NEW DELHI, Apr 22 2019 (IPS) – Our acceptance of climate change doesn’t keep pace with our energy consumption reduction. However, the latest International Energy Agency’s (IEA’S) Global Energy and CO2 Status Report for 2018has some good news. It offers where possible…
Category: Global warming
Pace of Bering Sea changes startles scientists
Anchorage, Apr 14 (AP/UNB) — The Yupik Eskimo village of Kotlik on Alaska’s northwest coast relies on a cold, hard blanket of sea ice to protect homes from vicious winter Bering Sea storms. Frigid north winds blow down from the…
Cities around the world turn off lights to mark Earth Hour
Hong Kong, Mar 30 (AP/UNB) — Cities around the world were marking Earth Hour on Saturday night by turning off the lights in a call for global action on climate change. In Hong Kong, major buildings along Victoria Harbour turned…
New UN Climate report another strong wake-up call: Guterres
The increasing number of natural disasters and dangers linked to climate change, highlighted in a major UN report released on Thursday, represents “another strong wake-up call” to the world, which must be countered by finding sustainable solutions quickly, UN Secretary-General…
The unbearable unrealism of the present
by Paul Mason What characterises the present moment in history is a pervasive sense of unrealism among elites. Official discourses are no longer used as guides to action, laws are not applied and regulations are ignored. The ultimate symbol of…
Scientist who popularized term ‘global warming’ dies at 87
New York, Feb 19 (AP/UNB) — A scientist who raised early alarms about climate change and popularized the term “global warming” has died. Wallace Smith Broecker was 87. The longtime Columbia University professor and researcher died Monday at a New…
Geoengineering is a dangerous distraction
Carroll Muffett Washington, DC – As concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide surpass 400 parts per million, the costs of the climate crisis – in terms of economic losses, environmental impacts, and human lives – continue to rise. Last October, the…
How devastating is climate change for world peace, security?
UNITED NATIONS, Feb 13 2019 (IPS) – When the Security Council, the most powerful body at the United Nations, met last month to discuss the growing new threats to world peace and security, the discussion veered away from international terrorism, nuclear…
Climate change may destroy Sundarbans tigers in 50 years
Dhaka, Feb 14 (UNB) – A new study has warned that the Sundarbans’ famed ‘Royal Bengal Tigers’ could be gone within 50 years, especially from the Bangladeshi part, because of constant rise in sea levels and climate change. The study…
A-2oC temperature rise could melt half the Himalaya glaciers
Dhaka, Feb 04 – A Two-degree C temperature rise could melt half of the laciers in Hindu Kush Himalaya region, destabilizing Asia’s rivers, according to a new study. The comprehensive study of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, known as…
Big emitters in Bd asked to go for rapid mitigation of GHGs
Dhaka, Jan 26 (UNB) – Bangladesh has said big emitters must go for rapid mitigation of GHGs apart from providing financial resources and ensuring technology transfer to the vulnerable countries for their adaptation efforts. “This would be the most effective…
Climate change as ‘threat multiplier’ – impacts peace
25 January 2019, Climate Change As climate change is increasingly recognized as a “threat multiplier” by scientists, political representatives, and civil society across the world, the United Nations Security Council held an open debate on Friday to discuss its concrete…
Davos, inequality & the climate emergency
Four of the top five most impactful threats in this year’s World Economic Forum´s Global Risks report are related to climate change. The report warns that we are “sleepwalking to disaster” . But that is not true.
Climate change worsen soil salinity across Bangladesh coasts
As a country with a large coastline, the adverse impacts of saltwater intrusion are significant in Bangladesh. Salinity mainly affects land and water in the coastal areas.
An optimist’s guide to climate change
by Lynn Scarlett Washington, DC – During a recent commute to work, as my car inched along in rush-hour traffic, I watched a heron stalk the banks of the Potomac River. The majestic bird was a timely reminder that nature…
Climate change forces Central American farmers to migrate
As he milks his cow, Salvadoran Gilberto Gomez laments that poor harvests, due to excessive rain or drought, practically forced his three children to leave the country and undertake the risky journey, as undocumented migrants, to the United States.
Climate Change on the Menu
By Riccardo Valentini Vitero, Itali – When we think about winning the fight against climate change, most people concentrate on reducing greenhouse-gas emissions from cars, trucks, and other machines powered by fossil fuels. But while these emissions sources are certainly…
Looking beyond fossil fuels to reduce emissions
In midst of the 24th United Nations climate change conference (COP24), many are trying to double down in the search for practical, actionable solutions to the climate crisis: land itself.
Get ready for COP24: Transition to a sustainable future
By Manuela Matthess Berlin, Dec 3 2018 (IPS) – COP24 is the time for g overnments to act and increase their pledges to prevent global warming ensuring a just transition that leaves no one behind.
Global warming increases frost damage on trees in Europe
Global warming increases frost damage on trees in large areas of Central Europe, according to a new Finnish-Chinese study by researchers from the University of Eastern Finland, the Chinese Academy of Science and Zhejiang A&F University.
World simply ‘not on track’ to slow climate change: WMO
The world is heading in the wrong direction to slow climate change after another year of near-record temperatures, said the head of UN’s weather agency.
Australian students skip school for climate change protest
Thousands of Australian school students have urged greater action on climate change in protests across the country. The students skipped school on Friday to highlight what they say are inadequate climate policies by the Australian government. On Monday, Australian PM…
Rethinking animal agriculture
By Paul Gilding TASMANIA – In mid-July, as a brutal drought decimated crops, some European dairy and meat farmers were forced to cull their herds early to reduce the number of animals they needed to feed. Such desperate decisions will…
Climate change report warns of growing impact on US life
Unchecked climate change will cost the US hundreds of billions of dollars and damage human health and quality of life, a US government report warns. “Future risks from climate change depend… on decisions made today,” the 4th National Climate Assessment…
11 years after Cyclone Sidr: Victims still recall disaster
Eleven years after the devastating Cyclone Sidr, the survivors of Sharankhola upazila, the worst affected area of the district, are still recalling the nightmare of the cyclone that claimed hundreds lives as well as destroyed cattle, crops and dwelling houses.
A radically realistic climate vision
By Barbara Unmüßig Berlin – According to the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world’s main scientific authority on global warming, keeping global temperatures from rising more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels is a feasible goal.…
The Green Lobby’s misdirected anger
By Yossi Sheffi Boston – In August, when US President Donald Trump proposed to freeze fuel-efficiency standards for cars and trucks, environmentalists and their supporters were outraged. Now, the temperature of the debate has risen again, following a special report…
Is hothouse earth avoidable?
By Johan Rockström , Jørgen Randers, and Per Espen Stoknes Stockholm – Nearly 50 years ago, the Club of Rome’s report “Limits to Growth” warned that if economic growth continued apace without regard for the environment, the world could face…
Climate caused sea levels to force 200000 in BD migrate
Dhaka, Oct 23 – Increased soil salinity, due to climate change-induced rises in sea-levels, is likely to force nearly 200,000 coastal residents to migrate to inland areas within Bangladesh to find alternative livelihoods, according to a landmark study by researchers…
Mitigating India’s climate-change misery
Gulrez Shah Azhar Santa Monica – The record-setting heat that blanketed the planet this summer was a sticky reminder that as global temperatures increase, people on the margins of society – the sick, the elderly, and the poor – will…