This year we have witnessed immense climate around the world. From floods that put one-third of Pakistan under water to hurricanes and typhoons. V20 has said that rich countries must urgently develop a plan to assist countries suffering the ravages of extreme weather.

WION Climate Tracker: Rich countries must urgently help climate-threatened nations, says V20

A resolution submitted by pro-whaling countries including Antigua and Barbuda has sought to reopen a formal debate on commercial whaling. The 40-year ban could be overturned after the proposal was submitted at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Portorož, Slovenia.&nbsp;

The 88 member countries are expected to take a vote on Tuesday on the said resolution. This comes after the&nbsp;country&nbsp;has also co-sponsored a resolution with Cambodia, Guinea and the Gambia which argues how fishing practices could contribute to food security and address poverty, said a report by the Guardian.&nbsp;

The report also mentions wildlife protection organisations like OceanCare and HumaneSociety have said that these resolutions threaten the progress made by the IWC. The OceanCare director of international relations, Nicolas Entrup, has dismissed the idea of “sustainable whaling” calling it “ridiculous”.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-announces-iwc-withdrawal-will-resume-commercial-whaling-186510">Japan announces IWC withdrawal, will resume commercial whaling</a>

“Instead of losing precious time with decade-old debates about fabricated scenarios like ‘sustainable whaling’ and false solutions to food security, the IWC should urgently take up the real pressing issues: climate change and plastic pollution,” said Entrup. According to the media report, commercial whaling in the 19th and 20th centuries had nearly brought the mammals to the brink of extinction.&nbsp;

“People assume the whaling ban, which has saved the lives of hundreds and thousands of cetaceans, is done and dusted. But the ban is in jeopardy as long as there are nations in the IWC who will vote to return to whaling,” said Wendy Higgins, director of international media at Humane Society International.&nbsp;

This comes four years after a similar proposal of lifting the ban on commercial whaling by Japan was rejected by the IWC. Tokyo at the time had also said how whaling could be done sustainably.

ALSO WATCH:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-japan-resumes-commercial-whaling-232167">Gravitas: Japan resumes commercial Whaling</a>

At the time, IWC reportedly reiterated its role as a conservation-focused organisation and said that the threats to whales are not just limited to hunting but also include ship strikes, climate crisis and fishing bycatch. Subsequently, Japan left the IWC and started commercial whaling again since it was no longer bound to comply with its restrictions.

This comes amid the IWC facing financial difficulties following Japan’s exit, the Covid pandemic, and the Global economic crisis, said the report. At least a quarter of the 88 member countries have not paid their annual dues. On Monday, the commission also altered the rules that ban countries in arrears from voting acknowledging how the pandemic has disproportionately affected developing countries.&nbsp; 
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A resolution submitted by pro-whaling countries including Antigua and Barbuda has sought to reopen a formal debate on commercial whaling. The 40-year ban could be overturned after the proposal was submitted at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Portorož, Slovenia.

A resolution submitted by pro-whaling countries including Antigua and Barbuda has sought to reopen a formal debate on commercial whaling. The 40-year ban could be overturned after the proposal was submitted at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Portorož, Slovenia. The 88 member countries are expected to take a vote on Tuesday on the said resolution. This comes after the country has also co-sponsored a resolution with Cambodia, Guinea and the Gambia which argues how fishing practices could contribute to food security and address poverty, said a report by the Guardian. The report also mentions wildlife protection organisations like OceanCare and HumaneSociety have said that these resolutions threaten the progress made by the IWC. The OceanCare director of international relations, Nicolas Entrup, has dismissed the idea of “sustainable whaling” calling it “ridiculous”. ALSO READ: Japan announces IWC withdrawal, will resume commercial whaling “Instead of losing precious time with decade-old debates about fabricated scenarios like ‘sustainable whaling’ and false solutions to food security, the IWC should urgently take up the real pressing issues: climate change and plastic pollution,” said Entrup. According to the media report, commercial whaling in the 19th and 20th centuries had nearly brought the mammals to the brink of extinction. “People assume the whaling ban, which has saved the lives of hundreds and thousands of cetaceans, is done and dusted. But the ban is in jeopardy as long as there are nations in the IWC who will vote to return to whaling,” said Wendy Higgins, director of international media at Humane Society International. This comes four years after a similar proposal of lifting the ban on commercial whaling by Japan was rejected by the IWC. Tokyo at the time had also said how whaling could be done sustainably. ALSO WATCH: Gravitas: Japan resumes commercial Whaling At the time, IWC reportedly reiterated its role as a conservation-focused organisation and said that the threats to whales are not just limited to hunting but also include ship strikes, climate crisis and fishing bycatch. Subsequently, Japan left the IWC and started commercial whaling again since it was no longer bound to comply with its restrictions. This comes amid the IWC facing financial difficulties following Japan’s exit, the Covid pandemic, and the Global economic crisis, said the report. At least a quarter of the 88 member countries have not paid their annual dues. On Monday, the commission also altered the rules that ban countries in arrears from voting acknowledging how the pandemic has disproportionately affected developing countries. 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.

Antigua and Barbuda proposes to overturn decades-old ban on commercial whaling

Nigeria is amid the worst flooding that the country has witnessed in a decade, as of Sunday, at least 600 people have been killed and more than 2 million have been affected. According to the country’s humanitarian ministry, the southern region experienced particularly heavy rains.&nbsp;

The ministry also indicated that more than 200,000 homes have been completely or partially damaged by the flooding and at least 1.4 million people have been displaced. The minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, during the update on October 16 said at least 110,000 hectares of farmland have submerged.&nbsp;

Furthermore, the flooding is expected to continue until the end of November, said the country’s meteorological agency. This comes amid Nigeria’s seasonal flooding, however, this year has been significantly worse which the government has reportedly attributed to unusually heavy rains due to climate change.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/some-440-inmates-on-run-after-suspected-boko-haram-raid-on-nigeria-prison-495077">Some 440 inmates on run after suspected Boko Haram raid on Nigeria prison</a>

Meanwhile, the country’s National Emergency Management Agency did warn of catastrophic flooding for states along the Niger and Benue rivers, adding that three of the country’s overfilled reservoirs were expected to overflow. This is in addition to the emergency release of excess water from both dams in the west African country and in neighbouring Cameroon which has also contributed to these devastating floods, said NEMA.&nbsp;

In a press conference, on Sunday, the minister of humanitarian affairs said, “We are calling on the respective State Governments, Local Government Councils and Communities to prepare for more flooding by evacuating people living on flood plains to high grounds, provide tents and relief materials, fresh water as well as medical supplies for a possible outbreak of water-borne diseases.” She added that despite efforts and early warnings many states "did not prepare" for the flooding.&nbsp;

According to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, floods have affected 33 out of the 36 states in the country, with at least 700,000 people being displaced in the southern state of Bayelsa alone. He also asked all the federal agencies to ramp up their rescue and disaster management response. Reportedly, Buhari has also ordered 12,000 metric tonnes of food from the country’s strategic reserve to help communities, said media reports.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-advertising-watchdog-sues-meta-seeks-usd-50-million-for-violation-of-laws-523140">Nigeria: Advertising watchdog sues Meta, seeks USD 50 million for violation of laws </a>&nbsp;

The United Nations has previously also said how countries like Nigeria face intense effects of climate change and the country is also at risk of frequent and intense flooding. According to the UN in 2019 more than 200,000 people were affected by the floods and at least 158 were killed.&nbsp;

While the World Food Programme and the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) last month indicated that the west African nation is also among six countries facing a high risk of catastrophic levels of hunger.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Nigeria is amid the worst flooding that the country has witnessed in a decade, as of Sunday, at least 600 people have been killed and more than 2 million have been affected.

Nigeria is amid the worst flooding that the country has witnessed in a decade, as of Sunday, at least 600 people have been killed and more than 2 million have been affected. According to the country’s humanitarian ministry, the southern region experienced particularly heavy rains. The ministry also indicated that more than 200,000 homes have been completely or partially damaged by the flooding and at least 1.4 million people have been displaced. The minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, during the update on October 16 said at least 110,000 hectares of farmland have submerged. Furthermore, the flooding is expected to continue until the end of November, said the country’s meteorological agency. This comes amid Nigeria’s seasonal flooding, however, this year has been significantly worse which the government has reportedly attributed to unusually heavy rains due to climate change. ALSO READ: Some 440 inmates on run after suspected Boko Haram raid on Nigeria prison Meanwhile, the country’s National Emergency Management Agency did warn of catastrophic flooding for states along the Niger and Benue rivers, adding that three of the country’s overfilled reservoirs were expected to overflow. This is in addition to the emergency release of excess water from both dams in the west African country and in neighbouring Cameroon which has also contributed to these devastating floods, said NEMA. In a press conference, on Sunday, the minister of humanitarian affairs said, “We are calling on the respective State Governments, Local Government Councils and Communities to prepare for more flooding by evacuating people living on flood plains to high grounds, provide tents and relief materials, fresh water as well as medical supplies for a possible outbreak of water-borne diseases.” She added that despite efforts and early warnings many states "did not prepare" for the flooding. According to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, floods have affected 33 out of the 36 states in the country, with at least 700,000 people being displaced in the southern state of Bayelsa alone. He also asked all the federal agencies to ramp up their rescue and disaster management response. Reportedly, Buhari has also ordered 12,000 metric tonnes of food from the country’s strategic reserve to help communities, said media reports. ALSO READ: Nigeria: Advertising watchdog sues Meta, seeks USD 50 million for violation of laws The United Nations has previously also said how countries like Nigeria face intense effects of climate change and the country is also at risk of frequent and intense flooding. According to the UN in 2019 more than 200,000 people were affected by the floods and at least 158 were killed. While the World Food Programme and the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) last month indicated that the west African nation is also among six countries facing a high risk of catastrophic levels of hunger. (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.

Nigeria: Over 600 killed, 1.4 million displaced amid catastrophic flooding

After Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers', climate activists on Sunday (October 16) targeted an Aston Martin showroom in London. The climate campaigners have sprayed orange paint over the showroom of the luxury carmaker on the city's Park Lane during a protest by activists 'Just Stop Oil'.&nbsp;

Photographs showed that at least one activist was being detained at the scene. But there's no official statement yet.&nbsp;

As quoted by AFP, a 19-year-old pregnant mother Chloe Thomas said she was fighting to protect the next generations of humanity.&nbsp;

"How do I explain to my daughter in the years to come where the animals went, where the culture went, where the beauty went, why there are no bees and why I can't put food in her tummy?" she said.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-finance-minister-has-no-desire-to-succeed-truss-says-more-political-instability-would-be-worst-thing-525933">UK finance minister has no desire to succeed Truss, says more political instability would be 'worst thing'</a>

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İklim aktivistleri, Aston Martin showroomunu spreyle boyadı. 
 
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— Lillie Almond (@lilliealmond) <a href="https://twitter.com/lilliealmond/status/1581611784783290372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
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This comes after tomato soup was thrown on Vincent Van Gogh's painting in the National Gallery by two protesters. The incident was condemned by social media users.&nbsp;

One user wrote on Twitter: "Targeting internationally important works of art won't increase support for your cause, or create change. It'll just turn people who have always supported the protests and the need for change against you, whilst giving bait to right wing hacks."&nbsp;

In London, there's a wave of "direct action" protests to address climate change but the government has vowed new powers for police to halt such incidents of "vandalism".&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/woke-climate-activists-throw-tomato-soup-at-84-million-van-gogh-painting-525661">'Woke' climate activists throw tomato soup at $84 million Van Gogh painting</a>&nbsp;

UK's Home Secretary Suella Braverman said she was introducing stronger legislation this week to counter citizen protests by groups such as Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion.&nbsp;

Under the plan, the government would be able to apply for legal injunctions to outlaw such protests ahead of time, and make it easier for police to protect "essential" goods, services and infrastructure.&nbsp;

Braverman said in a statement: "I will not bend to protestors attempting to hold the British public to ransom. This serious and dangerous disruption, let alone the vandalism, is not a freedom of expression, nor a human right. It must stop."&nbsp;

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After Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers', climate activists on Sunday (October 16) targeted an Aston Martin showroom in London. The climate campaigners have sprayed orange paint over the showroom of the luxury carmaker on the city's Park Lane during a protest by activists 'Just Stop Oil'.

After Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers', climate activists on Sunday (October 16) targeted an Aston Martin showroom in London. The climate campaigners have sprayed orange paint over the showroom of the luxury carmaker on the city's Park Lane during a protest by activists 'Just Stop Oil'. Photographs showed that at least one activist was being detained at the scene. But there's no official statement yet. As quoted by AFP, a 19-year-old pregnant mother Chloe Thomas said she was fighting to protect the next generations of humanity. "How do I explain to my daughter in the years to come where the animals went, where the culture went, where the beauty went, why there are no bees and why I can't put food in her tummy?" she said. ALSO READ | UK finance minister has no desire to succeed Truss, says more political instability would be 'worst thing' İklim aktivistleri, Aston Martin showroomunu spreyle boyadı. pic.twitter.com/yazLvf38tx — BPT (@bpthaber) October 16, 2022 × .@JustStop_Oil activists have sprayed orange paint at the Aston Martin car showroom on Park Lane pic.twitter.com/juDspEBUX4 — Lillie Almond (@lilliealmond) October 16, 2022 × This comes after tomato soup was thrown on Vincent Van Gogh's painting in the National Gallery by two protesters. The incident was condemned by social media users. One user wrote on Twitter: "Targeting internationally important works of art won't increase support for your cause, or create change. It'll just turn people who have always supported the protests and the need for change against you, whilst giving bait to right wing hacks." In London, there's a wave of "direct action" protests to address climate change but the government has vowed new powers for police to halt such incidents of "vandalism". ALSO READ | 'Woke' climate activists throw tomato soup at $84 million Van Gogh painting UK's Home Secretary Suella Braverman said she was introducing stronger legislation this week to counter citizen protests by groups such as Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion. Under the plan, the government would be able to apply for legal injunctions to outlaw such protests ahead of time, and make it easier for police to protect "essential" goods, services and infrastructure. Braverman said in a statement: "I will not bend to protestors attempting to hold the British public to ransom. This serious and dangerous disruption, let alone the vandalism, is not a freedom of expression, nor a human right. It must stop." 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.

After Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers', climate activists spray-paint on Aston Martin showroom in London - Watch

The travel industry is known to contribute heavily to world's greenhouse gas emissions especially through transportation. In a bit to tackle the climate disasters looming ahead, the travel industry has been urged to prove its commitment to sustainability before it is too late.

WION Climate Tracker: Tourism generates 8% to 11% of world's greenhouse emissions

Two woke anti-oil activists on Friday created a ruckus at the National Gallery in London by throwing tomato soup at Vincent Van Gogh’s painting ‘Sunflowers'. The said perpetrators have been linked to a group named 'Just Stop Oil'.

Two woke anti-oil activists on Friday created a ruckus at the National Gallery in London by throwing tomato soup at Vincent Van Gogh’s painting ‘Sunflowers'. The said perpetrators have been linked to a group named 'Just Stop Oil'. They threw soup on the $84.2 million painting to protest fossil fuel extraction. The two activists have been identified as Phoebe Plummer, 21, from London and Anna Holland, 20, from Newcastle. After splashing the soup, the duo glued themselves to the wall, much to the abject surprise of the crowd gathered in room 43 of the gallery. “What is worth more, art or life?” Plummer could be heard shouting after the incident while Holland added, “Is it worth more than food? More than justice? Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting or the protection of our planet and people?" Informing about the incident, National Gallery in a statement said, "At just after 11 am this morning two people entered Room 43 of the National Gallery. The pair appeared to glue themselves to the wall adjacent to Van Gogh's Sunflowers (1888). They also threw a red substance - what appears to be tomato soup - over the painting." "The room was cleared of visitors and police were called. Officers are now on the scene. There is some minor damage to the frame but the painting is unharmed," it read further. The Metropolitan Police said the offenders have been arrested for criminal damage and aggravated trespass. The netizens weren't amused by the duo's vandalisation attempt. One netizen quote tweeted the video shared by Just Stop Oil and said, "Literally makes no sense. Targeting internationally important works of art won't increase support for your cause, or create change. It'll just turn people who have always supported the protests and the need for change against you, whilst giving bait to right wing hacks." Literally makes no sense. Targeting internationally important works of art won't increase support for your cause, or create change. It'll just turn people who have always supported the protests and the need for change against you, whilst giving bait to right wing hacks. — Great British Break Off (@gr8britbreakoff) October 14, 2022 × Meanwhile, another added, "The left-wing eco-terrorist organisation Just Stop Oil maintains its Twitter account. @Twitter, where are you now? The limit of your tolerance should be the use of violence." The left-wing eco-terrorist organisation Just Stop Oil maintains its Twitter account. @Twitter, where are you now? The limit of your tolerance should be the use of violence.#cancelJustStop_Oil https://t.co/KK0ZKS9tMt — JOSE GEFAELL (@ChGefaell) October 15, 2022 × "Here's some free advice for you folks, "any publicity is good publicity" hasn't been true for over 30 years now, doing stuns like these just makes people hate your cause, so, if you wanna do something important, don't go around destroying irreplaceable treasures of humanity," said another netizen, not amused by the activists' actions. Here's some free advice for you folks, "any publicity is good publicity" hasn't been true for over 30 years now, doing stuns like these just makes people hate your cause, so, if you wanna do something important, don't go around destroying irreplaceable treasures of humanity. https://t.co/Yy3KtzPSw5 — 🔞Magra 🔞 (@Magra215) October 15, 2022 × Notably, this is not the first incidence of 'Just Stop Oil' activists taking a rather dire approach to make their voices heard. As reported by WION, in July, two activists of the organisation used a similar modus operandi and glued themselves to Van Gogh's "Peach Trees in Blossom" painting at the London gallery while protesting against former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s climate policies. Read more: British climate activists glue hand to Van Gogh painting to protest UK govt’s climate policies According to Just Stop Oil, the 1899 painting of the bucolic landscape was targeted because the region it depicts in Provence may soon experience severe drought. "We don't want to be doing this," Louis McKechnie, one of the pair claiming to have attached himself to the Van Gogh work, told onlookers at the London gallery, according to footage shared by "Just Stop Oil", according to AFP. The group, infamous for its actions has been advocating for a fossil-fuel future in the UK. They have demanded that the UK government immediately stop licensing new fossil fuel exploration, development and production projects. However, their actions haven't gone down well with the public. Read more: Australia: Two climate activists glue themselves to Picasso's painting (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Woke' climate activists throw tomato soup at $84 million Van Gogh painting

Due to disrupted water cycles and changing climate patterns, some countries have been facing a shortage of water while others have been faced with life-threatening abundances of it.

2.1 Million struggle with hunger in Chad, spike in number of children hospitalised with malnutrition

A study published in the journal Nature Astronomy suggests that ancient Mars was also hit by climate change triggered by Ancient microbes.

This study suggests ancient Mars was also hit by climate change

Climate change for all the damage it is causing has brought about weather conditions which are proving to be a boon for the winemakers in the UK, our next report has all the details.

WION Climate Tracker | Climate Change: A boon for winemakers

At least 477 pilot whales have died in New Zealand after being stranded on two beaches. According to officials, none of the whales could be refloated. Some died naturally while others were euthanized

WION Climate Tracker: Pilot whales die in New Zealand after being stranded on beach

Experts now fear that butterflies are on a decline despite the spell of sunny weather. According to the wildlife charity, Butterfly Conservation, butterfly numbers are still worryingly low.

WION Climate Tracker: Conservationists say butterfly numbers 'worryingly low'

Living in the era of climate change, a vicious cycle of food insecurity has emerged. Will COP27 save the continent from vagaries of Global Warming and avert a disaster? Erik Njoka reports.

World of Africa: Surviving perils of climate change in Africa

Beavers are now a protected species in England. The decision comes around 400 years after the species was hunted to extinction.

WION Climate Tracker: Britain makes 'disturbing' beavers illegal

Griffon vultures which were once a thriving population in Cyprus and performed the vital job of clearing carcasses that could otherwise spread disease are on the brink of extinction on the Mediterranean island due to poisoning but in an attempt to boost its population Cyprus has released the vultures into the wild.

WION Climate Tracker: Cyprus gets eight Griffon vultures from Spain

New Zealand’s government on Tuesday proposed taxing the greenhouse gasses that farm animals make from burping and peeing as part of a plan to tackle climate change. But farmers quickly condemned the plan.

World Business Watch: New Zealand proposes taxing cow burps, angering farmers

Heatwaves will become so extreme in certain regions of the world within decades that human life there will be unsustainable, the United Nations and the Red Cross said Monday.

Heatwaves are predicted to "exceed human physiological and social limits" in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and south and southwest Asia, with extreme events triggering "large-scale suffering and loss of life", the organisations said.

Heatwave catastrophes this year in countries like Somalia and Pakistan foreshadow a future with deadlier, more frequent, and more intense heat-related humanitarian emergencies, they warned in a joint report.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/heatwaves-in-pakistan-and-india-30-times-more-likely-due-to-climate-change-study-501687">Read more:&nbsp;Heatwaves in Pakistan and India '30 times more likely' due to climate change: Study</a>

The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) released the report in advance of next month's UN's COP27 climate change summit in Egypt.

They said aggressive steps needed to be taken immediately to avert potentially recurrent heat disasters, listing steps that could mitigate the worst effects of extreme heat.

"There are clear limits beyond which people exposed to extreme heat and humidity cannot survive," the report said.

"There are also likely to be levels of extreme heat beyond which societies may find it practically impossible to deliver effective adaptation for all.

"On current trajectories, heatwaves could meet and exceed these physiological and social limits in the coming decades, including in regions such as the Sahel and south and southwest Asia."

It warned that the impact of this would be "large-scale suffering and loss of life, population movements and further entrenched inequality."

The combined effects of ageing, warming and urbanisation would cause a significant increase in the number of at-risk people in developing countries in the coming decades.

"Projected future death rates from extreme heat are staggeringly high and comparable in magnitude by the end of the century to all cancers or all infectious diseases and staggeringly unequal," the report said.

Agricultural workers, children, the elderly and pregnant and breastfeeding women are at higher risk of illness and death, the report claimed.

"As the climate crisis goes unchecked, extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and floods, are hitting the most vulnerable people the hardest," said UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths.

"Nowhere is the impact more brutally felt than in countries already reeling from hunger, conflict and poverty."

IFRC Secretary-General Jagan Chapagain urged countries at COP27 to invest in climate adaptation and mitigation in the regions most at risk.

OCHA and the IFRC suggested five main steps to help combat the impact of extreme heatwaves, including providing early information to help people and authorities react in time, and finding new ways of financing local-level action.

They also included humanitarian organisations testing more "thermally-appropriate" emergency shelter and "cooling centres", while getting communities to alter their development planning to take account of likely extreme heat impacts.

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Heatwaves will become so extreme in certain regions of the world within decades that human life there will be unsustainable, the United Nations and the Red Cross said Monday.

Heatwaves will become so extreme in certain regions of the world within decades that human life there will be unsustainable, the United Nations and the Red Cross said Monday. Heatwaves are predicted to "exceed human physiological and social limits" in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and south and southwest Asia, with extreme events triggering "large-scale suffering and loss of life", the organisations said. Heatwave catastrophes this year in countries like Somalia and Pakistan foreshadow a future with deadlier, more frequent, and more intense heat-related humanitarian emergencies, they warned in a joint report. Read more: Heatwaves in Pakistan and India '30 times more likely' due to climate change: Study The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) released the report in advance of next month's UN's COP27 climate change summit in Egypt. They said aggressive steps needed to be taken immediately to avert potentially recurrent heat disasters, listing steps that could mitigate the worst effects of extreme heat. "There are clear limits beyond which people exposed to extreme heat and humidity cannot survive," the report said. "There are also likely to be levels of extreme heat beyond which societies may find it practically impossible to deliver effective adaptation for all. "On current trajectories, heatwaves could meet and exceed these physiological and social limits in the coming decades, including in regions such as the Sahel and south and southwest Asia." It warned that the impact of this would be "large-scale suffering and loss of life, population movements and further entrenched inequality." The combined effects of ageing, warming and urbanisation would cause a significant increase in the number of at-risk people in developing countries in the coming decades. "Projected future death rates from extreme heat are staggeringly high and comparable in magnitude by the end of the century to all cancers or all infectious diseases and staggeringly unequal," the report said. Agricultural workers, children, the elderly and pregnant and breastfeeding women are at higher risk of illness and death, the report claimed. "As the climate crisis goes unchecked, extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and floods, are hitting the most vulnerable people the hardest," said UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths. "Nowhere is the impact more brutally felt than in countries already reeling from hunger, conflict and poverty." IFRC Secretary-General Jagan Chapagain urged countries at COP27 to invest in climate adaptation and mitigation in the regions most at risk. OCHA and the IFRC suggested five main steps to help combat the impact of extreme heatwaves, including providing early information to help people and authorities react in time, and finding new ways of financing local-level action. They also included humanitarian organisations testing more "thermally-appropriate" emergency shelter and "cooling centres", while getting communities to alter their development planning to take account of likely extreme heat impacts. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Life may become unsustainable due to extreme heatwaves, say UN and Red Cross

For the fourth time in the past six years, Scotland is entirely snow-free. The Sphinx in the Cairngorms, which had previously been the UK's longest-lasting snow patch, has melted.

The infamous patch had vanished in the last 24 hours, according to snow expert Iain Cameron's report on Friday.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Another wonderfully atmospheric day at Garbh Choire Mòr to check whether the last patch of snow in Scotland survived the recent deluges. Amazingly, the Sphinx continues to hang on for dear life. <a href="https://t.co/VHEo4DDJNt">pic.twitter.com/VHEo4DDJNt</a>
— Iain Cameron (@theiaincameron) <a href="https://twitter.com/theiaincameron/status/1576595938461696001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Only nine times in the last 300 years has it melted; this is the fourth time it has gone in the last six years. According to Cameron, climate change is probably an influence, as reported by BBC.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scientists-look-to-the-humble-oyster-to-save-californias-coasts-524084">In an attempt to save California's coasts, scientists go in for the humble oyster</a>

The Sphinx, a 1,296m (4,252ft) Munro on remote Braeriach, has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/36-years-after-catastrophic-event-chernobyl-disaster-spawns-mutant-frogs-523687">disappeared</a> more often over the past 18 years.

Records show that it has already dissolved completely in the years 1933, 1959, 1996, 2003, 2006, 2017, 2018, and this year, 2022.

It is believed that the last time it melted completely was in the 1700s, before 1933.

Since the 1960s, researchers have also noticed a tendency toward warmer weather, and they predicted that by the 2080s, Cairngorm would experience some years with little to no snowfall.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/fishes-feel-pain-stress-and-anxiety-organisation-introduces-proposal-for-their-humane-slaughter-523756">Fish feel 'pain, stress and anxiety': Organisation introduces proposal for their 'humane slaughter'</a>

A corrie, often known as a depression created by ice or a glacier during the last ice age, is where the Sphinx is located.

Because of the amount of snow it can keep covered even throughout the summer, Garbh Choire Mor is known as Scotland's snowiest corrie.

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For the fourth time in the past six years, Scotland is entirely snow-free. The Sphinx in the Cairngorms, which had previously been the UK's longest-lasting snow patch, has melted.

For the fourth time in the past six years, Scotland is entirely snow-free. The Sphinx in the Cairngorms, which had previously been the UK's longest-lasting snow patch, has melted. The infamous patch had vanished in the last 24 hours, according to snow expert Iain Cameron's report on Friday. Another wonderfully atmospheric day at Garbh Choire Mòr to check whether the last patch of snow in Scotland survived the recent deluges. Amazingly, the Sphinx continues to hang on for dear life. pic.twitter.com/VHEo4DDJNt — Iain Cameron (@theiaincameron) October 2, 2022 × Only nine times in the last 300 years has it melted; this is the fourth time it has gone in the last six years. According to Cameron, climate change is probably an influence, as reported by BBC. Also read | In an attempt to save California's coasts, scientists go in for the humble oyster The Sphinx, a 1,296m (4,252ft) Munro on remote Braeriach, has disappeared more often over the past 18 years. Records show that it has already dissolved completely in the years 1933, 1959, 1996, 2003, 2006, 2017, 2018, and this year, 2022. It is believed that the last time it melted completely was in the 1700s, before 1933. Since the 1960s, researchers have also noticed a tendency toward warmer weather, and they predicted that by the 2080s, Cairngorm would experience some years with little to no snowfall. Also read | Fish feel 'pain, stress and anxiety': Organisation introduces proposal for their 'humane slaughter' A corrie, often known as a depression created by ice or a glacier during the last ice age, is where the Sphinx is located. Because of the amount of snow it can keep covered even throughout the summer, Garbh Choire Mor is known as Scotland's snowiest corrie. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Snow-free' Scotland: No snow in the country for fourth time in six years

COP27 has been accused of hypocrisy for striking a sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola. Campaigners are calling it an attempt to 'greenwash' the brand's image. What were the organisers thinking? Here's what Molly Gambhir has to say.

Gravitas: COP27 accused of climate hypocrisy

The year 2022 is the year of breaking records. The latest record which has been broken is after 164 years when Sydney recorded its wettest year with almost three months of the year still to go.

WION Climate Tracker: Sydney experienced 2200 millimetres of rain this year

2022 has witnessed immense climate impact around the world. From floods that put one third of Pakistan underwater to Europe's hottest summer in 500 years to hurricanes and typhoons that have hammered the Philippines, Cuba and the US State of Florida.

WION Climate Tracker: World leaders to arrive in Egypt to attend cop27

Rising sea levels caused by climate change are flooding homes on the coast of Indonesia Central Java. Some residents who have been forced to abandon their Villages and start new lives elsewhere bear the brunt.

WION Climate Tracker | Indonesia: People forced to leave houses in Timbulsloko village

On Wednesday, scientists indicated that climate change has contributed to making record drought across the northern hemisphere this summer at least 20 times more likely. These findings are especially alarming considering without human-induced global heating they would expect such an event only once every four centuries.&nbsp;

“The 2022 summer has shown how human-induced climate change is increasing the risks of droughts in densely populated and cultivated regions,” said Professor&nbsp;Sonia Seneviratne&nbsp;of ETH Zurich, Switzerland, who is also a part of the analysis team. She also warned that we need to phase out burning fossil fuels to prevent “more frequent and more intense droughts”.&nbsp;

According to experts, the intensity of the summer heat in 2022 would have been “virtually impossible” without global heating. In Europe&nbsp;alone, heat waves caused nearly 24,000 heat-related fatalities. These heat-related drought conditions have led to food shortages in the Western US and critically low water levels in rivers in countries like Germany. These conditions have also caused food prices to soar across the world.&nbsp;

The new study is published by 21 members of the World Weather Attribution group, using peer-reviewed methods. The group is a global collective of scientists who examine and analyse ties between extreme weather events and human-caused climate change.&nbsp; 
 
ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/significant-milestone-hole-in-the-ozone-layer-will-close-in-the-next-50-years-520882">'Significant milestone': Hole in the ozone layer will close in the next 50 years</a>

According to reports, their key drought metric is calculating the changes in soil moisture and for this study, they analysed soil moisture levels in June, July and August of this year, in the top metre of soil, where plants take up water. Subsequently, the scientists used weather and soil data with computer models to compare and predict the likelihood of summer drought in the context of today’s global warming and in a world without it. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This comes amid the record drought already affecting crop production and power supplies, this is in addition to the food and energy crisis sparked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These dry conditions have been assessed by collecting and using data on soil moisture and have been attributed to heatwaves that swept across North America, Europe and Asia, with lower rainfall relatively less important.&nbsp;

The study examined conditions across the northern hemisphere excluding the tropical regions. Scientists also focused on western and central Europe where the drought was particularly severe and led to a significant reduction in crop yields. Reportedly, the summer in Europe this year was the driest on record which dates back to 1950 and it was the second driest on record in the northern hemisphere after 2012.&nbsp;

The primary cause for an increase in drought likelihood has been attributed to warmer temperatures, said the study. “In Europe, drought conditions led to reduced harvests. This was particularly worrying as it followed a climate change-fuelled heatwave in (India and Pakistan) that also destroyed crops, and happened at a time when global food prices were already extremely high due to the war in Ukraine.” said team member, Dr Friederike Otto, at Imperial College London, UK.&nbsp; 
 
ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/report-uks-drax-renewable-energy-power-station-cuts-down-primary-forest-in-canada-522193">UK’s Drax renewable energy power station cuts down primary forest in Canada, says report</a>

Speaking about South Asian countries, scientists had already found that the deadly heatwave in the region was made 30 times more likely by human-induced climate change. Additionally, the intense rainfall, which caused devastating floods across Pakistan, earlier this year, was made 50% worse due to global warming, said the study.&nbsp;

“This new study clearly points to the fingerprint of climate change and should be another wake-up call to reduce emissions, but also to invest more in resilience,” said professor and director of the Red Cross’s Red Crescent climate centre, Maarten van Aalst.&nbsp;

In a world with climate change, the record northern hemisphere drought of 2022 would be expected at least once every 20 years. On the other hand, without climate change, such an event would be experienced only once every 400 years. The study also indicates that the drought experienced in western and central Europe was made at least three to four times more likely by global warming.&nbsp;

The analysis is complicated and carries uncertainties, but the estimates in the study are conservative, said the scientists. They added, with the real influence of human activities likely they might even be higher than what the study shows.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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On Wednesday, scientists indicated that climate change has contributed to making record drought across the northern hemisphere this summer at least 20 times more likely.

On Wednesday, scientists indicated that climate change has contributed to making record drought across the northern hemisphere this summer at least 20 times more likely. These findings are especially alarming considering without human-induced global heating they would expect such an event only once every four centuries. “The 2022 summer has shown how human-induced climate change is increasing the risks of droughts in densely populated and cultivated regions,” said Professor Sonia Seneviratne of ETH Zurich, Switzerland, who is also a part of the analysis team. She also warned that we need to phase out burning fossil fuels to prevent “more frequent and more intense droughts”. According to experts, the intensity of the summer heat in 2022 would have been “virtually impossible” without global heating. In Europe alone, heat waves caused nearly 24,000 heat-related fatalities. These heat-related drought conditions have led to food shortages in the Western US and critically low water levels in rivers in countries like Germany. These conditions have also caused food prices to soar across the world. The new study is published by 21 members of the World Weather Attribution group, using peer-reviewed methods. The group is a global collective of scientists who examine and analyse ties between extreme weather events and human-caused climate change. ALSO READ: 'Significant milestone': Hole in the ozone layer will close in the next 50 years According to reports, their key drought metric is calculating the changes in soil moisture and for this study, they analysed soil moisture levels in June, July and August of this year, in the top metre of soil, where plants take up water. Subsequently, the scientists used weather and soil data with computer models to compare and predict the likelihood of summer drought in the context of today’s global warming and in a world without it. This comes amid the record drought already affecting crop production and power supplies, this is in addition to the food and energy crisis sparked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These dry conditions have been assessed by collecting and using data on soil moisture and have been attributed to heatwaves that swept across North America, Europe and Asia, with lower rainfall relatively less important. The study examined conditions across the northern hemisphere excluding the tropical regions. Scientists also focused on western and central Europe where the drought was particularly severe and led to a significant reduction in crop yields. Reportedly, the summer in Europe this year was the driest on record which dates back to 1950 and it was the second driest on record in the northern hemisphere after 2012. The primary cause for an increase in drought likelihood has been attributed to warmer temperatures, said the study. “In Europe, drought conditions led to reduced harvests. This was particularly worrying as it followed a climate change-fuelled heatwave in (India and Pakistan) that also destroyed crops, and happened at a time when global food prices were already extremely high due to the war in Ukraine.” said team member, Dr Friederike Otto, at Imperial College London, UK. ALSO READ: UK’s Drax renewable energy power station cuts down primary forest in Canada, says report Speaking about South Asian countries, scientists had already found that the deadly heatwave in the region was made 30 times more likely by human-induced climate change. Additionally, the intense rainfall, which caused devastating floods across Pakistan, earlier this year, was made 50% worse due to global warming, said the study. “This new study clearly points to the fingerprint of climate change and should be another wake-up call to reduce emissions, but also to invest more in resilience,” said professor and director of the Red Cross’s Red Crescent climate centre, Maarten van Aalst. In a world with climate change, the record northern hemisphere drought of 2022 would be expected at least once every 20 years. On the other hand, without climate change, such an event would be experienced only once every 400 years. The study also indicates that the drought experienced in western and central Europe was made at least three to four times more likely by global warming. The analysis is complicated and carries uncertainties, but the estimates in the study are conservative, said the scientists. They added, with the real influence of human activities likely they might even be higher than what the study shows. (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.

Human-induced climate change made summer drought ‘at least 20 times’ more likely, study finds

Since the Paris agreement was inked in 2015, the World Bank has financed fossil fuel related projects worth around $15 billion, a study has claimed.

Big Shift Global, a coalition of more than 50 NGOs, in its report ‘Investing in Climate Disaster: World Bank Group Finance for Fossil Fuels’, said that the global institution and its subsidiaries have been funding “upstream” oil and gas projects for several years.

The study, which was published on Thursday, claims that the bank’s direct involvement acted as a catalyst for other private entities to invest heavily&nbsp;in high-carbon emission projects

From 2018 to 2021, the World Bank reportedly used financial intermediaries in the form of banks or financial institutions, or sometimes private equity funds or commercial banks, for funding, it said.

The report said that these indirect funding streams were a “major loophole” in the bank’s climate policy.

“It’s pretty damning. The World Bank takes a leadership role, and in some cases can provide just a small amount of support that facilitates much bigger investments from elsewhere. They have huge amounts of leverage, and we have found many cases where that has been used unhelpfully, in climate terms,” Kat Kramer, author of the report, told the Guardian.

The study also claimed to have found World Bank’s involvement in helping with indirect funding for coal projects, despite ending direct funding in 2010.

However, a spokesperson of the World Bank refuted the claims made by the report highlighting that the institution had also invested heavily in green projects.

“We dispute the findings of the report. It makes inaccurate assumptions about the World Bank Group’s lending. In fiscal year 2022, the Bank Group delivered a record $31.7bn for climate-related investments, to help communities around the world respond to the climate crisis, and build a safer and cleaner future,” the spokesperson told the Guardian.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Since the Paris agreement was inked in 2015, the World Bank has financed fossil fuel related projects worth around $15 billion, a study has claimed. Big Shift Global, a coalition of more than 50 NGOs, in its report ‘Investing in Climate Disaster: World Bank Group Finance for Fossil Fuels’, said that the global institution and its subsidiaries have been funding “upstream” oil and gas projects for several years.

Since the Paris agreement was inked in 2015, the World Bank has financed fossil fuel related projects worth around $15 billion, a study has claimed. Big Shift Global, a coalition of more than 50 NGOs, in its report ‘Investing in Climate Disaster: World Bank Group Finance for Fossil Fuels’, said that the global institution and its subsidiaries have been funding “upstream” oil and gas projects for several years. The study, which was published on Thursday, claims that the bank’s direct involvement acted as a catalyst for other private entities to invest heavily in high-carbon emission projects From 2018 to 2021, the World Bank reportedly used financial intermediaries in the form of banks or financial institutions, or sometimes private equity funds or commercial banks, for funding, it said. The report said that these indirect funding streams were a “major loophole” in the bank’s climate policy. “It’s pretty damning. The World Bank takes a leadership role, and in some cases can provide just a small amount of support that facilitates much bigger investments from elsewhere. They have huge amounts of leverage, and we have found many cases where that has been used unhelpfully, in climate terms,” Kat Kramer, author of the report, told the Guardian. The study also claimed to have found World Bank’s involvement in helping with indirect funding for coal projects, despite ending direct funding in 2010. However, a spokesperson of the World Bank refuted the claims made by the report highlighting that the institution had also invested heavily in green projects. “We dispute the findings of the report. It makes inaccurate assumptions about the World Bank Group’s lending. In fiscal year 2022, the Bank Group delivered a record $31.7bn for climate-related investments, to help communities around the world respond to the climate crisis, and build a safer and cleaner future,” the spokesperson told the Guardian. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

World Bank financed fossil fuel projects worth $15bn since Paris Agreement: Report

Climate change has been causing extreme weather events across the world. In southern Chile, there is a town where the unique environment can offer new insights to scientists who are keen to study climate change.

WION Climate Tracker | Navarino island's organisms help climate research

The Galapagos island are one of the world's major diversity hotspots. The fragile ecosystem is under threat from a fruit and a fly that were introduced to the islands by human beings.

WION Climate Tracker: Invasive species threaten Galapagos islands

Global warming is rapidly melting Arctic sea ice and turning the ocean water acidic. This chemical change could prove disastrous for marine organisms and human beings.

Gravitas: Global warming making our oceans acidic

Lebanon is often held as being rich in water but due to the climate crisis its farming communities are struggling to keep their soil from drying up.

WION Climate Change | Lebanon: Farming communities struggle to keep their soil from dying

Floods in Pakistan have killed more than 1,600 people. It has also caused damage worth around 30 billion dollars. To make matters worse, waterborne diseases are also on the rise due to stagnant water.

WION Climate Tracker | Pakistan: Citizens suffer from water-borne diseases

Hurricane Ian has left a massive trail of devastation in Florida as well as the Carolinas. The storm has claimed more than 80 lives so far. The hurricane is expected to rise further.

WION Climate Tracker: Climate change intensified Ian's downpour by 10%

Polar bears in Canada are seeing the first-hand consequence of climate change. Every year, starting in late June when the bay ice disappears, they have to move on to the shores to begin a period of force fasting.

WION Climate Tracker: Polar bears in Canada forced into fasting due to receding ice

Switzerland glaciers have recorded their worst melting rate since records began more than a century ago. They have lost 6% of their volume this year, which is nearly the double the previous record of 2003.

WION Climate Tracker | Switzerland's melting glaciers: Rise in temperature melting them away

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