Thursday, October 30News That Matters

Tag: climate action

Monsoon Bliss: Early Rains Boost India’s Agricultural Prospects Amid Heavy Downpours

Monsoon Bliss: Early Rains Boost India’s Agricultural Prospects Amid Heavy Downpours

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Kerala experienced an unusually early arrival of the southwest monsoon on May 24, eight days ahead of the usual schedule, marking the earliest onset in 16 years. This early arrival offers a promising start to the agricultural season and relief from recent heatwaves that have affected much of the country. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the monsoon has already begun advancing into Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and parts of the northeast. This early onset allows farmers to start sowing summer crops sooner, with increased soil moisture supporting better crop growth and potentially higher yields. However along with the early arrival, heavy monsoon rains are expected across several regions, including Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. While these rains are crucial for ag...
Anti-Environmentalism Is Surging — But Built on Contradictions It Can’t Escape

Anti-Environmentalism Is Surging — But Built on Contradictions It Can’t Escape

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Though gaining political clout in the West, the movement’s internal paradoxes and global shifts are weakening its foundation. Across much of the Western world a wave of anti-environmentalism is rising challenging climate targets, attacking conservation measures, and reshaping politics in the US, UK, and Europe. Yet, behind the slogans and campaign rhetoric lies a movement riddled with contradictions. At its core anti-environmentalism is a rejection of environmental policies and climate activism. But its messages are often inconsistent, even self-defeating. In one breath, leaders denounce climate science and defund environmental protections. In the next, they proclaim themselves lovers of “clean air” and “beautiful nature.” Take Donald Trump. During his presidency, he rolled back k...
Global Unity on Climate Change: Sagarmatha Sambaad Underscores Urgent Call for Action

Global Unity on Climate Change: Sagarmatha Sambaad Underscores Urgent Call for Action

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
World leaders, climate experts, and international delegates gathered in Nepal for the Sagarmatha Sambaad, where they reaffirmed their collective commitment to combat climate change with special focus on its mounting impact on mountainous regions. The summit emphasized collaboration, environmental justice, and urgent global action to secure the planet’s future. Summit Opens with Global Backing for Nepal’s Climate Vision The three-day Sagarmatha Sambaad began with a strong show of international support for Nepal’s climate leadership. Nepali Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba highlighted the growing global consensus in support of safeguarding fragile mountain ecosystems, acknowledging endorsements even from non-mountainous nations that recognize the interconnectedness of climate impac...
Heat Threatens Latin America Banana Industry, Puts Global Supply at Risk

Heat Threatens Latin America Banana Industry, Puts Global Supply at Risk

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check
Climate Pressures Shrinking Banana-Growing Zones Rising global temperatures are pushing Latin America’s banana-producing regions toward unsuitability, with new research warning that by 2080, up to 60% of current export-suitable areas could be lost without urgent climate action. Brazil’s Farmers Struggle in the Heat In Brazil’s northeastern state of Bahia, banana farmers are already facing severe impacts. Even with irrigation, plantations are showing signs of stress during prolonged heatwaves. In 2023, extreme heat reduced harvest output by 15%, and similar conditions are likely to return this year. Major Exporters Under Threat The most vulnerable areas include Colombia and Costa Rica, key banana exporters to Europe and North America. These regions are experiencing rising te...
When the Wind Hits Different: Why Downbursts Are More Destructive Than Hurricanes

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 ...
Heat, Hunger & Harm: How the Climate Crisis Deepens Gender Inequality and Violence

Heat, Hunger & Harm: How the Climate Crisis Deepens Gender Inequality and Violence

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is a present crisis that is widening gender gaps, increasing violence against women and girls, and reversing decades of progress in human rights and sustainable development. A UN Spotlight Initiative report reveals that rising global temperatures and related disasters are not just environmental concerns they are fueling gender-based violence, displacing communities, increasing food insecurity, and threatening the health and safety of millions of women worldwide. This article explores how climate change uniquely affects women and girls, why feminist climate justice is essential, and how women are leading transformative solutions. Climate Crisis: A Gendered Emergency The climate emergency is intensifying conditions that disproportionately h...
New Study Links Rainfall Patterns to Deadly Humid heatwaves, opening door to early warnings

New Study Links Rainfall Patterns to Deadly Humid heatwaves, opening door to early warnings

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
Researchers say improved forecasting could protect millions in tropical and subtropical regions as climate change intensifies risk. Scientists may have found a breakthrough in forecasting humid heatwaves a growing and dangerous threat in tropical regions by revealing how recent rainfall and soil moisture can signal when such deadly conditions might arise. In a first-of-its-kind study experts from the University of Leeds and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology have identified clear links between rainfall patterns and the onset of extreme humid heat across the global tropics and subtropics. The findings, published on Tuesday, April 29 in Nature Communications, could pave the way for early warning systems that help protect vulnerable communities. a deadly but poorly understood da...
Monsoon Extremes Put Marine Life At Risk in Bay of Bengal: Warns Study

Monsoon Extremes Put Marine Life At Risk in Bay of Bengal: Warns Study

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
A groundbreaking study has revealed that both extremely strong and weak monsoons have historically led to a 50% decline in food availability for marine life in the Bay of Bengal. Researchers warn that with climate change likely to worsen monsoon variability, marine productivity and millions of livelihoods are at serious risk. Monsoons: A Double-Edged Sword for Marine Ecosystems In the dynamic environment of the Bay of Bengal, monsoons play a central role in ocean health. But this new research, conducted by teams from the University of Arizona and IIT Gandhinagar and published in Nature Geoscience, finds that monsoon extremes are harmful, regardless of whether rainfall is too much or too little. The culprit is disrupted ocean mixing, the vertical movement of water that brings nutri...
UN Highlights: Indigenous People Safeguard 80% Planet’s Biodiversity With 1% Climate Funding

UN Highlights: Indigenous People Safeguard 80% Planet’s Biodiversity With 1% Climate Funding

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
Indigenous people who protect 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity are being pushed to the margins of global climate efforts according to a new UN report. Despite their crucial role in safeguarding ecosystems they receive less than 1% of climate funding and are often excluded from decision-making. The report warns that without Indigenous leadership the world’s climate goals will remain out of reach and current "green" solutions could end up repeating the injustices of the past. Indigenous Peoples Left Out Despite Vital Role The United Nations launched The State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples this week, highlighting a troubling imbalance. Indigenous communities make up just 6% of the global population but are responsible for protecting most of the Earth's remaining biodive...
New Zealand Urged to Avoid Quick Fixes After Ex-Cyclone Tam Focus on Smarter Climate Planning

New Zealand Urged to Avoid Quick Fixes After Ex-Cyclone Tam Focus on Smarter Climate Planning

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
As New Zealanders clean up after ex-Cyclone Tam which left thousands without power and several areas flooded experts warn that rushing into visible but short-sighted fixes could worsen long-term risks. Instead they call for thoughtful adaptive planning that strengthens community resilience against future climate disasters. Quick Reactions After Disasters Can Create Bigger Problems Research shows that after major disasters, there is often pressure to act quickly. Communities want fast, visible action that seems decisive. But history has shown that reactionary decisions can misallocate resources or even increase vulnerability to future disasters. High-impact weather events like ex-Cyclone Tam must not drive policy changes without careful planning. Experts stress that risk assessment...