Climate Actions Archives - Page 47 of 66

Nov272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Japan Innovates Disaster Preparedness with VR and Interactive Tools

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Tech

The devastating torrential rains that struck western Japan in 2018 highlighted the need for improved disaster preparedness, especially in Hiroshima Prefecture, where many residents were caught off guard by mudslides and other natural disasters. In response, a range of innovative tools using virtual and augmented reality, as well as interactive games, have been developed to educate and protect communities. VR Brings Disaster Risks to Life in Hiroshima Hiroshima Prefecture, in partnership with Hiroshima University and Tokyo-based disaster prevention company Rikei Corp., has created VR-based materials to simulate natural disaster scenarios. These tools aim to raise awareness of the dangers posed by disasters such as mudslides and heavy rains. By immersing residents in realistic simulati...

Nov272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Timor-Leste Fight Against Climate Disasters Blend of Technology and Community Action

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Tech

Timor-Leste, a small island nation in Southeast Asia, is on the frontlines of the climate crisis, grappling with the devastating impacts of extreme weather. However, a combination of local knowledge, cutting-edge technology, and support from the United Nations is helping its communities better prepare for disasters. In April 2021, catastrophic flash floods swept through Timor-Leste, killing over 30 people and destroying 4,000 homes. Orlalan, a remote village of nearly 6,000 people, was among the worst-hit areas. With limited disaster preparedness, residents were caught off guard as landslides and floodwaters surged. Today, community leaders like Armandina Valentina are driving grassroots efforts to ensure their neighbors are better equipped for the next disaster. She tirelessly educa...

Nov262024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Breaking News Depression in Bay of Bengal Intensifies, Landfall Expected Between Chennai and Puducherry

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a critical alert as a depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal and East Equatorial Indian Ocean moves toward the Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu coasts. The weather system is expected to intensify into a deep depression within the next 24 hours and could potentially make landfall between Chennai and Puducherry in the coming days. Current Position and Movement As of 11:30 AM IST on November 25, the depression was located at: 5.1°N latitude and 84.5°E longitude Approximately 530 km southeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka) 810 km southeast of Nagappattinam 920 km southeast of Puducherry 1,000 km south-southeast of Chennai The system is currently moving west-northwestward at a speed of 30 km/h. IMD’s Projections Accor...

Nov252024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Japan and UNDP to Build 12 Evacuation Centers in Laos to Strengthen Disaster Resilience

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Vientiane: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Government of Japan, is set to construct 12 evacuation centers in the provinces of Khammouane, Salavan, and Champasack over the next three years. This initiative, valued at approximately USD 3.8 million, aims to enhance disaster preparedness and safeguard vulnerable communities in Laos. At the signing ceremony, H.E. Mr. Koizumi Tsutomu, Ambassador of Japan to Laos, emphasized the broader goals of the project: "Through this project, we aim to enhance disaster resilience, not only by ensuring the safety of people during emergencies but also by fostering a culture of disaster awareness and preparedness in advance." The "Strengthening Disaster Response Capacity through the Improvement of Evacuation Shelt...

Nov252024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global Cities Fail to Meet Tree Canopy Goals Despite Abundance of Trees

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

New research has revealed that most global cities, including Melbourne and Sydney, lack adequate tree canopy coverage, even though trees are abundant in urban landscapes. The study, published in Nature Communications, measured over 2.5 million buildings across eight cities using the '3-30-300' rule, a benchmark for sustainable urban nature access. Melbourne and Sydney Fall Short The study found that only 3% of buildings in Melbourne's inner suburbs had sufficient canopy cover, despite 44% of buildings having views of at least three trees. Central Sydney performed slightly better, with 17% of buildings shaded adequately, though 84% of buildings had views of three or more trees. Lead researcher Dr. Thami Croeser from the Centre for Urban Research said urgent action is needed to incr...

Nov232024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Finds Global Cities Falling Short on Tree Canopy Cover for Urban Health

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

New research analyzing access to urban greenery across eight major global cities, including Melbourne and Sydney, reveals alarming gaps in tree canopy cover, despite the presence of visible trees. The study, published in Nature Communications, applies the ‘3-30-300’ rule, a sustainable cities benchmark, to evaluate urban nature access and its benefits. The '3-30-300' Rule Explained The rule, developed by Dutch urban forestry expert Professor Cecil Konijnendijk, suggests every home, school, and workplace should: Have a view of at least three trees. Be in a neighborhood with 30% tree canopy cover. Be within 300 meters of a park. While most buildings in the study met the "three trees" requirement, almost all cities fell short of the 30% canopy cover benchmark. Key Findi...

Nov212024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Tamil Nadu Declares Extreme Heat a State-Specific Disaster: A Welcome Move with Caveats

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

In a significant step towards tackling the growing threats of climate change, the Tamil Nadu government officially notified extreme heat as a State-specific disaster in October. This decision broadens the scope of institutional mechanisms to protect those at risk of heat-related health issues or fatalities, offering a safety net for citizens during deadly heatwaves. However, while the move reflects foresight in addressing climate-induced risks, there are critical aspects that warrant closer scrutiny. Expanded Welfare Responsibilities By recognizing extreme heat as a disaster, Tamil Nadu takes on the responsibility to mitigate its effects, aligning with the broader mandate of public welfare. The notification includes proactive measures such as ensuring access to medical care, provi...

Nov212024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Can Cloud Seeding Help Delhi Breathe Cleaner Air?

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments

Delhi is grappling with its annual air pollution crisis, with Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in the “severe plus” category, consistently above 450. In response, Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for assistance in deploying cloud seeding a controversial technique to induce artificial rain and potentially reduce pollution levels. What is Cloud Seeding? Cloud seeding, also known as artificial rain, involves dispersing substances like silver iodide, potassium iodide, or dry ice into clouds to stimulate precipitation. These particles act as nuclei around which water droplets form, potentially triggering rainfall. The process can be carried out via aircraft, rockets, or ground-based generators. In theory, the rainfall generated could "wa...

Nov212024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Century of Climate Change From Discovery to Critical Decisions

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In September 1933, American meteorologist Joseph Kincer posed a now-crucial question: Is the climate changing? This query marked the beginning of modern efforts to understand humanity’s impact on the planet’s climate. By examining global temperature trends, Kincer concluded the world was warming, though he did not propose a cause. Five years later, in 1938, British engineer Guy Callendar attributed a 0.3°C rise in land temperatures over 50 years to increased carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal. This built upon earlier theories of the greenhouse effect, laying the groundwork for understanding human-driven climate change. Accelerating Warming Today, global climate monitoring relies on a sophisticated network of weather stations, satellites, and forecast models that track chan...

Nov202024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Great Barrier Reef Faces Record Coral Mortality Amid Bleaching Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments

The Great Barrier Reef, a global icon of marine biodiversity, has suffered unprecedented coral loss, with Australian researchers reporting the highest mortality on record. Surveys conducted by the Australian Institute of Marine Science revealed up to 72% coral mortality across 12 reefs, driven by a summer of extreme weather, including mass bleaching, two cyclones, and flooding. Severe Decline in Northern Reefs In the reef's northern section, a third of hard coral perished the largest annual decline in 39 years of monitoring. Scientists fear similar devastation may have occurred in other parts of the 2,300-kilometer-long reef, known as the world's largest living structure. Mass bleaching occurs when rising sea temperatures force corals to expel the microscopic algae (zooxanthellae)...