climate

Over the weekend, KwaZulu-Natal bore the brunt of torrential rains that intensified the devastation from earlier floods, leaving more families displaced and disrupting everyday life. The tragic toll of these floods has reached at least 20 lives lost in the past two months alone. What would you do if your community was suddenly uprooted by nature’s fury? The South African Weather Service has elevated its caution to a level 5 warning, signifying an urgent call to attention. They forecast an impending threat of further…

A recently published study raises an urgent alarm about the precarious status of the world’s peatlands. Described as "dangerously under-protected," these landscapes are not just patches of soggy earth; they are crucial players in our ecosystem. Covering a mere 3% of the Earth's surface, peatlands store more carbon than all of the world's forests combined. Yet, their significance often goes unnoticed. Why is this? Perhaps it's our tendency to overlook the quiet, steadfast guardians of carbon storage. Peatlands serve multiple…

In a disheartening turn of events, nearly all nations fell short of a crucial UN deadline to present new carbon emission reduction targets. This is particularly troubling for major economies that were expected to lead the charge, especially in light of the United States' previous withdrawal from climate commitments. A mere ten out of nearly 200 countries, obligated under the Paris Agreement, managed to meet the February 10 deadline for updating their climate action plans. A UN database meticulously tracking these…

In a remarkable leap for our understanding of the cosmos, South Africa's MeerKAT telescope has unveiled a colossal new radio galaxy that has been charmingly dubbed Inkathazo, a name steeped in cultural significance, meaning 'trouble' in both Xhosa and Zulu. This intriguing moniker isn't just catchy; it aptly encapsulates the perplexities surrounding the physics behind this discovery—after all, when the universe throws you a curveball, it’s bound to leave you scratching your head in wonder. So, what exactly is this cosmic…

In the bustling village of Goob-weyn, located in the heart of Somalia’s Lower Juba region, a remarkable tale of resilience and entrepreneurship unfolds. Maryan Khalif Digale, a fiercely determined single mother, has risen to become the cornerstone of her family, largely thanks to a budding vegetable business. Picture this: a group of 90 women, their lives uprooted by merciless droughts and ruthless floods, were handed a lifeline. Last October, they received a $500 grant each from Alight and GIZ organizations, designed…

In a bold and controversial act aimed at sparking a dialogue on climate change, members of the activist group Just Stop Oil turned their attention to a historic icon this week. They took to Westminster Abbey, home to some of Britain’s most revered figures, and made their mark on the grave of Charles Darwin, the esteemed naturalist known for his groundbreaking theory of evolution. As the sun cast its glow on the iconic white marble gravestone, two activists decided it was time to raise awareness in an unconventional way.…

Experts contend that the Congo Basin holds the title of the planet's most vital carbon sink, outpacing even the Amazon in its ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Recent discoveries of extensive peatlands hidden beneath this lush expanse have solidified this view. As global appetite for minerals surges—especially those crucial to the ongoing energy shift—the effects on the region's forests are becoming increasingly alarming. According to Earth Insight, a staggering 27% of the intact forests are now encompassed within mining…

In the aftermath of what some are calling "one of the fiercest storms ever recorded," northern Mozambique is reeling from the devastating effects of Cyclone Chido. Over 70 lives have tragically been lost, as reported by the National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD) of the country. The storm wreaked havoc across multiple districts in the Cabo Delgado province, with the city of Pemba bearing the brunt of the destruction. According to UNICEF, the cyclone has not only destroyed or severely damaged upwards of…

As nations find themselves in a stalemate at the ongoing UN climate talks, there are rising hopes that the G20 leaders gathering thousands of miles away may spark vital support for a resolution aimed at aiding developing nations. Stranded halfway through a two-week-long negotiation period housed in a vast arena in Azerbaijan, diplomats are struggling to inch closer to an agreement that could ultimately decide the fate of COP29. The government ministers diving into discussions in Baku are racing against the clock, with a…

At the COP29 summit, countries are grappling with the daunting challenge of securing up to $1 trillion in climate financing for the globe's most vulnerable populations, all while political tensions cast a shadow over the discussions. With a staggering seventy-two thousand individuals registered for COP29, many are likely to be disheartened by the latest findings from Climate Action Tracker. According to their analysis, despite relentless efforts, the world is still on a trajectory toward a concerning 2.7 degrees Celsius…