Sunday, February 23News That Matters

Tag: climate risk

Geospatial Technologies Propel Climate Adaptation Efforts Across Asia

Geospatial Technologies Propel Climate Adaptation Efforts Across Asia

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Tech
Climate change, a crisis that defies national borders, demands urgent action as highlighted by the latest State of the Climate in Asia report. This report warns that extreme weather events like storms, heatwaves, and floods are intensifying, and rising sea levels are worsening the risks for coastal communities. In response, geospatial technologies are proving essential in Asia's climate adaptation efforts, enabling precise monitoring, risk assessment, and disaster preparedness. In Japan, the Arakawa 3D Flood Hazard Map offers Tokyo’s residents real-time flood risk data for the Arakawa River area, detailing inundation depths and flood retention times. By integrating live camera feeds, residents can gauge potential flooding impacts on homes or workplaces and make timely evacuation plans. ...
Toxic Smog Engulfs New Delhi as Air Pollution Soars to 50 Times WHO Limit

Toxic Smog Engulfs New Delhi as Air Pollution Soars to 50 Times WHO Limit

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
New Delhi, India – A dense toxic smog blanketed New Delhi on Wednesday, with pollution levels surging to over 50 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily limit. Residents of the sprawling city of over 30 million grappled with choking air, as monitoring firm IQAir reported hazardous levels of PM2.5 pollutants topping 806 micrograms per cubic meter – microparticles that pose severe risks as they can enter the bloodstream through the lungs. Many in the city cannot afford air filters or create sealed indoor spaces to protect themselves, and the smog has led to delayed flights, with visibility dropping below 500 meters in Delhi and even lower at 18 airports across northern India. The hazardous air is attributed to a range of factors, including agricultural stubble burning i...
Private Jet Carbon Emissions Surge 46% in Four Years Amid Calls for Regulation

Private Jet Carbon Emissions Surge 46% in Four Years Amid Calls for Regulation

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
A new study reveals that carbon emissions from private jet travel increased by 46% between 2019 and 2023, spotlighting the ultra-luxury industry’s environmental impact and raising calls for regulation. Researchers from universities in Sweden, Denmark, and Germany found that private aviation released 15.6 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2023, often spiking around high-profile events like the Cannes Film Festival, World Cup, and climate summits. Despite contributing less than 2% of commercial aviation’s emissions, private jets have a far greater carbon footprint per passenger due to their exclusivity serving just 0.003% of the adult global population, each with an average net worth of $123 million. Many of the 18.7 million private flights tracked in the study were under 500 kilometers, with some...
Bank of England Climate Risk Update Spurs Greener Lending, But Experts Call for Government Action to Ensure Equity

Bank of England Climate Risk Update Spurs Greener Lending, But Experts Call for Government Action to Ensure Equity

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
The Bank of England has recently strengthened its commitment to climate risk management by updating its collateral framework, particularly focusing on residential mortgage assets. These updates, aimed at reflecting climate risks, not only protect the Bank's balance sheet but also encourage a green shift in commercial banks' lending practices. Experts, however, argue that complementary government policies are essential to ensure fair outcomes, particularly for vulnerable groups. The Bank of England’s collateral framework determines the assets commercial banks can use to borrow, setting terms to reflect asset risks. By adjusting the criteria to account for climate-related risks, the Bank has introduced measures with the potential to influence lending decisions and support the UK’s transit...
ASRA Report Calls for Urgent Shift to Systemic Risk Management Amid Rising Global Instability

ASRA Report Calls for Urgent Shift to Systemic Risk Management Amid Rising Global Instability

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
A groundbreaking report from the Accelerator for Systemic Risk Assessment (ASRA) calls for a radical shift in how governments, businesses, and communities assess and manage global risks. The report, titled Facing Global Risks with Honest Hope, highlights the growing interconnected threats facing the world, from climate change and biodiversity loss to geopolitical conflicts and the unchecked rise of artificial intelligence. Developed by over 50 experts, the report argues that the current approach to risk assessment is outdated and fragmented, leaving decision-makers ill-prepared for today's "polycrisis" moment. Instead of addressing risks in isolation, the authors emphasize the need for a systemic approach that integrates cross-sector collaboration and global governance reforms. One o...
New Study Warns of Imminent Tipping Points Through Climate Change on a Precipice

New Study Warns of Imminent Tipping Points Through Climate Change on a Precipice

Breaking News, Climate Actions
The Earth's climate is teetering on the edge, and uncertainty looms over which direction it will fall. A recent study from climate scientists at the University of Potsdam in Germany reveals that surpassing the Paris Agreement's primary goal could trigger a cascade of irreversible tipping points, pushing the planet into uncharted and potentially catastrophic territory. Led by researchers Tessa Möller and Annika Ernest Högner, the study investigates four critical tipping points: the collapse of the Atlantic Ocean's main current system, the Amazon rainforest, the Greenland ice sheet, and the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. These systems are integral to maintaining the planet's climate stability, and their failure could accelerate global warming beyond control. The findings come at a crucial j...
New Index Shows Western Indian Himalayan Region More Prone to Climate Change Risks

New Index Shows Western Indian Himalayan Region More Prone to Climate Change Risks

Breaking News, Climate Actions
A pioneering climate risk index developed by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M), reveals that the Western Indian Himalayan Region faces greater vulnerability to climate change compared to the Eastern Himalayan ranges. Utilizing the latest framework from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the index integrates both physical and socio-economic indicators to assess climate risk in the Himalayas comprehensively. The Himalayas, often referred to as the "third pole" due to their vast ice and water reserves, are highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. While the region is experiencing warming temperatures and declining snow cover and glacier mass, few studies have attempted to map climate risks at a district level. The new study by...
Role of Private Sector’s  in Green Transition: Highlights of Climate Conference 2024 in Mumbai

Role of Private Sector’s in Green Transition: Highlights of Climate Conference 2024 in Mumbai

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Mumbai, Maharashtra witnessed the Climate Conference 2024 on January 12, 2024, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Themed "Decoding the Green Transition for India," the event focused on the integral role of the private sector, climate tech startups, and institutional investors in mobilizing financial resources and technical capabilities. The conference aimed to leverage government initiatives, involve civil society and communities, and promote innovative climate services and adaptation technologies. Key dignitaries present at the inaugural session included Ms. Leena Nandan, Environment Secretary, Mr. Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, Mr. K Rajaraman, Chairman, IFSCA, Mr. Mike Hankey, U.S. Consul General, and Mr. Nadir Godrej, Chairman & ...