climate action Archives - Disasters News

Dec162024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Super Typhoon Man-Yi Caps Unprecedented Month of Extreme Weather in the Philippines

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

On Saturday, November 16, 2024, Super Typhoon Man-Yi struck the Philippines with sustained winds of 195 km/h, marking the sixth typhoon to impact the nation within 30 days. This relentless series of storms underscores the mounting challenges posed by extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. November 2024 shattered records for tropical cyclone activity in the Pacific. It witnessed four simultaneous named storms, a first since records began in 1951, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Typically, November averages just three named storms in the basin, with only one attaining super typhoon status. The storm barrage began with Tropical Cyclone Trami in late October, causing over a dozen fatalities and a month’s worth of rain in northern Philippines. This was followe...

Dec122024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

2024 Declared Hottest Year on Record, Climate Crisis Deepens

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The year 2024 has officially been declared the hottest on record, surpassing the previous high set in 2023, highlighting the escalating impacts of climate change. Experts warn that this unprecedented temperature rise is a clear indicator of the crisis facing ecosystems, economies, and public health worldwide. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that November 2024 was the second warmest in 123 years, with an average temperature of 29.37°C. The delayed onset of winter has underscored concerns about the far-reaching effects of global warming. Professor S.N. Mishra, a leading climate expert, stated, "Unchecked greenhouse gas emissions are driving us toward catastrophic outcomes. We may breach the critical 1.5°C global warming threshold as early as 2030." The consequence...

Dec42024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Greenland Accelerating Ice Melt Could Raise Sea Levels by One Meter by 2100

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The melting of Greenland’s ice sheet is accelerating at an alarming pace, with the potential to lose between 964 and 1,735 gigatons of ice annually by 2100 under high greenhouse gas emissions (SSP585), according to new research led by the University of Liège. This massive ice loss could lead to a rise in global sea levels by up to one meter, putting millions in coastal regions at risk. The Scale of the Crisis Recent studies, including one published in Geophysical Research Letters, reveal that Greenland currently contributes 25% to global sea-level rise, adding 0.6 millimeters per year. If melting continues unabated, this contribution could surge dramatically by the end of the century. Three regional climate models RACMO, MAR, and HIRHAM offer slightly varying predictions due to di...

Nov252024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Japan and UNDP to Build 12 Evacuation Centers in Laos to Strengthen Disaster Resilience

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Vientiane: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Government of Japan, is set to construct 12 evacuation centers in the provinces of Khammouane, Salavan, and Champasack over the next three years. This initiative, valued at approximately USD 3.8 million, aims to enhance disaster preparedness and safeguard vulnerable communities in Laos. At the signing ceremony, H.E. Mr. Koizumi Tsutomu, Ambassador of Japan to Laos, emphasized the broader goals of the project: "Through this project, we aim to enhance disaster resilience, not only by ensuring the safety of people during emergencies but also by fostering a culture of disaster awareness and preparedness in advance." The "Strengthening Disaster Response Capacity through the Improvement of Evacuation Shelt...

Nov252024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global Cities Fail to Meet Tree Canopy Goals Despite Abundance of Trees

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

New research has revealed that most global cities, including Melbourne and Sydney, lack adequate tree canopy coverage, even though trees are abundant in urban landscapes. The study, published in Nature Communications, measured over 2.5 million buildings across eight cities using the '3-30-300' rule, a benchmark for sustainable urban nature access. Melbourne and Sydney Fall Short The study found that only 3% of buildings in Melbourne's inner suburbs had sufficient canopy cover, despite 44% of buildings having views of at least three trees. Central Sydney performed slightly better, with 17% of buildings shaded adequately, though 84% of buildings had views of three or more trees. Lead researcher Dr. Thami Croeser from the Centre for Urban Research said urgent action is needed to incr...

Nov232024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Finds Global Cities Falling Short on Tree Canopy Cover for Urban Health

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

New research analyzing access to urban greenery across eight major global cities, including Melbourne and Sydney, reveals alarming gaps in tree canopy cover, despite the presence of visible trees. The study, published in Nature Communications, applies the ‘3-30-300’ rule, a sustainable cities benchmark, to evaluate urban nature access and its benefits. The '3-30-300' Rule Explained The rule, developed by Dutch urban forestry expert Professor Cecil Konijnendijk, suggests every home, school, and workplace should: Have a view of at least three trees. Be in a neighborhood with 30% tree canopy cover. Be within 300 meters of a park. While most buildings in the study met the "three trees" requirement, almost all cities fell short of the 30% canopy cover benchmark. Key Findi...

Nov202024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Great Barrier Reef Faces Record Coral Mortality Amid Bleaching Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments

The Great Barrier Reef, a global icon of marine biodiversity, has suffered unprecedented coral loss, with Australian researchers reporting the highest mortality on record. Surveys conducted by the Australian Institute of Marine Science revealed up to 72% coral mortality across 12 reefs, driven by a summer of extreme weather, including mass bleaching, two cyclones, and flooding. Severe Decline in Northern Reefs In the reef's northern section, a third of hard coral perished the largest annual decline in 39 years of monitoring. Scientists fear similar devastation may have occurred in other parts of the 2,300-kilometer-long reef, known as the world's largest living structure. Mass bleaching occurs when rising sea temperatures force corals to expel the microscopic algae (zooxanthellae)...

Nov182024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Ethiopia Ranks Among Top Countries Feeling Unthreatened by Climate Change Despite Rising Risks

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

According to the Lloyd's Register Foundation World Risk Poll, Ethiopia ranks second globally among countries where a significant proportion of people feel unthreatened by climate change. The poll reveals that 39% of Ethiopians believe climate change is "not a threat at all" to their safety, while 40% see it as a threat, including 16% who regard it as "very serious." Additionally, 21% are unsure whether climate change poses a threat. This perception contrasts starkly with scientific projections about the country's climate future. The UN Development Programme's Human Climate Horizons platform predicts Ethiopia’s average annual temperature could rise from 20°C (68°F) to 24°C (75°F) by the century’s end. It also forecasts up to 71 days annually exceeding 35°C (95°F), exacerbating the nation...

Nov152024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

NASA Unveils Sea Level Data to Support Coastal Communities

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations, Tech

NASA has launched a global sea level change platform to help coastal communities prepare for the rising oceans disrupting livelihoods and infrastructure worldwide. Accessible through the Earth Information Center, the platform offers projections of sea level rise until 2150 and flood risks for the next 30 years, integrating data from ice sheets, ocean monitoring, and climate assessments. Developed in collaboration with organizations like the World Bank, U.S. Department of Defense, and the United Nations, the tool aims to guide critical planning and adaptation strategies. "NASA innovates for humanity," said Karen St. Germain, head of NASA’s Earth Science Division. "This data supports communities in addressing natural hazards and planning for resilience." Rising Faster Than Ever NASA...

Nov152024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

COP29 Urges Swift Action on Early Warnings for Extreme Weather

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Thoughts & Talks

Baku, Azerbaijan: A flagship campaign to ensure universal access to life-saving early warning systems is gaining momentum, but vulnerable nations continue to bear the brunt of climate disasters, leaders stressed at COP29. The high-level event spotlighted the UN Secretary-General's Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, which aims to protect everyone from hazardous weather and climate events by 2027. “This year is on track to be the hottest in history, marked by record-breaking heatwaves, rains, and deadly droughts,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “Early warning systems are no longer a luxury; they are a necessity and a sound investment, with a ten-fold return.” COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev highlighted that effective early warning systems could avert losses of up ...