Climate Actions Archives - Page 46 of 77

Feb102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

State of Emergency Declared in Santorini as Earthquake Swarm Intensifies

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

The Greek government has declared a state of emergency on the island of Santorini as the region experiences a relentless series of earthquakes. The "earthquake swarm," which began as minor tremors in late January, has escalated into a significant seismic event, shaking the island multiple times a day. The tremors are also affecting nearby islands in the Aegean Sea, with some quakes occurring just minutes apart. Escalating Seismic Activity Over the past two weeks, seismologists have recorded thousands of earthquakes, with as many as 30 daily exceeding magnitude 4.0. The largest so far, a magnitude 5.1 quake on February 6, was felt in Athens, Crete, and even parts of Turkey, more than 240 kilometers away. The earthquakes, occurring at depths of less than 10 kilometers, are shallow enou...

Feb102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

LA Schools Face Tough Road to Recovery After Wildfires

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

As Los Angeles County students return to school after devastating wildfires, the focus is on more than just rebuilding classrooms. With over 1,000 schools closed and 600,000 students affected, the impact extends beyond lost buildings it disrupts learning, mental well-being, and the stability schools provide. Learning Loss and Emotional Recovery Past disasters show that pushing students back into classrooms too quickly can be counterproductive. Florida reopened most schools just a week after Hurricane Ian in 2022, but experts suggest emotional healing must come before academic recovery. Following Hurricane Helene in 2024, North Carolina sent over 260 counselors to support affected students. Schools integrated recovery into lessons science teachers used water testing kits to analyze...

Feb102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate-Driven Wildfires Could Reshape Global Emissions Accounting: UN Expert

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Opinions

The growing impact of climate-driven wildfires is forcing a rethink in how greenhouse gas inventories calculate emissions, says Minal Pathak, an associate professor at Ahmedabad University and co-author of the United Nations Emissions Gap Report. For the first time, the 2024 report has included wildfire emissions, highlighting the complexities of accounting for these fires in global climate data. Pathak explains that wildfires are categorized as either natural or anthropogenic, with the latter resulting from activities like agricultural burning. While CO₂ from fires is often considered carbon neutral since forests can regrow and reabsorb emissions climate change is altering this balance, making it harder to predict how forests recover and store carbon. Recent wildfires in Los Angeles...

Feb102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Change Threatens Mediterranean Fisheries With 41% Drop in River Flow

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A new study by European scientists warns that freshwater flowing through rivers into the Mediterranean Sea could decline by as much as 41% due to climate change. The research, published on February 3, 2025, outlines a worst-case scenario in which global temperatures rise by 4°C above pre-industrial levels, drastically altering coastal ecosystems and threatening the region’s fisheries. The decrease in river flow would reduce freshwater and nutrient inputs, leading to lower primary productivity in the Mediterranean’s marine ecosystem. This would have cascading effects on the food chain, ultimately impacting commercially valuable seafood species. "The results show that 41% less river flow could slash marine productivity by 10% and fish biomass by 6% in the Mediterranean, leading to annu...

Feb82025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Megadroughts Expanding Globally as Climate Warms, New Study Finds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

A groundbreaking study published in Science has revealed that megadroughts severe, long-lasting dry spells have been increasing in size, duration, and intensity over the past four decades. Researchers found that the total land area affected by multiyear droughts has expanded by 50,000 square kilometers (12 million acres) annually, signaling an alarming trend driven by climate change. A Comprehensive Global Drought Catalog For the first time, scientists have compiled a global catalog of long-term drought events since 1980, assessing their effects on vegetation and ranking their severity. The research, led by Liangzhi Chen of the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow, and Landscape Research WSL, identified 13,176 individual droughts lasting longer than two years between 1980 and 201...

Feb82025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Canada over 540,000 New Homes Built in flood-prone Areas to Tackle climate risks

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

A groundbreaking report highlights how Canada can tackle its housing needs while avoiding catastrophic climate risks. It’s the first study in the country to quantify the economic damage of building homes in flood and wildfire-prone areas, urging a shift away from hazard zones to save billions and protect communities. The analysis warns that by 2030, over 540,000 new homes could be built in flood-prone areas, leading to $2 billion in annual damages. The financial burden will hit Manitoba and the Yukon hardest, with each new home in high-risk zones adding $1,200 per year in extra costs. The report calls for urgent action, recommending that housing developments be placed in safer areas. By planning smarter, Canada can prevent escalating disaster costs while ensuring its citizens have se...

Feb82025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Crisis hits African Mountains Harder than Expected

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments

A new study from the University of York reveals that climate change is impacting mountain communities in equatorial Africa far more severely than previously thought, demanding urgent adaptation measures. Researchers interviewed 1,500 smallholder farmers across ten mountain regions in eight countries including Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Rwanda and found widespread reports of rising temperatures, declining rainfall, increased extreme weather, and unpredictable seasons. These shifts are disrupting agriculture, reducing crop yields, and worsening food security for millions. Communities are adapting by changing farming methods, diversifying livelihoods, and improving water and soil management, but responses vary significantly across regions. Experts stress that a one-size-fits-all appro...

Feb82025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Warns World Cup 2026 Stadiums Face Extreme Heat Risk

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

A new study has raised serious concerns about the impact of extreme heat on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that nearly 90 percent of the tournament’s stadiums could face dangerous temperatures. Researchers found that 14 of the 16 host venues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico are at risk of exceeding critical heat stress levels, potentially affecting players, officials, and spectators. The research, conducted by Brunel University London, Queen’s University Belfast, and other institutions, analyzed 20 years of weather data and found that heat stress levels could surpass the 28°C threshold set by governing bodies as unsafe for play. If the summer of 2026 is hotter than average, as climate trends suggest, at least nine stadiums could see these extreme conditions for half the to...

Feb72025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Los Angeles Fires Leave Lasting Impact on Health, Environment, and Community

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check

The flames may have died down, but the aftermath of Los Angeles’ devastating wildfires continues to affect public health, the environment, and daily life. Experts at a recent UCLA Fielding School of Public Health event warned that the city is facing an epochal disaster that has transformed air, soil, and institutions. Air Quality and Health Risks Even miles away from the burn zones, smoke and toxic particles have impacted the air. PM2.5 fine particulate matter from wildfires can lodge deep in the lungs, causing heart and respiratory issues, said Yifang Zhu, a professor of environmental health sciences. Even when air looks clear, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may linger, making exposure dangerous. Michael Jerrett, an expert in climate and public health, highlighted the severe h...

Feb72025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

January Breaks Heat Record Despite La Niña, Cooling Predictions

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

The world witnessed yet another record-breaking warm month in January 2025, defying expectations of a cooler year due to a developing La Niña and a frigid winter in the United States, according to data from the European climate service Copernicus. Unprecedented January Heat Copernicus reported that January 2025 was 0.09°C hotter than January 2024, the previous warmest January on record, and 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels. This marks the 18th month out of the last 19 that global temperatures have touched or exceeded the 1.5°C warming limit set by international climate agreements. Despite La Niña’s typical cooling influence, global temperatures have not dropped as expected, raising concerns among climate scientists. Scientists Warn of Accelerating Global Warming A new stud...