Fact Check Archives - Disasters News

Feb212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Glaciers Lost 6.54 Trillion Tonnes of Ice Since 2000, Driving Sea-Level Rise

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check

Between 2000 and 2023, glaciers lost an estimated 273 billion tonnes of ice annually, making them the second-largest contributor to rising sea levels, according to a new study published in Nature. The total global ice loss during this period reached 6.54 trillion tonnes, raising sea levels by 18 millimeters (mm) and contributing 0.75 mm of sea-level rise per year. The study revealed that ice loss accelerated by 36% in the second half of the study period (2012-2023) compared to the first half. Recent years saw the most severe losses, with the 2019-2023 period witnessing annual ice loss exceeding 400 gigatonnes per year (Gt/yr), including a record 548 Gt/yr in 2023. “This underscores the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s call for urgent action to cut greenhouse gas emissions ...

Feb212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Carbon Levels Hit Record in 2024 as Climate Change Escalates

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check

Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations reached a new high of 422 parts per million in 2024, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). This milestone follows another record-breaking year for global temperatures, increasing pressure on policymakers to take more aggressive action against climate change. Recent studies indicate that global warming may be accelerating beyond previous estimates. The world may have already reached 1.5°C above pre-industrial temperatures, a critical threshold for triggering extreme and irreversible climate impacts. Research published in Nature Geoscience in November 2024 used 2,000 years of Antarctic ice core data and found warming at 1.49°C in 2023, based on a longer pre-industrial baseline. Ocean Warming and Storm Intens...

Feb202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Burundi Faces Rising Challenges as Climate Disasters Magnify Vulnerabilities

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Fact Check

In April 2024, torrential rains in southwestern Burundi triggered a devastating landslide in Gabaniro village, Rumonge province. Nearly 500 homes were flattened, one child was killed, and 2,500 residents were left homeless. Alongside the tragic loss of life, 500 hectares of cropland were destroyed, threatening livelihoods in one of the country’s most vulnerable regions. Survivors are struggling to recover from the disaster. Evangélique Hatungimana, a resident of Gabaniro, recalled the terror of the event. "We have been living in constant fear since witnessing something we never thought possible," she told Dialogue Earth. In nearby Mubone, Christine Tuyisenge’s home now bears deep cracks from the flooding. "When it rains, I take my children and leave the house for fear it will be swept a...

Feb182025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global Temperature Crosses 1.5°C Threshold in 2024, Marking New Climate Era

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

The average global temperature anomaly in 2024 surpassed the critical 1.5°C threshold for the first time, signaling a significant milestone in the planet’s ongoing warming trend. This development, highlighted by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), marks a clear step into a phase of sustained global warming. The 1.5°C limit, a target established under the 2015 Paris Agreement, aimed to prevent the worst impacts of climate change by keeping global temperature rise below this level compared to pre-industrial times (1850-1900). However, the WMO confirmed that the annual average global temperature in 2024 was 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels, based on six independent datasets. The European Commission’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) added that 18 of the last 19 months ...

Feb172025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Earth Surpasses 1.5°C Warming Threshold in 2024, Entering Era of Sustained Global Heat

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

In 2024, the average annual global temperature anomaly officially surpassed the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold, marking a significant milestone in the planet’s long-term warming trend. Climate change researchers now suggest that the world has entered a phase of sustained warming, with drastic implications for global ecosystems and societies. The temperature limit of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels set as a target by the Paris Agreement in 2015 was originally intended to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. However, almost every month in recent years has individually surpassed this threshold, signaling that the goal is now nearly impossible to meet. Data from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) revealed that the average global temperature in 2024 reached appr...

Feb152025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Earth’s Magnetic North Pole Continues Its Drift Toward Siberia: How This Ongoing Shift Could Impact Global Navigation and Technology

Breaking News, Environment, Fact Check, Learning & Developments

Earth’s magnetic north pole has moved again, drawing closer to Siberia, according to the latest update of the World Magnetic Model (WMM). This shift could have significant implications for global navigation systems, including those used by commercial aviation and GPS devices. Unlike the fixed geographic North Pole, magnetic north is influenced by the turbulent movement of molten iron in Earth’s core. The pole has been drifting for centuries, but its speed increased dramatically in the 1990s, reaching a peak of 34.2 miles (55 km) per year before slowing to around 21.7 miles (35 km) per year by 2015. The WMM, updated every five years, ensures accurate navigation for planes, ships, and military operations. If updates are delayed, navigation errors could occur. Dr. Arnaud Chulliat, a sen...

Feb142025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Panama Canal Faces Climate Risks But 2025 Brings Hope with High Water Levels

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

The Panama Canal, a vital 82-kilometer shipping artery connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, has long been a key player in global trade. As much as 5% of the world’s shipping relies on the canal, making it essential for supply chains. However, recent years have highlighted a growing concern: climate-driven water shortages. Since its opening in 1914, the canal has operated through a system of locks, raising ships about 25 meters to cross Gatun Lake before lowering them again. The lake, fed by rainfall, is critical to ensuring smooth passage for massive Neopanamax vessels carrying over 13,000 cargo containers. Each day, about 7 billion liters of water are extracted from the lake to operate the locks, making consistent rainfall essential. Panama’s typically high annual rainfall ov...

Feb132025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Corruption Undermining Climate Action in Sub-Saharan Africa, Warns New Transparency Report

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

A new report by Transparency International, released on February 11, 2025, highlights the devastating impact of systemic corruption on climate action in sub-Saharan Africa. Titled 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index: Corruption is Playing a Devastating Role in the Climate Crisis, the report reveals how weak anti-corruption measures are hindering efforts to combat climate change. Sub-Saharan African nations urgently need substantial climate finance to implement their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) climate action plans submitted to the United Nations. However, misappropriation, theft, and misallocation of climate funds are threatening these efforts. The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which ranks 180 countries based on perceived levels of public sector corruption on a sca...

Feb132025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Finds Dust Storms Cost US $154B Annually Impacting Healthcare

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

A new study in Nature Sustainability reveals that wind erosion and blowing dust cost the U.S. economy around $154 billion each year, impacting healthcare, transportation, agriculture, energy, and households. Conducted by researchers from The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), George Mason University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the study highlights the growing societal burden of dust storms, which are worsened by human land use, drought, and declining water resources. Thomas Gill, Ph.D., a UTEP earth sciences professor, emphasized the significance of these findings. "Blowing dust is a major expense and creates great societal harm," he said, comparing its costs to those of hurricanes and other natural disasters. Healthcare costs make up a significant portion of the tot...

Feb112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Without FEMA Disaster Recovery Could Crumble, Are States Ready to Go It Alone?

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

ruins and millions in urgent need of aid. In such a crisis, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would typically deploy supplies, financial relief, and emergency assistance within hours. But what if FEMA no longer existed, and states had to handle disasters alone? With former President Donald Trump questioning FEMA’s future and proposing that states take over disaster recovery efforts, the debate over disaster management is more relevant than ever. Climate change is driving more frequent and severe catastrophes, raising concerns about whether states could cope without federal assistance. Role of FEMA in Disaster Relief FEMA was established in 1979 to coordinate national disaster response efforts, but the federal government has been involved in relief efforts since the 18...