Environment Archives - Page 3 of 44

May282025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Mangrove Forests Over 500 Metres Wide Proven to Cut Wave Energy by 75%, Prompting Policy Rethink

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check

A global study based on more than 216,000 simulations has found that mangrove forests wider than 500 metres offer far more effective coastal protection than previously assumed. The research, led by the Deltares institute, shows that these broad mangrove belts reduce incoming wave heights by at least 70% regardless of wave intensity, water levels, or local conditions. Using the SWAN (Simulating WAves Nearshore) model, researchers analyzed 15,773 coastal locations worldwide with mangrove cover. From this dataset, 1,000 representative situations were selected to simulate wave reduction performance under a variety of environmental conditions. The results produced tens of millions of data points and highlighted a clear trend: wider mangroves are consistently more effective at weakening wave ...

May282025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Trees in Niger’s Schoolyards Offer Shade, Food, and Climate Education

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments

In the scorching cities of Niamey and Maradi, Niger's two largest urban centers, schoolyards are becoming unexpected green sanctuaries. A recent study of 60 schools has revealed that trees in school compounds are not only cooling overheated classrooms but also serving as tools for education, sources of nutrition, and symbols of resilience in the face of climate change. With rising temperatures and frequent heatwaves across the Sahel region, where temperatures often exceed 45°C, the importance of urban forestry is gaining new recognition. Trees in schoolyards play a critical role in reducing heat stress, creating shaded outdoor learning environments, and improving air quality. In overcrowded or under-resourced schools, these shaded spaces often double as open-air classrooms, offering a c...

May282025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Monsoon Bliss: Early Rains Boost India’s Agricultural Prospects Amid Heavy Downpours

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Kerala experienced an unusually early arrival of the southwest monsoon on May 24, eight days ahead of the usual schedule, marking the earliest onset in 16 years. This early arrival offers a promising start to the agricultural season and relief from recent heatwaves that have affected much of the country. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the monsoon has already begun advancing into Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and parts of the northeast. This early onset allows farmers to start sowing summer crops sooner, with increased soil moisture supporting better crop growth and potentially higher yields. However along with the early arrival, heavy monsoon rains are expected across several regions, including Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. While these rains are crucial for ag...

May272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Monsoon Marches On: Heavy Rains, Thunderstorms, and Heatwave Alerts Across India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The southwest monsoon continues its steady advance across India, reaching more parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Karnataka including Bengaluru, and the entire northeastern region, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed in its latest update. As monsoon winds sweep in, several regions are bracing for intense rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds. Here’s a region-wise summary of what to expect in the coming days: West and Central India: Extremely heavy rain is forecast over the Konkan coast, including Mumbai, and ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra on May 26 and 27. Gujarat will see thundersqualls with wind speeds of 50–60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph. Marathwada and parts of Gujarat are likely to receive isolated heavy rain between May 26 and 29. Isolated heavy showers...

May272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Andhra Pradesh Welcomes Early Monsoon After Six-Year Wait

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In a rare and promising turn for agriculture, the southwest monsoon has swept into Andhra Pradesh nine days ahead of schedule, marking the earliest onset in the past six years. The seasonal rains, typically expected around June 4, reached Kavali this week and are set to cover the entire state within the next three days, offering a much-needed boost for the upcoming kharif cropping season. Meteorological officials confirmed that weather conditions remain favorable for the swift progression of the monsoon across both coastal Andhra and the Rayalaseema region, where the monsoon traditionally makes its initial landfall in the state. The early arrival of the rains is an auspicious sign for our farmers and the rural economy. It raises hopes for a strong agricultural yield and stable ground...

May272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Anti-Environmentalism Is Surging — But Built on Contradictions It Can’t Escape

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Though gaining political clout in the West, the movement’s internal paradoxes and global shifts are weakening its foundation. Across much of the Western world a wave of anti-environmentalism is rising challenging climate targets, attacking conservation measures, and reshaping politics in the US, UK, and Europe. Yet, behind the slogans and campaign rhetoric lies a movement riddled with contradictions. At its core anti-environmentalism is a rejection of environmental policies and climate activism. But its messages are often inconsistent, even self-defeating. In one breath, leaders denounce climate science and defund environmental protections. In the next, they proclaim themselves lovers of “clean air” and “beautiful nature.” Take Donald Trump. During his presidency, he rolled back k...

May262025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Early Monsoon Hits Kerala, Triggers Torrential Rains and Heatwaves Across India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The Southwest Monsoon arrived early over Kerala on May 24, unsettling India’s seasonal weather balance with simultaneous floods and heatwaves across various regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that this early onset nearly a week ahead of the typical June 1 schedule will usher in prolonged rainfall along the western coast while much of northern India remains trapped in oppressive heat. Torrential Rain Forecast Along the Western Coast With the monsoon now active, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to drench Kerala, Karnataka, coastal Maharashtra, and Goa over the coming week. The IMD has warned of extremely heavy downpours in isolated areas, especially during the weekends. This surge in rainfall is attributed to a depression currently brewing over the Eas...

May242025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

WMO Predicts Stronger 2025 Monsoon Across Asia as ENSO Influence Weakens

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has forecasted an above-normal summer monsoon across East and South Asia in 2025, signaling a potentially wetter season for a region that is home to more than 60% of the world’s population. The prediction, issued through the Forum on Regional Climate Monitoring, Assessment and Prediction for Asia (FOCRA II), comes amid a global transition from La Niña to ENSO-neutral conditions. According to seasonal projections consolidated from WMO’s Global Producing Centres for Long-Range Forecasts, the 2025 boreal summer will bring above-average rainfall to large parts of East and South Asia. This monsoon uptick is expected to benefit agriculture-dependent economies but also raises the risk of flooding and landslides, particularly in low-lying and urba...

May232025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Plastic Recycling Industry in EU Faces Existential Crisis as Closures Mount

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The European Union plastic recycling sector is teetering on the edge of collapse, hit hard by a combination of economic pressures, rising imports, and surging operational costs. With plant closures doubling in 2024 and continuing into 2025, thousands of green jobs are now at risk posing a significant challenge to the EU’s green transition strategy. Sharp Decline in Production Despite €5 Billion Investment Between 2020 and 2023, Plastics Recyclers Europe reports that the sector attracted €5 billion in investments aimed at meeting EU sustainability targets. Yet despite this significant funding, recycling rates have started to drop. The reasons: rising production costs, soaring energy bills, and growing competition from cheap, low-quality imported plastic much of it with questionable e...

May232025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Early Monsoon Onset May Be Strong—But Faces Risk of Stalling Again

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

India is set for an early and seemingly strong onset of the Southwest Monsoon, but weather models and past trends are raising red flags about a possible stall. The emergence of twin cyclonic systems one in the Arabian Sea and another in the Bay of Bengal could disrupt the seasonal rains just as they begin. Monsoon Arriving Early Kerala to See Rains Before June 1 The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that the monsoon has already advanced over parts of the southern Arabian Sea, the Maldives, the Bay of Bengal, and Northeast India. According to their May 21 bulletin, conditions are rapidly becoming favorable for the monsoon to reach Kerala between May 24 and May 27 about a week ahead of the June 1 average. Twin Cyclonic Systems Could Disrupt Monsoon Progress Desp...