Tuesday, April 1News That Matters

Tag: climate action

India Gears Up for Deadly Summer IMD Warns of More Heatwave Days

India Gears Up for Deadly Summer IMD Warns of More Heatwave Days

Breaking News, Climate Actions
India is bracing for an intensely hot summer from April to June, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting above-normal temperatures across most regions. Central, eastern, and northwestern states are expected to endure more heatwave days than usual, raising concerns about increased electricity demand and health risks. According to IMD Director General Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, while El Niño conditions have been ruled out, the seasonal outlook suggests higher-than-average temperatures across the country. The most affected states include Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Despite sporadic rainfall in March,...
Are the World’s Water Towers Running Dry? UN Report Warns of Glacier Crisis

Are the World’s Water Towers Running Dry? UN Report Warns of Glacier Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Half of the world’s population faces severe water scarcity for part of the year, and the situation is worsening as mountains and glaciers the planet’s natural water towers are melting rapidly, according to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2025. The report highlights that glacier retreat is threatening freshwater supplies for over two billion people worldwide. The crisis is further compounded by the fact that 3.5 billion people lack access to safely managed sanitation, creating a severe water security challenge. With 2025 designated as the "International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation", the UN is emphasizing the urgent need for global action to protect these critical freshwater reserves. Scientists warn that unchecked global warming could accelerate glacier loss, wors...
IMD Warns of Intense Summer Twice the Usual Heatwave Days in Northwest India

IMD Warns of Intense Summer Twice the Usual Heatwave Days in Northwest India

Breaking News, Climate Actions
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that northwestern India will experience an exceptionally hot summer in 2025, with the number of heatwave days expected to double compared to the seasonal average. Typically, the region endures five to six heatwave days per summer, but this year, forecasts predict 10 to 12. "We are expecting slightly above-normal heatwave conditions, especially over West and Central India," said IMD scientist Soma Sen Roy. "While this is a seasonal outlook, it does not mean every day will be extremely hot." Will 2025 Set New Heat Records? While the IMD has not confirmed whether 2025 will surpass 2024’s record-breaking 554 heatwave days, the Seasonal Heat Outlook (March-May 2025) indicates that most of India will experience above-norm...
Africa Vanishing Glaciers Threaten Water Security, Urgent Action Needed

Africa Vanishing Glaciers Threaten Water Security, Urgent Action Needed

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
As the world marks World Water Day 2025 on March 22 under the theme Glacier Preservation, attention turns to the fragile ice formations that sustain millions. Glaciers, often called the "water towers of the world," feed rivers, support ecosystems, and provide essential water for agriculture and livelihoods. However, climate change is accelerating their disappearance, posing a severe threat to global water security. Though Africa is not typically associated with glaciers, it is home to iconic ice caps atop Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mount Kenya (Kenya), and the Rwenzori Mountains (Uganda-DR Congo border). These glaciers, once stable reservoirs of freshwater, are melting at alarming rates. Research by Anne Hinzmann and her team at Friedrich-Alexander University, Germany, shows that ...
Climate-Driven Disasters Surge in US Urgent Action Needed

Climate-Driven Disasters Surge in US Urgent Action Needed

Breaking News, Climate Actions
A new analysis of 30 years of FEMA disaster data reveals a sharp rise in climate-related disasters across the United States. The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), in collaboration with CNN, found that 2024 saw 90 major disaster declarations, nearly double the 30-year average of 55 per year. This means the country faced a new major disaster every four days on average. By cross-referencing FEMA data with census records, researchers estimate that 137 million people 41% of the U.S. population were affected by a major disaster or emergency declaration in 2024. These disasters, including tornadoes, wildfires, tropical storms, and floods, highlight the increasing toll of climate change on American communities. "Millions of Americans are being affected by climat...
Extreme Heat Threatens Child Growth in Bangladesh, Study Warns

Extreme Heat Threatens Child Growth in Bangladesh, Study Warns

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
The first 1,000 days of life play a crucial role in shaping a child’s future. But what happens when those days are spent in extreme heat? A new study, Extreme Heat Exposure in the First 1000 Days: Implications for Childhood Stunting in Bangladesh, has found a direct link between rising temperatures and childhood stunting. Despite Bangladesh’s significant progress in reducing stunting from 42% in 2012 to 28% in 2019 climate change now poses a serious threat to these gains. Extreme heat, defined as temperatures exceeding historical norms, disrupts critical biological processes. A mere 1% increase in extreme heat days raises the likelihood of stunting by 56%. Exposure after birth has an even stronger impact 67% compared to 28% for in-utero exposure. Babies born to mothers facing high...
India Braces for Intense Summer as IMD Predicts Doubling of Heatwave Days

India Braces for Intense Summer as IMD Predicts Doubling of Heatwave Days

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that northwestern parts of the country will likely endure an unusually hot summer, with nearly twice the usual number of heatwave days. Typically, the region experiences five to six heatwave days per season, but this year, the IMD forecasts 10 to 12. Extreme Heat Expected Across West and Central India IMD scientist Soma Sen Roy stated that heatwave conditions will be "slightly above normal," particularly in West and Central India. However, she clarified that this seasonal outlook does not mean every day will be excessively hot. A heatwave is officially declared when temperatures reach at least 40°C in the plains, 30°C in the hills or rise five degrees above the seasonal average. Will 2025 Break Last Year’s Record Heat? Whi...
India Rising Heat Worsens Water Crisis, Government Efforts and Sustainable Solutions

India Rising Heat Worsens Water Crisis, Government Efforts and Sustainable Solutions

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
India is grappling with an escalating water crisis worse by rising temperatures with 2024 recorded as the hottest year since 1901. As heatwaves intensified the country saw 733 deaths due to extreme heat according to a report by Heat Watch. The gap between water availability and consumption termed the water gap is increasing at an alarming rate. A study in Nature Communications found that India leads globally in water scarcity, with a baseline shortfall of 24.3 cubic km per year. Under a 1.5°C warming scenario, this gap is projected to increase by 11.1 cubic km annually, further straining resources. The worst-affected basins include the Ganga-Brahmaputra (56.1 cubic km per year) and Sabarmati (52.6 cubic km per year), where water demand far exceeds supply. Government Efforts and Su...
Haryana Steps Up Pollution Fight Plans Long-Term Clean Air Project

Haryana Steps Up Pollution Fight Plans Long-Term Clean Air Project

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Chandigarh, March 29, 2025 – Haryana is tightening its grip on air pollution with a series of strict regulatory actions including industrial closures, heavy fines, and pollution-control initiatives. Environment Minister Rao Narbir Singh, addressing the State Assembly emphasized the government's focus on air quality improvement through inspections, penalties, and awareness campaigns. 480 Industries Shut, ₹35 Crore in Fines The Haryana State Pollution Control Board has been actively inspecting industries, leading to the closure of 480 non-compliant units and the imposition of environmental fines worth ₹35 crore. While these efforts have led to some improvement in AQI, pollution hotspots like Faridabad and Gurugram continue to experience poor air quality. To combat seasonal pollution...
Lakes Across the Globe Losing Oxygen at Unprecedented Rate as Heat Waves and Climate Change Drive Deoxygenation Crisis

Lakes Across the Globe Losing Oxygen at Unprecedented Rate as Heat Waves and Climate Change Drive Deoxygenation Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions
Lakes around the world are rapidly losing oxygen, a trend that scientists warn could have devastating consequences for aquatic life, global food security, and climate stability. A new study published in Science Advances on March 21, 2025, has revealed that deoxygenation in global lakes is occurring at a rate faster than that observed in oceans and rivers. The research led by Yibo Zhan of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, found that 83 percent of the 15,535 lakes studied are experiencing continuous oxygen loss, with the decline driven primarily by rising global temperatures and an increasing frequency of heat waves. The study identified long-term climate warming as the primary driver of oxygen loss, accounting for 55 percent of the depletion in surface waters. As temperatures rise, the...