Friday, October 10News That Matters

Tag: climate change

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...
AI Revolutionizes Disaster Risk Management as Market Set to Cross US$ 2,150 Billion by 2031

AI Revolutionizes Disaster Risk Management as Market Set to Cross US$ 2,150 Billion by 2031

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations, Tech
The global market for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in disaster risk management is experiencing explosive growth. According to a new report by InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd., the market, valued at US$ 479.5 billion in 2023, is projected to surge to US$ 2,150.1 billion by 2031 growing at an impressive CAGR of 21.3%. The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters worsened by climate change and rapid urbanization is driving the urgent need for smarter disaster response solutions. AI is playing a transformative role by enabling predictive analytics, early warning systems, real-time risk assessment, and faster recovery optimization. These technologies process massive data sets, from satellite imagery to historical disaster patterns, to predict threats with greater accuracy and impr...
Earthquakes, Climate Change, and Rising Risks: What We Know and Why It Matters

Earthquakes, Climate Change, and Rising Risks: What We Know and Why It Matters

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
Earthquakes triggered by the shifting of tectonic plates, continue to cause widespread destruction and trauma across the globe. Although earthquakes themselves are not directly caused by climate change, emerging research shows that changing climate conditions may indirectly affect fault lines and earthquake risks. With worsening climate impacts, earthquake-prone areas could face greater vulnerabilities, adding pressure to infrastructure, insurance systems, and disaster response mechanisms worldwide. How Are Earthquakes Formed? Tectonic plates are always moving, though we usually don't notice it. Earthquakes form when Plates move apart (divergent boundaries), Plates collide into each other (convergent boundaries), or Plates slide past each other (transform boundaries). At these ...
Leaves of Western Ghats Trees Breaching Heat Limits, Study Warns of Climate Stress on Crops

Leaves of Western Ghats Trees Breaching Heat Limits, Study Warns of Climate Stress on Crops

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
A new study reveals that leaves of several agroforestry and forest species in Karnataka's Western Ghats are regularly exposed to dangerously high temperatures, putting their health and the region’s economy at serious risk. Many species have already surpassed critical heat thresholds that impair photosynthesis and may cause irreversible damage.  Study Site in Karnataka Shows Early Signs of Thermal Stress Researchers conducted a 4.5-month-long study in 2023 at Hosagadde village near Sirsi, a region frequently experiencing temperatures above 40°C. They monitored 13 agroforestry crops and 4 native forest species, using T₅₀  the temperature at which a leaf's photosynthetic ability drops by 50% as a key stress marker. The findings show that many leaves are crossing this threshold far t...
Sudden Swings in Temperature Hit Over 60% of Globe Since 1961, Study Warns of Escalation by 2100

Sudden Swings in Temperature Hit Over 60% of Globe Since 1961, Study Warns of Escalation by 2100

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
A new global study has found that more than 60% of the planet has likely experienced abrupt “temperature flips” rapid shifts between extreme heat and cold since 1961, with their frequency and intensity projected to increase significantly by the end of the century due to climate change. Published in Nature Communications, the research reveals how these sudden and intense weather swings unlike individual heatwaves or cold spells offer little time for humans, wildlife, and ecosystems to adapt. The impacts can be devastating, from health complications to crop failures and infrastructural stress. One such flip occurred in April 2021 in Europe where temperatures fell dramatically after an unusually warm spell, damaging crops due to frost. These rapid transitions pose risks to both huma...
Climate Change Increases Disaster Risks Across Globe: Know More

Climate Change Increases Disaster Risks Across Globe: Know More

Thoughts & Talks
2024 shattered global temperature records and with it came a surge in natural disasters across the United States. From blazing wildfires in California to catastrophic floods in North Carolina, the link between climate change and intensifying disasters is no longer hypothetical, it's painfully real. According to the latest IPCC report, the frequency and scale of extreme weather events have already exceeded previous predictions. Even if greenhouse gas emissions are curtailed now, disaster risks are locked in due to existing warming.  Climate Change: A Growing Disaster Engine Over the past year, America has experienced the brutal reality of climate-driven disasters. These aren’t isolated events; they are interconnected crises, fueled by rising global temperatures, erratic rainfall p...
Varkala Fragile Cliffs: Caught Between Tourism Dreams & Climate Reality

Varkala Fragile Cliffs: Caught Between Tourism Dreams & Climate Reality

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
Kerala popular coastal destination, Varkala, is under threat. While its dramatic cliffs and scenic beaches draw thousands of tourists every year, unregulated construction climate change, and weak enforcement are putting its unique geological landscape at serious risk. Environmentalists and scientists are sounding the alarm as erosion, drainage issues, and illegal infrastructure continue to weaken the fragile cliffs. Varvara’s Allure: A Cliffside Paradise Under Pressure From atop the North Cliff the beach below looks like a postcard. With golden sand and crashing waves, it’s no wonder Varkala has become one of Kerala’s top tourist destinations. The North Cliff buzzes with energy lined with nearly 250 shops eateries, and resorts. But this crowd-pleasing stretch also hides a dangero...
Istanbul Residents Run For Life As 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Turkey

Istanbul Residents Run For Life As 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Turkey

Breaking News, Disasters
A powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake jolted Istanbul Turkey's largest city early Wednesday afternoon shaking buildings and prompting residents to flee to the streets in panic. The Earthquake struck at 12:49 local time (09:49 GMT) in the Marmara Sea, with its epicenter near Istanbul’s Silivri district according to the country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10km, as per the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) and was strongly felt across Istanbul and neighboring regions, including Izmir, over 550 kilometers away. Eight aftershocks, ranging between 3.5 and 5.9 magnitude, followed the main tremor. Streets Flooded With People in Panic As the earth shook residents ran out of buildings, many still on alert after the ...
Feeling the Heat & Knowing the Science How Education Shapes Climate Concern

Feeling the Heat & Knowing the Science How Education Shapes Climate Concern

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
When people feel climate change in their own backyards warmer winters, earlier springs, more extreme heat they tend to take it more seriously. But simply experiencing the weather shift isn't always enough. A new study shows that higher education plays a crucial role in helping people make sense of the warming they’re experiencing, especially in colder regions where changes are more noticeable. Anthropologist and social scientist R. Alexander Bentley, along with colleague Ben Horne, analyzed data across over 3,000 U.S. counties to explore how education levels and real-life temperature changes interact to shape climate concern. The findings suggest that it’s the combination of both perceptible warming and education that leads to a deeper awareness and concern about climate change. Educ...
Himachal Pradesh Ramps Up Forest Fire Readiness Calls for Community Vigilance

Himachal Pradesh Ramps Up Forest Fire Readiness Calls for Community Vigilance

Breaking News, Climate Actions
With forest fire season underway Himachal Pradesh is stepping up its preparedness efforts, combining technology, ground-level action, and public cooperation to safeguard its extensive forest cover. Chief Conservator of Forests, Shimla Circle, K Thirumal, announced on Monday that while recent rainfall has delayed major fires, the threat remains high due to the state's 68% forest cover well above the national average. Thirumal said during a press briefing “Thanks to good rainfall, fire incidents are still low, with only 90 cases recorded statewide, He noted that Himachal typically sees 1,500 to 2,000 fire incidents annually, with last year recording nearly 2,500 cases. Authorities have launched awareness drives and deployed fire personnel in vulnerable areas. “Community participation i...