climate action Archives - Page 14 of 29

Mar12025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Mathare Flood Survivors Struggle to Rebuild Amid Climate and Housing Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

In the shadow of Nairobi’s skyline Mathare one of Kenya’s largest informal settlements bears the deep scars of nature’s wrath. The March-to-May rainy season of 2024 brought devastating floods that swept through the community, destroying homes, displacing thousands, and claiming lives. On April 24, floodwaters surged through Mathare, leaving more than 7,000 people displaced, according to a report by Save the Children. A month later, families were still grappling with the scale of destruction. Doreen Achieng, a mother of four, recalls how water seeped into her house overnight. Used to occasional flooding, she began mopping until she realized the water wasn’t stopping. Within hours, it had risen three meters, trapping her family inside. “We were stuck in the water, but the men came t...

Feb272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Change Threatens Thames with Increased Algal Blooms Despite Phosphorus Reduction 80%

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

A new study has warned that climate change could fuel a rise in algal blooms in the River Thames, even though phosphorus levels an essential nutrient for algae have significantly decreased over the past four decades. Led by Helen Jarvie, a professor at the University of Waterloo, the research found that phosphorus loads in the Thames have dropped by 80% due to improved wastewater treatment and agricultural practices. Despite this progress, rising river temperatures driven by climate change are increasing the risk of both spring diatom blooms and summer cyanobacterial blooms. These algal blooms can harm aquatic ecosystems by suffocating marine life, depleting oxygen levels, and releasing potentially toxic cyanobacteria. Water Quality Management at Risk Jarvie emphasized that while ...

Feb272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Change Intensifies Extreme Rainfall Behind Brazil’s 2022 Deadly Floods

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

A rapid attribution study has confirmed that human-induced climate change played a significant role in the catastrophic floods and landslides that struck Eastern Northeast Brazil in May 2022, leading to severe human and material losses. The study analyzed daily rainfall patterns over the region, focusing on 7-day and 15-day mean rainfall events. Findings revealed that the 2022 extreme rainfall events were exceptionally rare, with a 1-in-500 chance of occurring in any given year for the 7-day period and a 1-in-1000 chance for the 15-day period under current climate conditions. Using a multi-model ensemble of climate simulations, researchers found that global warming had significantly increased the likelihood and intensity of such extreme rainfall. By integrating observational data wit...

Feb272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Women in Least Developed Nations Struggle for Voice in Climate Talks

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

A recent study has revealed that women from the world’s least developed countries (LDCs) face significant barriers to participating in global climate negotiations. Conducted by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the research highlights the gender imbalance in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) discussions, particularly among delegates from the 45 LDCs. Since 2008, women have made up only one in three UNFCCC delegates, with just 10% serving as heads of delegation. The study, which included surveys and case studies from Rwanda, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone, found that cultural norms, restrictive laws, and institutional barriers limit women’s roles in climate talks. Limited access to education, training, financial resources, and ...

Feb262025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Tree Rings Reveal Climate Change’s Role in Intensifying Drought Across Eurasia

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Scientists have long struggled to distinguish natural hydroclimatic variability from human-induced climate change when analyzing shifting drought conditions worldwide. While complex computer models can simulate past climate fluctuations, they often carry biases that affect regional drought estimates. Now, a groundbreaking study using tree rings provides compelling evidence that global warming is driving 21st-century drought patterns across Europe and Asia. A team of researchers, led by Kate Marvel and colleagues, turned to the Great Eurasian Drought Atlas (GEDA) a vast collection of tree ring records spanning 1,000 years to reconstruct historical drought trends. Because tree rings grow wider in warm, wet years and thinner in dry, cold years, they serve as a natural climate archive, offe...

Feb262025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Ecuador Launches Climate Insurance to Protect Small Farmers

Breaking News, Climate Actions

Ecuador has introduced its first parametric insurance program to protect smallholder maize and rice farmers from climate-related risks such as floods, storms, and El Niño-driven weather events. The initiative, led by Guy Carpenter Mexico, AXA Climate, Blue Marble Microinsurance, and Campo Seguro, in partnership with the InsuResilience Solutions Fund (ISF), aims to provide affordable coverage to farmers who previously lacked access to traditional indemnity-based insurance. Agriculture is crucial to Ecuador’s economy, supporting 17.9% of its workforce and supplying nearly 60% of essential food. However, extreme weather events threaten rural livelihoods, making risk management critical. Unlike conventional insurance, the new parametric model will offer faster payouts based on predefined we...

Feb252025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Links Extreme Weather to Rising Power Outages Across U.S. Frequently

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

A new study published in PLOS Climate reveals that power outages are becoming increasingly frequent alongside extreme weather events in the U.S., highlighting regional differences in outage causes and the urgent need for preparedness. Researchers analyzed county-level data from 2018 to 2020 and found that 73% of counties experienced at least one day where a severe weather event coincided with a power outage. In 54% of counties, two simultaneous weather hazards such as hurricanes and heavy rain occurred alongside outages, raising the risk of widespread disruption. Hurricanes were the leading cause of outages, followed by snowstorms and heavy rain. However, the impact varied by region: heavy rain was a major factor in the Northeast and Gulf Coast, while extreme heat and power failures ...

Feb252025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Raging Infernos Forest Fires Surge $30 billion loss as Climate Change Fuels Destruction

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Forest fires have become a global crisis, unleashing destruction on ecosystems, air quality, and biodiversity while intensifying climate change. The growing frequency and severity of wildfires from Russia to Australia highlight the urgent need for better fire management strategies and stronger climate action. In Los Angeles, wildfires recently caused losses of $30 billion, burning over 57,000 acres and destroying 16,000 structures. Between 2001 and 2023, wildfires wiped out 138 million hectares of tree cover worldwide, with Russia, Canada, and the U.S. suffering the highest losses. Meanwhile, global wildfires have emitted five to eight billion tonnes of CO₂ annually, worsening air pollution and health risks. India, too, faces escalating wildfire threats. With nearly 1.65 million hect...

Feb242025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Change Alters Crocodile Behavior as Temperatures Rise

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check

A new study has revealed that climate change is pushing estuarine crocodiles in Australia to their limits, forcing them to change their behavior in response to rising temperatures. The research, published in Current Biology, suggests that higher temperatures are reducing the reptiles’ diving ability and increasing their need to cool off. Crocodiles Struggling in the Heat Crocodiles are ectothermic (cold-blooded) animals, meaning they rely on external environments to regulate their body temperature. While they usually thrive in warm climates, rising global temperatures are pushing them closer to dangerous thermal limits. Researchers analyzed 203 crocodiles and found that since 2008, their highest body temperatures have risen by 0.55°C. The study noted that many of these crocodiles ...

Feb242025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Prepares First-Ever National Adaptation Plan to Combat Climate Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions

As climate-related disasters escalate, India is gearing up to launch its first-ever National Adaptation Plan (NAP) a landmark policy initiative aimed at reducing the vulnerability of communities across the country. The plan focuses on enhancing adaptive capacities and resilience at a national level, integrating climate adaptation into existing policies and development strategies. A Comprehensive Framework for Climate Resilience NAP is being developed through multi-stakeholder consultations, bringing together government bodies, scientific institutions, and disaster management experts. A crucial step in this process was a national workshop held on February 10-11 at the Integrated Centre for Adaptation to Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainability (ICARS) at IIT Roorkee’...