Fact Check Archives - Page 11 of 13

Feb32025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Warns Lack of Climate Funding May Force Global South to Revise Climate Targets

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

India has raised significant concerns over the insufficient climate funding from developed nations, warning that this may lead developing countries to revise their climate targets. At the heart of the issue is the 2024 UN climate conference's financial package, which has been criticized for offering little hope in addressing the climate crisis. The shortfall in funding has sparked tensions between the Global South and developed countries, potentially undermining global climate action efforts. Impact on India's Climate Actions and Sustainable Development India's Economic Survey for 2024-25, presented in Parliament, emphasized that without adequate financial support from richer nations, developing countries may have to reassess their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for the 2...

Feb32025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Kobe 1995 Deadly Earthquake Legacy Shapes Japan’s Disaster Preparedness

Breaking News, Disasters, Fact Check

On January 17, 1995, a devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Kobe, Japan, killing over 6,400 people and leaving a lasting impact on the country’s disaster preparedness. The Hanshin region bore the brunt of the destruction, with tens of thousands injured and hundreds of thousands displaced. The economic toll was staggering, reaching approximately $130 billion as infrastructure, homes, and businesses crumbled under the quake’s force. The disaster exposed critical weaknesses in urban planning and construction, prompting sweeping reforms. Stricter building codes, retrofitting programs, and advancements in early warning systems became the foundation of Japan’s strengthened approach to earthquake resilience. The tragedy also led to a surge in earthquake insurance coverage, bolstering fi...

Feb32025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Sikkim Flood Disaster Highlights Growing Climate Risks in the Himalayas

Breaking News, Disasters, Fact Check, Learning & Developments

An international research team has concluded that the devastating flood disaster in Sikkim, India, in October 2023 was caused by the collapse of 14.7 million cubic meters of frozen moraine material into South Lhonak Lake, triggering a tsunami-like flood wave that reached up to 20 meters in height. This tragic event, which claimed at least 55 lives and caused widespread damage along the Teesta River, serves as a stark reminder of the escalating dangers posed by climate change in high mountain regions. A Massive Tsunami-like Wave On October 3, 2023, the collapse of frozen moraine material into the lake unleashed a catastrophic glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), releasing about 50 million cubic meters of water—equivalent to the volume of 20,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The flood c...

Feb12025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Economic Survey Flags Climate Finance Gap, Stresses Urgent Adaptation Needs

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check, Thoughts & Talks

The Economic Survey 2024-25, released on January 31, highlights India's urgent need for climate adaptation measures while criticizing the lack of international climate finance. The report warns that reliance on domestic resources could hinder development goals. The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is formulating a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to align with sustainable development and climate resilience strategies. Meanwhile, the Initial Adaptation Communication (IAC) submitted to the UNFCCC outlines India’s vulnerability assessment and adaptation efforts across key sectors. In agriculture, India is focusing on climate-resilient crops, groundwater conservation, and soil health. Urban adaptation measures include improved water management under AMRUT, verti...

Jan312025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Earth Sixth Ocean in the Making Africa’s Dramatic Rift Signals a New Era

Breaking News, Environment, Fact Check

A stunning geological event unfolding in East Africa could forever reshape the continent and the world. The East African Rift, a massive crack running through Ethiopia and beyond, is not just a scientific curiosity; it marks the early stages of a process that will eventually split Africa in two, creating a brand-new ocean. A Rift That Could Change the World Since 2005, a 35-mile-long fissure has been expanding across Ethiopia’s deserts. Scientists confirm that this rift is caused by the slow but powerful movement of tectonic plates, the enormous slabs of Earth’s crust that have shaped the planet for billions of years. The Somalian plate is gradually drifting away from the larger Nubian plate at a rate of a few millimeters per year minuscule shift in human terms, but a monumental for...

Jan312025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

UNICEF Report Warns of Alarming Malnutrition Crisis Among Infants in Eastern, Southern Africa

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check

A new UNICEF report revealed a severe undernutrition crisis affecting 5.5 million infants under six months in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region (ESAR). The study highlights how widespread low birth weight, stunting, wasting, and underweight conditions are putting the youngest members of society at risk, with urgent calls for stronger policy interventions and healthcare improvements. Conducted by UNICEF’s Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), the study examined the state of infant nutrition in five high-risk countries Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, and Malawi. The findings paint a dire picture, with 1.6 million infants suffering from stunting, 0.6 million classified as wasted, 0.8 million underweight, and 2.5 million born with low birth weight. However, experts...

Jan302025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Change Made LA Wildfires 35% More Likely, Study Finds

Breaking News, Disasters, Fact Check

Los Angeles witnessed one of its worst wildfire outbreaks in January 2025, and according to a new World Weather Attribution (WWA) report, human-induced climate change played a key role in making the conditions 35% more likely. The fires, which began on January 7 in Palisades and Eaton counties, quickly spread, fueled by dry vegetation and strong Santa Ana winds. Over the following weeks, additional fires erupted in San Diego County, ultimately burning over 57,000 acres and causing 28 deaths. For the first time in history, global temperatures surpassed 1.5°C in 2024. The WWA report warns that if temperatures rise to 2.6°C by 2100, the likelihood of such wildfire-friendly conditions will increase by another 35%. Clair Barnes, a researcher at Imperial College London, emphasized how p...

Jan302025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Centre Approves ₹3,027 Crore for Disaster Mitigation Projects

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Fact Check

New Delhi: The Union Government has approved ₹3,027.86 crore for disaster mitigation projects across multiple states, focusing on drought resilience and lightning safety. The decision was made by a high-level committee chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and comprising Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and NITI Aayog Vice Chairman. Major Allocations of ₹2,022.16 crore for drought mitigation in 12 most drought-prone states are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. ₹186.78 crore for lightning safety measures in 10 state are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh,...

Jan302025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Why Disaster Evacuations Take Longer Than Expected & How Technology Can Help

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

When a wildfire evacuation alert flashes on your phone, panic can set in. You might not see smoke, but the message tells you to grab your "go bag" and leave. As you scramble to gather documents, medications, and essentials, another message arrives this time urging immediate evacuation. Outside, chaos unfolds. Some neighbors are still packing, while others hesitate, unsure of what to do. Traffic clogs the streets, and a plume of black smoke rises in the distance. This frantic scenario highlights a major challenge in disaster evacuations: they often take much longer than people expect, increasing risks for evacuees and emergency responders. Researchers are now turning to computer simulations to predict where evacuation delays will occur and how to prevent them. Confusion and delays ...

Jan272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Rising Debris Flow Risks Dangerous Link Between Wildfires, Rainfall, and Climate Change

Breaking News, Disasters, Fact Check

Debris flows, fast-moving masses of mud, rocks, and water, are becoming a growing concern in the United States, particularly in areas recently affected by wildfires. A map produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) highlights high-risk zones near Los Angeles after the Palisades Fire. The model simulates a scenario where 15 minutes of rainfall, at just under 1 inch (24 mm) per hour, could trigger debris flows in vulnerable regions. The landscape itself can create ideal conditions for debris flows. Steep slopes, the presence of clay-rich soil, and silt-sized particles in watersheds are key contributors. Generally, slopes gentler than 23 degrees and lacking fine-grain materials are less likely to experience debris flows. Post-wildfire conditions worsen the risk. Severely burned areas...