Climate Actions Archives - Page 59 of 79

Dec62024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Arctic May Experience Its First Ice-Free Day by 2027, Study Warns

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments

The Arctic is on the brink of a dramatic environmental shift, with scientists predicting its first ice-free day as early as 2027, according to a study published in Nature Communications. Researchers from Colorado University (CU) Boulder and the University of Gothenburg have raised alarms about this milestone, which signifies sea ice shrinking to an area of 1 million square kilometers or less. Rapid Melting Trends Arctic sea ice is currently disappearing at an unprecedented rate of over 12% per decade, compared to its 1981-2010 average, NASA reports. By analyzing hundreds of climate simulations spanning from 2023 to 2100, researchers found that an ice-free Arctic is almost inevitable within 9 to 20 years, with the worst-case scenario placing this event just three years away. Implic...

Dec52024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Delhi Air Quality Improves to Moderate After 50 Days but ‘Poor’ Forecast Looms

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

New Delhi: After enduring over 50 days of high pollution Delhi experienced a significant improvement in air quality on Wednesday with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 178, categorised as 'moderate.' However the Air Quality Early Warning System predicts a decline to the 'poor' category by Friday. Strong surface winds helped disperse pollutants, offering much-needed relief. Visibility improved and the city's skies appeared clearer, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Out of 38 air quality monitoring stations, most recorded 'moderate' air quality, while eight registered 'poor' and Sri Aurobindo Marg reported 'very poor.' Current Weather Conditions: AQI: 178 ('moderate') on Wednesday, down from 268 on Tuesday. Temperature: Maximum of 28°C (3°C above ...

Dec42024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Greenland Accelerating Ice Melt Could Raise Sea Levels by One Meter by 2100

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The melting of Greenland’s ice sheet is accelerating at an alarming pace, with the potential to lose between 964 and 1,735 gigatons of ice annually by 2100 under high greenhouse gas emissions (SSP585), according to new research led by the University of Liège. This massive ice loss could lead to a rise in global sea levels by up to one meter, putting millions in coastal regions at risk. The Scale of the Crisis Recent studies, including one published in Geophysical Research Letters, reveal that Greenland currently contributes 25% to global sea-level rise, adding 0.6 millimeters per year. If melting continues unabated, this contribution could surge dramatically by the end of the century. Three regional climate models RACMO, MAR, and HIRHAM offer slightly varying predictions due to di...

Dec32024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Thailand Flooding Death Toll Rises to 25, Heavy Rain Expected to Continue

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

The death toll from devastating floods in southern Thailand has climbed to 25, with more than 660,000 homes affected since the deluge began on November 22, according to the country’s disaster management agency. Officials warned of days of continued heavy rain as the Thai weather agency forecast downpours to persist until December 5. The flooding, which has wreaked havoc across Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla, and Yala provinces, has displaced over 22,000 residents. The Thai government’s public relations department confirmed the scale of the disaster, which has overwhelmed local communities and left many struggling to rebuild. Among those severely impacted is Suwas Bin-Uma, a chicken farmer from Songkhla, who lost his entire flock of more than 10,000 birds. “I’ve lost at least 3 million...

Nov302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Mumbai Records Coldest Day in 8 Years at 16.5°C, Warmer Days Expected Ahead

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Mumbai experienced its coldest day in eight years on Friday, with the minimum temperature dipping to 16.5°C, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This was recorded by the Santacruz observatory, which monitors weather for the city’s suburbs. The Colaba observatory, representing the island city, registered a slightly warmer minimum temperature of 21.4°C. The last time Mumbai saw a colder November day was on November 11, 2016, when the temperature dropped to 16.3°C, IMD scientist Sushma Nair noted. No Cold Wave Alert Despite the drop in mercury, the IMD clarified that there is no cold wave alert for Mumbai or Maharashtra between November 30 and December 3. Temperatures are expected to rise after this period due to changes in weather systems over the Bay of Bengal. ...

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...