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New Delhi: India's fossil fuel emissions are projected to rise by 4.6 per cent in 2024, while China could see a marginal rise of 0.2 per cent, according to new research by a group of international scientists. As the UN climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, discussed raising trillions of dollars to tackle <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword>, the group of scientists known as the "Global Carbon Project" warned that emissions from fossil fuels -- the main driver of warming -- could hit a record 37.4 billion tonnes in 2024, up 0.8 percent from 2023 levels. This comes despite rapid growth in renewable energy and a landmark agreement at COP28 in Dubai last year to move away from fossil fuels. The "<keyword id="23948569" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Global-carbon-budget-2024" source="keywords">Global Carbon Budget 2024</keyword>" report said total global CO2 emissions are set to go up from 40.6 billion tons in 2023 to 41.6 billion metric tons in 2024, which is on course to become the warmest year on record. "The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly dramatic, yet we still see no sign that burning of fossil fuels has peaked," Professor Pierre Friedlingstein of Exeter's Global Systems Institute, who led the study, said. The 'Global Carbon Project' team said India, the world's most populous country and fastest-growing major economy, may see its fossil fuel emissions rise by 4.6 percent. According to a UN report released last month, India's greenhouse gas emissions surged by 6.1 per cent in 2023, contributing to 8 per cent of the global total. However, the country's historical contribution to global CO2 emissions stands at only 3 per cent. India's per capita emissions remain low at 2.9 tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e), far below the global average of 6.6 tCO2e. India, the world's third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, has pledged to reach net zero emissions (balancing emissions with removals) by 2070 and aims to achieve 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030. China's emissions, which make up 32 per cent of the global total, are likely to increase slightly by 0.2 per cent, though there is a chance they could decline, according to the data released on Wednesday. Emissions from the United States and the European Union, which contribute 13 per cent and 7 per cent of the global total, are both set to decline, with drops of 0.6 per cent for the US and 3.8 per cent for the EU. Emissions from the rest of the world, which together account for 38 per cent of global emissions, could see a rise of 1.1 per cent. The researchers said that in 2024, coal emissions will likely increase by 0.2 per cent, oil by 0.9 per cent, and gas by 2.4 per cent, globally. Coal, oil, and gas contribute 41 per cent, 32 per cent, and 21 per cent of global fossil CO2 emissions, respectively. However, given the uncertainty in projections, it remains possible that coal emissions could decline in 2024, they said. The report also pointed out that emissions from international aviation and shipping, which account for 3 per cent of global emissions and are tracked separately from national or regional totals, are expected to rise by 7.8 per cent in 2024. However, these emissions will still be 3.5 per cent below the 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Globally, emissions from land-use changes, like deforestation, have dropped by 20 per cent over the past decade but are expected to rise in 2024. Permanent CO2 removal through reforestation and new forest planting now offsets about half of the emissions from permanent deforestation, they added. Technology-based CO2 removal accounts for only a tiny fraction -- around one-millionth -- of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels. The report said that emissions from fires in 2024 have been above the average since the beginning of the satellite record in 2003, particularly due to the extreme 2023 wildfire season in Canada (which continued into 2024) and severe drought in Brazil. Land and ocean carbon sinks continued to absorb around half of the total carbon emissions, despite being negatively affected by climate change.

Global fossil emissions to reach record high in 2024; India's share to rise by 4.6 pc: Report

Cities in the Global South are equipped with only about 70% of the "<keyword id="23012235" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cooling-capacity" source="keywords">cooling capacity</keyword>" provided by <keyword id="22415441" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="urban-greenery" source="keywords">urban greenery</keyword> in cities in the Global North and are, therefore, more vulnerable to extreme heat, new research has found. As the planet warms, researchers said that rising temperatures, along with '<keyword id="21394968" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="urban-heat-island" source="keywords">urban heat island</keyword>' effects, make cities hotter than rural areas. As a result, <keyword id="21187686" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heat-related-illness" source="keywords">heat-related illness</keyword> and deaths in these areas are becoming more common. An international team, including researchers from the University of Exeter, UK, analysed satellite data on 500 of the world's largest cities to assess 'cooling capacity' -- how much do the urban green spaces cool down a city's <keyword id="21031051" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="surface-temperatures" source="keywords">surface temperatures</keyword>? "Our analysis suggests green spaces can cool the surface temperature in the average city by about 3 degrees Celsius during warm seasons -- a vital difference during extreme heat," author Timothy M. Lenton, from the University of Exeter, said. "However, a concerning disparity is evident; on average <keyword id="23012236" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Global-South-cities" source="keywords">Global South cities</keyword> have only two-thirds the cooling capacity and cooling benefit compared to Global North cities," the authors wrote in the study published in the journal Nature Communications. The disparity stems from differences in both quantity and quality of urban <keyword id="20897701" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-infrastructure" source="keywords">green infrastructure</keyword> among cities, they said. The researchers said that tropical and sub-tropical cities, which are located closer to the equator, tend to have relatively weaker cooling capacities. "As Global South countries are predominantly located at low latitudes, this pattern leads to a situation in which Global South cities, which tend to be hotter and relatively lower-income, have, on average, approximately two-thirds the cooling capacity of the Global North cities," the authors wrote. Therefore, they said that the cities that most need to rely on green infrastructure are, at present, those that are least able to do so. Urban green spaces bring a cooling effect by providing shade and causing evaporation of water, the authors explained. Over 50 Indian cities too were analysed, including Delhi, Pune and Chennai. Previous studies have estimated current climate policies to leave more than a fifth of humanity exposed to dangerously hot temperatures by 2100, with the largest at-risk populations in India and Nigeria, the researchers said. "Currently, the people dying due to <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword> are often in the slums of cities in the Global South, such as the hottest parts of India," Lenton said. The researchers also found that there is "vast potential" to enhance urban cooling in the Global South and reduce inequality. Mogadishu, a Somalian city, was found to have the lowest cooling capacity, followed by Sana'a in Yemen and Rosario in Argentina.

Global South cities have only 70% of the 'cooling capacity' as that in the Global North one, notes recent study

Dehradun/Pithoragarh, <keyword id="20396265" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Wildlife-experts" source="keywords">Wildlife experts</keyword> have interpreted the sighting of a lowland bird like the peacock at a height of 6,500 feet in <keyword id="19918812" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttarakhand" source="keywords">Uttarakhand</keyword> as an unusual development caused by <keyword id="23460848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ecological-changes" source="keywords">ecological changes</keyword> in the <keyword id="20128077" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Himalayan-region" source="keywords">Himalayan region</keyword> due to increased <keyword id="20823384" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="human-activity" source="keywords">human activity</keyword>. The bird was spotted twice in the forests of <keyword id="20604235" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bageshwar-district" source="keywords">Bageshwar district</keyword> in the state. It was first seen in the Kafligair forest range in April and then in Kathayatbara forests on October 5, a senior official said. "It is surprising that the peacock which is usually found at an elevation of 1,600 feet has been sighted at an altitude of 6,500 feet. It is due to ecological changes that have started affecting wildlife migration," Dhyan Singh Karayat, a forest official in Bageshwar forest division said on Monday. Senior scientist of Dehradun-based <keyword id="20392082" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Wildlife-Institute-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Wildlife Institute of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Wildlife Institute of India">Wildlife Institute of India</keyword> (WII) Dr Suresh Kumar said though such sightings are not common they should not baffle wildlife experts. The peacock falls into the generalist species of bird that is not so selective or choosy about its habitat. Though, traditionally a lowland bird, it has been found at higher than normal elevations in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh also, Kumar said. One reason may be that even the hill regions are no longer as cold as they used to be and the peacock finds the climate in higher altitudes conducive enough for habitation, he said. "Increased human activity like farming and expanding human settlements in the higher reaches of the mountains have led to warmer conditions at higher altitudes which may have led to this <keyword id="23460850" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="altitudinal-migration" source="keywords">altitudinal migration</keyword> of the peacock. But it may be a seasonal shift too, " Kumar told PTI. "With the onset of winter, it will get colder in the hills and the lowland bird may retreat to its original habitat conditions," he said. When asked whether it reflects a habitat-shifting tendency among peacocks in general, Kumar said it would be premature to draw a conclusion like that with just two sightings. However, if such sightings become more frequent, it would definitely reflect a general tendency among peacocks to shift habitat, he said.

Peacock sighting at 6,500 feet in Uttarakhand unusual, say experts

A recent study by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (<keyword id="22661207" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CSTEP" source="keywords">CSTEP</keyword>) has sounded alarm bells about the escalating threat of <keyword id="21236365" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sea-level-rise" source="keywords">sea level rise</keyword> to India's <keyword id="20010174" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coastal-cities" source="keywords">coastal cities</keyword>. The data is stark: <keyword id="19895282" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mumbai" source="keywords">Mumbai</keyword> has experienced the most significant rise in sea levels among 15 major coastal cities in recent decades, a worrying trend that is set to worsen. Mumbai saw a rise of 4.44 cm between 1987 and 2021. Following Mumbai, Haldia recorded a rise of 2.726 cm, Visakhapatnam 2.381 cm, Kochi 2.213 cm, Paradip 0.717 cm, and <keyword id="19895758" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chennai" source="keywords">Chennai</keyword> 0.679 cm. To make matters worse, the study forecasts that sea levels will continue to rise until the end of the century, with Mumbai expected to face the highest increase. By 2100, projections indicate that sea levels will rise by 76.2 cm in Mumbai, 75.5 cm in Panaji, 75.3 cm in Udupi, 75.2 cm in Mangalore, 75.1 cm in Kozhikode, 74.9 cm in Kochi, 74.7 cm in Thiruvananthapuram, and 74.7 cm in Kanyakumari, even under a medium-emission scenario. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="110502066" title="Feeling like nights are getting too uncomfortable? New report confirms that nighttime temperatures aren’t dipping enough" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> The study also explores potential inundation areas in these cities under the Intergovernmental Panel on <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">Climate Change</keyword>’s (IPCC’s) medium- and high-emission Shared Socio-economic Pathway (SSP) scenarios for 2040, 2060, 2080, and 2100. These scenarios consider how socio-economic factors such as population, education, and urbanisation might affect greenhouse gas emissions, impacting climate change. The report categorises the cities into Tier-I (Chennai and Mumbai), Tier-II (Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Mangaluru, Visakhapatnam, Kozhikode, and Haldia), and towns (Kanyakumari, Panaji, Puri, Udupi, Paradip, <keyword id="19898995" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="thoothukudi" source="keywords">Thoothukudi</keyword>, and Yanam). By 2040, more than 10% of the land in Mumbai, Yanam, and Thoothukudi, 5%-10% in Panaji and Chennai, and 1%-5% in Kochi, Mangalore, Visakhapatnam, Haldia, Udupi, Paradip, and Puri are predicted to be submerged due to <keyword id="21682268" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="rising-sea-levels" source="keywords">rising sea levels</keyword>. The percentage is expected to increase by 2100, with higher risks in Mangalore, Haldia, Paradip, Thoothukudi, and Yanam compared to Mumbai and Chennai under a high-emission scenario. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="107632251" title="Why is everyone concerned about the Earth being 1.5°C warmer for 12 months in a row?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Dr. Anushiya J, a Research Scientist at CSTEP and the lead author of the report, emphasised the far-reaching implications of rising sea levels. "Climate change brought on by fossil-fuel burning and greenhouse gas emissions has led to a steady increase in global temperatures. As a result, sea surface temperatures and glacier melting have increased, eventually rising sea levels and posing a major threat to coastal cities worldwide, including Indian coastal cities," she stated. She highlighted that many Indian coastal cities are major economic hubs with natural ports, cultural centres, biodiversity hotspots, and religious monuments. The continuing sea level rise necessitates immediate action to frame suitable adaptation and risk mitigation strategies. The report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policies to address the challenges posed by rising sea levels. The sectors most vulnerable include water, agriculture, forest and biodiversity, and health. The beaches, backwaters, and mangrove forests, which are crucial for biodiversity and tourism, are particularly at risk.

Mumbai, Chennai to lose 10% and 7% of their land to rising sea levels in just 15 years, says study

In a massive move for the country’s growing climate woes, India is aiming to control weather phenomena like rainfall, lightning, and hail within five years. Dubbed "<keyword id="23131560" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mission-Mausam" source="keywords">Mission Mausam</keyword>," this government-backed initiative includes the development of <keyword id="23148975" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mausam-GPT" source="keywords">Mausam GPT</keyword>, a weather AI model designed to enhance prediction accuracy and even manipulate the weather. This would make India one of the first countries to experiment with <keyword id="21369368" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="weather-modification" source="keywords">weather modification</keyword> on a significant scale. <h2>Mission Mausam</h2>India’s "Mission Mausam" aims to reshape the future of weather management by using technology to control rain. Over the next 18 months, the government will start with lab simulations to either enhance or suppress rainfall. The ultimate goal, as outlined by Earth Sciences Secretary M. Ravichandran, is to roll out full-scale weather modification within five years. He stated that the initiative could even target events like Independence Day, where “one can think about suppressing rain.” By deploying <keyword id="20644540" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cloud-seeding" source="keywords">cloud seeding</keyword> techniques alongside AI-driven weather prediction tools like "Mausam GPT," the mission seeks to significantly improve India’s ability to manage extreme weather conditions. A key aspect of the plan involves building a robust system of advanced radars, supercomputers, satellites with high-performance sensors, and GIS-based decision support systems. This cutting-edge tech is expected to boost India’s short- and medium-range weather forecasting accuracy by 5-10%, ensuring no event — such as cloudbursts — goes undetected. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113251187" title="India braces for an intensely harsh winter as La Niña takes hold" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>India is not new to weather manipulation efforts. The government has been running pilot projects, such as the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX) in Maharashtra, to study cloud properties and enhance rainfall. <h2>Why is weather manipulation necessary and is it safe?</h2>Extreme weather events in India, like deadly floods, droughts, and hailstorms, have noticeably increased in frequency due to <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword>. Mission Mausam could potentially give India an edge in combating these disasters. For example, imagine preventing a flood by suppressing rain or creating artificial rain during a drought. India’s investment of Rs 2,000 crore over two years certainly reflects the seriousness of the mission, which is expected to expand further as research progresses. However, weather modification, including cloud seeding, is not without controversy. Globally, cloud seeding has had limited success, with countries like the US, Russia, and China also experimenting with these methods but facing inconsistent results. Even former MoES Secretary Madhavan Rajeevan has noted that “the technology is complex” and still in its developmental stages. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112825937" title="Shivaji Maharaj Statue collapse: Identifying 5 reasons behind the accident" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Further, the potential downsides can't be ignored. While controlling the weather could save lives, meddling with natural processes is risky. Weather manipulation might have unintended ecological consequences, like shifting rainfall patterns that could harm ecosystems and agriculture. It may also pose geopolitical risks, as neighbouring countries could accuse India of altering weather systems that affect their own climates. Ultimately, while the idea of managing the weather may seem appealing, it opens up a Pandora’s box of environmental and ethical challenges that need careful consideration.

The Indian government is taking steps to control rainfall and weather within five years — is it too risky of a move?

<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword> and other <keyword id="21404749" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tropical-nations" source="keywords">tropical nations</keyword> are bracing for exceptionally <keyword id="21334318" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="high-temperatures" source="keywords">high temperatures</keyword> and <keyword id="21404748" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="humidity-levels" source="keywords">humidity levels</keyword>, as indicated by a recent study. This study, which analysed heat and humidity extremes spanning 45 years, warns of a 70% likelihood of unprecedented <keyword id="21052325" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heatwaves" source="keywords">heatwaves</keyword> and humidity levels in tropical regions, including India. The concerning forecast is attributed to the interaction between <keyword id="21194763" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="El-Nio" source="keywords">El Niño</keyword> and global warming. El Niño, characterised by warmer-than-average sea temperatures in the Pacific, influences weather patterns worldwide. During these events, heat and moisture are injected into the upper atmosphere, elevating temperatures and humidity in tropical areas like India. The study suggests that the peak of these upper-level temperatures typically occurs five months after the El Niño peak. The recent occurrence of a Super El Niño in December 2023 has already impacted winter and forthcoming summer seasons, but its full effect is anticipated in the upcoming summer months. The projected rise in <keyword id="21404750" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wet-bulb-temperatures" source="keywords">wet bulb temperatures</keyword> to 26.2°C carries a 68% chance of breaking existing records. Wet bulb temperature, factoring in heat and humidity alongside evaporation's cooling effect, is crucial in gauging human discomfort and assessing heat-related risks. Tropical regions with wet bulb temperatures exceeding 30°C can pose severe health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups. Northern India, known for its humid heat stress, faces a 50% likelihood of record-breaking heat and humidity this summer. Similarly, the Sahel region in Africa also faces heightened risks, with a 35% chance of record humid heat. While natural occurrences like volcanic eruptions or shifts to cooler La Niña conditions may influence predictions, the study underscores the importance of long-term planning to mitigate the impacts of <keyword id="21404751" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="extreme-heat-events" source="keywords">extreme heat events</keyword> aggravated by <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword> and El Niño. Proactive measures such as enhancing <keyword id="21404752" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heatwave-early-warning-systems" source="keywords">heatwave early warning systems</keyword>, upgrading infrastructure, and implementing public health initiatives are vital for bolstering resilience in the face of climate-related challenges. The findings of this research have been published in Geophysical Research Letters and can be accessed <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023GL106990" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

New study forecasts high chance of record-breaking heat and humidity in India in the coming months

It’s one thing to read about <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword> and <keyword id="19951337" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="carbon-emissions" source="keywords">carbon emissions</keyword> in an article, and quite another to see the toxic fumes engulfing your entire country — swirling over it like a certain menacing doom. <keyword id="19935155" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NASA" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="NASA" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="NASA">NASA</keyword> recently unveiled a groundbreaking visualisation tool that offers an unprecedented look at how carbon dioxide (CO2) moves around our planet. This high-resolution model provides a stunning, animated map of <keyword id="22576003" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-CO2-concentrations" source="keywords">global CO2 concentrations</keyword>, revealing the complex patterns of this crucial <keyword id="20719964" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="greenhouse-gas" source="keywords">greenhouse gas</keyword>. <div type="Youtube" id="zZ-lMDtiI-k" title="Model Behavior: Visualizing Global Carbon Dioxide" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zZ-lMDtiI-k/mqdefault.jpg"><url><![CDATA[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ-lMDtiI-k]]></url></div>By combining billions of data points from satellites and ground observations, NASA scientists created a dynamic picture of how CO2 is emitted, transported, and absorbed across the globe. This interactive map showcases <keyword id="22576002" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CO2-concentrations" source="keywords">CO2 concentrations</keyword> as they shifted through Earth's atmosphere from January to March 2020, influenced by wind patterns and atmospheric circulation. With its exceptional detail, you can zoom in to pinpoint CO2 emissions rising from power plants, fires, and urban areas, as they spread across continents and oceans. Over India, you can see the greenhouse gas blowing over from neighbouring continents and also originating from the subcontinent. The pulsating oranges indicate CO2 concentrations of 420-460 ppm over India. <h2>The sources of CO2 </h2>One of the most striking features of the map is its ability to zoom in on specific regions, allowing viewers to see CO2 emissions rising from individual cities and industrial complexes. This level of detail provides a clear and compelling picture of human activities' impact on the environment. The map highlights distinct emission patterns across different regions. In China, the United States, and South Asia, power plants, industrial facilities, and vehicles were the primary contributors to CO2 emissions. Conversely, in Africa and South America, fires ignited by land management practices, agricultural burning, and deforestation, along with the combustion of oil and coal, were the main sources. <h2>Pulsating gases</h2>The map also highlights the role of natural systems in the carbon cycle. Forests, oceans, and other ecosystems absorb vast amounts of CO2, acting as vital carbon sinks. However, the visualisation also reveals how human activities are overwhelming these natural systems, leading to a buildup of CO2 in the atmosphere. Further, the map exhibits a pulsating appearance. This is because, firstly, fires typically intensify during daylight hours and subside at night, creating a diurnal pattern. Secondly, the absorption and release of CO2 by plants during photosynthesis and respiration contribute to the fluctuations. This pulsing effect is particularly noticeable in regions with abundant vegetation, such as mid- to high-latitude forests and tropical areas. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112021374" title="Scientists found a groundbreaking new reason to plant more trees" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>“This map is a powerful tool for understanding the scale and complexity of the climate crisis,” said [Quote from NASA scientist]. “It shows us where the biggest problems are and where we need to focus our efforts to reduce emissions.” The data behind the map comes from NASA's <keyword id="22576004" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="goddard-earth-observing-system" source="keywords">Goddard Earth Observing System</keyword> (GEOS), a sophisticated model that simulates Earth's atmosphere with incredible detail. By applying this model to CO2, scientists have gained new insights into the gas's behaviour and its impact on the planet. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, tools like this are essential for informing policy decisions, tracking progress, and inspiring action. NASA’s CO2 map is a remarkable achievement that offers a glimpse into the urgent need to transition to a low-carbon future. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111566431" title="June warmest on record; every month since July 2023 breached 1.5 deg C threshold" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

WATCH: A NASA animation shows gigantic plumes of carbon dioxide emissions swirling over India

As the fast-approaching southwest monsoon gradually drowns out the summer, it will also help ease and then erase the memories of a brutal season past. Even then, an unease is expected to continue lingering in the minds of most Indians: something just wasn’t right this year. Studies have already shown time and again that deadly heat is becoming a frequent phenomenon in India. With temperatures expected to touch a scorching 54°C, extreme conditions are rendering an increasing number of places unliveable. This includes India’s highly developed metro cities, which are dealing with their own set of unique heat troubles. Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has shed light on an alarming trend: not only are <keyword id="21052325" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heatwaves" source="keywords">heatwaves</keyword> are becoming deadlier in India’s major cities, temperatures aren’t dropping enough to provide sufficient respite at night either. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Deadlier heatwaves" comment="subhead" text="Deadlier heatwaves">Deadlier heatwaves</cmsannotation> Spanning over 23 years from January 2001 to April 2024, the study meticulously analysed data from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and <keyword id="6354321" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bengaluru" source="Orion">Bengaluru</keyword>. While their air temperatures haven’t witnessed a dramatic rise during the specified period, these areas have continued to witness an increase in their relative <keyword id="20237161" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="humidity" source="keywords">humidity</keyword>. The researchers think that this may also be heightening the <keyword id="21177615" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heat-stress" source="keywords">heat stress</keyword> — a measure combining air and land temperatures along with relative humidity — and intensifying the discomfort and <keyword id="19977451" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-risks" source="keywords">health risks</keyword> for the city’s inhabitants. Another of the main culprits behind the discomfort in Indian metros may be due to the way <keyword id="21384366" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="urban-sprawl" source="keywords">urban sprawl</keyword> has spread massively in the past few years. The CSE study found that the rapid expansion of urban areas has led to a significant reduction in <keyword id="20113356" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-cover" source="keywords">green cover</keyword>, coupled with a surge in concrete surfaces. In cities like Chennai, green spaces have dwindled by nearly 14% over the past two decades, while concrete infrastructure has doubled. Even Bengaluru, a city earlier famed for its abundance of garden-like spaces, has only 7% green cover left, an earlier IISc study had found. This transformation contributes to the "<keyword id="21843173" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="urban-heat-island-effect" source="keywords">urban heat island effect</keyword>," where concrete-trapped heat is making urban regions notably warmer than their rural counterparts. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Minimums on the rise" comment="subhead" text="Minimums on the rise">Minimums on the rise</cmsannotation> However, what’s particularly concerning is the decline in nighttime cooling. Historically, cities would cool down considerably at night, providing much-needed relief from the daytime heat. However, the study reveals that this cooling effect has substantially decreased, exposing residents to prolonged periods of high temperatures without respite. The continuous exposure to heat, compounded by high humidity, exacerbates health risks, making heat stress and related illnesses more prevalent and potentially deadly at lower temperatures. The health implications are dire. The study observed an increase in the number of days with a heat index — what the weather “feels like” — surpassing 41°C in cities such as Kolkata and Chennai. Furthermore, the monsoon season, once a period of relief, now brings hotter and more humid conditions in some cities compared to the pre-monsoon months. As most might know, high humidity undermines the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating, increasing the risk of heat stress and related illnesses In response to these findings, CSE Executive Director Anumita Roychowdhury highlighted the necessity for in-depth assessments of heat trends, relative humidity, land surface temperatures, and diurnal temperature variations. These assessments are crucial for developing effective heat management plans that extend beyond emergency responses to encompass long-term strategies, such as expanding green spaces, enhancing water bodies, and improving thermal comfort in buildings. The study also called for reversing detrimental land use patterns and implementing scientifically grounded measures to monitor and mitigate urban heat stress. The time for action is now, as the repercussions of inaction could be devastating for millions residing in India's rapidly growing urban centers. The CSE report can be found <a href="https://www.cseindia.org/content/downloadreports/12191" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

Feeling like nights are getting too uncomfortable? New report confirms that nighttime temperatures aren’t dipping enough

The recently concluded winter of 2023-24 was a particularly dry one for <keyword id="90232" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="north-india" source="Orion">North India</keyword>. The region barely witnessed any snowfall until the end of January, painting an unusual picture marked by the absence of pristine white landscapes that typically cloak the majestic <keyword id="52569" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="himalayas" source="Orion">Himalayas</keyword>. This dry spell was down to the delayed arrival of winter storms — an ongoing trend that is raising concerns over dwindling water resources and potential flooding for millions of Indians! <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Beyond the Season: Winter Storms' Delayed Summer Appearance" comment="subhead" text="Beyond the Season: Winter Storms' Delayed Summer Appearance">Beyond the Season: Winter Storms' Delayed Summer Appearance</cmsannotation> Winter storms, technically known as western disturbances, are warm, moisture-laden winds that begin their journey over the Mediterranean Sea. As they waltz across continents, gathering moisture from the seas they encounter, they eventually reach the mighty Himalayas. There, amidst the towering peaks, they unleash the payloads and shower the land below with a mix of rain and snow. Traditionally, these winter storms have graced the Himalayas with abundant snow from December to March, ensuring a steady flow of water supply downstream. However, new research has unveiled a shift in these patterns, with western disturbances now arriving fashionably late compared to seven decades ago. Published in the journal Weather and Climate Dynamics, the study highlights a surge in western disturbances during India's summer months. Over the past 70 years, these unexpected guests have increased in frequency by 60% from April to July, reducing snowfall and increasing the risk of heavy flooding reminiscent of the calamities we saw in Uttarakhand in 2013 and around Delhi in 2023. The research team attributes this seasonal shift to changes in the subtropical jet stream, a high-altitude air current steering western disturbances. The warming of the Tibetan Plateau, a vast expanse at the crossroads of Central, South and East Asia, is amplifying temperature contrast with surrounding areas, creating a stronger jet stream that powers more frequent and intense storms. In tandem, <keyword id="6366055" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-warming" source="Orion">global warming</keyword> is weakening the temperature difference between the equator and poles, disrupting the traditional northward migration of the jet stream in summer. As a result, the jet stream is increasingly lingering at southerly latitudes later into spring and summer, allowing more storms to strike North India after the typical winter snow season has passed. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Precipitation Perils: The Dual Challenge of Dwindling Snowmelt and Flooding" comment="subhead" text="Precipitation Perils: The Dual Challenge of Dwindling Snowmelt and Flooding">Precipitation Perils: The Dual Challenge of Dwindling Snowmelt and Flooding</cmsannotation> As the regular occurrence of these late-season storms coincides with the setting-in of pre-monsoon heat, North India is likely to be lashed by torrential rainfall rather than snowfall. This shift in precipitation patterns poses a heightened risk of severe flooding, which could lead to devastation for communities and ecosystems alike. Concurrently, the decline in <keyword id="2005642" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="winter-snowfall" source="Orion">winter snowfall</keyword> mirrors the warming trend in the region, jeopardising vital spring water supplies. With less snow accumulating in the mountains during winter, there is a diminished reserve of meltwater to replenish rivers and streams come springtime. This threatens agricultural activities and water availability for households, disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems that rely on seasonal water flow as well as the traditional rhythms of life and livelihoods in the region. Study author Dr. Kieran Hunt of the University of Reading adds: “Some areas of Kashmir saw no snow at all in December or January. This is a serious concern for the 750 million people in the Indus and upper Ganges basins who rely on these winter snows for water supplies. He describes the loss of winter snow and the increasing late-season storms as a “one-two punch” that underscores the urgent need to respond to the far-reaching impacts of <keyword id="6361617" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="Orion">climate change</keyword> in this sensitive region.

As winter storms arrive later in the year, North India faces dual threat of water scarcity and flooding

The deadly landslides in Kerala's ecologically fragile Wayanad district were triggered by a heavy burst of rainfall, made 10 per cent heavier by <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword>, according to a new rapid attribution study by a global team of scientists. Researchers from India, Sweden, the US and the UK warned that such events will become more common as the climate continues to warm. To measure the impact of human-caused climate change, the scientists from the <keyword id="12008149" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Weather-Attribution" source="Orion">World Weather Attribution</keyword> (WWA) group analysed climate models with high enough resolution to accurately reflect rainfall in the relatively small study area. The models indicated that the intensity of rainfall has increased by 10 per cent due to climate change, they said. The models also predict a further four per cent increase in rainfall intensity if the average <keyword id="21951013" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-temperature" source="keywords">global temperature</keyword> rises by two degrees Celsius compared to the 1850-1900 average. The scientists, however, said there is a "high level of uncertainty" in the model results as the study area is small and mountainous with complex rainfall-climate dynamics. Having said that, the increase in heavy one-day rainfall events aligns with a growing body of scientific evidence on extreme rainfall in a warming world, including in India, and the understanding that a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to heavier downpours. According to scientists, the atmosphere's capacity to hold moisture increases by about 7 per cent for every one-degree Celsius rise in global temperature. The Earth's global surface temperature has already increased by around 1.3 degrees Celsius due to the rapidly rising concentration of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide and methane. Scientists say this is the reason behind worsening <keyword id="19912530" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="extreme-weather-events" source="keywords">extreme weather events</keyword>, such as droughts, heat waves and floods worldwide. The WWA scientists said that while the relationship between land cover, land use changes and landslide risk in Wayanad is not fully clear from existing studies, factors, such as quarrying for building materials and a 62 per cent reduction in forest cover may have increased the slopes' susceptibility to landslides during heavy rainfall. Other researchers have also linked the <keyword id="22597176" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Wayanad-landslides" source="keywords">Wayanad landslides</keyword> to a combination of forest cover loss, mining in fragile terrain and prolonged rain followed by heavy precipitation. S Abhilash, the director of the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), had earlier told PTI that the warming of the Arabian Sea is leading to the formation of deep cloud systems, resulting in extremely heavy rainfall in Kerala in a short period and increasing the risk of landslides. "Our research found that the southeast Arabian Sea is becoming warmer, causing the atmosphere above Kerala to become thermodynamically unstable. This instability is allowing the formation of deep clouds," he had said. According to the landslide atlas released by ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre last year, 10 out of the top 30 landslide-prone districts in India are in Kerala, with Wayanad ranked at the 13th spot. A study published by Springer in 2021 said all landslide hotspots in Kerala are in the Western Ghats region and are concentrated in Idukki, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. It said about 59 per cent of total landslides in Kerala have occurred in plantation areas. A 2022 study on depleting forest cover in Wayanad showed that 62 per cent of forests in the district disappeared between 1950 and 2018, while plantation cover rose by around 1,800 per cent.

You Searched For "India climate change" and got 10 results

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Mumbai, Chennai to lose 10% and 7% of their land to rising sea levels in just 15 years, says study

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Feeling like nights are getting too uncomfortable? New report confirms that nighttime temperatures aren’t dipping enough

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As winter storms arrive later in the year, North India faces dual threat of water scarcity and flooding

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Wayanad landslides linked to 10% heavier rainfall due to climate change: Study

PTI

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