Saturday, February 21News That Matters

Environment

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 ...
India Proposes Five-Point Global Plan to Protect Mountains at Sagarmatha Sambaad

India Proposes Five-Point Global Plan to Protect Mountains at Sagarmatha Sambaad

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
India reaffirmed its climate leadership at the international stage on Friday, as Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, addressed the inaugural Sagarmatha Sambaad in Kathmandu, Nepal. Representing India at the high-level global dialogue on “Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity,” Yadav unveiled a five-point global action plan to protect fragile mountain ecosystems and foster climate resilience across borders. The summit brought together environment ministers, climate leaders, and policymakers from around the world to discuss the rapidly escalating impacts of climate change on mountain regions, especially the Himalayas. Honouring Sagarmatha: A Shared Heritage Opening his address, Yadav praised Nepal’s initiative in convening the ...
Global Unity on Climate Change: Sagarmatha Sambaad Underscores Urgent Call for Action

Global Unity on Climate Change: Sagarmatha Sambaad Underscores Urgent Call for Action

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
World leaders, climate experts, and international delegates gathered in Nepal for the Sagarmatha Sambaad, where they reaffirmed their collective commitment to combat climate change with special focus on its mounting impact on mountainous regions. The summit emphasized collaboration, environmental justice, and urgent global action to secure the planet’s future. Summit Opens with Global Backing for Nepal’s Climate Vision The three-day Sagarmatha Sambaad began with a strong show of international support for Nepal’s climate leadership. Nepali Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba highlighted the growing global consensus in support of safeguarding fragile mountain ecosystems, acknowledging endorsements even from non-mountainous nations that recognize the interconnectedness of climate impac...
Delhi Air Quality Crisis: Emergency Steps Trigger Political Feud as Pollution Surges

Delhi Air Quality Crisis: Emergency Steps Trigger Political Feud as Pollution Surges

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Delhi NCR is once again grappling with a severe air pollution episode, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to enforce Stage-I measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on May 16. The decision follows a rapid rise in the city’s pollution levels, driven by strong winds that carried dust from distant regions, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to a concerning 278. Forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) indicate that these poor air quality conditions are likely to persist at least through May 17. Despite recent official claims of progress, with only two ‘poor’ air days recorded in the first half of May 2025 the lowest in four years the sudden spike has reignited political fault lines. Th...