Climate Actions Archives - Page 43 of 66

Jan142025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Harris County’s Coordinated Response: Supporting Vulnerable Residents During Hurricane Beryl and the Derecho

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl and the May 2024 derecho, Harris County demonstrated the effectiveness of proactive planning and coordinated efforts to support vulnerable residents. These incidents caused extensive damage, widespread power outages, and significant challenges for the community. By leveraging the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR), the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) provided critical aid to those in need. What is STEAR? The State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) was established to identify and assist residents with disabilities, medical needs, and other challenges during emergencies. Registered residents receive wellness checks, medical aid, and logistical support during disasters. Faci...

Jan142025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global Plastic Waste Crisis Only 9% Recycled, Systemic Change Urged

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Despite growing awareness of the plastic waste crisis, the world continues to fall short in addressing the problem effectively. According to data from the OECD, only 9% of global plastic waste was recycled in 2023, with the rest either incinerated (19%), mismanaged (22%), or landfilled (49%). The United States, as the world’s largest plastic polluter, recycles a mere 5% of its household plastic waste. Around the globe, plastic waste mismanagement remains a pressing environmental challenge, with much of it ending up in oceans or other ecosystems. Why Recycling Falls Short The illusion of effective recycling hides deeper systemic flaws. The recycling process is hindered by the incompatibility of many plastic types, with only PET (#1) and HDPE (#2) being widely recyclable. Sorting an...

Jan132025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Dangerous Winds Fuel Deadly Los Angeles Wildfires, Death Toll Rises

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

Los Angeles is battling devastating wildfires as officials warn of "dangerous and strong" winds threatening to intensify the infernos that have already claimed 16 lives. Thousands have been displaced, with entire neighborhoods reduced to ashes and firefighters struggling to contain the relentless flames. The Palisades Fire, the largest blaze, has consumed 23,600 acres and is just 11% contained. It continues to spread, posing a grave threat to the Getty Center art museum and the San Fernando Valley. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire has scorched 14,000 acres with only 15% containment. FEMA head Deanne Criswell emphasized the ongoing danger, warning that gusts could reach 50 mph, further fueling the wildfires. Though a brief lull offered hope, forecasters predict winds will pick up again overn...

Jan132025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

2025 NDC Update: Bridging Adaptation Plans with Paris Agreement Goals

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

As the 2025 update to nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement approaches, a new briefing highlights the opportunity for countries to align their NDCs with their national adaptation plans (NAPs). The review assesses how adaptation-related information presented in these key documents can be better integrated, offering a roadmap for policymakers to strengthen climate action. This briefing is particularly aimed at national policymakers and NAP teams responsible for adaptation planning and implementation. It underscores the critical role of the 2025 NDC update in enhancing the coherence between the NAP process and NDC commitments, ensuring that adaptation measures are effectively mainstreamed into national climate strategies. By synthesizing insights from coun...

Jan132025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Winter Storm Paralyzes Mid-Atlantic as NOAA Satellites Prove Vital

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Space, Tech

On January 6, 2025, a ferocious winter storm swept through Washington, D.C., and the Mid-Atlantic region, bringing life to a halt with heavy snowfall, icy winds, and widespread disruptions. As the storm wreaked havoc across states, NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) played a critical role in forecasting and mitigating its impact, proving indispensable in the face of extreme weather. The storm began its journey across the Central Plains, leaving a trail of heavy snow and plunging temperatures in states like Missouri, Kansas, and Ohio. By the time it reached the Mid-Atlantic, it had gathered strength, blanketing Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia in thick layers of snow. In the nation’s capital, over five inches of snow accumulated by eve...

Jan112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

La Niña Makes a Comeback Cooler Pacific Waters Signal Global Weather Shifts

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

The phenomenon of La Niña has officially returned to the Pacific Ocean, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which announced its emergence on Thursday, January 9. Cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures have been recorded in the central and eastern Pacific, signaling the onset of La Niña conditions after more than a year of unusually warm ocean temperatures. NOAA confirmed that the shift began in December 2024, marking the first La Niña phase since the 2020–2023 cycle. Though the current event is classified as weak, its timing and potential impacts on global weather patterns are drawing significant attention. La Niña, part of the larger El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, is known for altering atmospheric conditions worldwide. The ...

Jan112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Hydroclimate Whiplash Intensifies Amid Global Warming, Researchers Warn

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

Rapid swings between extreme wet and dry weather known as hydroclimate whiplash are accelerating globally due to climate change, with further escalation expected as temperatures rise, according to a study led by UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain. The study, published in Nature Reviews, highlights the role of the "expanding atmospheric sponge," a phenomenon where the atmosphere absorbs, evaporates, and releases 7% more water for every degree Celsius of global warming. This process intensifies the swings between droughts and floods, posing new challenges for water and disaster management. California offers a vivid illustration of hydroclimate whiplash. Following years of drought, the state experienced record-breaking precipitation during the winters of 2022-23, triggering floods, sno...

Jan112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Saint Kitts Farmers Battle Drought with Climate Tech Amid Mounting Water Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

On the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts, farmers like Meshach Alford face the daily struggle of nurturing crops in bone-dry soil. "I have planted crops, and there has been no water for weeks, for months," says Alford, who farms 11 hectares in Saint Paul’s. "Even 18 inches deep, the soil is still dry." This harsh reality is becoming increasingly common in Saint Kitts and Nevis, a twin-island nation grappling with the growing impacts of climate change. Drought, once a rare occurrence, is now disrupting livelihoods and threatening food security. Rainfall, the islands' sole source of potable water, has diminished significantly, leaving 80% of Saint Kitts residents facing regular water outages. Unpredictable Seasons, Uncertain Futures "What was considered a wet season is no longer a wet...

Jan102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Researchers Reveal Ancient Hotspot Shaped Formation of Great Lakes

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments

New evidence suggests that the Great Lakes owe their extraordinary size and depth not just to Ice Age glacial activity but also to ancient geological processes. A study published in Geophysical Research Letters highlights the role of a geographic hotspot that interacted with the Earth's lithosphere millions of years ago, reshaping our understanding of these iconic water bodies' origins. As the ancient supercontinent Pangea drifted over the hotspot, the Earth's lithosphere thinned. This thinning made the region's crust more fragile and susceptible to deformation, paving the way for significant geological transformations over time. Seismic Wave Analysis Confirms Deformation Seismic wave data provided key evidence for the hotspot's role. Unusual horizontal wave movements beneath ...

Jan102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Rising Temperatures and Warnings: Latest Climate Research Highlights Urgent Action Needed

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

As global temperatures soared to record highs in 2024, the urgency to address climate change is intensifying. New research underscores how rapidly the planet is warming and reveals unexpected consequences of climate shifts, from ocean changes to wildfires and ecosystem transformations. Recent findings suggest Earth may have already reached 1.5°C of warming above pre-industrial levels, a critical threshold that could lead to irreversible climate impacts. A November 2024 study based on 2,000 years of atmospheric gas data from Antarctic ice cores indicates that warming hit 1.49°C in 2023. Unlike previous calculations, which used a baseline from 1850-1900, this analysis extends the pre-industrial baseline back to 13 CE, offering a broader historical perspective. The warming Atlantic Ocea...