In 1815, Mount Tambora's eruption caused a 'year without a summer.' Scientists warn of a high probability of another massive eruption this century, which could severely affect global food supplies and trigger economic losses. Preparedness for potential fallout is crucial as climate change might increase volcanic activity and amplify the impacts of such eruptions.

One week after the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido, Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, is still reeling. The worst cyclone the archipelago has seen in nearly a century has left the region in a state of disaster, with hospitals overwhelmed, essential services disrupted, and thousands of people suffering in the aftermath. Despite efforts to provide aid, the situation remains dire.

In his small Freetown workshop, engineering student James Samba tinkered with batteries and electrical parts he hoped could help clean up Sierra Leone's polluting public transport system. - 'Good for business, environment' - Samba first ventured into engineering when he built an electric wheelchair for his uncle, who had long struggled to access public transport.

International environmental negotiations are facing significant setbacks. Recent UN-sponsored talks on climate change, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, and desertification have yielded limited results, raising concerns about the effectiveness of multilateral environmentalism. Experts cite various challenges, including the consensus-based decision-making process, influence of the fossil fuel industry, geopolitical shifts, and the sheer scale of the problems.

Cyclone Chido, having already caused fatalities in Mayotte, made landfall in Mozambique near Pemba with intense winds and heavy rainfall. Communication with Pemba has been lost, but reports indicate significant damage to homes, schools, and health facilities. Aid organizations are working with the government to provide essential services.

Six critically endangered Mekong giant catfish, weighing up to 287 pounds each, were recently discovered and released back into the Mekong River Basin. This unprecedented event offers hope for the species' revival, as conservationists gain crucial information about their ecology and migrations through tagging.

Ecologist Madhav Gadgil warns Western Ghats deterioration has reached a critical point, with landslides increasing tenfold. He blames continued mining and construction, despite his 2011 report recommending stronger ecological protections. Gadgil criticizes the subsequent Kasturirangan report for ignoring local communities and urges the government to implement his original recommendations.