disaster news Archives - Page 3 of 5

Sep232024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Wildfire Activity in Siberia Has Doubled Driven by Climate Change and Feedback Loops

Wildfire activity in central Siberia has doubled over the past two decades, with vast areas of forest scorched and massive amounts of carbon released from rich soils and permafrost. While Arctic warming is known to exacerbate wildfires, the specific factors driving these events have been difficult to pinpoint, complicating future predictions. New research by Huang et al. sheds light on the key mechanisms behind this surge in wildfire activity. The team found that the increase in Siberian fires is strongly linked to drought, drying soils, and decreased rainfall all symptoms of Arctic climate change. More worryingly, they identified a feedback loop in which wildfires further suppress precipitation, worsening drought conditions and making the region even more fire-prone. How Wildfires S...

Sep232024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Researchers Develop Advanced Imaging Method to Probe Volcanoes

Breaking News, Disasters

A team of researchers from the CNRS and the Paris Institute of Planetary Physics has developed an innovative method for creating high-resolution, deep imaging of volcanoes' internal structures. This breakthrough technique leverages a network of geophones devices that detect seismic waves to capture not only the strong movements caused by earthquakes but also the subtle seismic noise from wind, ocean waves, and human activities. The researchers applied this method to La Soufrière volcano in Guadeloupe, providing an unprecedented 3D view of the volcano’s internal structure to a depth of 10 kilometers with a resolution of around 100 meters. This new imaging technique confirmed the existence of a large magma storage zone, organized as a network of interconnected magma pockets beneath the vo...

Sep222024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Finds Droughts Could Last 10 Days Longer by Century’s End

Breaking News, Disasters

A new study published in Nature reveals that the average duration of the longest annual drought periods could be 10 days longer by the end of this century than previously predicted. This new estimate, based on improved climate modeling techniques, indicates that the risks posed by droughts to societies and ecosystems may be more severe than previously thought. Researchers led by Irina Petrova and Diego Miralles examined drought projections from multiple climate models under moderate and high-emissions scenarios (IPCC's SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). They calibrated these projections using historical data from 1998 to 2018, focusing on the longest annual dry spells the number of consecutive dry days each year. Key Findings The study suggests that drought periods could extend by 42–44% on ...

Sep192024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

UNFCCC Report: Developing Nations Require Up to $6.85 Trillion for Climate Goals by 2030

Breaking News, Climate Actions

In a groundbreaking revelation, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has announced that developing countries will need between $5.012 trillion and $6.852 trillion to meet their climate commitments by 2030. This estimate, detailed in the second Needs Determination Report (NDR) released on September 10, 2024, significantly raises the stakes in global climate finance negotiations. The report, which updates figures from the initial 2021 NDR, represents a vital resource for informing decisions at the upcoming COP29 summit in Azerbaijan, where the contentious issue of the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance will be debated. With developed nations already lagging behind in delivering the $100 billion annual climate finance goal, the updated fi...

Sep182024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

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...

Sep112024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Warns of Drastic Climate Extremes for Three-Quarters of Global Population Without Emissions Cuts

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A new study has issued a stark warning about the impending global climate crisis, projecting that nearly 70% of the world’s population could face significant and rapid changes in extreme temperatures and rainfall over the next two decades if greenhouse gas emissions are not drastically reduced. This groundbreaking research was led by the CICERO Center for International Climate Research and supported by the University of Reading. The study, published in Nature Geoscience, reveals that up to 20% of the population could still face extreme weather risks even if emissions are reduced enough to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Without substantial action, however, this figure could soar to 70%, underscoring the urgent need for more aggressive climate mitigation strategies. Impact of R...

Sep92024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

New Study Reveals Severe Weather Costs Global Economy Billions Annually

Breaking News, Climate Actions

A recent analysis of weather and economic data reveals that severe weather events, driven by climate change, are costing the global economy billions of dollars each year. The research highlights the growing financial impact of extreme heat, droughts, and a reduction in mild weather days, all of which are hindering economic growth. Berkay Akyapi, Ph.D., co-author of the study and a professor of business at the University of Florida, emphasized the importance of proactive adaptation. “If we don’t do anything to respond to these climate shocks, we are hurting the economy,” he said. The study suggests that extreme heat and severe droughts can reduce a country's GDP by about 0.2%, a figure that may seem small but equates to billions of dollars globally. The research, conducted by Akyapi a...

Sep72024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Narayan Talab Embankment Breach Incident in Satna City, Madhya Pradesh: 50 houses flooded with waterlogging

Breaking News, Disasters

The Embankment of Narayan Pond (which is nearly 70 years old) built in ward number 22 Utaili of Satna City of Madhya Pradesh collapsed in the first week of September 2024. Consequent to this breach many houses of the colony (Approx 50) were flooded with water. Due to the collapse of the embankment water entered the adjacent colony. The flow of water was so much that even small goods and four-wheelers were swept away. The administration reached the spot and did relief and rescue work. Many Residents were evacuated safely by the rescue operation. However, many people lost their roofs in the incident. POST-INCIDENT EUPHORIA After the boundary of Narayan pond broke, Minister of State for Urban Housing and Development Pratima Bagri was seen in alert mode and held a review meeting in th...

Sep62024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Crisis Linked to Surge in Intimate Partner Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa: UN Report

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A recent report from the UN's sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, highlights a deeply troubling connection between climate change and intimate partner violence in sub-Saharan Africa. The findings suggest that tens of millions of women and girls in the region will face catastrophic levels of violence if the world fails to curb rising global temperatures. According to projections, the number of individuals experiencing intimate partner violence could nearly triple by 2060, reaching 140 million in the worst-case scenario of unchecked emissions and stalled socioeconomic development. The report, Climate Change Impacts and Intimate Partner Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa, was produced by UNFPA in collaboration with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and ...

Sep52024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

New Study Reveals El Niño-Southern Oscillation Linked to Increasing Heat Waves in Southwest India

Breaking News, Climate Actions

A recent study has identified the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) as a significant contributor to the rising frequency and intensity of heat waves in southwest India. ENSO, characterized by periodic warming and cooling of sea surface temperatures and atmospheric pressure shifts in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean, is now recognized as a major player in exacerbating heat conditions in the region. The research highlights that while ENSO is a key factor, other major climatic patterns also play roles in influencing the heat waves affecting southwest India. This finding comes amid a troubling trend of increasingly severe heat waves not only in South Asia but globally. Historical Context and Recent Trends The study is set against a backdrop of heightened concern over climate chang...