climate change Archives - Page 30 of 40

Jun302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Transformative AI Initiative Revolutionizes Extreme Weather Forecasting in East Africa

In a pioneering effort to revolutionize extreme weather forecasting and early warning systems, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Oxford University Physics Department, IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), and various national meteorology agencies across East Africa have joined forces. This initiative comes at a crucial time for East Africa, where climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, from devastating droughts to deadly floods. Dr. Shruti Nath, a climate scientist at Oxford University Physics, emphasized the transformative potential of the new AI-based weather forecasting approach. Traditional models often fall short in predicting extreme weather, particularly in regions with limited resources and infrastructu...

Jun282024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Iceland’s Ongoing Volcanic Eruptions Pose Long Term Threats, Researchers Warn

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula is facing ongoing volcanic eruptions that could persist for years to decades, jeopardizing the region's densely populated areas and critical infrastructure, according to researchers studying local earthquake and geochemical data. The series of eight eruptions since 2021 have prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency in this southwestern region, which houses 70 percent of Iceland's population, its sole international airport, and multiple geothermal power plants. The latest eruptions in May and June forced evacuations, including from the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, highlighting the volatility of the situation. Despite Iceland's volcanic activity being linked to its location atop a hot spot, the Reykjanes Peninsula had remained dormant fo...

Jun282024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

New Tool Developed by University of Hawai Scientists Enhances Long-Term Forecasting of El Niño Events

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Tech

As severe weather events draw increasing global attention, scientists at the University of Hawai at Mānoa are making strides in improving the forecasting of droughts, floods, and other climate scenarios. Researchers from the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) have developed a novel tool that allows for the prediction of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events up to 18 months in advance. The research, which integrates insights into the physics of the ocean and atmosphere with predictive accuracy, was recently published in the prestigious journal Nature. "We have developed a new conceptual model - the so-called extended nonlinear recharge oscillator (XRO) model - that significantly improves predictive skill of ENSO events over one year in advance, better than g...

Jun272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Sahara Dust Storm Heads for Gulf of Mexico Could Impact Hurricane Formation

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

The biggest dust storm ever seen from the Sahara this hurricane season is heading across the Atlantic Ocean. The dust giant is expected to reach the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Florida by the end of the week, and experts say it could play a key role in the formation of the storm. The dry and dusty air associated with the Saharan air layer (SAL) absorbs moisture, an important element for tropical storms and hurricanes. Experts believe that this particular plume will block the development of storms as they travel from Africa to the Caribbean and reach Florida. While this may be good news for those expecting a hurricane season, meteorologists warn that the SAL's effects are temporary. This dust is most common in the Atlantic Basin in late June and early July, and its effect diminishe...

Jun262024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

NASA Highlights Alarming Changes in Oceans Due to Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Breaking News, Climate Actions

Greenhouse gases affect the Earth's water body, as NASA visualizes the ocean. Taking to Instagram, he shared a visualization showing sea level flux based on NASA's Climate Change, Assessment of Ocean Circulation and Climate, Phase II Model (ECCO2). In the paper, the space agency wrote that human emissions are changing the oceans. "Our oceans are changing," the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said in a statement. "Covering 70% of the planet's surface, the ocean is an important driver of the Earth's global climate. However, increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activity are changing the ocean before our eyes. NASA and its partners want to learn more," said NASA further. Also, detailing the visualization, NASA says that the different colors represent the ave...

Jun252024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Building Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty: IDA’s Role in Mitigating Global Disasters and Enhancing Preparedness

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations

Over 400 natural disasters occur worldwide each year, placing millions of people at risk, particularly those living in countries supported by the International Development Association (IDA). In 2023, these disasters resulted in a staggering $250 billion loss and claimed 74,000 lives globally. Severe regional storms were responsible for 76% of the economic losses. Furthermore, the looming threat of climate change is expected to trigger even more destructive weather events in coastal regions worldwide, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Disasters can be natural (e.g., earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, floods) or human-made (e.g., war, climate change, accidents). The Oxford English Dictionary defines a disaster as "An event or occurrence of a ruinous or very distressing nature; a...

Jun242024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Chairs High-Level Meeting on Flood Preparedness and Management

Breaking News, Disasters

Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a high-level meeting on Sunday to evaluate the nation's preparedness for flood management and to develop long-term strategies to mitigate the recurring menace of floods in India. The session focused on reviewing previous actions and integrating new technologies for improved flood management. During the meeting, Shah assessed the progress made on the decisions from a similar meeting held last year. He examined the adoption of new technologies by various agencies and the expansion of their networks for flood management. Emphasizing the importance of innovation, Shah highlighted the need for the optimal use of satellite imagery from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to enhance flood and water management efforts. The home minister review...

Jun232024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Approves New Inter-State Transmission System to Boost Renewable Energy Evacuation from Rajasthan and Karnataka

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In a significant move to bolster its renewable energy infrastructure, the Government of India has greenlit the implementation of a new Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) designed to evacuate a substantial 9 GW of electricity from the states of Rajasthan and Karnataka. This ambitious project, which falls under the Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) regime, is a crucial part of India's overarching goal to establish 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with 200 GW already operational. The approved scheme aims to enhance the country's renewable energy capabilities by facilitating the efficient transfer of power from areas rich in renewable resources to regions with high demand. The initiative underscores India's commitment to sustainable development and its efforts to mitig...

Jun222024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

AI to Forecast Toxic “Blue-Green Tides”: A Breakthrough in Battling Harmful Algal Blooms

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A team of scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory is leveraging artificial intelligence to forecast toxic algal blooms, known as harmful algal blooms (HABs), which have become increasingly common due to climate change and rising water temperatures. These blooms, which have now been reported in all 50 U.S. states, pose a significant threat to water bodies by closing beaches and lakes, killing aquatic life, and causing billions in economic damage. "Harmful algal blooms are appearing in areas where, historically, they were never present," said Babetta Marrone, the project's lead scientist. The complexity of the ecosystems causing these blooms, combined with dispersed data across various databases, presents a unique opportunity for AI to aid in understanding and predicting these events...

Jun222024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Extreme Heatwave Claims Over 100 Lives in Mexico as Climate Change Intensifies

Breaking News, Climate Actions

An unprecedented and relentless heatwave, exacerbated by climate change, has gripped southwestern parts of the United States, Mexico, and northern Central America, leading to over 100 fatalities in Mexico alone. This extreme heat event, driven by a persistent high-pressure system known as a heat dome, has shattered daytime and nighttime temperature records across the region, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and the southwestern United States. The heat dome phenomenon, which traps hot air near the ground and intensifies under clear skies and sunshine, has resulted in severe and widespread impacts. Mexico has reported 125 heat-related deaths since March, with the ongoing drought conditions further aggravating the situation. The drought has not only reduced water availability but als...