Wednesday, November 5News That Matters

Climate Actions

Pune April Heat Crossed Dangerous Limits for Elderly, IISER Study Finds

Pune April Heat Crossed Dangerous Limits for Elderly, IISER Study Finds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
April 2025 brought extreme heat to Pune, with daily highs between 40°C and 43°C, posing severe health risks especially for the elderly. A study by IISER Pune found that “critical environmental thresholds” were breached multiple times, making it difficult for older adults to regulate their core body temperatures and raising serious concerns about increasing heat stress in Indian cities. Researchers noted that core body temperature is tightly controlled and even slight rises can signal stress or illness. The body mainly cools through sweat evaporation, but this mechanism struggles during high heat and humidity. When the body can no longer keep core temperature stable, it enters a danger zone. In Pune, such conditions occurred several times throughout April especially affecting people aged...
Leaves of Western Ghats Trees Breaching Heat Limits, Study Warns of Climate Stress on Crops

Leaves of Western Ghats Trees Breaching Heat Limits, Study Warns of Climate Stress on Crops

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
A new study reveals that leaves of several agroforestry and forest species in Karnataka's Western Ghats are regularly exposed to dangerously high temperatures, putting their health and the region’s economy at serious risk. Many species have already surpassed critical heat thresholds that impair photosynthesis and may cause irreversible damage.  Study Site in Karnataka Shows Early Signs of Thermal Stress Researchers conducted a 4.5-month-long study in 2023 at Hosagadde village near Sirsi, a region frequently experiencing temperatures above 40°C. They monitored 13 agroforestry crops and 4 native forest species, using T₅₀  the temperature at which a leaf's photosynthetic ability drops by 50% as a key stress marker. The findings show that many leaves are crossing this threshold far t...
Sudden Swings in Temperature Hit Over 60% of Globe Since 1961, Study Warns of Escalation by 2100

Sudden Swings in Temperature Hit Over 60% of Globe Since 1961, Study Warns of Escalation by 2100

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
A new global study has found that more than 60% of the planet has likely experienced abrupt “temperature flips” rapid shifts between extreme heat and cold since 1961, with their frequency and intensity projected to increase significantly by the end of the century due to climate change. Published in Nature Communications, the research reveals how these sudden and intense weather swings unlike individual heatwaves or cold spells offer little time for humans, wildlife, and ecosystems to adapt. The impacts can be devastating, from health complications to crop failures and infrastructural stress. One such flip occurred in April 2021 in Europe where temperatures fell dramatically after an unusually warm spell, damaging crops due to frost. These rapid transitions pose risks to both huma...
Fossil Fuel Giants Linked to 1998 India Heatwave, Billions in Economic Damage Traced to Emissions

Fossil Fuel Giants Linked to 1998 India Heatwave, Billions in Economic Damage Traced to Emissions

Breaking News, Climate Actions
A new study published in Nature reveals that five major fossil fuel companies Chevron, ExxonMobil, Saudi Aramco, Gazprom, and BP significantly intensified the 1998 heatwave in India, contributing to massive economic losses and highlighting the direct link between corporate emissions and extreme climate events. How Big Oil Fueled the 1998 Heatwave The 1998 heatwave in India, considered the deadliest in half a century, has now been scientifically linked to human-induced climate change. According to researchers from Dartmouth College in the US, emissions from five of the world’s largest oil and gas companies caused a measurable spike in temperatures increasing the intensity of the five hottest days during that period by 0.08°C. The study found that Chevron alone was responsible f...
Heatwave Grips India: IMD Issues Yellow Alerts Amid Rising Temperatures

Heatwave Grips India: IMD Issues Yellow Alerts Amid Rising Temperatures

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued fresh heatwave warnings for multiple parts of Northwest, Central, and Eastern India including Delhi NCR where temperatures are forecast to touch 43°C. A Western Disturbance may bring some rainfall to select northern areas, but intense heat continues to affect millions across the country. What Is a Heatwave and Why Is It Happening? A heatwave is a prolonged period of abnormally high temperatures, especially when compared to the usual climate of a region. According to the IMD, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature rises to 40°C or more in plains, 30°C in hilly areas, or when it is 4.5°C to 6.4°C above normal for two or more days. Causes of Heatwave High-pressure systems that trap hot air near the surface. ...
Varkala Fragile Cliffs: Caught Between Tourism Dreams & Climate Reality

Varkala Fragile Cliffs: Caught Between Tourism Dreams & Climate Reality

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
Kerala popular coastal destination, Varkala, is under threat. While its dramatic cliffs and scenic beaches draw thousands of tourists every year, unregulated construction climate change, and weak enforcement are putting its unique geological landscape at serious risk. Environmentalists and scientists are sounding the alarm as erosion, drainage issues, and illegal infrastructure continue to weaken the fragile cliffs. Varvara’s Allure: A Cliffside Paradise Under Pressure From atop the North Cliff the beach below looks like a postcard. With golden sand and crashing waves, it’s no wonder Varkala has become one of Kerala’s top tourist destinations. The North Cliff buzzes with energy lined with nearly 250 shops eateries, and resorts. But this crowd-pleasing stretch also hides a dangero...
Severe Heatwave Sweeps Across India, IMD Sounds Alarm Bells

Severe Heatwave Sweeps Across India, IMD Sounds Alarm Bells

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Telangana & Northern States Critical Situation Under Scorching Heatwave IMD Sounds Orange Alert With mercury soaring past 44°C in many parts of the country India is in the grip of one of the harshest heatwaves this summer. Telangana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and other states face intense heat, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue critical weather alerts and public health warnings. In a blazing turn of events a brutal heatwave has swept across Telangana and several other Indian states, pushing temperatures to dangerous highs. The IMD has issued orange and yellow alerts in multiple regions warning residents to brace for extreme heat and take all necessary precautions. Telangana is among the hardest-hit with Nirmal recording 44.5°C the state highest so far this ...
Green Dragon Awakens: China’s Clean Energy Surge Could Cut Emissions 30% by 2035

Green Dragon Awakens: China’s Clean Energy Surge Could Cut Emissions 30% by 2035

Breaking News, Climate Actions
China is on the brink of a climate breakthrough. If it continues its current pace of clean energy development, the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter could reduce emissions by 30% by 2035. With the right 2035 climate targets, China has the power to steer global climate efforts back on track and secure its place as a true environmental leader. China’s Climate Turning Point Amid growing global climate uncertainty, China has a chance to reaffirm its leadership by setting bold science backed climate goals. Experts say a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035, compared to 2023 levels, is within reach if policies align with current clean energy momentum. Power Sector from Coal to Clean The fastest gains can come from electricity. By maintaining its current pace, China could cu...
Unpredictable Temperature Changes Could Kill Low-income Countries: Report

Unpredictable Temperature Changes Could Kill Low-income Countries: Report

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
A new study published in Nature Communications has raised alarms over the increasing frequency of rapid temperature shifts abrupt swings between extreme heat and cold across the globe  with low-income countries expected to bear the brunt of the consequences. The research, jointly led by scientists from Sun Yat-sen University (China) and Princeton University (USA) found that over the past six decades, more than 60% of the world's regions have experienced a significant uptick in these extreme temperature "flips." The most affected zones include South America, Western Europe, Africa, South and Southeast Asia. If current high emission trends continue these fluctuations are projected to become even more intense and frequent by the end of the century posing serious threats to human health,...
New Zealand Unveils Major Environmental Reporting Changes to Support Its Net-Zero Goals

New Zealand Unveils Major Environmental Reporting Changes to Support Its Net-Zero Goals

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
In a bold move to elevate its environmental governance New Zealand has announced sweeping reforms to its national environmental reporting framework aiming to deliver more accurate, accessible and actionable climate and ecological data. Environment Minister Penny Simmonds unveiled the changes this week describing them as a crucial shift from reactive crisis management to proactive evidence based environmental decision-making. These reforms are set to align New Zealand with global best practices while helping communities and businesses plan for an increasingly unpredictable future. At the core of the reforms is an amended Environmental Reporting Act, replacing the current six-monthly reporting cycle with a more strategic annual model. The new framework also integrates analysis of envir...