Climate Actions Archives - Page 75 of 78

Apr282024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

El Niño Fades, ENSO-Neutral Conditions Expected in May

The recent observations from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and the Climate Prediction Center (CPC-NOAA) suggest a transition from El Niño to ENSO-neutral conditions in the tropical Pacific. Despite indications of El Niño persisting, the intensity has notably diminished since its peak in March 2024. Ocean surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific have shown a gradual cooling trend, with negative sub-surface anomalies extending westward. Key indicators like the Nino 3.4 index, which reflects sea surface temperature anomalies, are steadily declining and are projected to reach the threshold for ENSO-neutral conditions within the next few weeks. Additionally, the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) remains within the ENSO-neutral range, indicating a shift towards neutral co...

Apr272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Drought Threatens Endangered Hippos in Botswana’s Okavango Delta

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

In Botswana's northern region near the vast wetlands of the Okavango Delta, herds of endangered hippos are facing a dire situation as severe drought grips the area. The dried-up Thamalakane River, exacerbated by the El Nino weather phenomenon, has left these magnificent creatures stranded in dried-up ponds, raising concerns about their survival. Conservation authorities have sounded the alarm, warning that the hippos, already endangered, are at risk of dying if immediate action is not taken. The scarcity of water has forced the animals to seek refuge in natural water reserves near the tourist town of Maun, further highlighting the severity of the situation. Lesego Moseki, spokesperson for Botswana's Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), expressed concern over the compromi...

Apr212024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Change to Shrink Global GDP by Almost a Fifth by 2050, Study Warns

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In a stark warning, researchers revealed on Wednesday that climate change caused by carbon dioxide emissions already present in the atmosphere will lead to a substantial contraction of global GDP by 2050, amounting to nearly US$38 trillion, or almost a fifth of the total. Published in the journal Nature, the study underscores the urgent need for aggressive carbon emission reduction efforts to mitigate the economic fallout. Even under the most aggressive emission reduction scenarios, the researchers caution that significant economic losses are inevitable. The study predicts that economic repercussions from climate change could escalate to tens of trillions of dollars annually by 2100 if global warming exceeds two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. With Earth's average surfac...

Apr202024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Antarctic Ice Shelf Reveals Daily Movement Triggered by Elastic Waves from Whillans Ice Stream

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In a fascinating revelation, researchers studying the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica have uncovered a phenomenon where elastic waves cause the entire sheet to lurch forward once or twice a day. This unexpected discovery sheds light on the dynamic nature of ice shelves and their response to changing environmental conditions. The Ross Ice Shelf, the largest in Antarctica and roughly the size of France, experiences these significant movements triggered by the Whillans Ice Stream, a fast-flowing belt of ice in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Geophysicist Doug Wiens from Washington University in St. Louis explains that the entire shelf suddenly moves about 6 to 8 centimeters (2.4 to 3.1 inches) due to a slip on the ice stream that flows into it. These slip events, akin to movements along faul...

Apr182024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Mount Erebus Unveils its Hidden Treasure: Daily Eruption Reveals a Golden Windfall in the Antarctic Skies

Breaking News, Climate Actions

Mount Erebus, Antarctica's Active Volcano, Discovered Emitting Valuable Gold Dust into the Atmosphere, Unveiling a Daily Treasure Trove Worth Thousands of Dollars, Reports New York Post. Recent Findings Illuminate the Geological Phenomenon of Mount Erebus, Disclosing its Daily Contribution of Approximately 80 Grams of Crystallized Gold, Valued at Almost $6,000 (Rs 5 lakh), Revealed Through Astonishing Atmospheric Dispersion. NASA's Earth Observatory Observes Mount Erebus' Unique Geological Activity, Evidencing Regular Emissions of Gas, Steam, and Occasional Rock Fragments, Attributed to its Strategic Position Above a Thin Crust, Facilitating the Upward Movement of Molten Rock from Earth's Interior. Conor Bacon, Researcher from Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia Universit...

Apr32024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Water Crisis Looms as Rivers Run Dry and Reservoirs Dwindle Across India

Breaking News, Climate Actions

An alarming water crisis is unfolding across India as rivers run dry and reservoirs reach critically low levels. According to data released by the Central Water Commission (CWC), at least 13 east-flowing rivers between Mahanadi and Pennar currently have no water. These rivers, including Rushikulya, Bahuda, and Vamsadhara, play a crucial role in supplying water for irrigation and domestic consumption in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha. The storage in the basin has witnessed a continuous decline, with the current storage standing at zero. Last year, the storage was 32.28 per cent of the basin's capacity, highlighting the severity of the current situation. Furthermore, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have experienced large rainfall deficits since March 1, exacerbating the water scarcity...

Mar272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Moon’s Influence on Coral Reef Sounds Reveals Ecosystem Activity: Study says

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A recent study has shed light on how the Moon's movements influence the sounds emanating from coral reefs, providing valuable insights into ecosystem activity. Researchers discovered that as the Moon rises and sets, the soundscape of coral reefs undergoes rapid changes, indicating shifts in ecosystem interactions. Conducted by scientists from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) and the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) in the US, the study monitored three different coral reef sites off the west coast of Hawaii. Using hydrophones, they captured one-minute snapshots of the underwater soundscape at regular intervals over two years. The findings revealed that high-frequency pulse train sounds from fish increased during moonlit hours, while low-frequency fish vocali...

Mar172024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Aral Sea Catastrophe: ESCAP’s Multifaceted Approach to Environmental Recovery

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In a region marked by stark environmental degradation and socio-economic upheaval, the Aral Sea, once the world's fourth-largest inland sea, stands as a tragic emblem of human-induced catastrophe. Over the past decades, the sea has dramatically shrunk by a staggering 90%, primarily due to extensive water diversion for irrigation and hydropower, exacerbated by the effects of climate change. The consequences are dire, with severe environmental and socio-economic repercussions plaguing the surrounding countries. The Grim Reality: Environmental and Socio-economic Fallout The depletion of the Aral Sea has triggered a cascade of crises, including the loss of water, increased salinity, and the collapse of local ecosystems. These changes have wrought havoc on livelihoods, plunging communitie...

Mar122024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

New Index Shows Western Indian Himalayan Region More Prone to Climate Change Risks

Breaking News, Climate Actions

A pioneering climate risk index developed by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M), reveals that the Western Indian Himalayan Region faces greater vulnerability to climate change compared to the Eastern Himalayan ranges. Utilizing the latest framework from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the index integrates both physical and socio-economic indicators to assess climate risk in the Himalayas comprehensively. The Himalayas, often referred to as the "third pole" due to their vast ice and water reserves, are highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. While the region is experiencing warming temperatures and declining snow cover and glacier mass, few studies have attempted to map climate risks at a district level. The new study by...

Mar32024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Fluttering Hopes and Fading Wings: The Tale of Britain’s Butterflies

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

In the delicate dance of nature, Britain's butterflies are both messengers and victims of environmental change. While some species soar, others struggle, revealing a nuanced narrative of adaptation and decline. Amidst the flutter of brown hairstreaks and comma butterflies, a somber truth emerges: the majority of Britain's 57 breeding butterfly species face a daunting challenge. Despite the resilience of a few, Butterfly Conservation's 2022 report paints a stark picture of dwindling abundance and distribution since the 1980s. Pioneering citizen science unravels the complexities behind these shifts. From the high brown fritillary's dependence on vanishing habitats to the wall brown's plight in a changing climate, each species tells a tale of survival against the odds. Picky Eaters: ...