Sunday, November 2News That Matters

Environment

Supreme Court Seeks Govt Response on Plea Over Heatwave Deaths, Demands Accountability on National Guidelines

Supreme Court Seeks Govt Response on Plea Over Heatwave Deaths, Demands Accountability on National Guidelines

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check
Taking serious note of rising fatalities due to heatwave conditions in India, the Supreme Court has asked the central government to respond within two weeks to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that alleges negligence in enforcing existing national guidelines meant to manage and mitigate extreme heat events. The case, brought before a bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, points to the death of more than 700 people due to heatwave and heat stress in the previous year alone. Filed by environment activist Vikrant Tongad, the petition seeks urgent implementation of nationwide Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in accordance with the guidelines framed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in 2019. The plea has highlighted that despite clear m...
Storm Brews in Arabian Sea as IMD Warns of Heavy Rainfall, Heat Waves and Monsoon Onset

Storm Brews in Arabian Sea as IMD Warns of Heavy Rainfall, Heat Waves and Monsoon Onset

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
New Delhi, May 22 — A low-pressure system is set to form over the east-central Arabian Sea, just off the Karnataka-Goa coast, by the evening of May 21 and could intensify into a depression by May 22, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its latest bulletin. The development is expected to unleash a spell of intense weather across large parts of India. Extremely heavy rainfall has been forecast at isolated places over Konkan & Goa and coastal Karnataka today. From May 21 to 27, Kerala and Karnataka are likely to experience widespread light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph. Western India is also bracing for a turbulent spell. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast in parts of Madhya Maharashtra from May 21-2...
IMD Forecast: Intense Heat, Torrential Rains and Monsoon Progress in Coming Days

IMD Forecast: Intense Heat, Torrential Rains and Monsoon Progress in Coming Days

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
As India braces for extreme weather fluctuations, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a comprehensive forecast indicating a volatile mix of heatwaves, thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall across several regions between May 19 and 24. From scorching temperatures in the northwest to early monsoon rains in the south and northeast, much of the country is likely to experience weather extremes in the coming days. Scorching Heat to Grip Northwest India Heatwave conditions are expected to persist in isolated pockets of west Rajasthan from May 19 to 24. East Rajasthan is likely to experience the same between May 19 and 22, while Haryana will endure the heat from May 19 to 21. Hot and humid conditions are also forecast for Odisha on May 19 and 20, accompanied by warm nights in Ha...
Green Growth: Brazil’s Bold Bet on Reforestation and Carbon Credits

Green Growth: Brazil’s Bold Bet on Reforestation and Carbon Credits

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Brazil's push toward an ecologically sustainable future has gained momentum with a significant financial boost to one of its most ambitious reforestation startups. Re.green, a Brazilian climate-tech company focused on restoring degraded lands, has secured 80 million reais ($14.13 million) in financing from the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), with major private lender Bradesco acting as the financial intermediary. This marks a defining moment in Brazil’s emerging carbon economy and climate investment landscape. A Strategic Boost from the New Climate Fund The funding announcement, made Monday, represents a milestone in Brazil’s climate policy and investment strategy. It is the second major investment facilitated by the government’s New Climate Fund—a 10 billion r...
Southern Australia in the Grip of Drought: A Harsh Glimpse into the Future

Southern Australia in the Grip of Drought: A Harsh Glimpse into the Future

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Southern Australia is currently enduring a crippling drought, with swathes of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia experiencing some of the lowest rainfall totals on record. This prolonged dry spell is putting immense pressure on communities, ecosystems, and economies serving as a stark warning of what may become more frequent as climate change intensifies. 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗶𝗲𝗴𝗲: 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗮𝗿, 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗱 With pastures failing, many farmers are being forced to purchase feed at sky-high prices just to keep their animals alive. Others are selling off livestock in distress sales, trying to cut losses. These decisions often heartbreaking are being made daily across vast tracts of agricultural land. Financial stress is mounting. For many, the economi...
Britain Driest Spring in Over a Century Raises Alarm Over Summer Drought

Britain Driest Spring in Over a Century Raises Alarm Over Summer Drought

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
In an era marked by unprecedented climate shifts, the United Kingdom has now added another unwelcome record to its growing list of extreme weather events. The spring of 2025 is officially the driest in more than 100 years, with only 80 mm of rainfall recorded so far far short of the seasonal average of 229 mm. 𝗔 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝘆-𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹 According to the UK’s Meteorological Office, this spring’s rainfall totals are the lowest seen in over a century. The news, confirmed by BBC Weather, comes amid growing concern over water resources as large parts of the country remain parched. Regions such as Greater London, Hampshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Yorkshire have experienced more than 20 consecutive days without a single drop of rain a stark illustration of the unusual dryness ...
Southern Australia Drying Future: Drought Grips States as Rainfall Plummets

Southern Australia Drying Future: Drought Grips States as Rainfall Plummets

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
As rainfall hits record lows, southern Australia faces a severe and expanding drought. Farmers, ecosystems, and entire towns are grappling with the impacts and scientists warn this could be just the beginning. Where Has the Rain Gone? Swathes of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia are currently enduring some of the driest conditions on record. This extended dry spell has left farms parched, waterways empty, and communities scrambling to secure drinking water. According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, vast regions are experiencing serious rainfall deficiencies. The rains that usually arrive to replenish soil, feed livestock, and fill tanks have simply failed to show up. In their place, slow-moving high-pressure systems have dominated the skies, bring...
South Africa Deputy Minister Calls for Bold Financing to Tackle Africa’s Biodiversity Crisis

South Africa Deputy Minister Calls for Bold Financing to Tackle Africa’s Biodiversity Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
“Biodiversity is not a luxury it is the foundation of our economies, our health, and our survival.” These were the powerful words of South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, during a landmark address at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Dialogue held Monday in Cape Town. Facing a sobering reality, Singh urged African nations to rethink how they fund biodiversity conservation as the continent grapples with the rapid decline of ecosystems and species. More than 7,000 species across Africa are currently at risk of extinction posing not only an ecological crisis but a major threat to long-term economic and food security. $200 Billion Global Funding Gap At the heart of Singh’s message was a call to close the vast ...
UP Launches Green Drive: 35 Crore Saplings to Be Planted in One Week

UP Launches Green Drive: 35 Crore Saplings to Be Planted in One Week

Breaking News, Environment
In a landmark step toward environmental restoration and climate resilience, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced plans to plant a staggering 35 crore saplings across the state within a single week between July 1 and July 7, 2025. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized the importance of community participation in this massive afforestation drive, aimed at increasing the state's green cover to 20% by 2030. Speaking at a high-level review meeting, he described environmental conservation as a “collective responsibility” and a crucial pillar of sustainable development. Nurturing a Greener Tomorrow To support the campaign’s long-term impact, the government aims to nurture 50 crore saplings in nurseries, ensuring a wide diversity of species. These will include fruit-bearing, sha...
WMO and Republic of Korea Forge Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Global Water Resilience

WMO and Republic of Korea Forge Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Global Water Resilience

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has taken a major step in global water governance by entering into a groundbreaking partnership with the Republic of Korea. This alliance, formalized through two key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed on 14 May 2025, aims to boost international efforts in operational hydrology, flood forecasting, and sustainable water resource management, with a sharp focus on supporting Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Signed by WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo and representatives from the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Environment and the Korea Institute of Hydrological Survey (KIHS), these agreements reflect a united commitment to building water resilience in a rapidly changing climate. A Longstanding ...