climate impacts Archives - Page 4 of 5

Jan282025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Extreme Climatic Events Transform Over 7,500 Greenland Lakes from Carbon Sinks to Sources

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

Over 7,500 lakes in western Greenland have undergone a significant ecological transformation due to extreme climatic conditions. Atmospheric rivers (ARs) have turned these lakes from carbon sinks into carbon sources, a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has revealed. In September 2022, record heat and heavy rains driven by ARs altered the physical, biological, and biogeochemical characteristics of these lakes. ARs, often referred to as “rivers in the sky,” are narrow regions in the atmosphere that transport water vapor outside tropical areas, as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The influx of rainfall instead of snow, alongside remnants of Hurricane Fiona, caused unprecedented melting of the Greenland...

Jan282025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

UNHCR Faces Record Humanitarian Challenges in 2024 Amid Conflicts and Climate Crises

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) confronted unprecedented challenges in 2024, responding to a record 43 humanitarian emergencies, including 26 newly declared crises. Seven of these reached the agency’s highest emergency level, reflecting escalating global needs due to ongoing conflicts, new wars, and climate-related disasters, as highlighted in the recently released 2024 Impact Report: Response to New Emergencies and Protracted Crises. The war in Sudan remained a central focus for UNHCR, with relief efforts continuing into a second year to address the severe regional impact. Alongside Sudan, other conflict zones such as Lebanon, Syria, Ukraine, Myanmar, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo demanded significant humanitarian response. Climate-related emerge...

Jan272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Just Resilience Advancing Equity in Climate Adaptation Strategies

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A new paper delves into the concept of "just resilience," emphasizing the integration of justice and equity into climate adaptation and resilience research and policy. By exploring underrepresented perspectives, particularly from the global south, and addressing the social, structural, and geographical drivers of vulnerability, the paper seeks to shape a global agenda for equitable adaptation. Emergence of Just Resilience Just resilience has become a critical focus in addressing the unequal burdens of climate change. Adaptation strategies can inadvertently create disparities, turning some groups into winners while leaving others behind. Interplay of Climate and Structural Inequities Climate change impacts often exacerbate preexisting inequities based on wealth, power dynamics, ...

Jan272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Finds Climate Change Fuels Rise in Multi-Year Droughts

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Learning & Developments

A groundbreaking 40-year study has revealed a troubling surge in long-lasting, multi-year droughts (MYDs), which have become more frequent, drier, and expansive with the warming climate. The findings, published in Science on January 16, emphasize the global challenge posed by these persistent dry spells, warning of their devastating impact on ecosystems, agriculture, and water resources. Between 1980 and 2018, global terrestrial land affected by MYDs expanded at an alarming rate of 50,000 square kilometers annually. Researchers documented 13,176 MYD events during this period, each lasting at least two consecutive years. These droughts not only grew in size but also experienced significant temperature anomalies in affected regions. Notably, the study identified 10 of the most severe M...

Jan272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Hazards Disrupt Education for Millions in 2024: UNICEF Report Highlights Urgency

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Fact Check

A new report from UNICEF reveals a disturbing trend at least one in seven students globally had their schooling disrupted due to climate-related hazards in 2024. The report, Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2024, released on January 24, 2025, on the International Day of Education, sheds light on the scale of climate's impact on children's education worldwide. According to the report, a staggering 242 million students, ranging from pre-primary to upper secondary education, experienced disruptions to their schooling in 2024 due to climate events. This figure is likely an underestimation, as the report acknowledged data limitations. The analysis examined disruptions across 85 countries from January to December 2024, identifying 119 different...

Jan272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Greenland’s Lakes Transform from Carbon Sinks to Sources Due to Extreme Climate Events

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

A new study has revealed alarming changes in over 7,500 lakes in western Greenland, which have shifted from being carbon sinks to carbon sources due to extreme climatic conditions. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), highlights the profound ecological transformation of these vital ecosystems caused by atmospheric rivers (ARs) and other climate extremes in recent years. In September 2022, a series of atmospheric rivers long, narrow regions in the atmosphere that carry large amounts of water vapor struck western Greenland, causing record-breaking heat followed by rains. These events significantly altered the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the region’s lakes. In addition, the impact of Hurricane Fiona further raised ...

Jan252025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

242M Students Disrupted by Climate Hazards in 2024: UNICEF Report

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

At least 242 million students across 85 countries experienced significant disruptions in their education due to extreme climate events in 2024, according to a new UNICEF report titled Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2024. Released on International Day of Education, the report underscores the growing impact of heatwaves, floods, tropical cyclones, and droughts on education, worsening an already critical global learning crisis. Heatwaves were the leading cause of school closures, affecting over 118 million students in April alone. Countries like Bangladesh and the Philippines witnessed widespread school shutdowns, while Cambodia shortened school days due to scorching temperatures. In parts of South Asia, temperatures reached a staggering 47°C...

Jan222025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global Economy Faces 50% GDP Loss by 2090 Without Climate Action, Warns Report

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

A stark warning has been issued about the economic and humanitarian costs of inaction on the climate crisis. According to the "Planetary Solvency – Finding Our Balance with Nature" report, global GDP could shrink by 50% between 2070 and 2090 if decisive measures are not taken. Populations are already grappling with food system shocks, water insecurity, heat stress, and infectious diseases. Without intervention, the likelihood of mass mortality, displacement, economic collapse, and conflict increases dramatically. The report, the fourth in a series by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) in collaboration with climate scientists, offers a framework for global risk management. It emphasizes that ineffective risk messaging has hampered policy decisions and delayed critical action, ...

Jan132025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

2025 NDC Update: Bridging Adaptation Plans with Paris Agreement Goals

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

As the 2025 update to nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement approaches, a new briefing highlights the opportunity for countries to align their NDCs with their national adaptation plans (NAPs). The review assesses how adaptation-related information presented in these key documents can be better integrated, offering a roadmap for policymakers to strengthen climate action. This briefing is particularly aimed at national policymakers and NAP teams responsible for adaptation planning and implementation. It underscores the critical role of the 2025 NDC update in enhancing the coherence between the NAP process and NDC commitments, ensuring that adaptation measures are effectively mainstreamed into national climate strategies. By synthesizing insights from coun...

Jan102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Rising Temperatures and Warnings: Latest Climate Research Highlights Urgent Action Needed

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

As global temperatures soared to record highs in 2024, the urgency to address climate change is intensifying. New research underscores how rapidly the planet is warming and reveals unexpected consequences of climate shifts, from ocean changes to wildfires and ecosystem transformations. Recent findings suggest Earth may have already reached 1.5°C of warming above pre-industrial levels, a critical threshold that could lead to irreversible climate impacts. A November 2024 study based on 2,000 years of atmospheric gas data from Antarctic ice cores indicates that warming hit 1.49°C in 2023. Unlike previous calculations, which used a baseline from 1850-1900, this analysis extends the pre-industrial baseline back to 13 CE, offering a broader historical perspective. The warming Atlantic Ocea...