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Europe is experiencing more extreme weather due to climate change, raising concerns about this summer's potential for heat waves, droughts, floods, and forest fires. The outlook is pessimistic based on recent trends. Adapting to climate change and improving preparedness are essential in light of these challenges. Heatwaves. Heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent, intense, and widespread in Europe, as observed in the summer of 2022. This trend is projected to persist in all climate scenarios. Southern Europe could experience over 60 days of summer with health-risk temperatures, leading to more deaths and hospitalizations, especially among the elderly and vulnerable. Urgent adaptation measures are needed due to...

Based on ERA5 data from Copernicus C3S (Copernicus Climate Change Service), July's initial three weeks are the warmest ever recorded, with the month likely to be the hottest July and month on record. This extreme heat has caused heatwaves across North America, Asia, and Europe, leading to health, environmental, and economic consequences, coupled with significant wildfires in Canada and Greece. July 6 marked the hottest day ever recorded, surpassing the 2016 record, with July 5 and 7 also very warm. Global temperatures briefly exceeded the 1.5°C threshold above preindustrial levels in the first and third weeks. Since May, sea surface temperatures have been consistently higher than...

According to new research, an area of tropical forest roughly the size of Switzerland was lost in 2022 alone. This staggering discovery shows that the political commitment of world leaders at COP26 to end deforestation is falling woefully short. The study reveals that approximately 11 football pitches of forest were lost every minute last year, with Brazil being the primary contributor to deforestation. However, there was a significant reduction in forest loss in Indonesia and Malaysia, demonstrating it is possible to buck the trend. The COP26 meeting in 2021 saw over 100 world leaders, including former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, sign the Glasgow Declaration on forests, pledging to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030. Despite...

Air pollution is a major cause of premature death globally. It contributes to various respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including lung cancer, asthma, and heart attacks. Health risks associated with air pollution disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and low-income communities. What’s more, air pollution has significant socioeconomic implications. It leads to reduced labor productivity due to increased sick days and decreased cognitive function. Additionally, the healthcare costs associated with air pollution-related illnesses can strain healthcare systems and hinder economic progress. Addressing air pollution requires collaboration and coordination among countries, stakeholders, and international organizations. The World Bank emphasizes the importance of partnerships to share knowledge, best practices, and resources. This includes research, technological innovation, ...

The government of India has given approval for the installation of 10 new nuclear reactors in five states. The decision was made to enhance the country's nuclear power capacity and address its growing energy demands. The reactors will be set up in the states of Maharashtra, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka. Power plants at Kaiga, Chutka, and Gorakhpur will each receive two new reactors. Meanwhile Mahi Banswara will see itself equipped with as many as four reactors. Other sites have also been approved ‘in principle’ by Indian authorities for future nuclear power plants. The installation of these new reactors is expected to significantly boost India's nuclear power capacity. Nuclear energy is considered a clean and reliable source of electricity generation, and it plays a crucial role in reducing...

The fashion industry has long lacked in sustainability for its heavy reliance on fossil fuel-based materials. To combat this problem, scientists and researchers are actively working on developing alternative fibers that are more eco-friendly. One approach is the exploration of plant-based fibers. Fibers derived from plants, wood and even fruits are gaining popularity due to their renewable nature and lower environmental impact compared to traditional, fossil fuel-based materials. These plant-based fibers are also noted to require fewer pesticides, fertilizers, and water to grow, making them overall more sustainable options for clothing production. Another exciting avenue is the development of lab-grown or bioengineered fibers. For instance, spider silk...

China's efforts to secure lithium resources from Africa are bearing fruit while demand for the mineral is growing fast. Chinese companies have invested in mines and processing facilities in many African countries rich in lithium, aiming to secure a stable supply of the mineral to supply their domestic EV industry. China's interest in African lithium resources is driven by the country's ambitious plans to transition to electric vehicles and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. As the world's largest EV market, China requires a substantial supply of lithium to support its growing demand and output of electric cars. However, there are growing calls from environmental and human rights activists...

Researchers from the University of the Aegean, Greece, have issued a dire warning that up to 72% of Cyprus' beaches are at risk of disappearing by 2100 due to climate change. Increased sea levels and wave action are causing erosion of the sandy shores, posing a significant threat to the island's coastline. Moreover, dams built upstream are trapping sediment in rivers, leading to a reduced flow of sand downstream to the coast, so there is less sand available to replenish the shores after erosive events. The narrow beaches, which are less than 50 meters in width, are most vulnerable to erosion. Under different IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) scenarios, as emissions increase, sea levels also rise. Under the worst-case...

Global temperatures are rising, leading to extreme heatwaves in different parts of the world. Death Valley in California and China's Xinjiang region have experienced temperatures above 50℃. The Mediterranean region, including Italy, Spain, France, and Greece, is also facing scorching temperatures exceeding 40℃. During hot weather, people often turn to air conditioners, but these consume a lot of energy and use refrigerants with high global warming potential. To cool homes without causing further harm to the climate, there are a few options that reduce energy consumption and emissions. Keep the sun out. Buildings can be protected from excessive heat by implementing various measures such as reflective and ventilated roofs, external window shutters, awnings, and using light-colored roof paint...

Antarctic sea ice reaches its lowest levels in February during the continent's summer and then increases again over the winter. This is a natural annual cycle. But scientists have noticed a significant and unprecedented decline in Antarctic sea ice levels this year. The ice has not returned to expected levels as it usually does during winter, and it is currently at its lowest point since records began 45 years ago. In mid-July, the sea ice was about 2.6 million square kilometers (1 million square miles) below the average for the period between 1981 and 2010, which is approximately the size of Argentina or the combined areas of Texas, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado...