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Tag: extreme heat

Study Warns World Cup 2026 Stadiums Face Extreme Heat Risk

Study Warns World Cup 2026 Stadiums Face Extreme Heat Risk

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
A new study has raised serious concerns about the impact of extreme heat on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that nearly 90 percent of the tournament’s stadiums could face dangerous temperatures. Researchers found that 14 of the 16 host venues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico are at risk of exceeding critical heat stress levels, potentially affecting players, officials, and spectators. The research, conducted by Brunel University London, Queen’s University Belfast, and other institutions, analyzed 20 years of weather data and found that heat stress levels could surpass the 28°C threshold set by governing bodies as unsafe for play. If the summer of 2026 is hotter than average, as climate trends suggest, at least nine stadiums could see these extreme conditions for half the to...
January Breaks Heat Record Despite La Niña, Cooling Predictions

January Breaks Heat Record Despite La Niña, Cooling Predictions

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
The world witnessed yet another record-breaking warm month in January 2025, defying expectations of a cooler year due to a developing La Niña and a frigid winter in the United States, according to data from the European climate service Copernicus. Unprecedented January Heat Copernicus reported that January 2025 was 0.09°C hotter than January 2024, the previous warmest January on record, and 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels. This marks the 18th month out of the last 19 that global temperatures have touched or exceeded the 1.5°C warming limit set by international climate agreements. Despite La Niña’s typical cooling influence, global temperatures have not dropped as expected, raising concerns among climate scientists. Scientists Warn of Accelerating Global Warming A new stud...
Kerala Faces Early Heatwave as Munnar Remains a Chilly Haven

Kerala Faces Early Heatwave as Munnar Remains a Chilly Haven

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Kerala is experiencing an unexpected surge in temperatures, months before summer officially begins. With the lingering effects of El Niño and the Uttarayan shift intensifying the heat, several districts are already witnessing scorching conditions, raising concerns about climate patterns and their impact on daily life. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has linked this rise in temperature to the sun’s northward movement, which brings it directly over the Tropic of Cancer. While most of Kerala struggles with unseasonal heat, Munnar the picturesque hill town in Idukki stands apart, recording freezing temperatures as low as zero degrees Celsius. Heatwave-Like Conditions Arrive Early January and February, usually mild months, have seen temperatures climb to alarming levels. Kann...
Climate Change to Cause Over 2.3 Million Additional Heat-Related Deaths in Europe by 2099

Climate Change to Cause Over 2.3 Million Additional Heat-Related Deaths in Europe by 2099

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
A modelling study led by the Environment & Health Modelling (EHM) Lab at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) reveals alarming projections for the impact of climate change on temperature-related deaths across Europe. Published in Nature Medicine, the study predicts a substantial rise in deaths from heat, far outweighing any reduction in cold-related fatalities. Without immediate action to reduce carbon emissions, climate change could result in over 2.3 million additional temperature-related deaths across 854 European cities by the end of this century. The Mediterranean region, Central Europe, and the Balkans are identified as particularly vulnerable areas, with major cities like Barcelona, Rome, and Madrid expected to bear the brunt of this crisis. Adaptat...
Tamil Nadu Declares Extreme Heat a State-Specific Disaster: A Welcome Move with Caveats

Tamil Nadu Declares Extreme Heat a State-Specific Disaster: A Welcome Move with Caveats

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
In a significant step towards tackling the growing threats of climate change, the Tamil Nadu government officially notified extreme heat as a State-specific disaster in October. This decision broadens the scope of institutional mechanisms to protect those at risk of heat-related health issues or fatalities, offering a safety net for citizens during deadly heatwaves. However, while the move reflects foresight in addressing climate-induced risks, there are critical aspects that warrant closer scrutiny. Expanded Welfare Responsibilities By recognizing extreme heat as a disaster, Tamil Nadu takes on the responsibility to mitigate its effects, aligning with the broader mandate of public welfare. The notification includes proactive measures such as ensuring access to medical care, provi...
Heartwarming Rescue Syrian Volunteers Save Over 1,300 Animals After Devastating Earthquake

Heartwarming Rescue Syrian Volunteers Save Over 1,300 Animals After Devastating Earthquake

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
In a remarkable display of compassion and resilience, local volunteers in Syria have saved over 1,300 animals in the aftermath of the catastrophic February 6, 2023, earthquakes that hit northwestern Syria and southern Turkey. Led by Wattar’s team, these dedicated rescuers have worked tirelessly to protect pets left vulnerable by the disaster, bringing hope and healing to both animals and the people who cherish them. As human rescue operations took precedence in the initial days, animal advocates soon stepped in to address the plight of pets left in the rubble. Community support for animal welfare grew quickly, driven by the belief in animals’ connection to natural disaster awareness and the comfort they provide in difficult times. The efforts have not gone unnoticed, with residents rall...
Extreme Weather Events in South America Triple in Frequency Since 1970

Extreme Weather Events in South America Triple in Frequency Since 1970

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
The frequency of days with extreme heat, dryness, and high fire risk has tripled in certain parts of South America since 1970, according to recent research. The study highlights that while the continent is warming at the same rate as the global average, specific regions are increasingly vulnerable to the co-occurrence of these climate extremes, which pose significant threats to ecosystems, economies, and public health. The most affected areas include the Venezuela-Colombia border, the northern Amazon, and parts of central South America near the Río de la Plata basin. In these regions, the number of days with compounded climate extremes has skyrocketed from fewer than 20 to as many as 70 per year. The variability of these extreme events has also increased from year to year. Impact of ...
Research Uncovers Heat Tolerance Variability in Corals Offering Hope for Reef Survival

Research Uncovers Heat Tolerance Variability in Corals Offering Hope for Reef Survival

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
A new study has revealed surprising variations in heat tolerance among coral colonies, offering new insights into their potential survival as global ocean temperatures rise. Even corals of the same species, living side by side, exhibit significantly different responses to heat stress, highlighting the complexity of coral resilience. The findings, published today, come as the world grapples with the impact of climate change on coral reefs. With the fourth global mass bleaching event recently declared and the Great Barrier Reef suffering five mass bleachings since 2016, these discoveries are crucial for future conservation efforts. Variable Heat Tolerance in Coral colonies The research focused on the tabular coral Acropora hyacinthus, a species highly vulnerable to heat waves but es...
Summer of 2024 Breaks Heat Records as New Research Unveils Human-Caused Disruption in Earth’s Air Circulation Systems

Summer of 2024 Breaks Heat Records as New Research Unveils Human-Caused Disruption in Earth’s Air Circulation Systems

Breaking News, Climate Actions
The summer of 2024 has officially become the hottest on record, marking a worrying milestone in a trend that scientists had long predicted. The intensifying heat and dryness, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, have fueled severe droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, and crop failures across North America and Europe. These escalating conditions are increasingly threatening societies worldwide. A major contributor to these extreme weather patterns is the weakening of Earth's air circulation systems, a phenomenon that scientists now attribute directly to human activities. Two groundbreaking studies led by Dr. Rei Chemke of the Weizmann Institute of Science have uncovered the underlying cause of this weakening. Published in leading scientific journals, these studies reveal that manmade emis...
Heat Waves on the Rise: How Jet Stream Changes Create Dangerous Heat Domes

Heat Waves on the Rise: How Jet Stream Changes Create Dangerous Heat Domes

Breaking News, Climate Actions
Recent meteorological diagrams reveal the alarming rise of heat domes over the continental United States, raising concerns as climate patterns shift. According to NOAA, these heat domes form when high pressure in the mid-atmosphere acts like a cap, trapping heat at the Earth’s surface. The longevity of these heat domes is closely tied to the behavior of the jet stream, a fast-moving band of winds located about 30,000 feet above sea level. The jet stream typically flows from west to east, influenced by temperature differences between warm tropical air and cold polar air. However, its meandering path can significantly affect weather patterns. Jet Stream's Impact on Weather As the jet stream meanders, it creates areas of high (H) and low (L) pressure, influencing weather across the U...