The deaths of 1,300 pilgrims during the hajj in Saudi Arabia last year underscored the urgent need to mitigate dangers posed by extreme heat, with crowd management an essential first step, analysts say. - 'Extreme danger' - Authorities were pursuing heat-mitigation measures at holy sites long before last year's deaths.
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Earth's average temperature in 2024 reached a record high, surpassing the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit set by the Paris Agreement. This increase, linked to fossil fuel emissions and El Nino impacts, is the first full-year breach of this benchmark. Experts warn about the long-term implications, emphasizing urgent action against climate change.
An oil spill in northwestern Ecuador has turned a river black, prompting authorities to declare an environmental emergency amid "unprecedented" damage and to order residents to ration drinking water, officials said. The spill, believed caused when a landslide ruptured a major oil pipeline, has turned waters black in a section of the Esmeraldas River, in the province of the same name.
Heavy rains in Chennai resulted in waterlogging at 134 locations, causing major roads and seven subways to be closed for traffic. The Greater Chennai Corporation deployed 1,686 motor pumps to clear the water. Relief centres were set up, and thousands of personnel and volunteers are on standby for rescue operations.
Crunch United Nations talks to find funding to curb the destruction of nature will resume in Rome in February, the UN said on Thursday, after negotiations this month in Colombia ended without a deal. Negotiators at fractious UN climate talks were able to approve a deal in the early hours of Sunday morning after two weeks of chaotic and bitter wrangling, but the $300 billion a year pledge from wealthy historic polluters was immediately dismissed.
Ein Gedi, once a popular Dead Sea beach in Israel, lies abandoned due to dangerous sinkholes and the receding shoreline caused by climate change and industrial water use. Regional cooperation, particularly between Israel and Jordan, is crucial to addressing this ecological disaster and saving the unique landscape.
Three-year-old tigress Zeenat, relocated from Maharashtra to Odisha's Similipal Tiger Reserve, embarked on an unexpected journey. Escaping her enclosure, she crossed into Jharkhand, dodging tranquilizer darts and baffling authorities. Her trek continued into West Bengal, covering vast distances and challenging terrain, leaving trackers scrambling to keep up with her adventurous spirit. Will she return to Similipal? The mystery continues.
Kazakhstan said on Monday the northern part of the Aral Sea had nearly doubled in volume since 2008, a rare environmental success story in a region plagued by pollution. Since 2008, the volume of water in the northern, smaller part of the sea has "increased by 42 percent and reached 27 billion cubic metres (950 billion cubic feet)", the Central Asian republic's water resources ministry said.
At least five people have died and over 1,000 structures have been destroyed by wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Fueled by Santa Ana winds, the fires led to extensive evacuations and poor air quality. The Palisades Fire is notably the most destructive in LA history, burning 25 square miles and affecting many homes and businesses.
The year 2024 saw extreme weather conditions with the hottest month on record, intense wildfires, numerous hurricanes and typhoons, and devastating floods and cyclones impacting various regions worldwide. Agriculture, food production, and infrastructure were severely affected, highlighting the urgent need for immediate climate action to mitigate these disastrous effects.
November is recorded as the second most polluted penultimate month, with an average AQI of 375, just below 376 in 2021. Delhi saw eight 'severe' days, including two 'severe-plus' days, with no rainfall to alleviate pollution levels. The CPCB emphasizes stringent year-round actions to tackle local and regional emissions.