climate crisis Archives - Page 13 of 13

Dec122024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Antarctic ‘Plastisphere’ A New Ecosystem with Hidden Dangers Surprisingly

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check

Antarctica, often considered the last pristine frontier, is no longer untouched by human activity and its environmental consequences. Plastic pollution, a hallmark of human impact, has given rise to a unique ecological phenomenon: the plastisphere—microbial communities colonizing plastic debris in the ocean. While offering intriguing scientific insights, this ecosystem poses significant threats to marine life and global ecological balance. When plastic enters the ocean, it provides surfaces for microbial communities to colonize rapidly, forming biofilms. This collection of organisms known as the plastisphere evolves through ecological succession into a complex network of microbes. These communities can carry harmful pathogens, such as Vibrio spp. and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, sprea...

Dec122024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

North India Faces Severe Cold Wave Delhi Shivers at 4.8°C

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

New Delhi, December 12, 2024 – North India is reeling under intense cold wave conditions, with Delhi recording its coldest day of the season at 4.8°C on Wednesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the minimum temperature may dip further to 4°C on Thursday. This marks the first time in 14 years that early December temperatures have dropped below 5°C in the national capital. States including Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are also experiencing freezing conditions, while Jammu and Kashmir witnessed fresh snowfall on Wednesday. Chilly winds from the northwest, blowing at 8-10 km/h, have exacerbated the cold, particularly in Delhi, where smog and mist are prevalent during the mornings and evenings. The IMD predicts "mainly clear skies with cold wa...

Dec122024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

2024 Declared Hottest Year on Record, Climate Crisis Deepens

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The year 2024 has officially been declared the hottest on record, surpassing the previous high set in 2023, highlighting the escalating impacts of climate change. Experts warn that this unprecedented temperature rise is a clear indicator of the crisis facing ecosystems, economies, and public health worldwide. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that November 2024 was the second warmest in 123 years, with an average temperature of 29.37°C. The delayed onset of winter has underscored concerns about the far-reaching effects of global warming. Professor S.N. Mishra, a leading climate expert, stated, "Unchecked greenhouse gas emissions are driving us toward catastrophic outcomes. We may breach the critical 1.5°C global warming threshold as early as 2030." The consequence...

Dec72024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Shocking Study Claims Says Arctic Could Be Ice-Free by 2027

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The Arctic is on track to witness its first ice-free day as early as 2027, according to a study published in Nature Communications. Researchers from Colorado University Boulder and the University of Gothenburg revealed that the phenomenon, defined as the reduction of sea ice to less than one million square kilometers, signals a significant turning point in climate change. Arctic sea ice is already melting at an alarming rate of over 12% per decade, compared to its average extent between 1981 and 2010, as per NASA data. Using hundreds of climate simulations, the study predicts that while the first ice-free day may occur within the next 9 to 20 years, the most pessimistic scenario places this milestone just three years away. Once the first ice-free day occurs, it could last anywhere from ...

Dec62024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Arctic May Experience Its First Ice-Free Day by 2027, Study Warns

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments

The Arctic is on the brink of a dramatic environmental shift, with scientists predicting its first ice-free day as early as 2027, according to a study published in Nature Communications. Researchers from Colorado University (CU) Boulder and the University of Gothenburg have raised alarms about this milestone, which signifies sea ice shrinking to an area of 1 million square kilometers or less. Rapid Melting Trends Arctic sea ice is currently disappearing at an unprecedented rate of over 12% per decade, compared to its 1981-2010 average, NASA reports. By analyzing hundreds of climate simulations spanning from 2023 to 2100, researchers found that an ice-free Arctic is almost inevitable within 9 to 20 years, with the worst-case scenario placing this event just three years away. Implic...

Dec42024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Greenland Accelerating Ice Melt Could Raise Sea Levels by One Meter by 2100

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The melting of Greenland’s ice sheet is accelerating at an alarming pace, with the potential to lose between 964 and 1,735 gigatons of ice annually by 2100 under high greenhouse gas emissions (SSP585), according to new research led by the University of Liège. This massive ice loss could lead to a rise in global sea levels by up to one meter, putting millions in coastal regions at risk. The Scale of the Crisis Recent studies, including one published in Geophysical Research Letters, reveal that Greenland currently contributes 25% to global sea-level rise, adding 0.6 millimeters per year. If melting continues unabated, this contribution could surge dramatically by the end of the century. Three regional climate models RACMO, MAR, and HIRHAM offer slightly varying predictions due to di...

Nov272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Timor-Leste Fight Against Climate Disasters Blend of Technology and Community Action

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Tech

Timor-Leste, a small island nation in Southeast Asia, is on the frontlines of the climate crisis, grappling with the devastating impacts of extreme weather. However, a combination of local knowledge, cutting-edge technology, and support from the United Nations is helping its communities better prepare for disasters. In April 2021, catastrophic flash floods swept through Timor-Leste, killing over 30 people and destroying 4,000 homes. Orlalan, a remote village of nearly 6,000 people, was among the worst-hit areas. With limited disaster preparedness, residents were caught off guard as landslides and floodwaters surged. Today, community leaders like Armandina Valentina are driving grassroots efforts to ensure their neighbors are better equipped for the next disaster. She tirelessly educa...

Nov152024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

ESCAP Says Robust Social Protection Systems Vital Amid Climate Challenges

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

New Delhi: As climate change and economic uncertainties intensify, robust social protection systems are becoming a necessity, not a choice, warns the Social Outlook 2024 report by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The report highlights a dire need to close financing gaps to safeguard vulnerable populations and build resilience. The Asia-Pacific region currently spends only 8.2% of its GDP on social protection, significantly below the global average of 12.9%. ESCAP cautions that without increased investment, rising poverty driven by climate change, digital disparities, and aging populations could become unavoidable. Social protection is more than a safety net; it’s an investment that stabilizes economies during crises. This was evident during the COV...

Oct52024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global Temperature Surges in 2023-2024 Pressing Challenge for Climate Forecasting Amid Record Heat and Extreme Weather

Breaking News, Climate Actions

As global temperatures are projected to rise above the critical 1.5ºC threshold in 2023-2024, climate scientists are increasingly concerned about the impacts on global weather patterns, forecasting models, and preparedness for extreme weather events. The accelerated pace of climate change, driven largely by human-induced global warming, is intensifying the unpredictability of weather systems and challenging the accuracy of traditional forecasting. This article delves into the factors influencing weather and climate forecasting, examining the impacts of global warming, shifts in atmospheric dynamics, and the limitations of predictive models amid complex, extreme weather events. Global warming refers to the steady rise in Earth's average surface temperature due to the accumulation of gree...

Jul162024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Crisis and the Lengthening of Days: The Impact of Melting Polar Ice Caps

Breaking News, Environment

A recent study highlights a lesser-known consequence of the climate crisis: the melting of polar ice caps is causing Earth to spin more slowly, increasing the length of days at an unprecedented rate. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the paper reveals how water flowing from Greenland and Antarctica is resulting in more mass around the equator, a phenomenon co-author Surendra Adhikari of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory likens to a figure skater extending their arms during a spin, slowing down their rotation. While Earth is often thought of as a sphere, it is more accurately described as an "oblate spheroid," bulging around the equator much like a satsuma. This shape is constantly changing due to various factors such as daily tides, tectonic plate movement...