Disaster management Archives - Page 4 of 19

Nov52024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Flood Maps Backfire at Coastal Residents Feel Less Concerned About Rising Seas

The study reveals a surprising challenge for climate risk communication: while maps of projected sea-level rise (SLR) are often used to raise awareness, they may not effectively increase personal concern among coastal residents. Instead, these visual aids may unintentionally reduce perceived personal risk, even for those whose properties are directly threatened by future flooding. When shown maps indicating that their homes could be permanently flooded by 2100, residents tended to view SLR as a broader societal issue, less likely to impact them personally. This detachment underscores a common psychological barrier in risk perception, where people perceive climate threats as more abstract or distant from their immediate lives. Interestingly, the study found that emphasizing infrastruc...

Nov42024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Scientists Edge Closer to Creating Heaviest Element Ever Using New Titanium Beam Technique

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

In a groundbreaking experiment, scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have fused vaporized titanium with plutonium, successfully creating a few atoms of livermorium, one of the heaviest elements known. This accomplishment, achieved by using a new technique involving titanium-50 heated to nearly 1,650°C, marks an essential step toward synthesizing even heavier elements. Livermorium, first discovered in 2000, contains 116 protons and is far from the heaviest superheavy element ever produced—oganesson holds that record with 118 protons. However, this experiment isn’t about rediscovering old elements; it's a strategic move to develop the tools needed to produce element 120, known as unbinilium, a potential breakthrough in the field of nuclear science. ...

Nov22024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Spain Deadliest Floods Claim Over 200 Lives Rescue Efforts Intensify Amid Rising Tensions

Breaking News, Disasters

Spain faced a somber day as the death toll from the week’s devastating floods climbed past 200, marking the country's deadliest natural disaster in recent history. Heavy rains continued Friday, battering already-stricken regions and challenging strained rescue operations. The Valencia region suffered the worst, with 202 confirmed deaths, as announced by regional president Carlos Mazón. With an additional three fatalities reported in neighboring areas, the total has reached 205, and officials fear the count could rise as rescue teams work through mud-soaked towns and debris-filled streets. Late Thursday and early Friday, intense rains spread to other southern regions. In Andalusia, the province of Huelva was hit hardest as Halloween celebrations turned dangerous under relentless rain....

Nov12024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Historic Flooding in Spain’s Valencia Region Highlights Climate Change’s Role in Intensifying Ocean Heat and Extreme Weather

Breaking News, Disasters

Spain's Valencia region faced catastrophic flooding due to record-setting torrential rains, resulting in at least 95 deaths and massive damage to infrastructure and homes. Rainfall totals reached a staggering 20 inches (500 mm) in some areas equivalent to the region's usual annual total. This devastating event was fueled by a low-pressure system that drew on an atmospheric river carrying high moisture levels from the unseasonably warm Tropical Atlantic. According to the Climate Shift Index: Ocean (CSI: Ocean), the unusually high sea surface temperatures were made up to 300 times more likely due to human-caused climate change. How Climate Change is Amplifying Ocean Heat The Climate Shift Index: Ocean, a tool grounded in peer-reviewed science and reliable data, evaluates the extent ...

Oct302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

New Study Reveals Flaws in Climate Models: Future Permafrost Loss in Asia’s ‘Frozen Giants’ Less Severe Than Predicted

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In a groundbreaking study, scientists from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have exposed significant overestimations in climate models predicting permafrost loss in High Mountain Asia (HMA). Known for its vast frozen carbon reserves, HMA has been at the center of global climate concerns. However, the latest research reveals that by fine-tuning model sensitivity to align with realistic warming projections, the feared permafrost degradation may be significantly less severe than previously believed. The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, finds that previous climate models with overly high equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS) levels have led to exaggerated warming predictions, distorting forecasts for permafrost loss across HMA. With ne...

Oct302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Summer Heatwaves and Climate Shifts Spark Deadly Rise in European Disease Outbreaks

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

In the wake of the hottest summer on record, European scientists are sounding alarms over severe health risks associated with soaring temperatures and climate-induced shifts in disease patterns. A recent study by Spanish scientists revealed that more than 47,000 Europeans died unexpectedly due to extreme summer heat, predominantly affecting vulnerable populations like the elderly and outdoor workers. However, scientists warn that rising temperatures are also laying the groundwork for even more complex health challenges, as new research points to climate change’s role in increasing the spread of infectious diseases. This phenomenon occurs as rising temperatures and altered habitats enable disease-causing pathogens and their carriers to infiltrate regions they once couldn’t. For example, ...

Oct302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

UN Report Record Greenhouse Gas Levels in 2023 Signal Dire Climate Warning

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Greenhouse gas concentrations soared to record levels in 2023, according to the United Nations, underscoring the urgency of climate action ahead of COP29 in Baku. The UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO) revealed unprecedented increases in carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide levels, solidifying future temperature increases for decades. The WMO's Greenhouse Gas Bulletin highlighted that CO2 levels hit 420 parts per million, an 11.4% increase over 2004 levels and a staggering 51% above pre-industrial levels. This marks the twelfth consecutive year with a rise over two parts per million, propelled by substantial fossil fuel emissions over recent decades. Methane and nitrous oxide levels also surged to new highs, exacerbating the climate crisis. “Another year, anothe...

Oct262024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Hauts-de-France Region Strengthens Climate Resilience Strategy with European Peer Review

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The Policy Learning Platform hosted a peer review in the Hauts-de-France Region to address their critical policy challenges in enhancing climate resilience, particularly against floods and droughts. Seeking expert insights, the region welcomed recommendations from peers across Europe on governance strategies, conflict mitigation between rural and urban areas, and the use of nature-based solutions. Key Topics Explored in the Peer Review: Governance Strategies: A long-term, strategic approach is essential, moving beyond reactive, event-based policies. Policies should be informed by science and expertise. Effective climate risk governance must be holistic, cutting across silos to involve all levels of government and stakeholders. Building collaborative networks with farmers a...

Oct242024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Cyclone Dana Approaches Odisha and West Bengal: Heavy Rainfall and Evacuations Underway

Breaking News, Disasters

Cyclone Dana is inching closer to the coast of Odisha and West Bengal, bringing with it heavy rainfall and high-speed winds, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The cyclone, which has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha early Friday, with wind speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour (kmph). The storm is currently positioned 280 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha) and 370 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal) as of Thursday morning. Several districts in both states, including Kolkata, are already experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall as the cyclone approaches. Heavy Rainfall and Wind Alerts The IMD has issued warnings of gale winds reaching speeds of 90-100 ...

Oct242024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Formation of School Safety Committees: Purpose, Leadership, and Agency

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations

At Rubens de Castro Bomtempo Municipal School, the alarm sounds, and the students spring into action, executing a well-rehearsed school evacuation. Guided by their own School Safety Committees, they quickly organize and lead the evacuation, ensuring safety for all. This efficient response is part of a larger initiative in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, where schools are integral to community-based risk management. The students and staff of 51 "Resilient Schools" across the municipality have taken up the challenge of identifying risks, preparing for emergencies, and responding to crises, such as the landslides and floods that frequently hit their region. Petrópolis, located in the mountainous southeastern region of Brazil, is notorious for its high number of socio-environmental disasters. G...