Climate Actions Archives - Page 53 of 77

Jan182025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

UNICEF Report Calls for Resilient Systems to Safeguard Children’s Futures in 2025

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A new report from UNICEF Innocenti, Prospects for Children in 2025: Building Resilient Systems for Children’s Futures, offers a comprehensive look at the challenges and opportunities children and young people are likely to face in the coming year. This latest edition of the Global Outlook series highlights the critical importance of resilience-building in systems that support children’s rights and well-being. The report paints a picture of a world where progress for children is achievable but warns of setbacks if urgent actions are not taken. UNICEF calls for systems that go beyond immediate service delivery, emphasizing the need for structures that are not only responsive to current challenges but also capable of anticipating future risks. A key focus of the report is the integratio...

Jan182025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

UNICEF Provides Critical Aid to Earthquake-Hit Tibet, Supporting Children and Families

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

UNICEF has mobilized emergency relief efforts to assist families and children affected by the devastating magnitude-6.8 earthquake that struck Dingri County in Tibet's Xizang Autonomous Region on January 7, 2025. The disaster, which also impacted nearby Sajia County, caused over 126 fatalities, injured 188 individuals, and displaced more than 30,000 people into temporary shelters. Amid freezing nighttime temperatures plunging to -17°C, over 10,000 children under the age of seven are enduring severe challenges in makeshift shelters. Pregnant women and infants face heightened vulnerabilities in such conditions. UNICEF Representative to China, Amakobe Sande, underscored the critical need for targeted support: “Children and pregnant women have specific needs in emergencies. UNICEF is act...

Jan172025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Fighting Poverty in Angola: A Climate-Challenged Journey of Resilience

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Huila, Angola – Frail and clutching her infant tightly, Ooli stands as a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. Living in a small, straw-and-mud shack in the remote Bata-Bata community of Huila province, she is one of the beneficiaries of Angola's flagship social protection program, Kwenda. Despite the support, her journey reflects the uphill battle many face in regions increasingly gripped by the dual challenges of poverty and climate change. With cash transfers from Kwenda, Ooli initially invested in pigs, hoping to establish a sustainable livelihood. However, the unrelenting dry season claimed the lives of her livestock. Undeterred, she used her next tranche of funds to buy chicks, which now roam freely near her home. Their survival, like Ooli's hope, depends on withstanding ...

Jan162025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global Risks 2025 Cyber Threats Top Concerns as Climate Change Rises

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment, Learning & Developments

As businesses prepare for 2025, the Allianz Risk Barometer reveals a landscape dominated by interlinked global challenges. Cyber-attacks, particularly data breaches, have been identified as the leading risk, with 38% of companies marking them as their top concern. Following closely are business interruptions (31%) and natural catastrophes (29%). Climate change climbs to its highest-ever position at #5, reflecting a year marked by extreme weather and record-breaking temperatures. Cybersecurity remains the top concern for businesses worldwide for the fourth consecutive year. The increasing sophistication of cyber threats, exacerbated by advances in artificial intelligence, has businesses on edge. Data breaches remain the most feared cyber incident, followed by attacks on critical infrastr...

Jan162025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

DO NOT DRINK Notice in LA Wildfires Pose Dual Threat High Winds and Water Contamination Risks

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

As LA wildfires rage on, high winds are expected to worsen conditions, amplifying the destruction and raising new concerns about drinking water safety. Last week, Pasadena Water and Power issued its first-ever "Do Not Drink" notice to a third of its customers, citing the risk of toxic chemicals infiltrating the water supply after infrastructure damage. Although the advisory has since been lifted for most areas, the incident highlights the hidden dangers urban fires pose to water systems. Unlike wildfires in forests, urban fires wreak havoc on critical infrastructure. Andrew Whelton, a Purdue University professor, explains that ash, soot, and debris can enter water systems when pressure drops during a fire. Compounds released from burning synthetic materials are especially harmful, even ...

Jan162025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Cyclone Floods Drive India’s Catastrophe Losses to $12 Billion in 2023

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

In 2023, natural disasters caused unprecedented economic losses of $12 billion (₹1 lakh crore) in India, according to a Swiss Re report. The year saw devastating floods and tropical cyclones (TCs) Biparjoy and Michaung, far surpassing the decade’s annual average of $8 billion in losses. Cyclone Biparjoy, a Category 3 storm, made landfall in Gujarat’s Kutch region on June 16, 2023, causing widespread destruction. Strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges shut down major ports, including Kandla and Mundra, while neighboring Maharashtra and Rajasthan also suffered damages. Chennai Battered by Cyclone Michaung Cyclone Michaung struck Chennai on December 5, 2023, bringing torrential rains that inflicted heavy economic losses on Tamil Nadu. Between July 10-15, 2023, northern Ind...

Jan152025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Mining Impact on Rivers Flood Risks in Dynamic Channels

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Thoughts & Talks

Rivers are often subjected to human interventions such as structural confinement and aggregate mining, which significantly alter their natural flow and topography. A recent study conducted on the gravel-bed Bislak River in the Philippines sheds light on how these activities influence river morphology, hydraulics, and flood risks. Using repeat, system-scale, high-resolution topographic surveys, researchers examined annual morphological changes in the Bislak River. They coupled this data with two-dimensional hydraulic modeling to simulate the impacts on flood risk. The findings highlight a complex interplay between human actions, sediment dynamics, and river hydraulics. Key Findings Sediment Dynamics and Topography Aggregate mining was found to export sediment from the river, lea...

Jan152025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

January 2025 USA in Fire Los Angeles Disaster Wildfires Destroy Thousands of Homes

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

January 2025 has brought devastating wildfires to the Los Angeles area with investigators racing to uncover their origins. The fires, driven by fierce winds, have ravaged thousands of homes, leaving communities in ruins. Early findings suggest that human activities, utility infrastructure, or equipment failures may be to blame, as lightning was absent during the outbreaks. Human activities play a significant role in igniting these blazes. The deadly 2023 Maui fire, for example, began with a broken power line, while California’s largest fire in 2024 started when a burning car was pushed into a ravine near Chico, destroying over 700 structures. This year’s fires are yet another reminder of the devastating impact of human-related ignitions. Wildfires thrive on three elements: conduc...

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...