Environment Archives - Page 22 of 45

Jan242025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Kerala Unveils KaWaCHaM Advanced Weather Alert System to Combat Climate Disasters

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Tech

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched KaWaCHaM, a state-of-the-art weather alert system aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and response in the face of increasing climate emergencies. The system, introduced on January 21, 2025, is considered one of the fastest weather alert mechanisms globally, designed to enhance rescue and rehabilitation efforts during extreme weather events. The system, officially named Kerala Warnings Crisis and Hazards Management System, carries symbolic significance, as the word "KaWaCHaM" translates to "shield" in Malayalam, signifying protection. Developed by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), the project is part of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project, funded by the National Disaster Management Authority and t...

Jan242025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Heatwaves in North America, Europe Could Intensify Twice as Expected Due to Soil Moisture Variations

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A new study has revealed that heatwaves in Eastern North America and Central Europe could become twice as intense as previously predicted, driven by variations in soil moisture. Published in Nature Communications, the research, led by Professor Douglas Maraun at the University of Graz with contributions from the University of Reading, highlights the potential for devastating temperature surges if global warming reaches 2°C. The study warns that extreme heat events in these regions could rise by up to 4°C, significantly outpacing moderate heatwave projections. This alarming trend mirrors the catastrophic heatwaves that hit Canada in 2021, India in 2022, and the Mediterranean in 2023. Reinhard Schiemann, a co-author of the study from the University of Reading, explained "While it’s kno...

Jan232025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

China Voices Strong Support for WHO Amid Global Health Debates

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

China has reaffirmed its unwavering support for the World Health Organization (WHO) in the face of past criticisms, notably from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused the global health body of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump had initiated U.S. withdrawal from the WHO through an executive order, a decision later reversed by President Joe Biden, signaling renewed U.S. commitment to international health cooperation. China’s Commitment to Global Health Governance Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized WHO’s crucial role in coordinating global health initiatives. “The WHO should be supported and strengthened,” Guo stated, pledging China’s backing to enhance the organization’s capacity and deepen international health collaboration. China’s endorse...

Jan222025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Official Statistics Key to Climate Action Paris Agreement Reporting

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A new publication reveals how official statistics can play a pivotal role in supporting climate action, helping countries meet their obligations under the Paris Agreement. The guide outlines how National Statistical Offices (NSOs) can contribute to climate change mitigation, adaptation efforts, and ensuring a just transition while providing essential data to inform the public and measure financial flows related to climate policies. The report emphasizes that NSOs have a critical part to play in shaping climate action by providing robust data that addresses current gaps and anticipates future needs. It explains how statistical systems can align their work with the policy context to better serve governments, international organizations, and the wider public. One of the central themes o...

Jan222025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Ghana’s Coastal Erosion Crisis Threatens Communities and Heritage

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

The relentless advance of the sea along Ghana’s coast has not only erased significant portions of its landscape but also consumed key historical sites, leaving communities and livelihoods in jeopardy. Among the losses is the UNESCO World Heritage site once used to hold enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade. Today, only remnants of the fort remain, with 90% of its structure swallowed by the ocean. “In 1907, the erosion started,” recalls James Ocloo Akorli, a historian and caretaker of the fort's remains. “First, it was the coconut trees. Then, the houses went. By 1980, when it was still being used as a prison, the damage was already severe.” The fate of Fort Kongestein in Ada Foah, built in 1783 and integral to the European slave trade, echoes this story. It has been ...

Jan222025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Ethiopia Faces Earthquake Surge, Volcanic Eruption Fears

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Ethiopia's Afar and Oromia regions have experienced a series of earthquakes since early 2025, sparking fears of volcanic eruptions near the Fentale and Dofen volcanoes. The strongest quake, with a magnitude of 5.7, struck on January 4, a day after a 5.5-magnitude tremor hit the same area. Two additional earthquakes followed over the weekend of January 11. The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Council is relocating around 60,000 residents to temporary shelters, citing risks of further quakes and potential volcanic activity. The earthquakes are linked to magmatic activity, where magma (molten rock) is intruding beneath the Fentale and Dofen volcanoes. Ethiopia lies within the East African Rift System, a geologically active zone, making both earthquakes and volcanic activity common. ...

Jan212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Iraq From Cradle of Civilization to Climate Crisis Epicenter

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

Iraq, once revered as the cradle of human civilization, is now a stark warning of the perils of climate change. Known historically as the land of the Tigris and Euphrates, the fertile rivers that nourished the first farming communities are now emblematic of a country grappling with escalating environmental and socio-economic challenges. As global temperatures rise, Iraq faces a confluence of crises water scarcity, desertification, heat stress, and displacement that threaten its future. The Drying Lifelines: Water Scarcity in Iraq The Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which supply 98% of Iraq’s surface water, have seen their flow decrease by up to 40% over the past four decades. The reasons are manifold: reduced rainfall, intensified evaporation due to rising temperatures, and upstream dam...

Jan212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

La Niña Returns Mixed Bag for Global Weather Amid Ongoing Climate Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has officially confirmed the arrival of a weak La Niña in late December 2024, a natural climate phenomenon expected to last until February to April. This shift could influence global weather patterns, potentially offering respite from the extreme heat experienced in recent years. La Niña the cooler counterpart of El Niño, is part of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a natural climate dynamic that alternates between warm (El Niño), cool (La Niña), and neutral phases. During La Niña, cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean typically interact with the atmosphere, driving changes in global weather. For most of 2024, scientists observed La Niña-like atmospheric patterns, such as stron...

Jan212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Melting Ice Reveals 5,900-Year-Old Forest in Rocky Mountains

Breaking News, Environment, Learning & Developments

The melting ice of the Rocky Mountains has unearthed a stunning archaeological discovery: a 5,900-year-old whitebark pine forest preserved in remarkable detail. Located on the Beartooth Plateau in Wyoming at an elevation of 3,100 meters well above today’s tree line the discovery offers an unprecedented glimpse into ancient climates while raising pressing questions about the future. The frozen forest, uncovered during an archaeological survey, includes more than 30 well-preserved trees. Whitebark pine, a species that no longer grows at such heights, flourished there during a significantly warmer period in Earth's history. “This discovery offers us a window into past conditions at high elevations,” said Cathy Whitlock of Montana State University. Tree ring analysis and carbon dating re...

Jan202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Toxic Spring Linked to 17 Deaths in Jammu and Kashmir Authorities Seal Contaminated Site

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have sealed a water spring in Badhaal village, Rajouri district, after its water tested positive for pesticides or insecticides. The move comes as part of an ongoing investigation into the mysterious deaths of 17 villagers, including 13 children aged between 3 and 15 years. Deputy Commissioner Dil Mir ordered the spring to be sealed and deployed security personnel to prevent access to the contaminated site. Officials aim to ensure the safety of residents while investigations continue into the cause of the deaths. The health and police departments are working to determine how the water source became contaminated. The deaths, initially unexplained, prompted widespread concern in the region. Samples from the spring were analyzed, revealing the presence o...