<p>Climate activists in Germany sprayed orange and yellow paint onto Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate on Sunday (September 17) morning. The protesters urged the government to take more urgent action against climate change.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Local reports said that more than 10 activists carried out the protest in the German capital on Sunday morning using paint sprayed from fire extinguishers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Berlin police, local officers on patrol saw the cherry picker vehicle used by the group and were able to stop activists climbing the Brandenburg Gate.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/summer-2023-was-hottest-on-record-since-1880-confirms-nasa-636886">Summer 2023 was hottest on record since 1880, confirms NASA</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">NEWS: Climate activists Spray Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate in Orange Paint <a href="https://t.co/66N2m6FMmb">pic.twitter.com/66N2m6FMmb</a></p>
— LWNC (@LwncNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/LwncNews/status/1703379435351679455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>In a post on social media platform X, the police said that protesters were detained on-site. They said that police have started a probe into possible charges for damage to property.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a press release, 'Letzte Generation' said that the action was part of a 'turning moment' protest against a lack of government action on shifting away from fossil fuels.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The group said: "The protest makes it clear: It is time for a political change. Away from fossil fuels — towards fairness."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vivek-ramaswamy-vows-to-gut-h1-b-visa-system-if-wins-presidential-elections-report-636840">Vivek Ramaswamy vows to 'gut' H1-B visa system if wins presidential elections: Report</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Chinese city hunts for 5 runaway crocodiles</strong></p>

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<p>In German politics and society, the group best known for its rallies in which activists glue themselves to highways and stop traffic plays a provocative and polarising role.</p>

<p>Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner slammed the actions of the group, saying that their tactics go beyond legitimate forms of protest.</p>

<p>"With these actions, this group is not only damaging the historic Brandenburg Gate but also our free discourse about the important issues of our time and future," he told German news agency dpa.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Climate activists in Germany sprayed orange and yellow paint onto Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate on Sunday (September 17) morning. The protesters urged the government to take more urgent action against climate change.

Climate activists in Germany sprayed orange and yellow paint onto Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate on Sunday (September 17) morning. The protesters urged the government to take more urgent action against climate change. Local reports said that more than 10 activists carried out the protest in the German capital on Sunday morning using paint sprayed from fire extinguishers. According to Berlin police, local officers on patrol saw the cherry picker vehicle used by the group and were able to stop activists climbing the Brandenburg Gate. Also read: Summer 2023 was hottest on record since 1880, confirms NASA NEWS: Climate activists Spray Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate in Orange Paint pic.twitter.com/66N2m6FMmb — LWNC (@LwncNews) September 17, 2023 × In a post on social media platform X, the police said that protesters were detained on-site. They said that police have started a probe into possible charges for damage to property. In a press release, 'Letzte Generation' said that the action was part of a 'turning moment' protest against a lack of government action on shifting away from fossil fuels. The group said: "The protest makes it clear: It is time for a political change. Away from fossil fuels — towards fairness." Also read: Vivek Ramaswamy vows to 'gut' H1-B visa system if wins presidential elections: Report Watch: Chinese city hunts for 5 runaway crocodiles × In German politics and society, the group best known for its rallies in which activists glue themselves to highways and stop traffic plays a provocative and polarising role. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner slammed the actions of the group, saying that their tactics go beyond legitimate forms of protest. "With these actions, this group is not only damaging the historic Brandenburg Gate but also our free discourse about the important issues of our time and future," he told German news agency dpa. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Watch: Climate protesters spray paint on Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate

Greece is going through a severe climate crisis, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says that the country is facing war in time of peace. During his annual speech, he announced fresh funding and state reforms.

Greece climate crisis: PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis says, 'Greece is facing war in time of peace'

<p>Satellite data shows that sea-ice around Antarctica has receded to historically low levels, a worrying trend indicating areas earlier perceived as resistant to global warming are no longer able to hold up.</p>

<p>According to polar experts, thinning ice at the two poles could have far-reaching ramifications for the planet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It will also have a huge impact on climate change as Antarctica’s ice plays a big role in regulating the global temperature. The white ice reflects the Sun’s energy back into the atmosphere and cools water beneath it.</p>

<p>The ice that floats on the Antarctic Ocean's surface now measures less than 17 million sq km - that is 1.5 million sq km of sea ice less than the September average, and well below previous winter record lows, BBC reported.</p>

<p>Scientists are now rushing to identify the factors behind this rapid decline of snow ice in the South Polar Region.</p>

<h2><strong>How sea ice is formed in Antarctica?</strong></h2>

<p>Sea ice forms during Antarctica's winter season (March to October), later melting in the summer. It's an integral part of a larger system that includes icebergs, land ice, and expansive ice shelves extending from the coast.</p>

<p>Sea ice serves as a protective barrier for land ice, preventing the ocean from warming. Dr. Caroline Holmes of the British Antarctic Survey warns that the consequences of diminishing sea ice might become apparent during the transition to summer, potentially leading to an unstoppable feedback loop of ice melting.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Antarctica heating faster than expected</strong></p>

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<p>As sea ice diminishes, it unveils dark ocean areas that absorb sunlight instead of reflecting it. This leads to the absorption of heat energy by the water, further accelerating ice melt—a phenomenon known as the 'ice-albedo effect'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This could significantly increase heat in the environment, disrupting Antarctica's role as a global temperature regulator.</p>

<h2><strong>Why thinning sea ice is a big deal?</strong></h2>

<p>Since the 1990s, Antarctica's land ice loss has contributed to a 7.2mm rise in sea levels. Even modest sea-level increases can result in perilous storm surges, posing a threat to coastal communities. If substantial amounts of land ice were to melt, the consequences would be catastrophic for millions worldwide.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/antarctica-likely-warming-much-faster-than-prediction-of-climate-change-models-study-633633"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Antarctica likely warming much faster than climate change models predicted: Study</strong></a></p>

<p>Antarctica, an isolated continent surrounded by water, possesses its distinct weather and climate system. Until 2016, its winter sea ice was expanding. However, an extreme heatwave in March 2022 in East Antarctica caused temperatures to rise to -10C, far from the expected -50C.</p>

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Satellite data shows that sea-ice around Antarctica has receded to historically low levels, a worrying trend indicating areas earlier perceived as resistant to global warming are no longer able to hold up.

Satellite data shows that sea-ice around Antarctica has receded to historically low levels, a worrying trend indicating areas earlier perceived as resistant to global warming are no longer able to hold up. According to polar experts, thinning ice at the two poles could have far-reaching ramifications for the planet. It will also have a huge impact on climate change as Antarctica’s ice plays a big role in regulating the global temperature. The white ice reflects the Sun’s energy back into the atmosphere and cools water beneath it. The ice that floats on the Antarctic Ocean's surface now measures less than 17 million sq km - that is 1.5 million sq km of sea ice less than the September average, and well below previous winter record lows, BBC reported. Scientists are now rushing to identify the factors behind this rapid decline of snow ice in the South Polar Region. How sea ice is formed in Antarctica? Sea ice forms during Antarctica's winter season (March to October), later melting in the summer. It's an integral part of a larger system that includes icebergs, land ice, and expansive ice shelves extending from the coast. Sea ice serves as a protective barrier for land ice, preventing the ocean from warming. Dr. Caroline Holmes of the British Antarctic Survey warns that the consequences of diminishing sea ice might become apparent during the transition to summer, potentially leading to an unstoppable feedback loop of ice melting. Watch: Antarctica heating faster than expected × As sea ice diminishes, it unveils dark ocean areas that absorb sunlight instead of reflecting it. This leads to the absorption of heat energy by the water, further accelerating ice melt—a phenomenon known as the 'ice-albedo effect'. This could significantly increase heat in the environment, disrupting Antarctica's role as a global temperature regulator. Why thinning sea ice is a big deal? Since the 1990s, Antarctica's land ice loss has contributed to a 7.2mm rise in sea levels. Even modest sea-level increases can result in perilous storm surges, posing a threat to coastal communities. If substantial amounts of land ice were to melt, the consequences would be catastrophic for millions worldwide. Also read: Antarctica likely warming much faster than climate change models predicted: Study Antarctica, an isolated continent surrounded by water, possesses its distinct weather and climate system. Until 2016, its winter sea ice was expanding. However, an extreme heatwave in March 2022 in East Antarctica caused temperatures to rise to -10C, far from the expected -50C. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Sea ice around Antarctica recedes to historically low levels: Scientists

Several hundred climate activists got together in central London and Edinburgh, Scotland, to join for colorful and noisy climate change protests.

Colourful and noisy climate protests sweep across UK

<p>From China to Libya, catastrophic floods have wreaked havoc, killing thousands of people globally. The situation in the Libyan coastal city of Derna is particularly distressing due to the flash flooding caused by Storm Daniel, leaving around 4,000 and more than 10,000 missing. The Libyan floods are one of the eight devastating flooding events that have created chaos on four continents in the first 11 days of September.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amid the worsening situation in Libya, relief missions have gathered pace with Turkey, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates among the first nations to rush aid to the conflict-scarred country. The United Nations has pledged $10 million in support for survivors, with more than 30,000 people left homeless. According to the European Union, assistance from Germany, Romania and Finland had been dispatched. The United States, Algeria, Qatar, Italy, France and Tunisia have all also offered assistance.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Libya" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8e155cc-1af4-42c1-b514-1d0fa4ee2817" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/libya.png" /></p>

<p><em>Image:&nbsp;A view shows a damaged car following a powerful storm and heavy rainfall in Derna, Libya, September 13, 2023. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori. Credit: Reuters.&nbsp;</em></p>

<h2><strong>Flash floods across continents </strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Apart from Libya, parts of central Greece, northwestern Turkey, southern Brazil, central and coastal Spain, southern China, Hong Kong, and the southwestern United States were inundated by heavy rain.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A report by NBC News cited Andrew Hoell, who is a research meteorologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Physical Sciences Laboratory, as saying that many unrelated extreme weather events around the world in such a short time are unusual.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, "Sometimes we have a clustering of these events, whether it's in a given country, given hemisphere or globally. And it seems like right now, globally, this is prime time for a number of flooding events."&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="greece" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4b840f4e-1c85-4484-8852-f7eb8b63b11f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/greece.png" /></p>

<p><em>Image: An aerial view of cars stuck on a bridge surrounded by flood waters, as storm Daniel hits central Greece, in the village of Flamouli, near Trikala, Greece, September 7, 2023. Credit: Reuters.&nbsp;</em></p>

<h2><strong>What is flooding and why such incidents have increased in recent times?</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Flooding happens when a river or stream overflows into the surrounding area due to prolonged rain over several days or incessant rain over a short period of time. It is also caused as a result of a water control structure, such as a levee or dam&nbsp;failing. It leads to loss of life and property, and also outbreaks of deadly disease.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Weather analysts and studies have said that such incidents have risen in recent decades and climate change is one of the reasons behind it. The planet's water cycle is being increased by global warming and warmer temperatures cause more evaporation, hence a warmer atmosphere may contain more moisture. The phenomenon means that storms can provide more intense precipitation, resulting in serious flooding.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A report by the Environmental Protection Agency published last year mentioned that researchers have observed those changes over time as the world warms. The US-based agency said that global precipitation has increased at an average rate of 0.04 inches per decade since 1901.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hoell said, "From a 1,000-foot view, it's definitely true that if you have higher temperatures, you have more water vapour, and therefore you can have more precipitation fall from the sky. But when you look at a specific event and the specific set of physical processes relevant to that event, it then becomes difficult to attribute every single process in that causal chain."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Climate-related extreme weather events are typically the worst in conflict-torn and impoverished nations with limited infrastructure, early warning systems, and strong emergency response services.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Hong Kong" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="860bb464-4ef3-4d16-84c5-229b1b96a697" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/hong%20kong.png" /></p>

<p><em>Image:&nbsp;&nbsp;A view of a flooded area after heavy rain in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, China, Sept. 8, 2023. Credit: Reuters.&nbsp;</em></p>

<h2><strong>But what's caused deadly flooding on different continents within a gap of 10 days?</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Mediterranean Storm Daniel poured heavy rain over central Greece and Libya. Typhoon Haikui and its remnants dumped unprecedented amounts of rain on Hong Kong and southern China, inundating cities, and causing the heaviest precipitation since records began 140 years ago. Fast-moving thunderstorms over southern Nevada this month caused flash flooding. A cyclone dumped more than 300 millimetres of rain in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul in less than 24 hours in the first week of September.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All these incidents are fuelled by climate, but they are not linked to one another. Hoell said, "We really don't have a long enough sample or record to be able to detect a change because they're not really that common of an occurrence."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Dr Karsten Haustein, a climate scientist at Leipzig University told UK newspaper the Guardian: "While no formal attribution of the role of climate change in making Storm Daniel more intense has been conducted yet, it is safe to say that the Mediterranean sea surface temperatures have been considerably above average throughout summer."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch this report:</strong>&nbsp;</p>

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<h2><strong>What is 'Medicane'?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Mediterranean storms like Daniel which bear the features of tropical cyclones and hurricanes, known as "medicanes", only occur one to three times a year.</p>

<p>While scientists generally avoid direct links between individual weather events and long-term global warming, Storm Daniel "is illustrative of the type of devastating flooding event we may expect increasingly in the future", AFP quoted Lizzie Kendon as saying.&nbsp;Kendon is a climate science professor at the University of Bristol.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The EU's climate monitoring service Copernicus said rising global sea surface temperatures were driving record levels of heat across the globe, with 2023 likely to be the warmest in human history.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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From China to Libya, catastrophic floods have wreaked havoc, killing thousands of people globally. The situation in the Libyan coastal city of Derna is particularly distressing due to the flash flooding caused by Storm Daniel, leaving around 4,000 and more than 10,000 missing.

From China to Libya, catastrophic floods have wreaked havoc, killing thousands of people globally. The situation in the Libyan coastal city of Derna is particularly distressing due to the flash flooding caused by Storm Daniel, leaving around 4,000 and more than 10,000 missing. The Libyan floods are one of the eight devastating flooding events that have created chaos on four continents in the first 11 days of September. Amid the worsening situation in Libya, relief missions have gathered pace with Turkey, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates among the first nations to rush aid to the conflict-scarred country. The United Nations has pledged $10 million in support for survivors, with more than 30,000 people left homeless. According to the European Union, assistance from Germany, Romania and Finland had been dispatched. The United States, Algeria, Qatar, Italy, France and Tunisia have all also offered assistance. Image: A view shows a damaged car following a powerful storm and heavy rainfall in Derna, Libya, September 13, 2023. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori. Credit: Reuters. Flash floods across continents Apart from Libya, parts of central Greece, northwestern Turkey, southern Brazil, central and coastal Spain, southern China, Hong Kong, and the southwestern United States were inundated by heavy rain. A report by NBC News cited Andrew Hoell, who is a research meteorologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Physical Sciences Laboratory, as saying that many unrelated extreme weather events around the world in such a short time are unusual. He said, "Sometimes we have a clustering of these events, whether it's in a given country, given hemisphere or globally. And it seems like right now, globally, this is prime time for a number of flooding events." Image: An aerial view of cars stuck on a bridge surrounded by flood waters, as storm Daniel hits central Greece, in the village of Flamouli, near Trikala, Greece, September 7, 2023. Credit: Reuters. What is flooding and why such incidents have increased in recent times? Flooding happens when a river or stream overflows into the surrounding area due to prolonged rain over several days or incessant rain over a short period of time. It is also caused as a result of a water control structure, such as a levee or dam failing. It leads to loss of life and property, and also outbreaks of deadly disease. Weather analysts and studies have said that such incidents have risen in recent decades and climate change is one of the reasons behind it. The planet's water cycle is being increased by global warming and warmer temperatures cause more evaporation, hence a warmer atmosphere may contain more moisture. The phenomenon means that storms can provide more intense precipitation, resulting in serious flooding. A report by the Environmental Protection Agency published last year mentioned that researchers have observed those changes over time as the world warms. The US-based agency said that global precipitation has increased at an average rate of 0.04 inches per decade since 1901. Hoell said, "From a 1,000-foot view, it's definitely true that if you have higher temperatures, you have more water vapour, and therefore you can have more precipitation fall from the sky. But when you look at a specific event and the specific set of physical processes relevant to that event, it then becomes difficult to attribute every single process in that causal chain." Climate-related extreme weather events are typically the worst in conflict-torn and impoverished nations with limited infrastructure, early warning systems, and strong emergency response services. Image: A view of a flooded area after heavy rain in Hong Kong, China, Sept. 8, 2023. Credit: Reuters. But what's caused deadly flooding on different continents within a gap of 10 days? Mediterranean Storm Daniel poured heavy rain over central Greece and Libya. Typhoon Haikui and its remnants dumped unprecedented amounts of rain on Hong Kong and southern China, inundating cities, and causing the heaviest precipitation since records began 140 years ago. Fast-moving thunderstorms over southern Nevada this month caused flash flooding. A cyclone dumped more than 300 millimetres of rain in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul in less than 24 hours in the first week of September. All these incidents are fuelled by climate, but they are not linked to one another. Hoell said, "We really don't have a long enough sample or record to be able to detect a change because they're not really that common of an occurrence." Meanwhile, Dr Karsten Haustein, a climate scientist at Leipzig University told UK newspaper the Guardian: "While no formal attribution of the role of climate change in making Storm Daniel more intense has been conducted yet, it is safe to say that the Mediterranean sea surface temperatures have been considerably above average throughout summer." Watch this report: × What is 'Medicane'? Mediterranean storms like Daniel which bear the features of tropical cyclones and hurricanes, known as "medicanes", only occur one to three times a year. While scientists generally avoid direct links between individual weather events and long-term global warming, Storm Daniel "is illustrative of the type of devastating flooding event we may expect increasingly in the future", AFP quoted Lizzie Kendon as saying. Kendon is a climate science professor at the University of Bristol. The EU's climate monitoring service Copernicus said rising global sea surface temperatures were driving record levels of heat across the globe, with 2023 likely to be the warmest in human history. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: Why catastrophe has rained from the skies in the 11 days of September

<p>Earth is increasingly becoming&nbsp;uninhabitable&nbsp;for humans, a new study has warned saying that the blue planet is at risk of generating large-scale abrupt or irreversible environmental changes due to human activity.</p>

<p>According to a study published in Science Advances journal, six out of nine planetary boundaries have been breached due to human-caused pollution and destruction of the natural world.</p>

<p>The planetary boundaries are a set of framework designed by scientists within which humanity can continue to develop and thrive for generations to come.</p>

<p>These nine planetary boundaries were first proposed by a group of 29 internationally renowned scientists in 2009.</p>

<p>The nine planetary boundaries are:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Biosphere integrity</li>
	<li>Climate change</li>
	<li>Freshwater changes</li>
	<li>Ocean acidification</li>
	<li>Stratospheric ozone depletion</li>
	<li>Atmospheric aerosol loading</li>
	<li>Land system change</li>
	<li>The introduction of novel entities such as synthetic chemicals and nuclear waste.</li>
	<li>Biogeochemical flows such as the movement of nitrogen through global element cycles.</li>
</ul>

<p>Of these, six boundaries have been transgressed.&nbsp;They are&nbsp;biosphere integrity, climate change, freshwater changes, land system change, the introduction of novel entities such as synthetic chemicals and nuclear waste, biogeochemical flows such as the movement of nitrogen through global element cycles.</p>

<p>"We are in very bad shape," said study co-author Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.</p>

<p>"We show in this analysis that the planet is losing resilience and the patient is sick."</p>

<p>On Wednesday (Sept 13), the scientists of the study said that they had updated the list from 2015, and added a sixth factor to the unsafe category.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-hit-by-nasas-dart-spacecraft-about-a-year-ago-is-behaving-unexpectedly-says-study-635915">NASA hit this asteroid months back and now something weird is happening</a></p>

<p>Rockstrom said that water went from "barely safe" to the "out-of-bounds" category because of worsening river run-off, better measurements and understanding of the problem.</p>

<p>These boundaries "determine the fate of the planet", he said, adding that nine factors have been "scientifically well established" by numerous outside studies.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/lead-poisoning-has-far-greater-impact-on-global-health-than-previously-though-study-635776">Lead poisoning has far greater impact on global health than previously thought: Study</a></p>

<p>"If Earth can manage these nine factors, Earth could be relatively safe. But it's not," he said.</p>

<p>He said that the failing resilience could make it impossible to reach the 1.5C climate goal and could bring the world closer to real tipping points.</p>

<p>The research, which was based on 2,000 studies, indicated that several planetary boundaries were passed long ago.</p>

<p>"This update finds that six of the nine boundaries are transgressed, suggesting that Earth is now well outside of the safe operating space for humanity,” the scientists said.</p>

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Earth is increasingly becoming uninhabitable for humans, a new study has warned saying that the blue planet is at risk of generating large-scale abrupt or irreversible environmental changes due to human activity.

Earth is increasingly becoming uninhabitable for humans, a new study has warned saying that the blue planet is at risk of generating large-scale abrupt or irreversible environmental changes due to human activity. According to a study published in Science Advances journal, six out of nine planetary boundaries have been breached due to human-caused pollution and destruction of the natural world. The planetary boundaries are a set of framework designed by scientists within which humanity can continue to develop and thrive for generations to come. These nine planetary boundaries were first proposed by a group of 29 internationally renowned scientists in 2009. The nine planetary boundaries are: Biosphere integrity Climate change Freshwater changes Ocean acidification Stratospheric ozone depletion Atmospheric aerosol loading Land system change The introduction of novel entities such as synthetic chemicals and nuclear waste. Biogeochemical flows such as the movement of nitrogen through global element cycles. Of these, six boundaries have been transgressed. They are biosphere integrity, climate change, freshwater changes, land system change, the introduction of novel entities such as synthetic chemicals and nuclear waste, biogeochemical flows such as the movement of nitrogen through global element cycles. "We are in very bad shape," said study co-author Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. "We show in this analysis that the planet is losing resilience and the patient is sick." On Wednesday (Sept 13), the scientists of the study said that they had updated the list from 2015, and added a sixth factor to the unsafe category. Also read | NASA hit this asteroid months back and now something weird is happening Rockstrom said that water went from "barely safe" to the "out-of-bounds" category because of worsening river run-off, better measurements and understanding of the problem. These boundaries "determine the fate of the planet", he said, adding that nine factors have been "scientifically well established" by numerous outside studies. Also read | Lead poisoning has far greater impact on global health than previously thought: Study "If Earth can manage these nine factors, Earth could be relatively safe. But it's not," he said. He said that the failing resilience could make it impossible to reach the 1.5C climate goal and could bring the world closer to real tipping points. The research, which was based on 2,000 studies, indicated that several planetary boundaries were passed long ago. "This update finds that six of the nine boundaries are transgressed, suggesting that Earth is now well outside of the safe operating space for humanity,” the scientists said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Six out of 9 planetary boundaries breached, Earth increasingly becoming uninhabitable for humans: Scientists

The situation in Deran which is the Libyan Port City where two dams burst over the weekend. It has been described as disastrous beyond comprehension.

Libya floods: Over 5,000 presumed dead

In the wake of torrential rain, severe thunderstorms and widespread water logging, the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is now grappling with a series of challenges. The nation's fury has claimed at least 28 lives forcing the state government to declare a red alert on Tuesday.

Heavy rains flood India's Uttar Pradesh: Death toll climbs to 28

The situation in Maghreb which is the Libyan Port City where two dams burst over the weekend. It has been described as disastrous beyond comprehension.

Libya Flooding: Officials declare state of emergency

Libya floods wipe out quarter of city

Climate activists are protesting in the Netherlands. Over 10,000 climate activists shut down a Dutch highway, demanding an end to government subsidies for the fossil fuel industry.

Protests demanding an end to government subsidies for fossil fuels

Small island nations seek protection from ocean pollution and climate change. Take the ocean protection case to the un court.

Island states seek climate protection from the law of the sea

Earth's coldest and driest continent, Antarctica, is warming at an alarming rate. Now, the west Antarctic sheet particularly has started losing ice, contributing to a significant rise in sea level.

Antarctica heating faster than expected

With the G20 Summit underway in India's capital New Delhi, UN Secretary-General Antonio Gueterres has a big message for the Block's leaders to reset the climate crisis that's spinning out of control. Climate change will be among the top Global problems the world leaders will address at the G20 Summit.

G20 Summit 2023: Antonio Guterres urges G20 leaders to reset climate crisis

<p>As the Mediterranean was scorched by unprecedented heat from Greece to Spain this summer, wildfires have cost Europe an estimated euros 4.1 billion ($4.43 billion) in damages so far this year.</p>

<p>According to a Distrelec report, a significant distributor of power sector components, including sensors that provide early warnings of potential wildfire activity, about 400,000 hectares (988,420 acres) of land have already been devastated by forest fires across the continent. This is based on information from the European Forest Fire Information System.</p>

<p>With an estimated cost of euros 1.66 billion ($1.8 billion) and more than 161,000 hectares of land devastated as of Aug. 30, Greece has sustained the most damage. This is one of the most devastating forest fires to have hit the nation in 16 years. Ever since the recent fires that broke out on August 19th and left at least 19 people dead, authorities in Greece have been on high alert for further destruction.</p>

<p>Spain recorded the second-highest number of forest fires, after Portugal and Italy, accounting for over 84,315 hectares and costing an estimated euros 871 million ($941 million). The research states that expenditures associated with battling fires, replanting, damage repair, and cleanup are included in the estimations for the economic impact.</p>

<p>Fires brought on by climate change have also had an effect in other parts of the world, having an impact on everything from tourism to agricultural output.</p>

<p>According to Petteri Taalas, the secretary general of the World Meteorological Organisation, “The extreme weather - an increasingly frequent occurrence in our warming climate, is having a major impact on human health, ecosystems, economies, agriculture, energy, and water supplies.” This indicates the immediate need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as feasible.</p>

<p>As firemen utilised planes and helicopters to put out the fires, hundreds of people in Greece had to be evacuated.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from Bloomberg)</em></p>

<p>Distrelec's website:&nbsp;<a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" href="https://www.distrelec.com/global/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="https://www.distrelec.com/global/"><strong>https://www.distrel</strong>ec.com/global/</a></p>

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As the Mediterranean was scorched by unprecedented heat from Greece to Spain this summer, wildfires have cost Europe an estimated euros 4.1 billion ($4.43 billion) in damages so far this year.

As the Mediterranean was scorched by unprecedented heat from Greece to Spain this summer, wildfires have cost Europe an estimated euros 4.1 billion ($4.43 billion) in damages so far this year. According to a Distrelec report, a significant distributor of power sector components, including sensors that provide early warnings of potential wildfire activity, about 400,000 hectares (988,420 acres) of land have already been devastated by forest fires across the continent. This is based on information from the European Forest Fire Information System. With an estimated cost of euros 1.66 billion ($1.8 billion) and more than 161,000 hectares of land devastated as of Aug. 30, Greece has sustained the most damage. This is one of the most devastating forest fires to have hit the nation in 16 years. Ever since the recent fires that broke out on August 19th and left at least 19 people dead, authorities in Greece have been on high alert for further destruction. Spain recorded the second-highest number of forest fires, after Portugal and Italy, accounting for over 84,315 hectares and costing an estimated euros 871 million ($941 million). The research states that expenditures associated with battling fires, replanting, damage repair, and cleanup are included in the estimations for the economic impact. Fires brought on by climate change have also had an effect in other parts of the world, having an impact on everything from tourism to agricultural output. According to Petteri Taalas, the secretary general of the World Meteorological Organisation, “The extreme weather - an increasingly frequent occurrence in our warming climate, is having a major impact on human health, ecosystems, economies, agriculture, energy, and water supplies.” This indicates the immediate need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as feasible. As firemen utilised planes and helicopters to put out the fires, hundreds of people in Greece had to be evacuated. (With inputs from Bloomberg) Distrelec's website: https://www.distrelec.com/global/ WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Wildfires cost Europe 4.1 billion euros as temperatures hit record high: Report

The world endures its hottest summer since records began. UN chief says ‘climate breakdown has begun’.

Northern hemisphere experiences a summer of extremes

<p>The world has broiled through, what the meteorologists call the most searing Northern Hemisphere summer that has ever been recorded, with August capping a season of severe temperatures.</p>

<p>Last month was not only the hottest August scientists ever recorded but also the second most warm month measured after July, said the World Meteorological Organisation and the European climate service Copernicus on Wednesday (September 6).</p>

<p>August was nearly 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than pre-industrial averages.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per a statement by the WMO and Copernicus, the oceans, which constitute 70% of the Earth's surface, were recorded at about 21 C (69.8 F), which is the hottest ever and have set high-temperature marks for three consecutive months.</p>

<p>Scientists have blamed human practices like the burning of coal, oil and natural gas for climate change.</p>

<p>Climatologist Andrew Weaver said that world leaders and governments were also to be blamed for the current climate situation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“It’s time for global leaders to start telling the truth,” the Associated Press quoted Weaver, a professor at the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of Victoria in Canada, as saying. “We will not limit warming to 1.5 C; we will not limit warming to 2.0 C. It’s all hands on deck now to prevent 3.0 C global warming — a level of warming that will wreak havoc worldwide.”&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scorching-summer-japan-records-highest-average-temperature-in-125-years-631360">Scorching Summer! Japan records highest average temperature in 125 years</a></p>

<p>Copernicus, which is a unit of the European Union’s space programme, has records going back to 1940, but in the United Kingdom and the United States, global records go back to the mid-1800s and those weather and science agencies are soon anticipated to report that the summer was a record-breaker.</p>

<p>“What we are observing, not only new extremes but the persistence of these record-breaking conditions, and the impacts these have on both people and planet, are a clear consequence of the warming of the climate system,” Copernicus Climate Change Service Director Carlo Buontempo said.</p>

<p>While the world's air and oceans were setting records for heat, Antarctica persisted with setting records for low amounts of sea ice, the WMO said.</p>

<p>“Antarctic sea ice extent was literally off the charts, and the global sea surface temperature was once again at a new record,” WMO's secretary-general, Petteri Taalas, said in a statement released to the media. "It is worth noting that this is happening BEFORE we see the full warming impact of the El Nino event, which typically plays out in the second year after it develops.”</p>

<h2><strong>2023 likely to be the hottest year on record, says EU climate monitor</strong></h2>

<p>2023 is likely to be the hottest year in human history, said the EU climate monitor in a statement on Wednesday.</p>

<p>As per a report released by the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the average global temperature in June, July and August was 16.77 degrees Celsius (62.19 degrees Fahrenheit), exceeding the earlier record in the year 2019 which was 16.48C.</p>

<p>"The three months that we've just had are the warmest in approximately 120,000 years, so effectively human history," news agency AFP quoted C3S deputy director Samantha Burgess as saying.</p>

<p>"Looking at the additional heat we have in the surface ocean, the probability is that 2023 will end up being the warmest year on record," Burgess said.</p>

<p>The average global temperature recorded through the first eight months of 2023 is the second-hottest, with only 0.01C below the benchmark 2016 level.</p>

<p>If the Northern Hemisphere has a "normal" winter, "we can almost virtually say that 2023 will be the warmest year that humanity has experienced," Burgess said.</p>

<h2><strong>'Climate breakdown has begun,' says Guterres</strong></h2>

<p>United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Wednesday warned that the climate was breaking down.</p>

<p>“The dog days of summer are not just barking, they are biting,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.</p>

<p>"Our planet has just endured a season of simmering -- the hottest summer on record. Climate breakdown has begun," Guterres said.</p>

<p>"Scientists have long warned what our fossil fuel addiction will unleash," he added. "Our climate is imploding faster than we can cope, with extreme weather events hitting every corner of the planet."</p>

<p>Guterres further said that the surging temperatures demand a surge in action.</p>

<p>"Leaders must turn up the heat now for climate solutions," he said.</p>

<h2><strong>Scientists react to C3S report</strong></h2>

<p>"2023 is the year that climate records were not just broken but smashed," news agency AFP quoted Mark Maslin, a professor of climatology at University College London as saying.</p>

<p>"Extreme weather events are now common and getting worse every year -- this is a wake-up call to international leaders."</p>

<p>"Global warming continues because we have not stopped burning fossil fuels, it is that simple," said Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
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The world has broiled through, what the meteorologists call the most searing Northern Hemisphere summer that has ever been recorded, with August capping a season of severe temperatures.

The world has broiled through, what the meteorologists call the most searing Northern Hemisphere summer that has ever been recorded, with August capping a season of severe temperatures. Last month was not only the hottest August scientists ever recorded but also the second most warm month measured after July, said the World Meteorological Organisation and the European climate service Copernicus on Wednesday (September 6). August was nearly 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than pre-industrial averages. As per a statement by the WMO and Copernicus, the oceans, which constitute 70% of the Earth's surface, were recorded at about 21 C (69.8 F), which is the hottest ever and have set high-temperature marks for three consecutive months. Scientists have blamed human practices like the burning of coal, oil and natural gas for climate change. Climatologist Andrew Weaver said that world leaders and governments were also to be blamed for the current climate situation. “It’s time for global leaders to start telling the truth,” the Associated Press quoted Weaver, a professor at the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of Victoria in Canada, as saying. “We will not limit warming to 1.5 C; we will not limit warming to 2.0 C. It’s all hands on deck now to prevent 3.0 C global warming — a level of warming that will wreak havoc worldwide.” Also read: Scorching Summer! Japan records highest average temperature in 125 years Copernicus, which is a unit of the European Union’s space programme, has records going back to 1940, but in the United Kingdom and the United States, global records go back to the mid-1800s and those weather and science agencies are soon anticipated to report that the summer was a record-breaker. “What we are observing, not only new extremes but the persistence of these record-breaking conditions, and the impacts these have on both people and planet, are a clear consequence of the warming of the climate system,” Copernicus Climate Change Service Director Carlo Buontempo said. While the world's air and oceans were setting records for heat, Antarctica persisted with setting records for low amounts of sea ice, the WMO said. “Antarctic sea ice extent was literally off the charts, and the global sea surface temperature was once again at a new record,” WMO's secretary-general, Petteri Taalas, said in a statement released to the media. "It is worth noting that this is happening BEFORE we see the full warming impact of the El Nino event, which typically plays out in the second year after it develops.” 2023 likely to be the hottest year on record, says EU climate monitor 2023 is likely to be the hottest year in human history, said the EU climate monitor in a statement on Wednesday. As per a report released by the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the average global temperature in June, July and August was 16.77 degrees Celsius (62.19 degrees Fahrenheit), exceeding the earlier record in the year 2019 which was 16.48C. "The three months that we've just had are the warmest in approximately 120,000 years, so effectively human history," news agency AFP quoted C3S deputy director Samantha Burgess as saying. "Looking at the additional heat we have in the surface ocean, the probability is that 2023 will end up being the warmest year on record," Burgess said. The average global temperature recorded through the first eight months of 2023 is the second-hottest, with only 0.01C below the benchmark 2016 level. If the Northern Hemisphere has a "normal" winter, "we can almost virtually say that 2023 will be the warmest year that humanity has experienced," Burgess said. 'Climate breakdown has begun,' says Guterres United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Wednesday warned that the climate was breaking down. “The dog days of summer are not just barking, they are biting,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement. "Our planet has just endured a season of simmering -- the hottest summer on record. Climate breakdown has begun," Guterres said. "Scientists have long warned what our fossil fuel addiction will unleash," he added. "Our climate is imploding faster than we can cope, with extreme weather events hitting every corner of the planet." Guterres further said that the surging temperatures demand a surge in action. "Leaders must turn up the heat now for climate solutions," he said. Scientists react to C3S report "2023 is the year that climate records were not just broken but smashed," news agency AFP quoted Mark Maslin, a professor of climatology at University College London as saying. "Extreme weather events are now common and getting worse every year -- this is a wake-up call to international leaders." "Global warming continues because we have not stopped burning fossil fuels, it is that simple," said Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explainer | Searing temperatures wreak havoc globally, UN chief says 'climate breakdown has begun'

<p>The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has sounded the alarm on the extensive and unsustainable extraction of approximately six billion tonnes of sand from the world's oceans annually, posing severe threats to marine life and coastal communities, as reported by Reuters.</p>

<p>Sand, the world's second-most exploited natural resource following water, serves as a fundamental component in the production of concrete and glass.</p>

<h2><strong>Destructive dredging practices</strong></h2>

<p>According to the UNEP, certain vessels engaged in sand extraction are akin to "vacuum cleaners," indiscriminately dredging both sand and micro-organisms crucial to the marine food chain. This destructive activity has profound and long-lasting consequences for marine ecosystems, jeopardising the potential for recovery in some regions.</p>

<p>The unveiling of "Marine Sand Watch," a cutting-edge analysis tool that employs marine tracking and artificial intelligence to monitor dredging activities, coincides with this revelation. This innovative platform offers critical insights into the scale and impact&nbsp;of shallow sea mining and dredging.</p>

<h2><strong>Alarming environmental consequences</strong></h2>

<p>Pascal Peduzzi, who leads UNEP's analytics centre&nbsp;GRID-Geneva, underscored the alarming scope of the environmental repercussions stemming from these activities. Out of the approximately 50 billion tonnes of sand and gravel utilised worldwide each year, an estimated six billion tonnes&nbsp;is extracted from the world's oceans and seas. This equates to the daily use of "more than one million dump trucks," highlighting the staggering volume of sand removal.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deforestation-declines-in-brazils-amazon-as-govt-approves-more-indigenous-reserves-632735">Deforestation declines in Brazil's Amazon as govt approves more indigenous reserves</a></p>

<h2><strong>Sterilising the marine environment</strong></h2>

<p>Large vessels involved in this industry are, in essence, sterilising the seabed by extracting sand and inadvertently obliterating microorganisms vital to fish sustenance. In some instances, dredging reaches the bedrock, rendering any hopes of marine life recovery futile.</p>

<p>The UNEP has called for a comprehensive ban on sand dredging from beaches to safeguard coastal resilience and economies. While sand remains indispensable for construction purposes, such as buildings, roads, hydroelectric dams, and solar panels, its significance extends to environmental protection, providing a crucial buffer against rising sea levels.</p>

<h2><strong>Hotspots of extraction</strong></h2>

<p>The report identifies several regions as hotspots for extensive dredging, including the South China Sea, the North Sea, and the US East Coast. These areas have witnessed substantial sand extraction activities, intensifying the threats to their marine ecosystems and coastal communities.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Food we eat responsible for 1/3rd of human-made emissions</strong></p>

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<p>The UNEP's warning underscores the urgency of adopting sustainable practices and regulations to curb the rampant exploitation of this invaluable resource. Failure to do so not only endangers marine biodiversity but also imperils the livelihoods of communities dependent on healthy coastal ecosystems. It is imperative to balance the demand for sand with the need to protect our oceans and safeguard our future.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has sounded the alarm on the extensive and unsustainable extraction of approximately six billion tonnes of sand from the world's oceans annually, posing severe threats to marine life and coastal communities, as reported by Reuters.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has sounded the alarm on the extensive and unsustainable extraction of approximately six billion tonnes of sand from the world's oceans annually, posing severe threats to marine life and coastal communities, as reported by Reuters. Sand, the world's second-most exploited natural resource following water, serves as a fundamental component in the production of concrete and glass. Destructive dredging practices According to the UNEP, certain vessels engaged in sand extraction are akin to "vacuum cleaners," indiscriminately dredging both sand and micro-organisms crucial to the marine food chain. This destructive activity has profound and long-lasting consequences for marine ecosystems, jeopardising the potential for recovery in some regions. The unveiling of "Marine Sand Watch," a cutting-edge analysis tool that employs marine tracking and artificial intelligence to monitor dredging activities, coincides with this revelation. This innovative platform offers critical insights into the scale and impact of shallow sea mining and dredging. Alarming environmental consequences Pascal Peduzzi, who leads UNEP's analytics centre GRID-Geneva, underscored the alarming scope of the environmental repercussions stemming from these activities. Out of the approximately 50 billion tonnes of sand and gravel utilised worldwide each year, an estimated six billion tonnes is extracted from the world's oceans and seas. This equates to the daily use of "more than one million dump trucks," highlighting the staggering volume of sand removal. Also read | Deforestation declines in Brazil's Amazon as govt approves more indigenous reserves Sterilising the marine environment Large vessels involved in this industry are, in essence, sterilising the seabed by extracting sand and inadvertently obliterating microorganisms vital to fish sustenance. In some instances, dredging reaches the bedrock, rendering any hopes of marine life recovery futile. The UNEP has called for a comprehensive ban on sand dredging from beaches to safeguard coastal resilience and economies. While sand remains indispensable for construction purposes, such as buildings, roads, hydroelectric dams, and solar panels, its significance extends to environmental protection, providing a crucial buffer against rising sea levels. Hotspots of extraction The report identifies several regions as hotspots for extensive dredging, including the South China Sea, the North Sea, and the US East Coast. These areas have witnessed substantial sand extraction activities, intensifying the threats to their marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Also watch | Food we eat responsible for 1/3rd of human-made emissions The UNEP's warning underscores the urgency of adopting sustainable practices and regulations to curb the rampant exploitation of this invaluable resource. Failure to do so not only endangers marine biodiversity but also imperils the livelihoods of communities dependent on healthy coastal ecosystems. It is imperative to balance the demand for sand with the need to protect our oceans and safeguard our future. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

UN warns: Sand dredging 'sterilising' ocean floor, threatening marine life

<p>Invasive species are wreaking havoc and upending ecosystems faster than ever before. Humans have been unable to stop its spread, costing the global economy over $400 billion every year, according to a report by the United Nations published on Monday (September 4).&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>‘Gross underestimation’</strong></h2>

<p>With the rise in the spread of invasive species, the world has seen economic damages quadruple every decade since 1970, the UN Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) noted&nbsp;in its findings. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The failure to stem the tide of the so-called “alien species” in the world’s ecosystems&nbsp;also costs the world at least $423 billion in damages and income every year, according to the UN assessment. To put this number into perspective, the amount is equivalent to the GDP of Denmark or Thailand, but the scientists have called it a “gross underestimation”.</p>

<p>The findings are based on a four-year assessment of the global impacts of some 3,500 harmful invasive species conducted by a team of 86 researchers from 49 countries. Notably, so-called alien invaders also played a key role in 60 per cent of recorded plant and animal extinctions.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>‘Alien species’ wreak&nbsp;havoc across the world</strong></h2>

<p>From water hyacinths choking fishing grounds and water bodies to&nbsp;rats and snakes gobbling up bird eggs and wiping out entire species in the Pacific and non-native grasses that helped fuel and intensify the deadly wildfires in Hawaii;&nbsp;environmental chaos has been sown by invasive species across the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Not to mention the mosquitoes exposing new regions to Zika, yellow fever, dengue and other diseases. The report also noted the role of more than 37,000 so-called alien species that have taken root far away from their places of origin.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At least three-quarters of the negative impacts from invasive species occur on land, particularly in forests, woodlands, and farmed areas, said the UN report.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Simply put, invasive species are plants or animals, often moved due to human activity, which can take root – literally in some cases – and have detrimental effects on an environment. While the effects are slow to materialise they can be catastrophic. &nbsp;</p>

<p>“We also know this is a problem that is going to get much, much worse,” said ecologist Helen Roy, co-chair of the IPBES. This comes as warmer temperatures due to climate change are expected to make things worse and drive the expansion of invasive species.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report has also concluded by saying that factors such as economic expansion, population increase and climate change “increase the frequency and extent of biological invasions and the impacts of invasive alien species.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>But we only have ourselves to blame. According to the researchers, whether by accident or on purpose non-native species end up on the other side of the world due to human activity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>More often than not, invasive species are accidental arrivals like ballast water of cargo ships or a tourist’s suitcase.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They also said that this is hard evidence of the rapid expansion of human activity which has radically altered natural systems and tipped the Earth to a new geological epoch, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explained-what-is-anthropocene-the-new-epoch-marked-by-human-impact-614721">the Anthropocene</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How big is threat of invasive species?</strong></h2>

<p>“Invasive alien species are a major threat to biodiversity and can cause irreversible damage to nature, including local and global species extinctions, and also threaten human wellbeing,” wrote Roy, Professor Anibal Pauchard and Professor Peter Stoett, who led the research.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers also noted that while “specific species that inflict damage vary from place to place, these are risks and challenges with global roots but very local impacts facing people in every country, from all backgrounds and in every community – even Antarctica is being affected.”</p>

<p>“Invasive species are affecting not only nature but also people and causing terrible loss of life,” said Pauchard who is also the report co-chair.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of the most recent examples of this is the wildfires in Hawaii last month which claimed the lives of at least 115 people and are said to be driven by flammable invasive grasses which, scientists say, were brought over from Africa as livestock pasture.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Roy, invasives can show up in several forms, including microbes, and invertebrates but plants, and animals often have the greatest environmental impact, particularly predators.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What can we do about it?</strong></h2>

<p>Once introduced and established in an environment, getting rid of invasive species is difficult. While some small islands have witnessed some success in eradicating invasive rats and rabbits with trapping and/or poisoning; larger populations pose a challenge.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report also noted that only 17 per cent of countries have measures, laws or regulations to manage this onslaught of invasive species.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Birds in New Zealand had no experience with rats until humans came and brought rats. Their nests are at ground level,” said Pauchard, speaking about how many island species had previously evolved without predators which made them “very naive”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, invasive plants often reportedly leave their seeds lying dormant in the soil for years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Therefore, the IPBES outlines general strategies to combat invasive species which include prevention, eradication and then, failing that, containment. However, prevention measures through border biosecurity and import controls are most effective, said the scientists.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a bid to save biodiversity, at least 190 countries have committed to placing 30 per cent of land and water under protection by 2030, in line with a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/countries-sign-historic-deal-at-cop-15-commit-billions-by-2030-to-save-biodiversity-544511">global treaty</a> hammered out in Montreal last December.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework also aims to reduce the rate at which invasive alien species spread by half by 2030.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em><br />
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Invasive species are wreaking havoc and upending ecosystems faster than ever before. Humans have been unable to stop its spread, costing the global economy over $400 billion every year, according to a report by the United Nations published on Monday (September 4).

Invasive species are wreaking havoc and upending ecosystems faster than ever before. Humans have been unable to stop its spread, costing the global economy over $400 billion every year, according to a report by the United Nations published on Monday (September 4). ‘Gross underestimation’ With the rise in the spread of invasive species, the world has seen economic damages quadruple every decade since 1970, the UN Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) noted in its findings. The failure to stem the tide of the so-called “alien species” in the world’s ecosystems also costs the world at least $423 billion in damages and income every year, according to the UN assessment. To put this number into perspective, the amount is equivalent to the GDP of Denmark or Thailand, but the scientists have called it a “gross underestimation”. The findings are based on a four-year assessment of the global impacts of some 3,500 harmful invasive species conducted by a team of 86 researchers from 49 countries. Notably, so-called alien invaders also played a key role in 60 per cent of recorded plant and animal extinctions. ‘Alien species’ wreak havoc across the world From water hyacinths choking fishing grounds and water bodies to rats and snakes gobbling up bird eggs and wiping out entire species in the Pacific and non-native grasses that helped fuel and intensify the deadly wildfires in Hawaii; environmental chaos has been sown by invasive species across the world. Not to mention the mosquitoes exposing new regions to Zika, yellow fever, dengue and other diseases. The report also noted the role of more than 37,000 so-called alien species that have taken root far away from their places of origin. At least three-quarters of the negative impacts from invasive species occur on land, particularly in forests, woodlands, and farmed areas, said the UN report. Simply put, invasive species are plants or animals, often moved due to human activity, which can take root – literally in some cases – and have detrimental effects on an environment. While the effects are slow to materialise they can be catastrophic. “We also know this is a problem that is going to get much, much worse,” said ecologist Helen Roy, co-chair of the IPBES. This comes as warmer temperatures due to climate change are expected to make things worse and drive the expansion of invasive species. The report has also concluded by saying that factors such as economic expansion, population increase and climate change “increase the frequency and extent of biological invasions and the impacts of invasive alien species.” But we only have ourselves to blame. According to the researchers, whether by accident or on purpose non-native species end up on the other side of the world due to human activity. More often than not, invasive species are accidental arrivals like ballast water of cargo ships or a tourist’s suitcase. They also said that this is hard evidence of the rapid expansion of human activity which has radically altered natural systems and tipped the Earth to a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene. How big is threat of invasive species? “Invasive alien species are a major threat to biodiversity and can cause irreversible damage to nature, including local and global species extinctions, and also threaten human wellbeing,” wrote Roy, Professor Anibal Pauchard and Professor Peter Stoett, who led the research. The researchers also noted that while “specific species that inflict damage vary from place to place, these are risks and challenges with global roots but very local impacts facing people in every country, from all backgrounds and in every community – even Antarctica is being affected.” “Invasive species are affecting not only nature but also people and causing terrible loss of life,” said Pauchard who is also the report co-chair. One of the most recent examples of this is the wildfires in Hawaii last month which claimed the lives of at least 115 people and are said to be driven by flammable invasive grasses which, scientists say, were brought over from Africa as livestock pasture. According to Roy, invasives can show up in several forms, including microbes, and invertebrates but plants, and animals often have the greatest environmental impact, particularly predators. What can we do about it? Once introduced and established in an environment, getting rid of invasive species is difficult. While some small islands have witnessed some success in eradicating invasive rats and rabbits with trapping and/or poisoning; larger populations pose a challenge. The report also noted that only 17 per cent of countries have measures, laws or regulations to manage this onslaught of invasive species. “Birds in New Zealand had no experience with rats until humans came and brought rats. Their nests are at ground level,” said Pauchard, speaking about how many island species had previously evolved without predators which made them “very naive”. Meanwhile, invasive plants often reportedly leave their seeds lying dormant in the soil for years. Therefore, the IPBES outlines general strategies to combat invasive species which include prevention, eradication and then, failing that, containment. However, prevention measures through border biosecurity and import controls are most effective, said the scientists. In a bid to save biodiversity, at least 190 countries have committed to placing 30 per cent of land and water under protection by 2030, in line with a global treaty hammered out in Montreal last December. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework also aims to reduce the rate at which invasive alien species spread by half by 2030. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | Alien invasive species cost global economy over $400bn per year, says UN

Invasive species the unwelcome intruders from far and wide are causing environmental chaos that's getting costlier by the decade. In a four-year assessment conducted by 86 researchers from 49 countries, the true extent of the a cause of these invasive species has been unveiled.

Climate change fuels the invasion of alien species

Himalayan avalanches are posing an increased risk for climbers in a warming climate. Sudden releases of snow, ice and rocks have resulted in the death of at least 120 people in the last two years. Our report gives you more details.

Climate warming enhances snow avalanche risk in the Himalayas

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<p>Even as the West shoves its green climate agenda down the throat of the developing world, it itself keeps on exhibiting sheer hypocrisy as it seeks to widen its dependence on fossil fuels. In the latest instance, Germany is witnessing the dismantling of a large wind farm; only to expand a nearby open-pit lignite coal mine.</p>

<p>German energy giant RWE is undertaking the dismantling work in the western region of North Rhine Westphalia, where one wind turbine has already been dismantled. The company plans to weed out seven more to pave the way for an additional 15m to 20m tonnes of so-called 'brown' coal to be excavated.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;German green policy looking to miss net zero target by 2045</strong></p>

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<p>Brown coal, by the way, is considered one of the most polluting energy sources in the world.</p>

<h2><strong>Expansion of coal field blamed on Ukraine crisis</strong></h2>

<p>RWE and the German government justify the move by saying that it was necessary to steer clear of a massive energy crisis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It said how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine jeopardised Germany’s energy security and the expansion of the so-called Garzweiler coal fields was required to meet the country’s energy demands.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germanys-skilled-labour-shortage-grows-amid-anti-immigrant-push-626111"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Germany`s skilled labour shortage grows amid anti-immigrant push</strong></a></p>

<p>Germany’s minister for economy and climate action Robert Habeck defended the expansion as the "right decision." According to RWE, the expansion is necessary "due to the energy crisis."</p>

<h2><strong>Expansion of coal field part of a wider deal</strong></h2>

<p>The expansion of the coalfield is being done under a deal brokered last year between RWE and the German government. In return, RWE had promised to completely phase out coal in 2030, eight years before the previous deadline. "It's a good day for climate protection," Habeck said at the time.</p>

<h2><strong>Move invites sharp criticism</strong></h2>

<p>The move to demolish wind farms to make way for more coal excavation has triggered massive criticism by activists.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The current climate emergency requires urgent and concerted efforts to accelerate the deployment of every single wind turbine, solar panel and heat pump that we can muster," said Fabian Hübner, a senior campaigner at Beyond Fossil Fuels, a German-based coalition of climate activists.</p>

<p>"Anything that diverts from this critical endeavour, especially the dismantling of renewable energy sources to extract more fossil fuels, must be unequivocally prohibited," he added.</p>

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Even as the West shoves its green climate agenda down the throat of the developing world, it itself keeps on exhibiting sheer hypocrisy as it seeks to widen its dependence on fossil fuels.

Even as the West shoves its green climate agenda down the throat of the developing world, it itself keeps on exhibiting sheer hypocrisy as it seeks to widen its dependence on fossil fuels. In the latest instance, Germany is witnessing the dismantling of a large wind farm; only to expand a nearby open-pit lignite coal mine. German energy giant RWE is undertaking the dismantling work in the western region of North Rhine Westphalia, where one wind turbine has already been dismantled. The company plans to weed out seven more to pave the way for an additional 15m to 20m tonnes of so-called 'brown' coal to be excavated. Watch: German green policy looking to miss net zero target by 2045 × Brown coal, by the way, is considered one of the most polluting energy sources in the world. Expansion of coal field blamed on Ukraine crisis RWE and the German government justify the move by saying that it was necessary to steer clear of a massive energy crisis. It said how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine jeopardised Germany’s energy security and the expansion of the so-called Garzweiler coal fields was required to meet the country’s energy demands. Also read: Germany`s skilled labour shortage grows amid anti-immigrant push Germany’s minister for economy and climate action Robert Habeck defended the expansion as the "right decision." According to RWE, the expansion is necessary "due to the energy crisis." Expansion of coal field part of a wider deal The expansion of the coalfield is being done under a deal brokered last year between RWE and the German government. In return, RWE had promised to completely phase out coal in 2030, eight years before the previous deadline. "It's a good day for climate protection," Habeck said at the time. Move invites sharp criticism The move to demolish wind farms to make way for more coal excavation has triggered massive criticism by activists. "The current climate emergency requires urgent and concerted efforts to accelerate the deployment of every single wind turbine, solar panel and heat pump that we can muster," said Fabian Hübner, a senior campaigner at Beyond Fossil Fuels, a German-based coalition of climate activists. "Anything that diverts from this critical endeavour, especially the dismantling of renewable energy sources to extract more fossil fuels, must be unequivocally prohibited," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

So much for green agenda: Germany demolishes wind farm to expand coal field

Climate activists target jets, yachts and golf in a string of global protests against luxury.

'Ultra wealthy' emissions under scanner

<p>ITC Chairman and Managing director Sanijv Puri stated that the company is witnessing signs of volume growth as inflation begins to ease. He said that the trend is expected to continue over the forthcoming quarters, PTI reported.</p>

<p>According to Puri, this would undoubtedly result in an increase in volume, but it won't happen immediately. Puri made this statement in New Delhi, outside of the B20 Summit, which was hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).</p>

<p>Puri commented on the ITC’s decision to demerge its hotel division, saying that by creating a wholly-owned new subsidiary, ITC Hotels Ltd., it will benefit the current shareholders.</p>

<p>“It will be a pure-play, focused on hospitality, which can leverage the institutional strengths of ITC. And ITC in turn will be able to leverage the synergy on its hospitality business, or its FMCG businesses,” PTI quoted Puri as saying.</p>

<p>It is a “very robust” strategy that will help the hotel industry advance faster while maintaining synergies, and it will boost ITC’s financial KPIs, he added.</p>

<p>According to Puri, there are two main causes of inflation: the first is the increase in foreign geopolitical variables, and the second is the problems with climate change.</p>

<p>“However, now, India is much better placed in the rest of the world and I would like to compliment the government for stewarding management of inflation and being extremely proactive in taking the right steps to control that,” he said.</p>

<p>ITC and several other FMCG manufacturers have reported volume growth and profitability improvement for the June quarter. Aashirvaad, Bingo, Sunfeast, YiPPee, Fiama, Vivel, and Savlon are just a few of ITC’s 25 brands.</p>

<p>Puri told PTI, “We are already seeing green shoots of pickup on volumes as inflation is moderating,” in response to a question regarding the recovery of consumer mood and volume growth, particularly in the rural market. He believes that when inflation slows, market prices will rise or the climate shall improve. He voiced his worries about the operating environment’s ongoing weather instability.</p>

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ITC Chairman and Managing director Sanijv Puri stated that the company is witnessing signs of volume growth as inflation begins to ease. He said that the trend is expected to continue over the forthcoming quarters, PTI reported.

ITC Chairman and Managing director Sanijv Puri stated that the company is witnessing signs of volume growth as inflation begins to ease. He said that the trend is expected to continue over the forthcoming quarters, PTI reported. According to Puri, this would undoubtedly result in an increase in volume, but it won't happen immediately. Puri made this statement in New Delhi, outside of the B20 Summit, which was hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Puri commented on the ITC’s decision to demerge its hotel division, saying that by creating a wholly-owned new subsidiary, ITC Hotels Ltd., it will benefit the current shareholders. “It will be a pure-play, focused on hospitality, which can leverage the institutional strengths of ITC. And ITC in turn will be able to leverage the synergy on its hospitality business, or its FMCG businesses,” PTI quoted Puri as saying. It is a “very robust” strategy that will help the hotel industry advance faster while maintaining synergies, and it will boost ITC’s financial KPIs, he added. According to Puri, there are two main causes of inflation: the first is the increase in foreign geopolitical variables, and the second is the problems with climate change. “However, now, India is much better placed in the rest of the world and I would like to compliment the government for stewarding management of inflation and being extremely proactive in taking the right steps to control that,” he said. ITC and several other FMCG manufacturers have reported volume growth and profitability improvement for the June quarter. Aashirvaad, Bingo, Sunfeast, YiPPee, Fiama, Vivel, and Savlon are just a few of ITC’s 25 brands. Puri told PTI, “We are already seeing green shoots of pickup on volumes as inflation is moderating,” in response to a question regarding the recovery of consumer mood and volume growth, particularly in the rural market. He believes that when inflation slows, market prices will rise or the climate shall improve. He voiced his worries about the operating environment’s ongoing weather instability. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

 ITC CMD Sanjiv Puri sees signs of volume growth as inflation moderates

The humid and high temperatures of West Asia are adding to the troubles of its people. The deadly combo called the wet bulb measurements are dangerously high and if sustained long enough, they can cause serious harm to human health. Ghadi Francis gets you this report.

Climate Change hits West Asia: A hazardous mix of heat & humidity | The West Asia Post

Turkiye and Albania continue to battle wildfires. Officials in Turkiye evacuate at least 9 villages, while Albanian police on Monday, arrested suspected arsonists who started a fire in woodlands.

Wildfires in Northwest Turkiye: 83 people injured in deadly fires, over 2,700 personnel deployed

Climate change is no more a battle for the future, rather, it is the present, and it is affecting our lives daily. In the wake of climate change, the once mighty glaciers are melting at an accelerated rate. Extreme weather events have become the new normal.

Alarming results of glacier retreat due to global warming

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