Sunday, March 23News That Matters

Climate Actions

India Records Earliest Heatwave and Warm Nights in 2025 Break 125 Year Old Records

India Records Earliest Heatwave and Warm Nights in 2025 Break 125 Year Old Records

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
India has recorded its earliest heatwave and warm nights in 2025, marking a concerning trend in rising temperatures. On February 25, 2025, Goa and Maharashtra experienced the first heatwave of the year making it the first time a heatwave has been recorded during winter (January–February) according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). IMD also confirmed that February 2025 was the hottest February in 125 years. The impact of extreme temperatures has been felt in Odisha and Jharkhand which recorded their earliest heatwaves in four years. On March 15 Odisha’s Boudh registered the highest temperature in India, reaching 43.6°C on March 16. Jharsuguda followed with 42°C, while Bolangir recorded 41.7°C. These extreme heat conditions arrived much earlier than in previous years indicatin...
Smoke from Wildland Urban Fires Poses Greater Health Risk Than Remote Wildfires

Smoke from Wildland Urban Fires Poses Greater Health Risk Than Remote Wildfires

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Smoke from fires that rage through wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas where human development meets wildland vegetation has a significantly higher health impact than smoke from wildfires in remote areas, according to a groundbreaking study published in Science Advances. The research, led by scientists at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR), reveals that emissions from WUI fires are about three times more likely to contribute to premature deaths annually than emissions from wildfires in general. The reason: WUI fires burn closer to populated areas, exposing more people to harmful pollutants like fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone. Rising Risk of WUI Fires The wildland-urban interface has been expanding globally, now...
Cyclone Jude Batters Mozambique Leaves Thousands Houses Without Power

Cyclone Jude Batters Mozambique Leaves Thousands Houses Without Power

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Cyclone Jude has wreaked havoc along Mozambique’s Indian Ocean coast, bringing fierce winds, torrential rains, and widespread destruction. This marks the third cyclone to hit Mozambique this season, disrupting lives and infrastructure across the region. Jude first emerged as a depression on March 14 near Diego Garcia before intensifying into a moderate tropical storm, hitting northern Madagascar on March 15. The storm has already caused six fatalities and damaged 900 houses before reaching Mozambique. Fueled by sea surface temperatures near 30°C, Jude strengthened into a tropical cyclone over the Mozambique Channel. It made landfall early this morning, delivering sustained winds of 120 km/h and gusts up to 193 km/h, comparable to a Category 1 hurricane. Coastal areas, including Memba...
Global Construction Emissions Stall for First Time Since 2020 But Climate Goals Still at Risk

Global Construction Emissions Stall for First Time Since 2020 But Climate Goals Still at Risk

Breaking News, Climate Actions
For the first time since 2020, emissions from the global building and construction sector did not increase in 2024, according to a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction. While this marks a significant milestone the sector remains one of the world’s largest carbon emitters responsible for over a third of global emissions. The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024-2025, released on March 17, 2025 highlights emerging progress in decarbonization. Energy intensity in the sector dropped by nearly 10%, and the share of renewable energy in final energy demand rose by 5%. However the report warns that these improvements are not enough to keep climate goals within reach. Urgent Need for Stronger P...
Donald Trump Energy Emergency Sparks Controversy Over Fast Tracked Infrastructure Projects

Donald Trump Energy Emergency Sparks Controversy Over Fast Tracked Infrastructure Projects

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
A new national energy emergency declared by former President Donald Trump has ignited fierce debate over the fast-tracking of major energy and infrastructure projects across the U.S. The United States Army Corps of Engineers recently compiled a list of hundreds of projects including oil pipelines natural gas plants, and mining operations potentially eligible for expedited approval. However after facing a wave of criticism from environmental groups the Corps removed the list and promised a revised version. The move has raised alarm among environmental experts who warn that bypassing standard review processes could lead to significant ecological damage, including the destruction of wetlands and contamination of drinking water sources. What Defines an Emergency? While federal law all...
Global Sea Levels Rising Faster Than Expected Warmest Year on Record Pushes Oceans to New Heights

Global Sea Levels Rising Faster Than Expected Warmest Year on Record Pushes Oceans to New Heights

Breaking News, Climate Actions
Global sea levels rose at an alarming rate in 2024 surpassing previous predictions due to an unusual spike in ocean warming and melting land-based ice. According to a NASA led analysis the rate of rise last year was 0.23 inches (0.59 cm) per year, significantly higher than the expected 0.17 inches (0.43 cm) per year. Scientists attribute this sharp increase primarily to the thermal expansion of seawater process where ocean water expands as it warms. In a surprising shift, two-thirds of last year’s sea level rise came from thermal expansion reversing the usual trend where melting glaciers and ice sheets were the dominant contributors. Josh Willis sea level researcher at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California say “The rise we saw in 2024 was higher than we expected, Ever...
Climate Change Pushing Amphibians Beyond their Tolerance  Heatwave Study Warns

Climate Change Pushing Amphibians Beyond their Tolerance Heatwave Study Warns

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
A new study published in Nature has revealed that two per cent of the world’s amphibians are already experiencing temperatures beyond their tolerance limits raising alarms about the impact of global warming on these highly vulnerable species. Researchers studied 5,203 amphibian species and found that 104 are already exposed to overheating in shaded terrestrial conditions. The study warns that if global temperatures rise by 4°C, as many as 7.5 per cent (391 species) could be pushed beyond their physiological limits, significantly increasing the risk of extinction. Amphibians are ectothermic meaning they regulate body heat using external sources. As over 40 per cent of amphibian species are already under threat rising thermal extremes could accelerate their decline. Scientists analyzed...
Coffee Prices Hit Record Highs as Weather Wreaks Havoc on Global Supply

Coffee Prices Hit Record Highs as Weather Wreaks Havoc on Global Supply

Breaking News, Climate Actions
Global coffee prices surged to a multi year high in 2024 rising 38.8% compared to the previous year the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported. The steep increase was driven by extreme weather in key coffee-producing countries causing supply shortages and pushing prices to unprecedented levels. In December 2024 Arabica coffee known for its rich flavor was selling at 58% higher than the previous year while Robusta used in instant coffee saw a staggering 70% price surge. For the first time since the mid-1990s, the price gap between the two varieties narrowed significantly. FAO warned that coffee prices could rise further in 2025 if adverse weather continues to impact major growing regions. Viet Nam the world’s second-largest coffee producer, suffered a 20% drop in production ...
Mexico City Shallow Earthquakes Reveal Unexpected Risks Study Finds

Mexico City Shallow Earthquakes Reveal Unexpected Risks Study Finds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
A new study has highlighted the surprising strength of ground shaking caused by recent shallow earthquakes in Mexico City, raising concerns about the potential impact of moderate seismic events on the city's buildings. Researchers Miguel Jaimes and Gerardo Suárez from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) have modeled earthquake scenarios to assess possible damage emphasizing the role of local geology in amplifying shaking. Published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, the study analyzed three regions based on past seismic activity: La Magdalena Contreras (2023), San Juan de Aragón (2018), and the Milpa Alta and Juchitepec earthquakes (1995 and 1985, respectively). Their findings suggest that even moderate earthquakes, up to magnitude 5.5, could cause signi...
Study Finds Climate Change Increases Virus Risk from Sewage in Ocean

Study Finds Climate Change Increases Virus Risk from Sewage in Ocean

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
A new study suggests that climate change may be increasing the risk of exposure to sewage-associated viruses in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. The research, conducted by scientists including Jessica Kevill, found that extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and heatwaves can cause untreated sewage to enter natural water bodies, posing a significant health threat. Viruses like norovirus and adenovirus, which cause stomach illnesses, were found to persist in seawater for up to three days in high temperatures and even longer in cooler conditions. On cloudy days, these viruses remained viable for about 2.5 days, while sunlight exposure reduced their survival to less than 24 hours. Scientists warn that with increasing climate-related weather extremes, the risk of sewage contamin...