Friday, April 25News That Matters

Tag: climate risk

Storm Tide Threat Grows Tenfold in Bangladesh as Climate Risks Mount

Storm Tide Threat Grows Tenfold in Bangladesh as Climate Risks Mount

Breaking News, Climate Actions
Bangladesh may face a dramatically different future due to climate change as destructive storm tides a combination of high tides and storm surges are projected to become 10 times more frequent warns a new study published in One Earth. What was once considered a once-in-a-century event could soon strike every decade posing grave risks to Bangladesh’s low-lying, densely populated coast home to nearly eight million people. The study led by researchers including Sai Ravela of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that under high-emissions scenarios the intensification of storms and rising sea levels could significantly increase the frequency and impact of coastal flooding even if the number of cyclones does not rise dramatically. Historically the Bay of Bengal has witn...
Toxicity of PM2.5 in Kolkata Spikes Sharply Beyond 70 µg/m³ Bose Institute Study Warns

Toxicity of PM2.5 in Kolkata Spikes Sharply Beyond 70 µg/m³ Bose Institute Study Warns

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
A recent study by Kolkata’s Bose Institute has revealed a concerning spike in the toxicity of PM2.5 particles once their concentration crosses 70 µg/m³ underscoring the urgent need for stricter pollution controls. The findings suggest that beyond this threshold, the health risks posed by PM2.5 particles increase sharply posing a greater threat to public health than previously understood. PM2.5, or fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, is among the most dangerous air pollutants. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, leading to serious respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological issues. The study focused on the oxidative potential (OP) of PM2.5, which measures its ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) compounds that ...
New Climate Risk Index Reveals Global Inequities in Climate Crisis

New Climate Risk Index Reveals Global Inequities in Climate Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
A newly released Climate Risk Index (CRI) highlights the devastating impact of extreme weather events worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for stronger climate adaptation and risk management policies. Unlike the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), which evaluates countries' mitigation efforts, the CRI ranks 171 nations based on the human and economic toll of climate-related disasters. The 2025 report, published by Germanwatch confirms that lower-income nations bear the brunt of climate change, despite contributing the least to global emissions. Over a 30-year analysis (1993-2022), five of the ten most affected nations were lower-middle-income countries including India, Myanmar, and the Philippines while high-income nations like Italy and Spain also made the list. The year 2022 a...
Rising Groundwater Threatens Inland Flooding in Coastal Cities

Rising Groundwater Threatens Inland Flooding in Coastal Cities

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Rising sea levels caused by climate change are bringing an often-overlooked threat to coastal communities rising groundwater. While coastal erosion and storm surges have been widely studied, the inland spread of flood hazards due to groundwater rise remains a hidden danger. A recent study by Cox et al. focuses on Dunedin, New Zealand, a city already facing periodic flooding, and presents a method to predict how rising seas will impact groundwater levels, offering crucial insights for flood risk management. The research, based on data from 2019 to 2023 collected from 35 groundwater sensors, shows that as sea levels rise, groundwater levels will also increase, limiting the land’s ability to absorb rainfall and leading to higher risks of surface flooding. Even before reaching the surfac...
Unstoppable Heatwaves, Deadly Avalanches, and Global Negligence: How Climate Change is Pushing the World to the Edge

Unstoppable Heatwaves, Deadly Avalanches, and Global Negligence: How Climate Change is Pushing the World to the Edge

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check
As temperatures continue to soar across the country, climate experts warn that 2025 could be even hotter than the record-breaking 2024, pushing the world deeper into an environmental crisis. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has already issued heatwave warnings for multiple states, including Odisha, Kerala, and Maharashtra, while Bengaluru is expected to be hotter than Delhi this year. The rising heat is not just an inconvenience—it is claiming lives. In Mana, Uttarakhand, a devastating avalanche buried around 55 soldiers and workers at a border base camp, with many tragically losing their lives. Experts point to climate change as the root cause of these disasters. The western disturbances, which normally bring snowfall around December and January, have shifted to February and ...
Marine Heatwaves Surge 240% in Two Years, Triggering Global Disruptions

Marine Heatwaves Surge 240% in Two Years, Triggering Global Disruptions

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
A new study has revealed a 240% increase in marine heatwave (MHW) days worldwide during the 2023-24 summers, marking an unprecedented rise in ocean temperatures due to climate change, El Niño, and record-low cloud cover. The research, published in Nature Climate Change, shows that 10% of the world's oceans recorded their highest-ever sea surface temperatures (SSTs), reaching levels four times above historical averages. Extreme Weather and Oceanic Disruptions The prolonged marine heatwaves had far-reaching effects, influencing global weather patterns and triggering severe storms, flooding, and cyclones: Heatwaves struck the UK, North America, and Japan Severe flooding hit Ecuador, Libya, Japan, and Australia The Atlantic hurricane season saw near-record storms MHWs in...
Global Crop Production Faces Threat at 1.5-2°C Warming, Study Warns

Global Crop Production Faces Threat at 1.5-2°C Warming, Study Warns

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments
A major portion of global crop production could be at risk as temperatures rise beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius a new study published in Nature Food has revealed. The research warns that low-latitude regions, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, will face the most significant challenges in maintaining agricultural output under increasing climate pressures. Threat to Crop Diversity and Agricultural Stability The study conducted by researchers from Aalto University (Finland), University of Göttingen (Germany) and University of Zürich (Switzerland), analyzed 30 major crops across four warming scenarios ranging from 1.5°C to 4°C. Findings indicate that as temperatures rise beyond 2°C a significant portion of agricultural land will be exposed to un...
Amphibians Face Overheating Threat as 2°C rise Global Temperatures Rise

Amphibians Face Overheating Threat as 2°C rise Global Temperatures Rise

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
A new study has found that 2% of the world amphibians are already experiencing temperatures beyond their tolerance levels raising concerns about the future of these vulnerable species. The research published in Nature warns that a 2°C rise in global temperatures could be a tipping point, pushing many species toward extinction. Scientists analyzed 5,203 amphibian species and found that 104 are currently exposed to overheating in shaded terrestrial conditions. If global temperatures increase by 4°C, nearly 7.5% or 391 species could reach their physiological limits, facing severe survival challenges. Amphibians, which rely on external sources to regulate body heat, are among the most climate-sensitive vertebrates. Over 40% of amphibian species are already classified as threatened, and r...
Climate Change Fuels Rising Urban Fire Risks Across 20 countries

Climate Change Fuels Rising Urban Fire Risks Across 20 countries

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
A new study published in Nature Cities has revealed that climate change is intensifying the threat of urban fires worldwide, with cities facing a significant rise in fire incidents if global temperatures continue to climb. Fire Risk Increases with Rising Temperatures Researchers analyzed fire data and maximum temperatures from over 2,800 cities across 20 countries, covering 20% of the global population. The study found that if global warming exceeds 4°C, the world could witness: 300,000 fire-related deaths and over a million injuries by 2100. A 22.2% rise in outdoor fires and an 11.6% increase in vehicle fires. A 3.3% increase in vehicle fires and a 6.9% rise in outdoor fires for every 1°C rise in temperature. Building fires, however, may decline by 4.6% due to better f...
Climate Change Threatens Thames with Increased Algal Blooms Despite Phosphorus Reduction 80%

Climate Change Threatens Thames with Increased Algal Blooms Despite Phosphorus Reduction 80%

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
A new study has warned that climate change could fuel a rise in algal blooms in the River Thames, even though phosphorus levels an essential nutrient for algae have significantly decreased over the past four decades. Led by Helen Jarvie, a professor at the University of Waterloo, the research found that phosphorus loads in the Thames have dropped by 80% due to improved wastewater treatment and agricultural practices. Despite this progress, rising river temperatures driven by climate change are increasing the risk of both spring diatom blooms and summer cyanobacterial blooms. These algal blooms can harm aquatic ecosystems by suffocating marine life, depleting oxygen levels, and releasing potentially toxic cyanobacteria. Water Quality Management at Risk Jarvie emphasized that while ...