill in a Flash: Over 60% of the World Faces Deadly Climate ‘Flips’

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
Sudden Swings in Temperature Threaten Lives, Crops, and Climate Stability A new global study has revealed that more than 60% of the world has experienced sudden and extreme temperature shifts known as temperature flips over the past six decades. These rapid transitions from blistering heat to severe cold, or vice versa, leave little room for human or ecological systems to adapt, posing severe risks to health, infrastructure, agriculture, and the environment. What Are Temperature Flips? Temperature flips refer to short-term, intense shifts between extreme hot and cold conditions. Unlike isolated heatwaves or cold spells, these flips pack a double punch by swinging between both extremes within a short window. The study, published in Nature Communications found that these climate...
Scorching Heat to Stormy Rains: India’s Weather Turns Extreme

Scorching Heat to Stormy Rains: India’s Weather Turns Extreme

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
India is currently witnessing a dramatic clash of weather patterns intense heatwaves in northern states and heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and hailstorms in parts of the east and south. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) while regions like Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan continue to sizzle, areas such as Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and the Northeast are battling heavy rains and hail. This complex weather situation is a result of a weak western disturbance, cyclonic circulations, and changing temperature gradients across the country. From the hilly terrains of North India to the vast plains, temperatures have soared, intensifying the heatwave gripping the region. However some relief might be in sight due to a weak western disturbance which could lead ...
ISRO Leads Global Disaster Response: Takes Command of Space Charter for Six Months

ISRO Leads Global Disaster Response: Takes Command of Space Charter for Six Months

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
India has once again demonstrated its leadership in space-based disaster management. ISRO has assumed the role of lead agency for the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters for six months starting April 2025, the space agency announced on Saturday. ISRO Hosts 53rd International Charter Meeting in Hyderabad The tenure began with ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) organizing the 53rd meeting of the Charter in Hyderabad from April 14 to 17. According to ISRO, the meeting saw the participation of major global space agencies, with 22 foreign delegates attending in person. All were engaged in discussions and planning for space-based disaster management activities. India a Founding Member of the International Charter India is a signatory and founding member of th...
UN Highlights: Indigenous People Safeguard 80% Planet’s Biodiversity With 1% Climate Funding

UN Highlights: Indigenous People Safeguard 80% Planet’s Biodiversity With 1% Climate Funding

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
Indigenous people who protect 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity are being pushed to the margins of global climate efforts according to a new UN report. Despite their crucial role in safeguarding ecosystems they receive less than 1% of climate funding and are often excluded from decision-making. The report warns that without Indigenous leadership the world’s climate goals will remain out of reach and current "green" solutions could end up repeating the injustices of the past. Indigenous Peoples Left Out Despite Vital Role The United Nations launched The State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples this week, highlighting a troubling imbalance. Indigenous communities make up just 6% of the global population but are responsible for protecting most of the Earth's remaining biodive...