Climate Actions Archives - Page 59 of 77

Nov182024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Delhi’s Air Pollution Disrupts Flights and Trains Amid Smog Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

Severe smog blanketed Delhi on Monday, reducing visibility and causing significant disruptions to train and flight operations. The worsening air quality, classified as “severe plus,” led to delays across the city’s transportation network. Over 160 flights, including 118 departures and 43 arrivals, were delayed at Indira Gandhi International Airport by 8:30 am due to reduced visibility, according to Flightradar24. The airport activated low visibility procedures and issued an advisory urging passengers to stay updated with their airlines about flight statuses. Smog also disrupted train operations, delaying over 28 trains arriving at New Delhi and Anand Vihar Railway stations by two to nine hours. Passengers were seen waiting outside stations amid the confusion. Severe Air Quality Tr...

Nov162024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Scientists Suggest That Octopus Could Rule Earth if Humans Disappear

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments

As humanity grapples with existential threats like climate change and technological advancements, scientists have pondered a thought-provoking question: which species might dominate the Earth if humans were to vanish? One intriguing answer has emerged the octopus. Renowned for their intelligence and adaptability, octopuses possess a unique combination of traits that could position them as Earth’s future rulers in a post-human world. Their advanced nervous system, problem-solving abilities, and capacity for learning make them unlike most other animals. "Octopuses are among the most intelligent, adaptable, and resourceful creatures on Earth," said Professor Tim Coulson of the University of Oxford. "With their dexterity, curiosity, and ability to communicate, they are in pole position t...

Nov162024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Typhoon Man-yi Nears Philippines Forcing Evacuations Amid Ongoing Recovery Efforts

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

The Philippines braces for another powerful storm as Typhoon Man-yi approaches, bringing winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour. Expected to make landfall on Catanduanes Island late Saturday, authorities have initiated mass evacuations, moving hundreds of residents to safer areas. Roberto Monterola, operations chief of the Catanduanes civil defense office, expressed concern over the lack of sufficient evacuation centers. “Some evacuees will need to shelter with neighbors whose homes are built with stronger materials,” he stated, adding that thousands more are expected to evacuate before the typhoon strikes. This comes as the nation is still reeling from Typhoon Usagi, which caused extensive flooding, uprooted trees, and damaged infrastructure in Kaigan Province earlier this week. Res...

Nov152024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

NASA Unveils Sea Level Data to Support Coastal Communities

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations, Tech

NASA has launched a global sea level change platform to help coastal communities prepare for the rising oceans disrupting livelihoods and infrastructure worldwide. Accessible through the Earth Information Center, the platform offers projections of sea level rise until 2150 and flood risks for the next 30 years, integrating data from ice sheets, ocean monitoring, and climate assessments. Developed in collaboration with organizations like the World Bank, U.S. Department of Defense, and the United Nations, the tool aims to guide critical planning and adaptation strategies. "NASA innovates for humanity," said Karen St. Germain, head of NASA’s Earth Science Division. "This data supports communities in addressing natural hazards and planning for resilience." Rising Faster Than Ever NASA...

Nov152024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

COP29 Urges Swift Action on Early Warnings for Extreme Weather

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Thoughts & Talks

Baku, Azerbaijan: A flagship campaign to ensure universal access to life-saving early warning systems is gaining momentum, but vulnerable nations continue to bear the brunt of climate disasters, leaders stressed at COP29. The high-level event spotlighted the UN Secretary-General's Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, which aims to protect everyone from hazardous weather and climate events by 2027. “This year is on track to be the hottest in history, marked by record-breaking heatwaves, rains, and deadly droughts,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “Early warning systems are no longer a luxury; they are a necessity and a sound investment, with a ten-fold return.” COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev highlighted that effective early warning systems could avert losses of up ...

Nov152024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Strengthening Social Protection: An Urgent Economic and Climate Necessity

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

As climate change intensifies and economic uncertainties mount, robust social protection systems have become essential for resilience and inclusive development. A new report by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) underscores the critical need to address financing gaps to strengthen these systems and safeguard vulnerable populations. Far from being a mere expense, social protection is an investment in people that yields significant socioeconomic returns. Research highlights its role as an economic stabilizer, particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when cash assistance programs and unemployment benefits supported incomes and stabilized aggregate demand. Such measures demonstrate how social protection systems enhance resilience and foster social c...

Nov152024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

ESCAP Says Robust Social Protection Systems Vital Amid Climate Challenges

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

New Delhi: As climate change and economic uncertainties intensify, robust social protection systems are becoming a necessity, not a choice, warns the Social Outlook 2024 report by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The report highlights a dire need to close financing gaps to safeguard vulnerable populations and build resilience. The Asia-Pacific region currently spends only 8.2% of its GDP on social protection, significantly below the global average of 12.9%. ESCAP cautions that without increased investment, rising poverty driven by climate change, digital disparities, and aging populations could become unavoidable. Social protection is more than a safety net; it’s an investment that stabilizes economies during crises. This was evident during the COV...

Nov152024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Delhi’s Air Quality Deteriorates: Second Most Polluted City in the World

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

New Delhi: Delhi's air quality remains in the "severe" category for the third consecutive day, with the city now ranked the second most polluted globally. According to Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir, Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 498 on Friday morning, trailing only Lahore, Pakistan, which reported a shocking AQI of 770. Top Polluted Areas in Delhi The Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app highlighted the city’s worst-affected areas: Jahangirpuri: AQI 458 Bawana: AQI 455 Wazirpur: AQI 455 Rohini: AQI 452 Punjabi Bagh: AQI 443 Transport Hit Hard by Smog Thick smog reduced visibility across the city, with Palam and Safdarjung areas reporting visibility as low as 500m and 400m, respectively. This has severely disrupted transport servic...

Nov142024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Geospatial Technologies Propel Climate Adaptation Efforts Across Asia

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Tech

Climate change, a crisis that defies national borders, demands urgent action as highlighted by the latest State of the Climate in Asia report. This report warns that extreme weather events like storms, heatwaves, and floods are intensifying, and rising sea levels are worsening the risks for coastal communities. In response, geospatial technologies are proving essential in Asia's climate adaptation efforts, enabling precise monitoring, risk assessment, and disaster preparedness. In Japan, the Arakawa 3D Flood Hazard Map offers Tokyo’s residents real-time flood risk data for the Arakawa River area, detailing inundation depths and flood retention times. By integrating live camera feeds, residents can gauge potential flooding impacts on homes or workplaces and make timely evacuation plans. ...

Nov142024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Toxic Smog Engulfs New Delhi as Air Pollution Soars to 50 Times WHO Limit

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

New Delhi, India – A dense toxic smog blanketed New Delhi on Wednesday, with pollution levels surging to over 50 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily limit. Residents of the sprawling city of over 30 million grappled with choking air, as monitoring firm IQAir reported hazardous levels of PM2.5 pollutants topping 806 micrograms per cubic meter – microparticles that pose severe risks as they can enter the bloodstream through the lungs. Many in the city cannot afford air filters or create sealed indoor spaces to protect themselves, and the smog has led to delayed flights, with visibility dropping below 500 meters in Delhi and even lower at 18 airports across northern India. The hazardous air is attributed to a range of factors, including agricultural stubble burning i...