Fact Check Archives - Page 3 of 13

May92025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Deep Sea Awakens: Axial Seamount’s Looming Eruption & Its Role in Shaping Ocean Life

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano nearly 300 miles off the Oregon coast, is rumbling with seismic activity, hinting at an imminent eruption before the end of 2025. Known for past eruptions in 1998, 2011, and 2015, this deep-sea volcano lies at the intersection of a tectonic plate boundary and a geological hotspot. As magma accumulates beneath the surface, scientists are closely monitoring the site for what could be a spectacular yet safe eruption offering a window into Earth’s inner workings and its influence on ocean ecosystems. What Is Axial Seamount? Axial Seamount also known as Coaxial Seamount or Axial Volcano is a submarine shield volcano located on the Juan de Fuca Ridge in the Pacific Ocean. Situated about 480 kilometers west of Cannon Beach, Oregon, it rises roughly 1,100 me...

May82025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Mosquitoes, Money & Heat: Why West Nile Virus Thrives in America’s Wealthiest Neighborhoods

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

Each summer as warm evenings descend on American cities, a silent danger begins to stir: West Nile virus. Though often associated with tropical or rural areas, this mosquito-borne illness has quietly taken root in urban landscapes especially in the most affluent neighborhoods. In 2012, an unprecedented outbreak scorched Park Cities, a wealthy enclave within Dallas. The virus sickened 225 people, triggered 173 neuroinvasive cases like encephalitis and meningitis, and claimed 19 lives. Other major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Sacramento have also developed persistent West Nile hot spots. Why cities? Why the rich? The key vector is Culex quinquefasciatus, the Southern house mosquito. These mosquitoes don’t travel far and breed in stagnant water found in lawns, drains, flower...

May62025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

More Trees, Fewer Deaths: Study Finds Urban Greening Could Save Over 1 Million Lives

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check, Learning & Developments

A landmark global study has revealed that increasing vegetation in cities by just 30% could have prevented over one-third of all heat-related deaths between 2000 and 2019 potentially saving 1.16 million lives worldwide. The research led by Monash University Professor Yuming Guo and published in The Lancet Planetary Health provides the most detailed modeling to date of how urban greenery can cool cities and save lives. Greener Cities, Cooler Summers, Fewer Deaths The study analyzed data from 11,534 urban areas, showing that a 10%, 20%, and 30% increase in vegetation would have lowered the global population-weighted warm-season mean temperature by 0.08°C, 0.14°C, and 0.19°C, respectively. These seemingly small changes in temperature could have reduced heat-related deaths by: 0.86 ...

May52025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Heat, Health & Superbugs: Climate Crisis Could Drive Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surge, Study Warns

Breaking News, Fact Check, Learning & Developments

A major international study led by Chinese researchers has found that unchecked climate change could significantly worsen the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), potentially raising global AMR levels by more than 2% by 2050. The burden, the study warns will fall hardest on low- and middle-income countries already grappling with poor healthcare access and fragile infrastructure. The research was conducted by a team from Peking University, using data from more than 32 million bacterial samples collected across 101 countries between 1999 and 2022. It focused on six priority drug-resistant pathogens, including carbapenem-resistant strains of E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria known to cause deadly infections that are increasingly untreatable wi...

May32025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

New Study Warns Climate Crisis Could Worsen Global Antibiotic Resistance, Poorer Nations Most at Risk

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

A landmark forecasting study by Chinese researchers has revealed a troubling connection between climate change and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), predicting that global AMR levels could rise significantly by 2050 if fossil fuel-heavy development continues. Published today in Nature Medicine, the study projects a 2.4% global increase in AMR under high-emission climate scenarios with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) facing the brunt of the impact. But the study also offers a silver lining. If LMICs improve healthcare access, sanitation, and immunization, global AMR levels could fall by over 5%, more than double the projected impact of halving antibiotic use alone. Socioeconomic and Climate Pressures Driving AMR The research team, led by Peking Universi...

May32025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India’s Cooling Paradox: Toxic Air Slows Warming but Fuels a Public Health Crisis

Breaking News, Environment, Fact Check, Thoughts & Talks

India has warmed at a slower rate than other parts of the Northern Hemisphere over the past several decades. While this might seem like good news amid the global climate crisis, scientists warn it's not a reason for comfort. The culprit behind this phenomenon is a thick blanket of aerosols tiny particles suspended in the air from industrial emissions, fossil fuel combustion, and crop burning. These aerosols reflect sunlight and create a temporary cooling effect, but they are also responsible for dangerous levels of air pollution, resulting in millions of deaths annually. The country now faces a dangerous trade-off between curbing toxic pollution and accelerating climate warming, with serious implications for public health, environmental sustainability, and economic development. A Climate ...

May22025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate vs Energy: New Global Model Warns of Looming Trade-Off

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

A new modelling tool developed by Australian researchers has revealed a sobering reality achieving urgent climate goals could clash with avoiding a major global energy shortfall. UniSA Researchers Unveil ‘GREaSE’ Model Researchers at the University of South Australia have introduced a new open-source energy scenario tool called GREaSE (Global Renewable Energy and Sectoral Electrification), offering fresh insight into the global energy transition dilemma. Developed by Associate Professor James Hopeward and three civil engineering students Shannon O'Connor, Richard Davis, and Peter Akiki the model explores a range of “what-if” future energy scenarios often left out of mainstream discussions. "It's designed to be simple, accessible, and exploratory," said Assoc Prof Hopeward. "Most cl...

May22025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

When the Wind Hits Different: Why Downbursts Are More Destructive Than Hurricanes

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

In May 2024, downtown Houston saw a surprising twist in storm damage. A powerful downburst, part of a derecho storm, blew out windows and ripped away building facades damage that even Hurricane Beryl, with similar wind speeds, failed to cause just months later. Engineers now believe the reason lies not in the strength of the winds but in how they behave. What Is a Downburst and Why Is It So Dangerous? Downbursts are often mistaken for heavy rain from a distance, but their power lies in what happens at ground level. As cold, dense air from high altitudes plunges downward during a thunderstorm, it accelerates rapidly. Once it hits the ground, it has nowhere to go but outwards sending winds blasting horizontally in all directions. These horizontal gusts can reach over 150 mph on ...

May12025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

New disaster response panel formed to boost India’s emergency preparedness

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

In a major step to enhance India’s disaster resilience, the Central government has constituted a high-level committee under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The panel, formed under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, aims to strengthen national preparedness and ensure coordinated response during emergencies such as floods, earthquakes, pandemics, and industrial accidents. The newly formed committee includes Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery as its members. According to a notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the panel has been constituted by exercising powers under sub-section (2) of Section 8B of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. This high-level committe...

May12025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Indus Water Diversion May End North India’s Crisis, But Requires Years and Massive Investment

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

Suspending the Indus Water Treaty opens doors for irrigation, hydropower, and storage expansion but with steep costs, long timelines, and political hurdles. India’s decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty could mark a turning point in tackling the chronic water scarcity of northern states but experts warn that large-scale benefits will take years of infrastructure upgrades, hefty spending, and tricky environmental trade-offs. The Treaty signed in 1960, granted unrestricted use of eastern rivers (Satluj, Beas, Ravi) to India and restricted use of western rivers (Chenab, Jhelum, Indus) to Pakistan. India was allowed only non-consumptive or agricultural use on western rivers, with no storage or diversion permitted. That could now change. With the Treaty suspended, India can immedi...