Friday, December 20News That Matters

Climate Actions

Unveiling the Chilling Reality: Climate Change’s Alarming Impact on Glacial Meltdown Threatens Global Climate Stability

Unveiling the Chilling Reality: Climate Change’s Alarming Impact on Glacial Meltdown Threatens Global Climate Stability

Breaking News, Climate Actions
As the world grapples with the escalating crisis of climate change, a sobering revelation emerges: glaciers are vanishing at an unprecedented pace, heralding potentially catastrophic consequences for our planet's climate system. Amidst this dire prognosis, a longstanding study resurfaces, warning of a looming collapse of the Gulf Stream – a vital ocean current crucial to maintaining climate equilibrium. The Gulf Stream, an oceanic juggernaut originating in the Gulf of Mexico, serves as a linchpin in regulating North Atlantic climate patterns, transporting warmth from the Equator to higher latitudes. However, as glaciers melt at an alarming rate, the delicate balance of this crucial current hangs in the balance, threatening to plunge regions into a climatic abyss. According to the stu...
India Develops State-of-the-Art Earth System Model for Climate Change Assessment

India Develops State-of-the-Art Earth System Model for Climate Change Assessment

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
In a significant stride towards climate research and assessment, India has successfully developed its first indigenous Earth System Model (ESM) known as the IITM-ESM. This cutting-edge model was developed at the Centre for Climate Change Research (CCCR), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The IITM-ESM marks a milestone in India's climate science capabilities and has played a crucial role in the latest Sixth Assessment Report prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It provides valuable insights into climate change dynamics, enabling policymakers and researchers to make informed decisions. Supported by an allocation of Rs. 192.28 crores under the Monsoon Convection, Clouds and Climate Change (MC4) sub-scheme ...
India Launches Pilot Projects for Green Hydrogen in Shipping Sector

India Launches Pilot Projects for Green Hydrogen in Shipping Sector

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments, Thoughts & Talks
In a significant move towards sustainable maritime transport, the Government of India has unveiled guidelines for pilot projects aimed at integrating green hydrogen into the shipping sector. Issued under the National Green Hydrogen Mission by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) on February 1, 2024, these guidelines mark a pivotal step towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting clean energy in maritime transportation. Under the ambit of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the MNRE will spearhead pilot projects in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and designated implementing agencies. With a total budgetary outlay of Rs. 115 crores until the fiscal year 2025-26, these projects will focus on two key areas: retrofitting existing shi...
How Climate Change is shaping the geographies: A Looming Challenge for India

How Climate Change is shaping the geographies: A Looming Challenge for India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
India, a land of vibrant diversity and ancient wisdom, stands today at a crossroads. While it races towards economic progress and global prominence, it also grapples with a formidable foe – climate change. This essay delves into the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change to India, exploring its impact on various sectors and the urgent need for action. The Scorching Grip of Changes in various dimensions: India's climate, characterized by monsoons and diverse ecosystems, is already witnessing a worrying shift. Rising temperatures, with some regions recording spikes of 5°C above normal, are disrupting weather patterns. Erratic rainfall, with intense bursts followed by prolonged dry spells, threatens agricultural productivity and water security. The melting glaciers of the Himalayas...
Role of Private Sector’s  in Green Transition: Highlights of Climate Conference 2024 in Mumbai

Role of Private Sector’s in Green Transition: Highlights of Climate Conference 2024 in Mumbai

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Mumbai, Maharashtra witnessed the Climate Conference 2024 on January 12, 2024, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Themed "Decoding the Green Transition for India," the event focused on the integral role of the private sector, climate tech startups, and institutional investors in mobilizing financial resources and technical capabilities. The conference aimed to leverage government initiatives, involve civil society and communities, and promote innovative climate services and adaptation technologies. Key dignitaries present at the inaugural session included Ms. Leena Nandan, Environment Secretary, Mr. Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, Mr. K Rajaraman, Chairman, IFSCA, Mr. Mike Hankey, U.S. Consul General, and Mr. Nadir Godrej, Chairman & ...
Study Reveals Major US Atlantic Coast Cities Are Sinking at Alarming Rates

Study Reveals Major US Atlantic Coast Cities Are Sinking at Alarming Rates

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Thoughts & Talks
A recent study has uncovered a concerning reality for major cities on the US Atlantic coast, including New York City, Long Island, and other coastal regions – they are sinking at a rate of 2mm per year. The sinking land poses significant threats, raising concerns about flooding, long-term viability, and the potential impact on densely populated areas. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences, sheds light on the impact of sinking land on major metropolitan areas like Baltimore, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. These coastal cities are already susceptible to flooding, and the additional threat of sinking land amplifies the risks. While the sinking may appear gradual, researchers emphasize that the consequences are real and pose a serious threat to th...
Impending Catastrophe in Kashmir as Over 100 Rock Glaciers Face Melting Threat

Impending Catastrophe in Kashmir as Over 100 Rock Glaciers Face Melting Threat

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the Amrita School for Sustainable Futures of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kerala, has unveiled a looming environmental crisis in Kashmir. The research, led by Assistant Professor Remya S. N, reveals that more than 100 active permafrost structures, commonly known as rock glaciers, in the region are at risk of melting, posing a severe threat to the Jhelum river basin. According to a report published in Down To Earth (DTE), the study indicates that these rock glaciers, which accumulate large amounts of water, are showing signs of swelling and displacement, indicative of permafrost melting. If the temperatures continue to rise, it could lead to massive devastation in the Jhelum basin, with potentially disastrous consequences for the region...
Assessing Coastal Vulnerability to climate and non-climate drivers: Major Concerns for Coastal residing mega cities

Assessing Coastal Vulnerability to climate and non-climate drivers: Major Concerns for Coastal residing mega cities

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
Climate change is global phenomena, which impacting humanity form multi-dimensional way. The sea level rise is currently one of the most important climate change pressures along the coastal belt across the globe before the humanity. Recent reports and analysis says that, it is expected to continue rising and possibly accelerate during this century due to the increase in the average global surface temperature, and contributions from changes in ice sheet dynamics. The data analyzed by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC AR4) that the sea level is projected to rise between the present (1980 to 1999) and the end of the 21st century (2090 to 2099) under the six SRES scenarios1 by between 18 and 59 centimeters. The global mean sea-level rise scenarios or p...
Green signal given to PRITHvi VIgyan scheme to fight Natural Disasters

Green signal given to PRITHvi VIgyan scheme to fight Natural Disasters

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments
The Union Cabinet Chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the overarching scheme “PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)” of Ministry of Earth Sciences, for implementation during the period from 2021-26 at an overall cost of Rs. 4,797 crore. The scheme encompasses five ongoing sub-schemes namely “Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS)”, “Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)”, “Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER)”, “Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE)” and “Research, Education, Training and Outreach (REACHOUT)”. The major Objectives of the overarching Prithvi Scheme are: Augmentation and sustainance of long-term observations of the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere and solid e...
Satellite Technology Emerges as a Lifesaver for Utilities and Disasters Impacts Assessments

Satellite Technology Emerges as a Lifesaver for Utilities and Disasters Impacts Assessments

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Space, Thoughts & Talks
Amidst these challenges, satellite technology has emerged as a beacon of hope for utilities. Leveraging high-resolution, multispectral imaging techniques, satellites contribute significantly to disaster management, offering real-time data, continuous monitoring, and risk assessment. The advantages of satellite technology for utilities in disaster management are manifold. Accuracy and Availability of Near Real-Time Data: In times of storms and disasters, rapid response is crucial for saving lives and minimizing risks. Satellites provide accurate, continuous, and near real-time data, transcending geographical, weather, and terrain limitations. With thousands of earth observation satellites capturing data through optical, LiDAR, radar, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery, utilitie...