<p>Two people were killed and 28 are missing in major flooding and landslides caused by monsoon rains in eastern Nepal, authorities said Sunday.</p>

<p>A worker at a hydropower project under construction on the Hewa River in Sankhuwasabha district was found dead, while 17 other staff were missing on Saturday evening, according to a local official.</p>

<p>In neighbouring Taplejung district another person died and three members of the same family were untraceable after houses were swept away in a landslide.</p>

<p>"Two bodies have been recovered, but 28 people are missing," said Rishi Ram Kandel, a spokesperson for Nepali police.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We have intensified the search and rescue operation."</p>

<p>Roads and bridges have been damaged, making it difficult for rescuers to access affected areas, said Mohanmani Ghimire, assistant chief district officer in Sankhuwasabha.</p>

<p>"Machinery and equipment for the hydropower project have been swept away," he added.</p>

<p>"There are also reports of houses being damaged."</p>

<p>Forecasters in Nepal warned that the rain would continue for days and issued alerts over river water levels.</p>

<p>Monsoon rains from June to September bring widespread death and destruction every year across the South Asian country, but the numbers of fatal floods and landslides have increased in recent years.</p>

<p>Experts say climate change and greater road construction could be triggering these disasters.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Two people were killed and 28 are missing in major flooding and landslides caused by monsoon rains in eastern Nepal, authorities said Sunday. A worker at a hydropower project under construction on the Hewa River in Sankhuwasabha district was found dead, while 17 other staff were missing on Saturday evening, according to a local official.

Two people were killed and 28 are missing in major flooding and landslides caused by monsoon rains in eastern Nepal, authorities said Sunday. A worker at a hydropower project under construction on the Hewa River in Sankhuwasabha district was found dead, while 17 other staff were missing on Saturday evening, according to a local official. In neighbouring Taplejung district another person died and three members of the same family were untraceable after houses were swept away in a landslide. "Two bodies have been recovered, but 28 people are missing," said Rishi Ram Kandel, a spokesperson for Nepali police. "We have intensified the search and rescue operation." Roads and bridges have been damaged, making it difficult for rescuers to access affected areas, said Mohanmani Ghimire, assistant chief district officer in Sankhuwasabha. "Machinery and equipment for the hydropower project have been swept away," he added. "There are also reports of houses being damaged." Forecasters in Nepal warned that the rain would continue for days and issued alerts over river water levels. Monsoon rains from June to September bring widespread death and destruction every year across the South Asian country, but the numbers of fatal floods and landslides have increased in recent years. Experts say climate change and greater road construction could be triggering these disasters. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Two dead, 28 missing in Nepal floods and landslides

The EU-funded Copernicus Climate Change Service says that for the first time, global warming has breached the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold. In the summer temperatures higher than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels have been observed before but only in the northern hemisphere winter and spring months until now. Keep watching to understand this better.

Warming breaches 1.5°C threshold in summer

<p>Preliminary global average temperatures taken at the beginning of June were the warmest on record for the period, said the European Union’s climate monitoring unit, on Thursday (June 15). This comes as last week, scientists at the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said the arrival of an expected El Nino climate phenomenon has raised fears of extreme weather and temperature records.</p>

<h2><strong>‘Remarkable global warmth’ in early June: EU monito</strong>r</h2>

<p>A report by Copernicus, the EU’s observation agency, said that they have noted a “remarkable global warmth” in the first week of June this year. The report cited the data provided by ERA5 which found that the first few days of the month even breached a 1.5 degree Celsius increase when compared with pre-industrial times.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/world-could-face-record-temperatures-in-2023-as-el-nino-returns-584839">World could face record temperatures in 2023 or 2024 as El Nino returns</a></strong></p>

<p>The report suggests that this might be the first time this breach of high temperature had occurred in the industrial era. “Global-mean surface air temperatures for the first days of June 2023 were the highest in the ERA5 data record for early June by a substantial margin,” said the report, with the data collection going back as far as 1950.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The temperature recorded in early June is&nbsp;also nearly one degree Celsius above levels previously recorded for the same month back in 1979. “The world has just experienced its warmest early June on record, following a month of May that was less than 0.1°C cooler than the warmest May on record,” said Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) Deputy Director Samantha Burgess.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/2022-was-fifth-hottest-year-on-record-and-2023-is-likely-to-be-worse-report-584567">2022 was fifth hottest year on record, and 2023 is likely to be worse: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>She added, “Monitoring our climate is more important than ever to determine how often and for how long global temperatures are exceeding 1.5 degrees. Every single fraction of a degree matters to avoid even more severe consequences of the climate crisis.”&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>US announces the arrival of El Nin</strong>o</h2>

<p>Last week, NOAA said that the El Nino conditions are now present and will “gradually strengthen” into early 2024. The weather pattern in question is marked by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean near the equator that last occurred in 2018-19.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-announces-arrival-of-el-nino-increasing-fears-of-extreme-weather-602255">US announces arrival of El Nino, triggering fear of extreme weather conditions</a></strong></p>

<p>“The global surface temperature anomaly is at or near record levels right now, and 2023 will almost certainly be the warmest year on record,” said Michael Mann, a climate scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, as quoted by The Guardian. He added, “That is likely to be true for just about every El Niño year in the future as well, as long we continue to warm the planet with fossil fuel burning and carbon pollution.”</p>

<p>This also comes as NOAA, in its update on Wednesday reported that the world witnessed its third-warmest May on a 174-year temperature record, last month.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/el-ninos-2023-return-to-give-off-the-charts-rise-in-global-temperatures-553567">El Nino’s 2023 return to give ‘off the charts’ rise in global temperatures</a></strong></p>

<p>However, Ellen Bartow-Gillies, a climate scientist at NOAA said that the agency is yet to process its temperature data for June but it is not looking good as higher temperatures may continue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We are off to a pretty warm start to the year, it’s not unprecedented, but we could be getting even warmer due to El Niño,” said Bartow-Gillies, as quoted by The Guardian.&nbsp;<br />
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Preliminary global average temperatures taken at the beginning of June were the warmest on record for the period, said the European Union’s climate monitoring unit, on Thursday (June 15).

Preliminary global average temperatures taken at the beginning of June were the warmest on record for the period, said the European Union’s climate monitoring unit, on Thursday (June 15). This comes as last week, scientists at the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said the arrival of an expected El Nino climate phenomenon has raised fears of extreme weather and temperature records. ‘Remarkable global warmth’ in early June: EU monitor A report by Copernicus, the EU’s observation agency, said that they have noted a “remarkable global warmth” in the first week of June this year. The report cited the data provided by ERA5 which found that the first few days of the month even breached a 1.5 degree Celsius increase when compared with pre-industrial times. ALSO WATCH | World could face record temperatures in 2023 or 2024 as El Nino returns The report suggests that this might be the first time this breach of high temperature had occurred in the industrial era. “Global-mean surface air temperatures for the first days of June 2023 were the highest in the ERA5 data record for early June by a substantial margin,” said the report, with the data collection going back as far as 1950. The temperature recorded in early June is also nearly one degree Celsius above levels previously recorded for the same month back in 1979. “The world has just experienced its warmest early June on record, following a month of May that was less than 0.1°C cooler than the warmest May on record,” said Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) Deputy Director Samantha Burgess. ALSO READ | 2022 was fifth hottest year on record, and 2023 is likely to be worse: Report She added, “Monitoring our climate is more important than ever to determine how often and for how long global temperatures are exceeding 1.5 degrees. Every single fraction of a degree matters to avoid even more severe consequences of the climate crisis.” US announces the arrival of El Nino Last week, NOAA said that the El Nino conditions are now present and will “gradually strengthen” into early 2024. The weather pattern in question is marked by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean near the equator that last occurred in 2018-19. ALSO READ | US announces arrival of El Nino, triggering fear of extreme weather conditions “The global surface temperature anomaly is at or near record levels right now, and 2023 will almost certainly be the warmest year on record,” said Michael Mann, a climate scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, as quoted by The Guardian. He added, “That is likely to be true for just about every El Niño year in the future as well, as long we continue to warm the planet with fossil fuel burning and carbon pollution.” This also comes as NOAA, in its update on Wednesday reported that the world witnessed its third-warmest May on a 174-year temperature record, last month. ALSO READ | El Nino’s 2023 return to give ‘off the charts’ rise in global temperatures However, Ellen Bartow-Gillies, a climate scientist at NOAA said that the agency is yet to process its temperature data for June but it is not looking good as higher temperatures may continue. “We are off to a pretty warm start to the year, it’s not unprecedented, but we could be getting even warmer due to El Niño,” said Bartow-Gillies, as quoted by The Guardian. 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.

Global temperatures rise above average in early June amid fears of 2023 being hottest year on record

In order to prevent a global disaster, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged nations on Thursday to phase out coal and other fossil fuels. Yes, it's a bold remark coming from the head of the UN, who said that the global response to the looming catastrophe was insufficient. The UN Chief was speaking at a press conference at the U.N. headquarters in New York after meeting with global leaders in civil society who are concerned about climate change.

UN Chief slams 'pitiful' world response to climate change

<p>China's capital Beijing&nbsp;experienced a mid-June temperature record of 39.4 degree&nbsp;Celsius (103 degrees Fahrenheit) on Friday (June 16) after which&nbsp;residents&nbsp;have&nbsp;been advised to stay indoors by the&nbsp;meteorological authority.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement on social media, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) stated that on June 16, at around 2:30 pm, the temperature at Beijing's Nanjiao Observatory reached 39.4 degree&nbsp;Celsius, smashing the previous high mark for mid-June, reported AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With many countries currently facing catastrophic heat waves with temperatures breaking records across Asia in recent weeks, scientists claim that global warming is a contributing factor to unfavourable weather.</p>

<p>The CMA warned that Beijing would see temperatures exceeding 37 degree&nbsp;Celsius in the next few days and advised the public to limit their time spent outdoors and take precautions against heatstroke.</p>

<p>The second-highest level of warning for high temperatures is an orange alert for Beijing.</p>

<p>According to the official Xinhua news agency, eight provincial capitals nationwide posted their highest temperatures of the year on Thursday.</p>

<p>Lei Lei, a municipal meteorologist, told Xinhua that road surface temperatures in the capital exceeded 50 degree&nbsp;Celsius, "which can easily cause road damage, vehicle tyre blowout, spontaneous combustion, and other traffic accidents".</p>

<h2><strong>India's heatwave trend</strong></h2>

<p>India is one of the nations most exposed and susceptible to heat.&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.plos.org/climate/article?id=10.1371/journal.pclm.0000156">Studies</a>&nbsp;suggest that the frequency of hot days and nights&nbsp;has risen significantly, and is estimated to increase between two and four-fold by 2050. Additionally, heatwaves are also predicted to arrive earlier, last longer and occur more frequently.</p>

<p>Those working outdoors as daily-wage labourers are the worst hit during a heatwave episode. They mostly lack access to cooling amenities like fans and air conditioners and must continue working in the blistering heat to make ends meet.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Extreme heat, which engulfed large parts of India and Pakistan in 2022,&nbsp;was rendered 30 times more likely due to climate change, according to a new rapid attribution&nbsp;<a href="https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-change-made-devastating-early-heat-in-india-and-pakistan-30-times-more-likely/">study</a>&nbsp;by climate scientists.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Heatwave pushes temperatures up to 45°C in parts of Mexico</strong></p>

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<p>“India is experiencing the impact of climate change. Due to its geographic diversity and large population exposure to climatic stressors, India is susceptible to all types of natural and climatic hazards. According to projections of climate change for India, more intense climatic conditions with significant variability are anticipated,” Prasoon Singh, Fellow and Area Convenor, Climate Change Division, The Energy Resource Institute (TERI) told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 had ranked India seventh in the list of most affected countries in terms of exposure and vulnerability to climate risk events.</p>

<p>“A 2&nbsp;degree&nbsp;Celsius&nbsp;increase in global average temperatures will render India's summer monsoon extremely unpredictable. At a temperature increase of 4&nbsp;degree&nbsp;Celsius, a monsoon that presently has a one-in-a-century chance of occurring is projected to occur every 10 years by the end of the century,” Singh explained.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/extreme-weather-caused-losses-of-605-billion-since-1980-eea-604320">Extreme weather has caused losses of $605 billion since 1980: EEA</a></p>

<p>“A sudden change in the monsoon could precipitate a major crisis, resulting in more frequent droughts and intensified inundation across large portions of India. On the other hand, it is anticipated that droughts will become more frequent in certain regions, particularly in north-western India,” he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

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China's capital Beijing experienced a mid-June temperature record of 39.4 degree Celsius (103 degrees Fahrenheit) on Friday (June 16) after which residents have been advised to stay indoors by the meteorological authority.

China's capital Beijing experienced a mid-June temperature record of 39.4 degree Celsius (103 degrees Fahrenheit) on Friday (June 16) after which residents have been advised to stay indoors by the meteorological authority. In a statement on social media, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) stated that on June 16, at around 2:30 pm, the temperature at Beijing's Nanjiao Observatory reached 39.4 degree Celsius, smashing the previous high mark for mid-June, reported AFP. With many countries currently facing catastrophic heat waves with temperatures breaking records across Asia in recent weeks, scientists claim that global warming is a contributing factor to unfavourable weather. The CMA warned that Beijing would see temperatures exceeding 37 degree Celsius in the next few days and advised the public to limit their time spent outdoors and take precautions against heatstroke. The second-highest level of warning for high temperatures is an orange alert for Beijing. According to the official Xinhua news agency, eight provincial capitals nationwide posted their highest temperatures of the year on Thursday. Lei Lei, a municipal meteorologist, told Xinhua that road surface temperatures in the capital exceeded 50 degree Celsius, "which can easily cause road damage, vehicle tyre blowout, spontaneous combustion, and other traffic accidents". India's heatwave trend India is one of the nations most exposed and susceptible to heat. Studies suggest that the frequency of hot days and nights has risen significantly, and is estimated to increase between two and four-fold by 2050. Additionally, heatwaves are also predicted to arrive earlier, last longer and occur more frequently. Those working outdoors as daily-wage labourers are the worst hit during a heatwave episode. They mostly lack access to cooling amenities like fans and air conditioners and must continue working in the blistering heat to make ends meet. Extreme heat, which engulfed large parts of India and Pakistan in 2022, was rendered 30 times more likely due to climate change, according to a new rapid attribution study by climate scientists. Also watch | Heatwave pushes temperatures up to 45°C in parts of Mexico “India is experiencing the impact of climate change. Due to its geographic diversity and large population exposure to climatic stressors, India is susceptible to all types of natural and climatic hazards. According to projections of climate change for India, more intense climatic conditions with significant variability are anticipated,” Prasoon Singh, Fellow and Area Convenor, Climate Change Division, The Energy Resource Institute (TERI) told WION. The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 had ranked India seventh in the list of most affected countries in terms of exposure and vulnerability to climate risk events. “A 2 degree Celsius increase in global average temperatures will render India's summer monsoon extremely unpredictable. At a temperature increase of 4 degree Celsius, a monsoon that presently has a one-in-a-century chance of occurring is projected to occur every 10 years by the end of the century,” Singh explained. Also read | Extreme weather has caused losses of $605 billion since 1980: EEA “A sudden change in the monsoon could precipitate a major crisis, resulting in more frequent droughts and intensified inundation across large portions of India. On the other hand, it is anticipated that droughts will become more frequent in certain regions, particularly in north-western India,” he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

China in grip of heatwave, Beijing temperature hits record high for mid-June

Mexico experiences a third heatwave, disrupting transport and utility.

Heatwave pushes temperatures up to 45°C in parts of Mexico

With the threat of climate change increasing day by day, mangoes have become the latest casualty of climate crisis. The production of mangoes has been affected adversely due to extreme weather event in India. Mohammad Saleh tells you more.

Gravitas: Mango the latest casualty of warming planet

<p>A first-of-a-kind trial is underway in Montana, the United States where 16 young people have filed a lawsuit which has sought to hold the officials in the state accountable over inaction on climate change. The young plaintiffs hope that this lawsuit would bring changes to the fossil fuel-friendly state.</p>

<h2>Plaintiffs feel a sense of 'betrayal'</h2>

<p>In his opening statement, Roger Sullivan, an attorney for the young plaintiffs, from non-profit Our Children’s Trust, reportedly listed the costs and consequences of Montana’s fossil fuel-friendly policies which he said are also in violation of the state constitutional provision that guarantees a right to a “clean and healthful environment.”</p>

<p>The trial is set to go on for two weeks and is being presided over by District Judge Kathy Seeley who the 16 young plaintiffs and their attorneys will try to convince that the state policies which supposedly favour fossil fuels not only endanger their health and livelihoods but also threatens the future generations.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Climate change lawsuit: Montana youth file climate case</strong></p>

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<p>It is also worth noting that the lawsuit centres around the state’s constitutional right to a “clean and healthful environment.” In line with this, Sullivan also said that Montana’s ongoing permitting of polluting fuels like coal and gas is contributing to a global crisis including, “heat, drought, wildfires, air pollution, violent storms, loss of wildlife, watching glaciers melt.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>The lawyer for the plaintiffs also went on to argue that because of these effects, the young people he represents are disproportionately suffering psychologically and healthily. Speaking on behalf of the plaintiffs, Sullivan said they felt a sense of “betrayal,” with some expressing reluctance to have their own children because they fear the world they would grow up in.</p>

<p>He also claimed that the state had pursued a ruinous energy policy which led to the release of 166 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually, which is equivalent to the emissions of countries like Argentina, the Netherlands, or Pakistan.</p>

<h2><strong>Montana youth testify in court</strong></h2>

<p>One of the plaintiffs, a 19-year-old Montana resident, Grace Gibson-Snyder told the court that the smoke from wildfires which have worsened due to climate change and became a “defining experience” of her playing soccer in high school.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She spoke about how her hometown Missoula was regularly shrouded in smoke which forced cancellations of soccer practices and kept her teammates with asthma away from the field. “It’s not pleasant,” said the 19-year-old, as quoted by The Associated Press. She added, “It’s so uncomfortable as you’re breathing deeper and deeper.”</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-world-environment-day-5-international-deals-that-would-affect-environment-in-the-years-to-come-600963">Explained | World Environment Day: 5 international agreements that would affect the planet in years to come</a></strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, the 22-year-old lead plaintiff Rikki Held also spoke about how climate change has affected the conditions on her family’s ranch in eastern Montana. Droughts have left “skinny cows and dead cattle” while wildfires make ash fall from the sky, said Held, speaking about the wildfires in 2021.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She said that wildfires had burned some 70 miles (113 kilometres) of power lines in her town which led to a month-long power cut and choked the air “all summer”. The incident also triggered mass evacuations and impacted the family’s motel business.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, she remains optimistic. “We have the technology and knowledge, we just need empathy and willingness to do the right thing,” said Held. Notably, the trial is expected to see testimonies from all but the four youngest plaintiffs.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-activists-in-germany-accused-of-580-offences-after-crackdown-603137">Climate activists in Germany accused of 580 offences</a></strong></p>

<p>The youngest plaintiff was two years old when the lawsuit was filed. Nathaniel K., a Montana resident, now five years old, according to his parents suffers from respiratory issues whose health is also threatened by wildfires which have been made worse due to climate change.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'Minuscule': US state of&nbsp;Montana about its carbon emissions</strong></h2>

<p>Montana Assistant Attorney General Michael Russell said that the state produces “minuscule” emissions and that the harms alleged by the plaintiffs can’t be traced to specific actions by state officials.</p>

<p>“Climate change is a global issue that effectively relegates Montana’s role to that of a spectator,” said Russell. He also said the trial “will hear lots of emotion, lots of assumptions, accusations... and notably fear about what the future may hold, including sweeping and dramatic assertions of doom that awaits us all,” but the reality is “far more boring” than what the youth have claimed.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greta-thunberg-had-her-last-school-strike-against-climate-change-heres-why-602848">Greta Thunberg had her last school strike against climate change. Here's why</a></strong></p>

<p>According to Russell, Montana’s greenhouse gas emissions are decreasing and the plaintiffs are not challenging policies that would, if invalidated, meaningfully change the state’s impact on the climate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The constitutional provision that the case is centred around is a part of the Montana Environmental Policy Act, which Russell has said is a “procedural” law which requires environmental reviews of any big projects in the state but does not mandate specific outcomes.</p>

<h2><strong>What do we know about the lawsuit</strong>?</h2>

<p>The landmark trial that began on Monday is being closely watched since it could potentially set a legal precedent in climate change-related lawsuits. This comes as while there are several constitutional climate cases filed on behalf of youth plaintiffs across the US it is the first case to head to trial.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netherlands-over-1500-arrested-in-protests-by-extinction-rebellion-climate-group-597390">Netherlands: Over 1,500 arrested in protests by Extinction Rebellion climate group</a></strong></p>

<p>The case, Held v. Montana, was first filed in 2020 by plaintiffs who were aged between two and 18, at the time, and it finally went to trial three years later. The lawsuit has sought to declare that the state’s policies violate their rights and hope to set a legal precedent, as per their lawyers, which would encourage lawmakers to take action to fight climate change.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The lawsuit claims the government’s “systemic authorization, permitting, encouragement and facilitation” of fossil fuel use is exacerbating the climate crisis. Meanwhile, the US state has repeatedly sought to delay or dismiss the case calling it “meritless” and a publicity stunt aimed at “shutting down responsible energy development in our state.”</p>

<p>The state had also argued that the issue would best be addressed through the political process and not the courts. Notably, plaintiffs had originally sought an injunction which would force the state to develop a remedial plan or policies to reduce emissions, however, their bid was rejected by Judge Seely in 2021.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/7-of-8-climate-red-lines-breached-india-now-a-transgression-hotspot-study-599266">7 of 8 climate red lines breached, India now a transgression hotspot: Study</a></strong></p>

<p>Judge Seeley said that she could rule that the US state’s climate change exception in its environmental law is at odds with its constitution but cannot tell the legislature how to remedy the violation. Therefore, the plaintiffs are now seeking financial compensation, but rather a declaration that their rights are being violated.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
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A first-of-a-kind trial is underway in Montana, the United States where 16 young people have filed a lawsuit which has sought to hold the officials in the state accountable over inaction on climate change.

A first-of-a-kind trial is underway in Montana, the United States where 16 young people have filed a lawsuit which has sought to hold the officials in the state accountable over inaction on climate change. The young plaintiffs hope that this lawsuit would bring changes to the fossil fuel-friendly state. Plaintiffs feel a sense of 'betrayal' In his opening statement, Roger Sullivan, an attorney for the young plaintiffs, from non-profit Our Children’s Trust, reportedly listed the costs and consequences of Montana’s fossil fuel-friendly policies which he said are also in violation of the state constitutional provision that guarantees a right to a “clean and healthful environment.” The trial is set to go on for two weeks and is being presided over by District Judge Kathy Seeley who the 16 young plaintiffs and their attorneys will try to convince that the state policies which supposedly favour fossil fuels not only endanger their health and livelihoods but also threatens the future generations. ALSO WATCH | Climate change lawsuit: Montana youth file climate case It is also worth noting that the lawsuit centres around the state’s constitutional right to a “clean and healthful environment.” In line with this, Sullivan also said that Montana’s ongoing permitting of polluting fuels like coal and gas is contributing to a global crisis including, “heat, drought, wildfires, air pollution, violent storms, loss of wildlife, watching glaciers melt.” The lawyer for the plaintiffs also went on to argue that because of these effects, the young people he represents are disproportionately suffering psychologically and healthily. Speaking on behalf of the plaintiffs, Sullivan said they felt a sense of “betrayal,” with some expressing reluctance to have their own children because they fear the world they would grow up in. He also claimed that the state had pursued a ruinous energy policy which led to the release of 166 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually, which is equivalent to the emissions of countries like Argentina, the Netherlands, or Pakistan. Montana youth testify in court One of the plaintiffs, a 19-year-old Montana resident, Grace Gibson-Snyder told the court that the smoke from wildfires which have worsened due to climate change and became a “defining experience” of her playing soccer in high school. She spoke about how her hometown Missoula was regularly shrouded in smoke which forced cancellations of soccer practices and kept her teammates with asthma away from the field. “It’s not pleasant,” said the 19-year-old, as quoted by The Associated Press. She added, “It’s so uncomfortable as you’re breathing deeper and deeper.” ALSO READ | Explained | World Environment Day: 5 international agreements that would affect the planet in years to come Meanwhile, the 22-year-old lead plaintiff Rikki Held also spoke about how climate change has affected the conditions on her family’s ranch in eastern Montana. Droughts have left “skinny cows and dead cattle” while wildfires make ash fall from the sky, said Held, speaking about the wildfires in 2021. She said that wildfires had burned some 70 miles (113 kilometres) of power lines in her town which led to a month-long power cut and choked the air “all summer”. The incident also triggered mass evacuations and impacted the family’s motel business. However, she remains optimistic. “We have the technology and knowledge, we just need empathy and willingness to do the right thing,” said Held. Notably, the trial is expected to see testimonies from all but the four youngest plaintiffs. ALSO READ | Climate activists in Germany accused of 580 offences The youngest plaintiff was two years old when the lawsuit was filed. Nathaniel K., a Montana resident, now five years old, according to his parents suffers from respiratory issues whose health is also threatened by wildfires which have been made worse due to climate change. 'Minuscule': US state of Montana about its carbon emissions Montana Assistant Attorney General Michael Russell said that the state produces “minuscule” emissions and that the harms alleged by the plaintiffs can’t be traced to specific actions by state officials. “Climate change is a global issue that effectively relegates Montana’s role to that of a spectator,” said Russell. He also said the trial “will hear lots of emotion, lots of assumptions, accusations... and notably fear about what the future may hold, including sweeping and dramatic assertions of doom that awaits us all,” but the reality is “far more boring” than what the youth have claimed. ALSO READ | Greta Thunberg had her last school strike against climate change. Here's why According to Russell, Montana’s greenhouse gas emissions are decreasing and the plaintiffs are not challenging policies that would, if invalidated, meaningfully change the state’s impact on the climate. The constitutional provision that the case is centred around is a part of the Montana Environmental Policy Act, which Russell has said is a “procedural” law which requires environmental reviews of any big projects in the state but does not mandate specific outcomes. What do we know about the lawsuit? The landmark trial that began on Monday is being closely watched since it could potentially set a legal precedent in climate change-related lawsuits. This comes as while there are several constitutional climate cases filed on behalf of youth plaintiffs across the US it is the first case to head to trial. ALSO READ | Netherlands: Over 1,500 arrested in protests by Extinction Rebellion climate group The case, Held v. Montana, was first filed in 2020 by plaintiffs who were aged between two and 18, at the time, and it finally went to trial three years later. The lawsuit has sought to declare that the state’s policies violate their rights and hope to set a legal precedent, as per their lawyers, which would encourage lawmakers to take action to fight climate change. The lawsuit claims the government’s “systemic authorization, permitting, encouragement and facilitation” of fossil fuel use is exacerbating the climate crisis. Meanwhile, the US state has repeatedly sought to delay or dismiss the case calling it “meritless” and a publicity stunt aimed at “shutting down responsible energy development in our state.” The state had also argued that the issue would best be addressed through the political process and not the courts. Notably, plaintiffs had originally sought an injunction which would force the state to develop a remedial plan or policies to reduce emissions, however, their bid was rejected by Judge Seely in 2021. ALSO READ | 7 of 8 climate red lines breached, India now a transgression hotspot: Study Judge Seeley said that she could rule that the US state’s climate change exception in its environmental law is at odds with its constitution but cannot tell the legislature how to remedy the violation. Therefore, the plaintiffs are now seeking financial compensation, but rather a declaration that their rights are being violated. (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 | Montana youth take US state to court in landmark trial over climate change

In one of its kind bids to counter climate change, activists have filed a climate lawsuit in the Court. They are demanding that the government takes urgent steps to tackle this crisis.

Climate change lawsuit: Montana youth file climate case

As Cyclone Biparjoy threatens India and Pakistan, let's find out how cyclones get their names

In Pics | Solar-powered robot to help Amazon rainforest

Young Montana residents bring climate change case to court for the first time ever, say state violated rights to a ‘clean and healthful environment’.

Young Montana residents bring climate change to court

<p>Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, participated in her final school strike for climate to mark her high school graduation on Friday, June 9.</p>

<p>Having previously taken a year-long break from school in 2019 to raise awareness about climate action, Thunberg announced on Twitter that her graduation marked the end of her ability to school-strike for climate.</p>

<p>"Today, I graduate from school, which means I'll no longer be able to school strike for the climate," Thunberg said on Twitter.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greta-thunberg-and-600-other-activists-sue-sweden-over-climate-inaction-537900">Greta Thunberg, 600 other environmental activists sue Sweden over climate inaction</a></strong></p>

<p>While her future protests would not be considered school strikes since she is no longer a student, Thunberg described the urgency of the fight for environment, stating that there is no other option but to do everything possible.</p>

<p>"This is the last school strike for me," she wrote, adding that there is "no other option than to do everything we possibly can."</p>

<p>"The fight has only just begun."</p>

<p>In 2018, at the age of 15, Thunberg initiated the School Strike for Climate Movement, also known as Fridays for Future, by sitting alone outside the Swedish Parliament to demand stronger action on climate change.</p>

<p>Her demonstration soon inspired similar protests worldwide, with students skipping classes to demand more immediate climate action.</p>

<h2><strong>Greta Thunberg's climate activism so far</strong></h2>

<p>Reflecting on the growth of the movement, Thunberg expressed her surprise at its global reach, stating that when she started striking in 2018, she could never have anticipated its impact.</p>

<p>"When I started striking in 2018 I could never have expected that it would lead to anything," Thunberg said on Friday.</p>

<p>"Quite suddenly this was a global movement growing every day. During 2019, millions of youth striked from school for the climate, flooding the streets in over 180 countries."</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Climate Activists Greta Thunberg backs anti-coal demonstration in Germany</strong></p>

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<p>Thunberg has since become sort of a divisive&nbsp;figure in the fight for climate action, delivering speeches to world leaders at United Nations conferences, earning the title of Time magazine's youngest-ever Person of the Year in 2019, and receiving multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations with critics citing Thunberg failing to present feasible alternatives for climate change-inducing factors.</p>

<p>In March, she criticised world leaders for what she called an "unprecedented betrayal" following the release of the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change&nbsp;(IPCC), the UN's climate advisory panel.</p>

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Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, participated in her final school strike for climate to mark her high school graduation on Friday, June 9. Having previously taken a year-long break from school in 2019 to raise awareness about climate action, Thunberg announced on Twitter that her graduation marked the end of her ability to school-strike for climate.

Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, participated in her final school strike for climate to mark her high school graduation on Friday, June 9. Having previously taken a year-long break from school in 2019 to raise awareness about climate action, Thunberg announced on Twitter that her graduation marked the end of her ability to school-strike for climate. "Today, I graduate from school, which means I'll no longer be able to school strike for the climate," Thunberg said on Twitter. Also read | Greta Thunberg, 600 other environmental activists sue Sweden over climate inaction While her future protests would not be considered school strikes since she is no longer a student, Thunberg described the urgency of the fight for environment, stating that there is no other option but to do everything possible. "This is the last school strike for me," she wrote, adding that there is "no other option than to do everything we possibly can." "The fight has only just begun." In 2018, at the age of 15, Thunberg initiated the School Strike for Climate Movement, also known as Fridays for Future, by sitting alone outside the Swedish Parliament to demand stronger action on climate change. Her demonstration soon inspired similar protests worldwide, with students skipping classes to demand more immediate climate action. Greta Thunberg's climate activism so far Reflecting on the growth of the movement, Thunberg expressed her surprise at its global reach, stating that when she started striking in 2018, she could never have anticipated its impact. "When I started striking in 2018 I could never have expected that it would lead to anything," Thunberg said on Friday. "Quite suddenly this was a global movement growing every day. During 2019, millions of youth striked from school for the climate, flooding the streets in over 180 countries." Also watch | Climate Activists Greta Thunberg backs anti-coal demonstration in Germany × Thunberg has since become sort of a divisive figure in the fight for climate action, delivering speeches to world leaders at United Nations conferences, earning the title of Time magazine's youngest-ever Person of the Year in 2019, and receiving multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations with critics citing Thunberg failing to present feasible alternatives for climate change-inducing factors. In March, she criticised world leaders for what she called an "unprecedented betrayal" following the release of the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN's climate advisory panel. 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.

Greta Thunberg had her last school strike against climate change. Here's why

<p>There can be no sea ice left in the Arctic roughly a decade earlier than expected, warned scientists in another sign of the climate crisis accelerating faster than expected as pollution continues to heat the planet.</p>

<p>Journal Nature Communications published a new study on Tuesday which stated that Arctic sea ice is likely to completely disappear during the month of September in the 2030s.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The scientists stated that even if planet-heating pollution is significantly reduced, the sea ice in the Arctic may still disappear in summer by the 2050s.</p>

<p>The changes from 1979 to 2019 were analysed by the researchers, as they compared different satellite data and climate models to understand how Arctic sea ice was changing.</p>

<p>It was understood that sea ice was declining largely because of human-caused, planet-heating pollution, and Arctic sea ice melting trends were underestimated by the previous models.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/soviet-era-rocket-makes-re-entry-to-earth-near-the-arctic-564684">Soviet-era rocket launched in 1980 makes re-entry, falls in Arctic region of Russia</a></p>

<p>“We were surprised to find that the ice-free Arctic will be there in summer irrespective of our effort at reducing emissions, which was not expected,” stated Seung-Ki Min, lead author of the study and professor at Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea, while speaking to CNN.</p>

<p>During the winter, Arctic ice builds up and then melts in the summer months, generally hitting its lowest levels in September, before the cycle starts again.</p>

<p>"Once Arctic summers become ice-free, the buildup of sea ice in the colder seasons will be much slower," Min stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With a ‘higher emissions pathway’, &nbsp;in which fossil fuels continue to be burned and levels of planet-warming pollution continue to increase, the study emphasises on complete loss of sea ice in the Arctic from August until as late as October before the 2080s, said Min.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Study in contrast with the UN’s report&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The findings of the study are in contrast with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2021 state-of-the-science report which stated that the Arctic would be “practically ice-free near mid-century under intermediate and high greenhouse gas emissions scenarios.”</p>

<p>Min said that the new study shows that ice-free Arctic can occur 10 years earlier than expected, regardless of emission scenarios.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Arctic is warming quadruple times faster than the world, research tells</strong></p>

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<p>Researcher with the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the 2022 study's lead author Mika Rantanen said that the study benefited from “novel and state-of-the-art methodology” for predicting when the Arctic will go ice-free.</p>

<p>“The methodology is very careful and brings a high degree of certainty in the attribution,” stated Rantanen, who was not a part of the study.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The most striking result is not that the sea ice loss is attributed to greenhouse gas increases, which was already largely known, but that they project the ice-free Arctic earlier than previously thought by about a decade," he added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The ice-free conditions will impact Arctic indigenous communities as their hunting and traveling will be affected. Animals that depend on sea ice will feel the impact.&nbsp;“As Arctic warming is enhanced, permafrost will also melt earlier and many species, including polar bears, walruses and reindeer, will have trouble surviving,” added Min.<br />
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There can be no sea ice left in the Arctic roughly a decade earlier than expected, warned scientists in another sign of the climate crisis accelerating faster than expected as pollution continues to heat the planet.

There can be no sea ice left in the Arctic roughly a decade earlier than expected, warned scientists in another sign of the climate crisis accelerating faster than expected as pollution continues to heat the planet. Journal Nature Communications published a new study on Tuesday which stated that Arctic sea ice is likely to completely disappear during the month of September in the 2030s. The scientists stated that even if planet-heating pollution is significantly reduced, the sea ice in the Arctic may still disappear in summer by the 2050s. The changes from 1979 to 2019 were analysed by the researchers, as they compared different satellite data and climate models to understand how Arctic sea ice was changing. It was understood that sea ice was declining largely because of human-caused, planet-heating pollution, and Arctic sea ice melting trends were underestimated by the previous models. ALSO READ | Soviet-era rocket launched in 1980 makes re-entry, falls in Arctic region of Russia “We were surprised to find that the ice-free Arctic will be there in summer irrespective of our effort at reducing emissions, which was not expected,” stated Seung-Ki Min, lead author of the study and professor at Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea, while speaking to CNN. During the winter, Arctic ice builds up and then melts in the summer months, generally hitting its lowest levels in September, before the cycle starts again. "Once Arctic summers become ice-free, the buildup of sea ice in the colder seasons will be much slower," Min stated. With a ‘higher emissions pathway’, in which fossil fuels continue to be burned and levels of planet-warming pollution continue to increase, the study emphasises on complete loss of sea ice in the Arctic from August until as late as October before the 2080s, said Min. Study in contrast with the UN’s report The findings of the study are in contrast with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2021 state-of-the-science report which stated that the Arctic would be “practically ice-free near mid-century under intermediate and high greenhouse gas emissions scenarios.” Min said that the new study shows that ice-free Arctic can occur 10 years earlier than expected, regardless of emission scenarios. WATCH | Arctic is warming quadruple times faster than the world, research tells Researcher with the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the 2022 study's lead author Mika Rantanen said that the study benefited from “novel and state-of-the-art methodology” for predicting when the Arctic will go ice-free. “The methodology is very careful and brings a high degree of certainty in the attribution,” stated Rantanen, who was not a part of the study. “The most striking result is not that the sea ice loss is attributed to greenhouse gas increases, which was already largely known, but that they project the ice-free Arctic earlier than previously thought by about a decade," he added. The ice-free conditions will impact Arctic indigenous communities as their hunting and traveling will be affected. Animals that depend on sea ice will feel the impact. “As Arctic warming is enhanced, permafrost will also melt earlier and many species, including polar bears, walruses and reindeer, will have trouble surviving,” added Min. 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.

Arctic could be ice-free in summer by 2030s. Previous models underestimated trends, say experts

Residents who once lived a self-sufficient life are now displaced. according to experts, the UN now considers Iraq to be the fifth most vulnerable to the climate crisis.

Drought decimates fish in Iraq’s southern marshes

Rising temperatures and the resulting climate change is threatening human civilisation like nothing before it but the world has to learn to deal with the effects of climate change.

Climate Change: Corporate winners & losers | Business bets on extreme weather outcomes | WION

Wildfires have forced thousands in Canada's nova scotia province to evacuate. the wildfires are now threatening communities on the outskirts of Halifax and have resulted in poor air quality.

Canada ablaze: How wildfires are caused by climate change | World Environment Day

<p dir="ltr">Sweltering heat has taken a toll on people's lives in several parts of India. As temperatures soared above 45 degrees Celsius in recent weeks, people not only suffered the outwardly wrath of heat, but were bogged down by the unprecedented stress it levied on India’s agriculture, public health, and economy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India is one of the nations most exposed and susceptible to heat. <a href="https://journals.plos.org/climate/article?id=10.1371/journal.pclm.0000156">Studies</a> suggest that the frequency of hot days and nights&nbsp;have risen significantly, and are estimated to increase between two and four-fold by 2050. Additionally, heatwaves are also predicted to arrive earlier, last longer and occur more frequently.</p>

<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Which strata of society is most affected?</strong></h2>

<p>Those working outdoors as daily-wage labourers are the worst hit during a heatwave episode. They mostly lack access to cooling amenities like fans and air conditioners and must continue working in the blistering heat to make ends meet.</p>

<p>“Heatwaves in India pose significant risks to human health as certain strata of society are more affected due to their socioeconomic and health conditions,” Shivang Agarwal, PhD scholar in environmental health and engineering, Johns Hopkins University told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“India has made progress in dealing with heatwaves, particularly in the development of heatwave prediction and early warning systems. However, many challenges remain, including lack of awareness about heatwave risks, limited access to affordable cooling solutions, strained public health infrastructure, and urban planning that often neglects heat resilience. There is a need for continued efforts in public awareness on these issues, to increase India's resilience to heatwaves,” he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India saw a 55 per cent rise in deaths due to extreme heat between 2000-2004 and 2017-2019, according to a <a href="http://www.thelancet-press.com/embargo/Countdown2022.pdf">Lancet’s report</a> released last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The country has recorded more than 17,000 deaths due to heat waves in the past 50 years, according to a 2021 research by one of the best meteorologists, reported the PTI.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>*This is an interactive data chart. Hover over the chart to get the figures*</strong></em></p>

<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Climate change impacting heat?</strong></h2>

<p dir="ltr">Extreme heat which engulfed large parts of India and Pakistan was rendered 30 times more likely by climate change, according to a new rapid attribution <a href="https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-change-made-devastating-early-heat-in-india-and-pakistan-30-times-more-likely/">study</a> by climate scientists.</p>

<p>“India is experiencing the impact of climate change. Due to its geographic diversity and large population exposure to climatic stressors, India is susceptible to all types of natural and climatic hazards. According to projections of climate change for India, more intense climatic conditions with significant variability are anticipated,” Prasoon Singh, Fellow and Area Convenor, Climate Change Division, The Energy Resource Institute (TERI) told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker |&nbsp;Heat made worse by climate change</strong></p>

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<p>The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 had ranked India seventh in the list of most affected countries in terms of exposure and vulnerability to climate risk events.</p>

<p>“A 2&nbsp;degrees Celsius&nbsp;increase in global average temperatures will render India's summer monsoon extremely unpredictable. At a temperature increase of 4&nbsp;degrees Celsius, a monsoon that presently has a one-in-a-century chance of occurring is projected to occur every 10 years by the end of the century,” Singh explained.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“A sudden change in the monsoon could precipitate a major crisis, resulting in more frequent droughts and intensified inundation across large portions of India. On the other hand, it is anticipated that droughts will become more frequent in certain regions, particularly in north-western India,” he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/data-lab-gasping-for-breath-what-is-india-doing-about-its-air-pollution-crisis-598066">Data Lab | Gasping for breath: What is India doing about its air pollution crisis?</a></p>

<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Burden of heatwave</strong></h2>

<p>Continuing trends of&nbsp; heatwave&nbsp;due to climate change may have profound long-term effects. These include severe health risks like heatstroke, strain on healthcare systems, exacerbated cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and increased mortality rates. Agriculture and food security could be threatened due to crop damage, and water scarcity may become a greater issue, noted&nbsp;Agarwal, while stressing on the need to implement heat action plans for timely response to extreme heat, and utilise early warning systems for accurate forecasts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If the current warming trends continue, it would unleash a barrage of difficulties that would include a major water crisis, energy scarcity, power outage, productivity loss, supply chain disruption, economic losses,&nbsp;human and livestock deaths, and serious health problems within vulnerable communities.</p>

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Sweltering heat has taken a toll on people's lives in several parts of India. As temperatures soared above 45 degrees Celsius in recent weeks, people not only suffered the outwardly wrath of heat, but were bogged down by the unprecedented stress it levied on India’s agriculture, public health, and economy.

Sweltering heat has taken a toll on people's lives in several parts of India. As temperatures soared above 45 degrees Celsius in recent weeks, people not only suffered the outwardly wrath of heat, but were bogged down by the unprecedented stress it levied on India’s agriculture, public health, and economy. India is one of the nations most exposed and susceptible to heat. Studies suggest that the frequency of hot days and nights have risen significantly, and are estimated to increase between two and four-fold by 2050. Additionally, heatwaves are also predicted to arrive earlier, last longer and occur more frequently. Which strata of society is most affected? Those working outdoors as daily-wage labourers are the worst hit during a heatwave episode. They mostly lack access to cooling amenities like fans and air conditioners and must continue working in the blistering heat to make ends meet. “Heatwaves in India pose significant risks to human health as certain strata of society are more affected due to their socioeconomic and health conditions,” Shivang Agarwal, PhD scholar in environmental health and engineering, Johns Hopkins University told WION. “India has made progress in dealing with heatwaves, particularly in the development of heatwave prediction and early warning systems. However, many challenges remain, including lack of awareness about heatwave risks, limited access to affordable cooling solutions, strained public health infrastructure, and urban planning that often neglects heat resilience. There is a need for continued efforts in public awareness on these issues, to increase India's resilience to heatwaves,” he said. India saw a 55 per cent rise in deaths due to extreme heat between 2000-2004 and 2017-2019, according to a Lancet’s report released last year. The country has recorded more than 17,000 deaths due to heat waves in the past 50 years, according to a 2021 research by one of the best meteorologists, reported the PTI. × *This is an interactive data chart. Hover over the chart to get the figures* Climate change impacting heat? Extreme heat which engulfed large parts of India and Pakistan was rendered 30 times more likely by climate change, according to a new rapid attribution study by climate scientists. “India is experiencing the impact of climate change. Due to its geographic diversity and large population exposure to climatic stressors, India is susceptible to all types of natural and climatic hazards. According to projections of climate change for India, more intense climatic conditions with significant variability are anticipated,” Prasoon Singh, Fellow and Area Convenor, Climate Change Division, The Energy Resource Institute (TERI) told WION. Also watch | WION Climate Tracker | Heat made worse by climate change The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 had ranked India seventh in the list of most affected countries in terms of exposure and vulnerability to climate risk events. “A 2 degrees Celsius increase in global average temperatures will render India's summer monsoon extremely unpredictable. At a temperature increase of 4 degrees Celsius, a monsoon that presently has a one-in-a-century chance of occurring is projected to occur every 10 years by the end of the century,” Singh explained. “A sudden change in the monsoon could precipitate a major crisis, resulting in more frequent droughts and intensified inundation across large portions of India. On the other hand, it is anticipated that droughts will become more frequent in certain regions, particularly in north-western India,” he added. Also read | Data Lab | Gasping for breath: What is India doing about its air pollution crisis? Burden of heatwave Continuing trends of heatwave due to climate change may have profound long-term effects. These include severe health risks like heatstroke, strain on healthcare systems, exacerbated cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and increased mortality rates. Agriculture and food security could be threatened due to crop damage, and water scarcity may become a greater issue, noted Agarwal, while stressing on the need to implement heat action plans for timely response to extreme heat, and utilise early warning systems for accurate forecasts. If the current warming trends continue, it would unleash a barrage of difficulties that would include a major water crisis, energy scarcity, power outage, productivity loss, supply chain disruption, economic losses, human and livestock deaths, and serious health problems within vulnerable communities. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab | India feels the heat: What happens if the current heatwave trend continues?

Climate change will increase global inflation by as much as one percentage point every year as food costs climb, new research finds.

Climate change exacerbating inflation worldwide

It's already a wildfire season for the record books in Canada, with the blistering heat of summer and howling winds of fall still ahead.

Canada Ablaze: How wildfires are caused by climate change

<p>In a world marred by pandemics, conflicts, and economic upheavals, there is a far greater and insidious threat that looms large: climate change. As global temperatures soar and cataclysmic weather events become distressingly frequent, the most vulnerable populations bear the brunt of its harrowing repercussions.</p>

<p>Earth, the only known planet to harbour life, has taken billions of years to evolve into a delicate oasis. However, human activities now pose a grave threat to our planet and future generations. However, in the last century, we have rapidly altered the delicate, life-sustaining balance of our planet. In the name of development, we are on a path of destruction, pushing species to extinction and ecosystems to the brink of collapse. We shouldn't forget that humans are just one of the 8.7 million species which live on this rocky planet. The decisions we make today will shape the world that our future generations will inherit.</p>

<p>Climate change is a ticking time bomb and its effects are visible in every part of the world. No country, no community, is immune to the perils of a warming planet.</p>

<p>Climate change's most telling effect is on marginalised communities that are already shackled by poverty and scarce resources. Small island nations teeter on the precipice of devastation as rising sea levels imperil entire populations, leaving them grappling with the looming spectre of displacement<br />
<br />
Indigenous peoples are deeply intertwined with their surroundings. They live a sustainable lifestyle in harmony with nature and have the lowest carbon footprint. But they are forced to be at the forefront, facing the wrath of mother nature. They confront the ominous erosion of ancestral livelihoods and the erosion of cultural heritage due to the degradation of their habitats.</p>

<p>Water scarcity emerges as another critical conundrum exacerbated by climate change. Traditional drought-stricken regions witness the inexorable dwindling of water reserves, exacerbating challenges related to drinking water, sanitation, and agricultural sustenance. This vicious cycle further deepens the grips of poverty, engendering social strife and forcing them to embark on perilous journeys as migrants.</p>

<p>Health risks, too, assume alarming dimensions under the relentless onslaught of climate change, with the most vulnerable bearing the brunt of its merciless blows. Heatwaves unleash as an ominous spectre; the mercury has embarked on a deadly upward journey. Several all-time high temperatures records have been broken. Extreme heat waves may be our new normal, thanks to climate change. The ominous question is: are we prepared?</p>

<p>The spread of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever, is increasing exponentially as climatic shifts facilitate the spread of disease-carrying vectors, casting a pall of gloom over the most marginalised populations.</p>

<p>So, what can we do? Well, effectively tackling climate change demands a multifaceted approach where sustainable solutions are the bedrock of its edifice. The transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, not only curtails the planet-warming greenhouse gases but also serves as a fulcrum for job creation and catalyses economic prosperity. Investment in energy-efficient technologies and the fostering of a culture of energy conservation become pivotal steps in mitigating the carbon footprint that engulfs us. But for that to happen quickly, wealthy nations and multinational corporations need to share green technologies with vulnerable societies honestly.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Agriculture provides livelihoods for 2.5 billion people and is the largest source of income and jobs for poor, rural households. In developing countries, agriculture accounts for 29 per cent&nbsp;of GDP and 65 per cent of jobs. In developing nations, agrarian communities battle the ravages of erratic rainfall patterns that disrupt agricultural cycles, thrusting them into the jaws of abject food insecurity.</p>

<p>There is an urgent need for free access to climate-smart technologies, such as drought-resistant seeds and efficient irrigation systems, to empower vulnerable farmers to adapt to the ceaseless mutations of their ecological tapestries.</p>

<p>The need of the hour is collaborative synergies between governments, non-governmental organisations, and communities that will engender adaptation initiatives that remain firmly rooted in local realities, thus maximising efficacy.</p>

<p>Moreover, the preservation and restoration of fragile ecosystems emerge as milestones in mitigating climate change. Another tried and tested method is: rewilding. Taking a step back and allowing nature to heal itself naturally is the most logical step. Rewilding mitigates climate change by restoring ecosystems, reviving wildlife, and enhancing biodiversity. These rejuvenated ecosystems act as carbon sinks, effectively sequestering CO2, regulating the global carbon cycle, and reducing emissions.</p>

<p>Shielding forests, mangroves, and other natural habitats not only safeguards biodiversity but also serves as a bulwark against the inexorable march of carbon dioxide. Reforestation endeavours and sustainable land management practices emerge.<br />
<br />
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In a world marred by pandemics, conflicts, and economic upheavals, there is a far greater and insidious threat that looms large: climate change. As global temperatures soar and cataclysmic weather events become distressingly frequent, the most vulnerable populations bear the brunt of its harrowing repercussions.

In a world marred by pandemics, conflicts, and economic upheavals, there is a far greater and insidious threat that looms large: climate change. As global temperatures soar and cataclysmic weather events become distressingly frequent, the most vulnerable populations bear the brunt of its harrowing repercussions. Earth, the only known planet to harbour life, has taken billions of years to evolve into a delicate oasis. However, human activities now pose a grave threat to our planet and future generations. However, in the last century, we have rapidly altered the delicate, life-sustaining balance of our planet. In the name of development, we are on a path of destruction, pushing species to extinction and ecosystems to the brink of collapse. We shouldn't forget that humans are just one of the 8.7 million species which live on this rocky planet. The decisions we make today will shape the world that our future generations will inherit. Climate change is a ticking time bomb and its effects are visible in every part of the world. No country, no community, is immune to the perils of a warming planet. Climate change's most telling effect is on marginalised communities that are already shackled by poverty and scarce resources. Small island nations teeter on the precipice of devastation as rising sea levels imperil entire populations, leaving them grappling with the looming spectre of displacement Indigenous peoples are deeply intertwined with their surroundings. They live a sustainable lifestyle in harmony with nature and have the lowest carbon footprint. But they are forced to be at the forefront, facing the wrath of mother nature. They confront the ominous erosion of ancestral livelihoods and the erosion of cultural heritage due to the degradation of their habitats. Water scarcity emerges as another critical conundrum exacerbated by climate change. Traditional drought-stricken regions witness the inexorable dwindling of water reserves, exacerbating challenges related to drinking water, sanitation, and agricultural sustenance. This vicious cycle further deepens the grips of poverty, engendering social strife and forcing them to embark on perilous journeys as migrants. Health risks, too, assume alarming dimensions under the relentless onslaught of climate change, with the most vulnerable bearing the brunt of its merciless blows. Heatwaves unleash as an ominous spectre; the mercury has embarked on a deadly upward journey. Several all-time high temperatures records have been broken. Extreme heat waves may be our new normal, thanks to climate change. The ominous question is: are we prepared? The spread of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever, is increasing exponentially as climatic shifts facilitate the spread of disease-carrying vectors, casting a pall of gloom over the most marginalised populations. So, what can we do? Well, effectively tackling climate change demands a multifaceted approach where sustainable solutions are the bedrock of its edifice. The transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, not only curtails the planet-warming greenhouse gases but also serves as a fulcrum for job creation and catalyses economic prosperity. Investment in energy-efficient technologies and the fostering of a culture of energy conservation become pivotal steps in mitigating the carbon footprint that engulfs us. But for that to happen quickly, wealthy nations and multinational corporations need to share green technologies with vulnerable societies honestly. Agriculture provides livelihoods for 2.5 billion people and is the largest source of income and jobs for poor, rural households. In developing countries, agriculture accounts for 29 per cent of GDP and 65 per cent of jobs. In developing nations, agrarian communities battle the ravages of erratic rainfall patterns that disrupt agricultural cycles, thrusting them into the jaws of abject food insecurity. There is an urgent need for free access to climate-smart technologies, such as drought-resistant seeds and efficient irrigation systems, to empower vulnerable farmers to adapt to the ceaseless mutations of their ecological tapestries. The need of the hour is collaborative synergies between governments, non-governmental organisations, and communities that will engender adaptation initiatives that remain firmly rooted in local realities, thus maximising efficacy. Moreover, the preservation and restoration of fragile ecosystems emerge as milestones in mitigating climate change. Another tried and tested method is: rewilding. Taking a step back and allowing nature to heal itself naturally is the most logical step. Rewilding mitigates climate change by restoring ecosystems, reviving wildlife, and enhancing biodiversity. These rejuvenated ecosystems act as carbon sinks, effectively sequestering CO2, regulating the global carbon cycle, and reducing emissions. Shielding forests, mangroves, and other natural habitats not only safeguards biodiversity but also serves as a bulwark against the inexorable march of carbon dioxide. Reforestation endeavours and sustainable land management practices emerge. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer. 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.

World Environment Day: A clarion call for climate action

With poorer populations being particularly at risk in the decades ahead, countries across the gulf region and the wider West Asia are highly vulnerable to extreme heat borne out of climate change.

West Asian nations vulnerable to heat borne out of climate change

<p>The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday (May 31)&nbsp;that Delhi this year witnessed its coolest&nbsp;May in 36 years, with copious rainfall lowering the average maximum temperature to 36.8 degree&nbsp;Celsius.&nbsp;According to Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of IMD's regional forecasting division, Delhi had an average high temperature of 36 degree&nbsp;Celsius in May 1987.</p>

<p>"The average maximum temperature of 36.8 degree&nbsp;Celsius in May this year is the lowest since then," he told PTI.</p>

<p>Only nine days in May had maximum temperatures exceeding 40 degree&nbsp;Celsius, with heatwave conditions impacting some portions of the national capital for two days.</p>

<p>"The Safdarjung Observatory, which is representative of Delhi, has not recorded any heat wave in the pre-monsoon season this year. This has happened for the first time since 2014," Srivastava said.</p>

<p>Last year, the weather station recorded 13 heatwave days during the pre-monsoon season, nine in April and four in May. During this time period, there was just one heatwave day in 2021, four in 2020, and one in 2019.</p>

<p>A heatwave is declared when the highest temperature at a station is at least 40 degree&nbsp;Celsius in the plains, 37 degrees in coastal areas, and 30 degrees in hilly areas, and the deviation from normal is at least 4.5 notches.</p>

<p>May, the warmest month in Delhi with a mean maximum temperature of 39.5 degree&nbsp;Celsius, received 111 mm of rain, 262 per cent higher than the long-term average of 30.7 mm.</p>

<p>According to IMD records, this is also the fourth-greatest monthly rainfall after 165 mm in 2008, 144.8 mm in 2021, and 129.3 mm in 2002.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Delhi experiences coolest May in 36 years | WION Climate Tracker</strong></p>

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<p>The city received more than 20 mm of rain in April, the most in a single month since 2017, and saw heatwave conditions in localised areas.</p>

<h2><strong>What's causing the pre-monsoon showers?</strong></h2>

<p>Meteorologists blame the extra rainfall and below-normal temperatures this pre-monsoon season (March to May) to stronger-than-usual western disturbances, which originate in the Mediterranean area and send unseasonal rain to northwest India.</p>

<p>"Usually, five to six western disturbances are recorded in the northern plains in April and May. This time, we saw 10 western disturbances, mostly strong ones," said Srivastava.</p>

<p>"This is unusual. However, we cannot link it to climate change in the absence of data. There is no definite trend," he said.</p>

<p>Delhi recorded 184.3 mm of rainfall this pre-monsoon season (March to May) which is 186 per cent more than normal rainfall, according to the IMD.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday (May 31) that Delhi this year witnessed its coolest May in 36 years, with copious rainfall lowering the average maximum temperature to 36.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday (May 31) that Delhi this year witnessed its coolest May in 36 years, with copious rainfall lowering the average maximum temperature to 36.8 degree Celsius. According to Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of IMD's regional forecasting division, Delhi had an average high temperature of 36 degree Celsius in May 1987. "The average maximum temperature of 36.8 degree Celsius in May this year is the lowest since then," he told PTI. Only nine days in May had maximum temperatures exceeding 40 degree Celsius, with heatwave conditions impacting some portions of the national capital for two days. "The Safdarjung Observatory, which is representative of Delhi, has not recorded any heat wave in the pre-monsoon season this year. This has happened for the first time since 2014," Srivastava said. Last year, the weather station recorded 13 heatwave days during the pre-monsoon season, nine in April and four in May. During this time period, there was just one heatwave day in 2021, four in 2020, and one in 2019. A heatwave is declared when the highest temperature at a station is at least 40 degree Celsius in the plains, 37 degrees in coastal areas, and 30 degrees in hilly areas, and the deviation from normal is at least 4.5 notches. May, the warmest month in Delhi with a mean maximum temperature of 39.5 degree Celsius, received 111 mm of rain, 262 per cent higher than the long-term average of 30.7 mm. According to IMD records, this is also the fourth-greatest monthly rainfall after 165 mm in 2008, 144.8 mm in 2021, and 129.3 mm in 2002. ALSO WATCH | Delhi experiences coolest May in 36 years | WION Climate Tracker The city received more than 20 mm of rain in April, the most in a single month since 2017, and saw heatwave conditions in localised areas. What's causing the pre-monsoon showers? Meteorologists blame the extra rainfall and below-normal temperatures this pre-monsoon season (March to May) to stronger-than-usual western disturbances, which originate in the Mediterranean area and send unseasonal rain to northwest India. "Usually, five to six western disturbances are recorded in the northern plains in April and May. This time, we saw 10 western disturbances, mostly strong ones," said Srivastava. "This is unusual. However, we cannot link it to climate change in the absence of data. There is no definite trend," he said. Delhi recorded 184.3 mm of rainfall this pre-monsoon season (March to May) which is 186 per cent more than normal rainfall, according to the IMD. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Delhi's coolest May in 36 years: Copious rains lower average maximum temperature to 36.8°C

<p>Scientists have discovered 62 new species of plants that can potentially survive without water due to their capability to withstand extreme dehydration. These plants, Desiccation-Tolerant Vascular Species, are capable of surviving extreme water scarcity as they enter a state of dormancy when water is unavailable.</p>

<p>They switch off their dormancy when the water becomes available again.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Researchers said that the newly discovered plants could have a wide-ranging role in agriculture, particularly in areas with a scarcity of water.</p>

<p>The findings related to the discovery were published in the Nordic Journal of Botany.</p>

<h2><strong>Plants that survive without water: What India's government said?</strong></h2>

<p>India's Ministry of Science and Technology said that, DT (Desiccation-Tolerant) plants have been relatively understudied. While rock outcrops are common landscapes in the Western Ghats (WG), the DT plants in the region were not officially discovered.</p>

<h2><strong>Who discovered these plants?</strong></h2>

<p>The discovery was made by a team of researchers from Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) Pune. A total of 16 of the newly identified species are Indian endemic, and 12 are exclusive to the Western Ghats outcrops.</p>

<p>The team led by Dr Mandar Datar, analysed the outcrop species for their DT properties by seasonal field observations, followed by relative water content estimation protocols. Nine genera of DT plants are reported as new, also from a global perspective, with <em>Tripogon capillatus</em> representing the first record of an epiphytic DT angiosperm.</p>

<p>"In addition to rock outcrops, tree trunks in the partially shaded forests were also found to be crucial habitats for DT species, as per the study," the ministry said, adding that findings of the study can provide valuable insights into the biodiversity and ecology of the Western Ghats.</p>

<p>"Besides, understanding the mechanisms by which DT plants can tolerate dehydration, could lead to the development of crops that are more drought-resistant and require less water," the Ministry said in a release.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Scientists have discovered 62 new species of plants that can potentially survive without water due to their capability to withstand extreme dehydration. These plants, Desiccation-Tolerant Vascular Species, are capable of surviving extreme water scarcity as they enter a state of dormancy when water is unavailable.

Scientists have discovered 62 new species of plants that can potentially survive without water due to their capability to withstand extreme dehydration. These plants, Desiccation-Tolerant Vascular Species, are capable of surviving extreme water scarcity as they enter a state of dormancy when water is unavailable. They switch off their dormancy when the water becomes available again. Researchers said that the newly discovered plants could have a wide-ranging role in agriculture, particularly in areas with a scarcity of water. The findings related to the discovery were published in the Nordic Journal of Botany. Plants that survive without water: What India's government said? India's Ministry of Science and Technology said that, DT (Desiccation-Tolerant) plants have been relatively understudied. While rock outcrops are common landscapes in the Western Ghats (WG), the DT plants in the region were not officially discovered. Who discovered these plants? The discovery was made by a team of researchers from Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) Pune. A total of 16 of the newly identified species are Indian endemic, and 12 are exclusive to the Western Ghats outcrops. The team led by Dr Mandar Datar, analysed the outcrop species for their DT properties by seasonal field observations, followed by relative water content estimation protocols. Nine genera of DT plants are reported as new, also from a global perspective, with Tripogon capillatus representing the first record of an epiphytic DT angiosperm. "In addition to rock outcrops, tree trunks in the partially shaded forests were also found to be crucial habitats for DT species, as per the study," the ministry said, adding that findings of the study can provide valuable insights into the biodiversity and ecology of the Western Ghats. "Besides, understanding the mechanisms by which DT plants can tolerate dehydration, could lead to the development of crops that are more drought-resistant and require less water," the Ministry said in a release. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Indian scientists discover 62 plants that can live without water in Western Ghats

The Indian national capital witnesses a weather roller coaster, sudden mercury dip reflects dangers of climate change.

Delhi's fluctuating weather reflects climate dangers

Extreme temperatures and dry air are leading to intense burning in California. As per a new UCL-A study, climate change is being blamed as the major cause of wildfires in the western US state.

Extreme temperature and dry air leading to intense burning in California

The Indian National Capital witnesses a weather roller coaster, sudden mercury dip reflects dangers of climate change.

Shift in India's weather reflects dangers of climate change

<p>Seven out of eight Earth System Boundaries (ESBs) that are critical for the stability of the planet's health and the survival of species have already been crossed, according to a new Earth Commission study published in Nature on Wednesday (May 31), implying that humanity's future is now at risk of a climate catastrophe.</p>

<p>According to the evaluation, ESB transgression is spatially extensive, with two or more ESBs already transgressed throughout 52 per cent&nbsp;of the world's land area, affecting 86 per cent&nbsp;of the global population, according to the Hindustan Times. According to a map supplied by experts, India, along with other countries of South Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa, is an ESB transgression hotspot, with at least 5 ESB transgressions occurring in the Himalayan foothills.</p>

<p>The Earth Commission created&nbsp;a set of ESBs for climate, the biosphere, fresh water, nutrients and air pollution at global and sub-global scales for the first time referred to in this research paper titled: “Safe and just Earth system boundaries.”</p>

<p><strong>Also read&nbsp;|</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/limitless-energy-scientists-discover-way-to-generate-electricity-out-of-thin-air-599121">Limitless energy? Scientists discover way to generate electricity out of thin air</a></p>

<p>These features were chosen because they cover all&nbsp;the major components of the Earth system (atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere and cryosphere) and their interconnected&nbsp;processes (carbon, water and nutrient cycles) or “global commons” that according to the report&nbsp;“underpin the planet’s life-support systems and, thereby, human well-being on Earth; they have impacts on policy-relevant timescales; they are threatened by human activities; and they could affect Earth system stability and future development globally.”</p>

<h2><strong>Which parameters were&nbsp;breached?</strong></h2>

<p>Climate (two local exposure boundaries--wet bulb temperatures of over 35°C for at least one day of the year and expanse of low-elevation coastal zones), functional integrity, and levels of surface water, groundwater, nitrogen, phosphorus, and aerosols are among the seven ESBs that have been breached.</p>

<p>The eighth, which has yet to be crossed, falls into two groups. In terms of climate, 1.5 degree&nbsp;Celsius of warming is still "safe," but not "just." At 1°C, the line between "safe and just" was crossed. The worldwide annual mean interhemispheric aerosol optical depth (AOD) difference, which is a proxy for the degree of global air pollution, has likewise not been crossed.</p>

<p>The safe ESBs for global warming are based on limiting the likelihood of climatic tipping points while maintaining biosphere and cryosphere functionality.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Sherpa saves climber in rare Everest 'death zone' rescue</strong></p>

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<p>“We find that global warming beyond 1°C above pre-industrial levels, which has already been exceeded,&nbsp;carries a moderate likelihood of triggering tipping elements, such as the collapse of the Greenland ice sheet or localised abrupt thawing of the boreal permafrost…above 1.5°C or 2°C warming, the likelihood of triggering tipping points increases to high or very high,” the study&nbsp;states while adding that at 1.5 to 2°C&nbsp;biosphere damage and the risk of global carbon sinks becoming carbon sources, potentially triggering further climate feedbacks, increase substantially.</p>

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Seven out of eight Earth System Boundaries (ESBs) that are critical for the stability of the planet's health and the survival of species have already been crossed, according to a new Earth Commission study published in Nature on Wednesday (May 31), implying that humanity's future is now at risk of a climate catastrophe.

Seven out of eight Earth System Boundaries (ESBs) that are critical for the stability of the planet's health and the survival of species have already been crossed, according to a new Earth Commission study published in Nature on Wednesday (May 31), implying that humanity's future is now at risk of a climate catastrophe. According to the evaluation, ESB transgression is spatially extensive, with two or more ESBs already transgressed throughout 52 per cent of the world's land area, affecting 86 per cent of the global population, according to the Hindustan Times. According to a map supplied by experts, India, along with other countries of South Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa, is an ESB transgression hotspot, with at least 5 ESB transgressions occurring in the Himalayan foothills. The Earth Commission created a set of ESBs for climate, the biosphere, fresh water, nutrients and air pollution at global and sub-global scales for the first time referred to in this research paper titled: “Safe and just Earth system boundaries.” Also read | Limitless energy? Scientists discover way to generate electricity out of thin air These features were chosen because they cover all the major components of the Earth system (atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere and cryosphere) and their interconnected processes (carbon, water and nutrient cycles) or “global commons” that according to the report “underpin the planet’s life-support systems and, thereby, human well-being on Earth; they have impacts on policy-relevant timescales; they are threatened by human activities; and they could affect Earth system stability and future development globally.” Which parameters were breached? Climate (two local exposure boundaries--wet bulb temperatures of over 35°C for at least one day of the year and expanse of low-elevation coastal zones), functional integrity, and levels of surface water, groundwater, nitrogen, phosphorus, and aerosols are among the seven ESBs that have been breached. The eighth, which has yet to be crossed, falls into two groups. In terms of climate, 1.5 degree Celsius of warming is still "safe," but not "just." At 1°C, the line between "safe and just" was crossed. The worldwide annual mean interhemispheric aerosol optical depth (AOD) difference, which is a proxy for the degree of global air pollution, has likewise not been crossed. The safe ESBs for global warming are based on limiting the likelihood of climatic tipping points while maintaining biosphere and cryosphere functionality. Also watch | Sherpa saves climber in rare Everest 'death zone' rescue “We find that global warming beyond 1°C above pre-industrial levels, which has already been exceeded, carries a moderate likelihood of triggering tipping elements, such as the collapse of the Greenland ice sheet or localised abrupt thawing of the boreal permafrost…above 1.5°C or 2°C warming, the likelihood of triggering tipping points increases to high or very high,” the study states while adding that at 1.5 to 2°C biosphere damage and the risk of global carbon sinks becoming carbon sources, potentially triggering further climate feedbacks, increase substantially. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

7 of 8 climate red lines breached, India now a transgression hotspot: Study

At least 14 wildfires burning in nova scotia, Canada

Groundbreaking analysis find earth's health failing in seven out of eight key parameters.

Earth's health failing in seven out of eight key measures

<p>While the world stands on the verge of breaching the 1.5 degree&nbsp;Celsius threshold set by experts to avert a massive climate change crisis, a new study has revealed that even curbing global heating at the set target may not help developing nations alleviate their sufferings.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study, published in Nature and supported by 70 research and policy centres, highlights that at least 200 million people will be exposed to unlivable heat and 500 million people will face destruction brought by rising seas globally even if the climate targets are achieved.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The just boundary should be set at or below 1C,” the scientists noted. However, it must be noted that the Earth’s temperature has already risen 1.2 degree&nbsp;Celsius than what it was 150 years ago.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Calls made for a new threshold</strong></h2>

<p>Scientists have voiced support for setting a new global standard for curbing global heating. "Nothing less than a just global transformation across all Earth system boundaries is required to ensure human well-being," the authors of the study concluded.</p>

<p>"Such transformations must be systemic across energy, food, urban and other sectors, addressing the economic, technological, political and other drivers of Earth system change, and ensure access for the poor through reductions and reallocation of resource use."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Temperature expected to rise 2.7 degree&nbsp;Celsius by 2100</strong></h2>

<p>Experts have warned that with current policies and attitudes towards climate change, Earth is expected to see a rise of 2.7 degree&nbsp;Celsius in temperature by the century’s end.&nbsp;</p>

<p>We are "putting the stability and resilience of the entire planet at risk," said Johan Rockstrom, lead author of the new study.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;WION Climate Crisis: A decisive battle against climate change</strong></p>

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<p>"If significant harm is to be avoided, the just boundary should be set at or below 1C," the author wrote.</p>

<h2><strong>World expected to breach 1.5 degree&nbsp;Celsius limit</strong></h2>

<p>Nearly 200 nations have based their climate plans on the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degree&nbsp;Celsius above pre-industrial levels. However, with rising carbon emissions and global temperatures, it appears increasingly likely that this target will be exceeded. Climate experts, though, often reluctant to voice it publicly, believe that surpassing the 1.5 degree&nbsp;Celsius threshold is inevitable due to the current rate of warming.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/microorganisms-ability-to-adapt-to-climate-change-can-help-reduce-global-warming-claims-study-597771"><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;Microorganisms` ability to adapt to climate change can help reduce global warming, claims study</strong></a></p>

<p>The implications of this potential overshoot have triggered a debate within the scientific community and policy circles, as it challenges a central pillar of global climate planning.&nbsp;</p>

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While the world stands on the verge of breaching the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold set by experts to avert a massive climate change crisis, a new study has revealed that even curbing global heating at the set target may not help developing nations alleviate their sufferings.

While the world stands on the verge of breaching the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold set by experts to avert a massive climate change crisis, a new study has revealed that even curbing global heating at the set target may not help developing nations alleviate their sufferings. The study, published in Nature and supported by 70 research and policy centres, highlights that at least 200 million people will be exposed to unlivable heat and 500 million people will face destruction brought by rising seas globally even if the climate targets are achieved. “The just boundary should be set at or below 1C,” the scientists noted. However, it must be noted that the Earth’s temperature has already risen 1.2 degree Celsius than what it was 150 years ago. Calls made for a new threshold Scientists have voiced support for setting a new global standard for curbing global heating. "Nothing less than a just global transformation across all Earth system boundaries is required to ensure human well-being," the authors of the study concluded. "Such transformations must be systemic across energy, food, urban and other sectors, addressing the economic, technological, political and other drivers of Earth system change, and ensure access for the poor through reductions and reallocation of resource use." Temperature expected to rise 2.7 degree Celsius by 2100 Experts have warned that with current policies and attitudes towards climate change, Earth is expected to see a rise of 2.7 degree Celsius in temperature by the century’s end. We are "putting the stability and resilience of the entire planet at risk," said Johan Rockstrom, lead author of the new study. Watch: WION Climate Crisis: A decisive battle against climate change × "If significant harm is to be avoided, the just boundary should be set at or below 1C," the author wrote. World expected to breach 1.5 degree Celsius limit Nearly 200 nations have based their climate plans on the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels. However, with rising carbon emissions and global temperatures, it appears increasingly likely that this target will be exceeded. Climate experts, though, often reluctant to voice it publicly, believe that surpassing the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold is inevitable due to the current rate of warming. Also Read | Microorganisms` ability to adapt to climate change can help reduce global warming, claims study The implications of this potential overshoot have triggered a debate within the scientific community and policy circles, as it challenges a central pillar of global climate planning. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

‘Too hot to handle’: Scientists warn even 1.5C of global heating may cause devastation on Earth

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