Wednesday, June 3News That Matters

Climate Actions

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...
Tornadoes Rip Through Midwest Southeast Killing 33 Leaving Trail of Destruction

Tornadoes Rip Through Midwest Southeast Killing 33 Leaving Trail of Destruction

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Tornadoes tore through the U.S. Midwest and Southeast, leaving at least 33 dead and entire communities in ruins. Missouri and Mississippi were among the worst-hit states with widespread devastation reported across multiple counties. Missouri authorities confirmed 12 fatalities across five counties. Butler County’s emergency management director, Robbie Myers, described the destruction of more than 500 homes church, and a grocery store. A mobile home park was completely leveled. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves reported six deaths in the state one in Covington County two in Jeff Davis County and three in Walthall County. At least 29 people were injured, with damage recorded in 21 counties. Arkansas also faced severe impacts with three deaths and 32 injuries confirmed by the state’s ...
Mediterranean Deepest Point Becomes Plastic Dump, Study Finds

Mediterranean Deepest Point Becomes Plastic Dump, Study Finds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments
The Mediterranean Sea has turned into Europe deepest garbage dump with plastic waste found at a record depth of 5,112 meters in the Calypso Deep a trench within the Ionian Sea. Researchers discovered 167 pieces of trash mostly plastic, along with metal cans and paper cartons at the bottom, according to a new study published in Marine Pollution Bulletin. Plastic made up 88% of the waste collected from the seabed. Though no interactions between the litter and rare deep-sea life were observed, scientists warn that pollution at such depths poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems. A team from the University of Barcelona used the high-tech manned submarine Limiting Factor to explore the Calypso Deep. The sub covered 650 meters in 43 minutes, revealing an alarming accumulation of waste....
Small Quakes Big Shakes Mexico City Faces Unexpected Seismic Threat

Small Quakes Big Shakes Mexico City Faces Unexpected Seismic Threat

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
recent study has revealed that a series of small, shallow earthquakes in Mexico City in 2019 and 2023 caused unexpectedly strong ground shaking, raising concerns about the impact of future moderate-sized quakes on the city's buildings. The findings, published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, suggest that even moderate tremors could cause significant damage, depending on the region’s underlying geology. Researchers Miguel Jaimes and Gerardo Suárez from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México analyzed potential damage scenarios for three key areas within the Mexico City basin, modeling earthquakes up to magnitude 5.5. Their simulations were based on past seismic events, including a 2023 quake in La Magdalena Contreras, the 2018 San Juan de Aragón earthquake, and ea...
Delhi Sees Best Air in Three Years Heatwave Alert for Karnataka

Delhi Sees Best Air in Three Years Heatwave Alert for Karnataka

Breaking News, Climate Actions
Delhi recorded its lowest Air Quality Index (AQI) in three years with an average of 85 on Saturday, marking a rare 'Satisfactory' air quality level for the first quarter of the year. The Commission for Air Quality Management confirmed that this was the first time since 2023 that Delhi achieved such clean air during this period. Meanwhile, temperatures are soaring in Karnataka, with the Kalaburagi district’s Ainapur Hobli village hitting 42.8°C in the past 24 hours. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts further temperature increases of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in northern interior Karnataka from March 15 to 17, with a heatwave warning in place for March 18-19. Southern Karnataka will also see a rise of 2-3 degrees Celsius. In Delhi-NCR, light rain was reported in some area...