Pakistan floods Map and satellite photos show extent of devastation
Monsoon rains have caused devastating floods in Pakistan, leaving millions homeless, destroying buildings, bridges and roads and leaving vast swathes of the country under water. Flash floods and landslides along the Indus and Kabul rivers have left more than 1,000 dead and 1,600 injured – with the southern districts ofContinue Reading
Hornsea 2 North Sea wind farm claims title of world’s largest
The world’s largest offshore wind farm is now fully operational, 55 miles off the coast of Yorkshire. The Hornsea 2 project can generate enough electricity to power about 1.3 million homes – that’s enough for a city the size of Manchester. A decade ago renewables made up just 11% ofContinue Reading
Extreme weather: What is it and how is it connected to climate change?
People around the globe are experiencing dramatic heatwaves, deadly floods and wildfires as a result of climate change. The UK and parts of Europe have seen temperatures of above 40C this month, leading to transport disruption and water shortages. Emissions caused by the burning of fossil fuels have been trappingContinue Reading
Climate change: Campaigners hail ruling on ‘net zero’
Campaigners have hailed a High Court ruling that the government’s ‘net zero’ strategy breaches its obligations under the Climate Change Act. The strategy commits the UK to slash emissions of the greenhouse gases that are warming the planet to reach ‘net zero’ emissions by 2050. The court ruled there wasContinue Reading
Thai oil spill cleanup to take 5 more days, navy says
An oil spill caused by a leak from an undersea pipeline 20 km (12.4 miles) off Thailand’s eastern coast will take at least five more days to clear, its navy said on Thursday. The pipeline owned by Star Petroleum Refining Public Company started leaking late on Tuesday before being brought under control aContinue Reading
Singapore seeks to slash waste with plastic bags charge
Singapore on Thursday recommended supermarkets start charging for disposable carrier bags, a move aimed at slashing carbon emissions in a tiny nation that produces enough annual waste to fill hundreds of Olympic-sized swimming pools. A 2018 study by the Singapore Environment Council found shoppers take home 820 million disposable bagsContinue Reading
Goats, sheep and livelihoods lost to floods and cold in northern Kenya
Carcasses of goats and sheep strewn across the scrubland of northern Kenya are testament to the devastation wrought by the once-in-a-generation floods that have hit the region. In just one area of Marsabit County, herders lost around 20,000 goats and sheep last week after the torrential rain, Roba Koto, theContinue Reading
Climate change ‘steroid’ contributed to $130 bln in insured losses last year
Climate change played a part in insured losses from natural catastrophes that totalled $130 billion globally in 2021, the fourth-highest on record, broker Aon said in a report on Tuesday. Economic losses – the combination of insured and uninsured losses – reached $343 billion, Aon said in the report whichContinue Reading
Coal the beginning of the end
The fuel that powered the industrial revolution may be in decline at last. This year looks set to see the largest fall in electricity production from coal on record, according to a new report. The reduction is estimated to be more than the power generated from coal in Germany, SpainContinue Reading
Pristine coral reef unblemished by warming oceans found off Tahiti
Scientists have discovered a pristine, 3-km (1.8-mile) long reef of giant rose-shaped corals off the coast of Tahiti, in waters thought to be deep enough to protect it from the bleaching effects of the warming ocean. The reef, which lies at depths of more than 30 metres (100 feet), probablyContinue Reading