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Science & Environment / The Times of India

Urban temps turning cities into 'ovens,' UN Chief Heat Officer warns

Whether in Miami, Athens, or Santiago, dedicated ambassadors are stepping up to tackle extreme urban heat around the world. In Athens, we worked on the categorization of extreme heat, so that there are specific thresholds that trigger different types of policies and actions during heatwaves to make sure that we protect the most vulnerable populations.

13 May 2025 10:45 am
Mercury fuels gold mining in Senegal. And it's poisoning the people who use it

In Senegal's gold-rich Kedougou region, the widespread use of mercury in artisanal mining poses severe health and environmental risks, particularly for women and children. Despite government pledges to reduce mercury use, the lack of accessible, effective alternatives and weak enforcement perpetuate the dangerous practice. The lure of quick profits outweighs concerns about long-term health consequences, hindering efforts to implement safer gold processing methods.

13 May 2025 7:38 am
Copenhagen to offer giveaways to eco-friendly tourists

The city of Copenhagen will offer special rebates and freebies to eco-friendly tourists this summer, including free bike rentals to those arriving by train and staying more than four days. Those who make climate-friendly and environmental choices, such as using bikes and picking up trash, will also be offered rebates at museums and tourist sites, as well as free yoga classes and vegetarian meals.

12 May 2025 2:37 pm
Wolf protection downgrade gets green light in EU

EU lawmakers on Thursday gave the green light to downgrading wolf protections in the bloc, which will allow hunting to resume under strict criteria. Downgrading wolf protection... panders to fear, not facts, he charged.

9 May 2025 8:32 pm
Deadly April rainfall in US South, Midwest was intensified by climate change, scientists say

A recent analysis by the World Weather Attribution group reveals that human-caused climate change intensified the deadly rainfall in early April across states like Arkansas and Kentucky. The storms, which triggered tornadoes and floods, resulted in at least 24 fatalities. Researchers found that climate change increased rainfall intensity by 9 per cent and made such events 40 per cent more likely.

8 May 2025 4:24 pm
New research reveals where North American bird populations are crashing

A new study reveals North American bird populations are declining, especially in their traditional habitats, due to rapid environmental changes like climate change. Researchers analyzed vast eBird data using machine learning to pinpoint these trends. The study found that 97% of species face both population increases and declines, with 83% shrinking fastest in their most abundant areas.

4 May 2025 10:58 pm
Chile lifts tsunami alert after 7.4 Drake Passage earthquake

A significant 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Chile and Argentina, prompting a tsunami warning. Chilean authorities initially ordered coastal evacuations in the Magallanes region, anticipating potential tsunami waves. Fortunately, the evacuation order was later lifted as no immediate injuries or damage were reported, though Argentina issued a localized evacuation order.

3 May 2025 10:21 am
Climate change made fire conditions twice as likely in South Korea blazes: Study

Human-induced climate change made the ultra-dry and warm conditions that fanned South Korea's deadliest wildfires in history this March twice as likely and more intense, researchers said Thursday. South Korea's deadliest wildfires were made much more likely by climate change, said Clair Barnes, a WWA researcher from the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London.

1 May 2025 10:33 pm
New Zealand hit by destructive winds, heavy rain and snow and high waves

New Zealand faced severe weather conditions, prompting a state of emergency in Christchurch due to heavy downpours and river overflows. Wellington experienced destructive gales, leading to flight cancellations and warnings for residents to stay indoors. Heavy snow and large waves impacted other regions, causing power outages and disruptions to daily life, with the storm expected to ease on Friday.

1 May 2025 2:11 pm
Iraq farmers turn to groundwater to boost desert yields

In drought-stricken Iraq, farmers like Hadi Saheb are drilling wells to tap into groundwater reserves, enabling them to cultivate desert lands and increase wheat production. While this government-backed initiative boosts food security, experts warn that unsustainable groundwater extraction threatens to deplete this vital resource, mirroring past experiences in neighboring countries and raising concerns about long-term water availability.

30 Apr 2025 6:30 pm