Environment Archives - Page 19 of 45

Feb82025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Warns World Cup 2026 Stadiums Face Extreme Heat Risk

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

A new study has raised serious concerns about the impact of extreme heat on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that nearly 90 percent of the tournament’s stadiums could face dangerous temperatures. Researchers found that 14 of the 16 host venues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico are at risk of exceeding critical heat stress levels, potentially affecting players, officials, and spectators. The research, conducted by Brunel University London, Queen’s University Belfast, and other institutions, analyzed 20 years of weather data and found that heat stress levels could surpass the 28°C threshold set by governing bodies as unsafe for play. If the summer of 2026 is hotter than average, as climate trends suggest, at least nine stadiums could see these extreme conditions for half the to...

Feb72025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Los Angeles Fires Leave Lasting Impact on Health, Environment, and Community

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check

The flames may have died down, but the aftermath of Los Angeles’ devastating wildfires continues to affect public health, the environment, and daily life. Experts at a recent UCLA Fielding School of Public Health event warned that the city is facing an epochal disaster that has transformed air, soil, and institutions. Air Quality and Health Risks Even miles away from the burn zones, smoke and toxic particles have impacted the air. PM2.5 fine particulate matter from wildfires can lodge deep in the lungs, causing heart and respiratory issues, said Yifang Zhu, a professor of environmental health sciences. Even when air looks clear, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may linger, making exposure dangerous. Michael Jerrett, an expert in climate and public health, highlighted the severe h...

Feb72025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

January Breaks Heat Record Despite La Niña, Cooling Predictions

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

The world witnessed yet another record-breaking warm month in January 2025, defying expectations of a cooler year due to a developing La Niña and a frigid winter in the United States, according to data from the European climate service Copernicus. Unprecedented January Heat Copernicus reported that January 2025 was 0.09°C hotter than January 2024, the previous warmest January on record, and 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels. This marks the 18th month out of the last 19 that global temperatures have touched or exceeded the 1.5°C warming limit set by international climate agreements. Despite La Niña’s typical cooling influence, global temperatures have not dropped as expected, raising concerns among climate scientists. Scientists Warn of Accelerating Global Warming A new stud...

Feb72025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Earthquake Hotspots: Why Suburban Areas Face Greater Devastation

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

A vast majority of earthquakes occur within the infamous Ring of Fire, a seismic hotspot encircling the Pacific Ocean. Yet, when these earthquakes strike, the areas that experience the most intense shaking aren’t always the ones that suffer the worst destruction. Recent research has uncovered a hidden factor contributing to earthquake devastation: migration patterns and housing vulnerabilities. The 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake: A Case Study Taiwan’s catastrophic Chi-Chi earthquake in 1999, which claimed over 2,400 lives, presented an unexpected pattern of destruction. Contrary to expectations, the worst damage was not in the bustling city centers but in the suburbs and outer regions. Similar trends have been observed in earthquakes that hit China, Chile, and Nepal, raising questions about...

Feb62025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Finds Greenland Ice 930 million cubic meters Fracturing at Alarming Rate

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

Scientists have discovered that Greenland’s ice sheet has developed 930 million cubic meters of crevasses in just five years equivalent to a Great Pyramid of Giza-sized crack forming every few days. This rapid fracturing, particularly in fast-moving glaciers, could trigger a feedback loop that accelerates ice loss and raises global sea levels. A new study by researchers from the University of Florida, Durham University, and other institutions analyzed satellite imagery from 2016 to 2021, marking the first large-scale, multi-year assessment of Greenland’s crevasse formations. Automated machine learning techniques were used to track these changes, as manual methods proved too dangerous and time-consuming. Findings show uneven crevasse activity across the ice sheet, with some regions es...

Feb62025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Arctic Heatwave North Pole Temperatures Soar 20°C Above Normal, Pushing Ice to Melting Point

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In a dramatic climate event, temperatures at the North Pole surged more than 20°C above average on Sunday, surpassing the melting threshold for ice. According to European and U.S. weather models, regions north of Svalbard, Norway, had already experienced an 18°C temperature anomaly on Saturday, bringing actual readings dangerously close to 0°C. By Sunday, the anomaly had exceeded 20°C, marking one of the most extreme winter warming events recorded in the Arctic. “This was a very extreme winter warming event,” said Mika Rantanen, a scientist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute. “Probably not the most extreme ever observed, but still at the upper edge of what can happen in the Arctic.” Scientists attribute this rapid warming to a combination of human-induced climate change and r...

Feb62025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Severe Water Shortages in 2024 Spark Warnings for Future Drought Preparedness

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

The U.S. Northeast, long considered safe from severe water shortages, faced an unprecedented drought in the second half of 2024, forcing major cities to impose water restrictions and raising alarms about the region’s preparedness for future crises. After a summer of record-breaking heat and minimal rainfall, states like New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania saw reservoirs drop to critical levels. Residents in New York City and Boston were urged to conserve water, while Philadelphia struggled with saltwater intrusion into its drinking supply as the Delaware River’s flow weakened. Wildfires, once rare in the region, erupted across parched landscapes, further underscoring the severity of the drought. Experts warn that this crisis is not an isolated event. As global temperatures rise...

Feb52025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Drought in U.S. Northeast Signals Nationwide Water Crisis Risk

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

The severe drought that gripped the U.S. Northeast in 2024 shattered the notion that water scarcity is only a problem for the arid West. After an exceptionally hot and dry summer, cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia faced unprecedented water shortages, with wildfires breaking out in states rarely affected by them. By December, much of the region was in moderate to severe drought, prompting officials to urge water conservation. This crisis serves as a warning: as global temperatures rise, extreme droughts can impact any part of the country. Hotter, drier conditions increase evaporation, deplete groundwater, and heighten the risk of wildfires. Though the Northeast’s drought began easing in early 2025, its effects highlight the urgent need for long-term water management strategi...

Feb52025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Kerala Faces Early Heatwave as Munnar Remains a Chilly Haven

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Kerala is experiencing an unexpected surge in temperatures, months before summer officially begins. With the lingering effects of El Niño and the Uttarayan shift intensifying the heat, several districts are already witnessing scorching conditions, raising concerns about climate patterns and their impact on daily life. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has linked this rise in temperature to the sun’s northward movement, which brings it directly over the Tropic of Cancer. While most of Kerala struggles with unseasonal heat, Munnar the picturesque hill town in Idukki stands apart, recording freezing temperatures as low as zero degrees Celsius. Heatwave-Like Conditions Arrive Early January and February, usually mild months, have seen temperatures climb to alarming levels. Kann...

Feb42025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Needs Comprehensive Climate Justice Policy for Disaster Resilience

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

As climate change-driven disasters intensify across India, experts are calling for a comprehensive climate justice policy that integrates disaster risk reduction, resilience building, and adequate budgetary allocations. In 2024, extreme weather events impacted 255 out of 274 days, leading to 3,238 deaths, destruction of 2.35 lakh houses, and damage to 3.2 million hectares of land, according to the Centre for Science and Environment. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs reported a 24% rise in disaster-related fatalities compared to the previous year. Key Policy Gaps & Recent Amendments The 2024 amendments to the Disaster Management Act, 2005, now include "disaster risk reduction", but effective implementation and budget oversight remain crucial. Urban Disaster Management ...