Climate change is altering life on our planet in all ways possible: climate patterns have become more unpredictable, bizarre weather is the new normal, and extreme temperatures a common occurrence across the world.

Now, scientists have predicted the temperature of Antarctic peninsula in the coming decades. By 2044, the temperature in Arctic will increase by 0.5 to 1.5 degree Celsius, the study posits.

Precipitation in the peninsula is also expected to increase by 5-10 per cent around the same time. Precipitation is a threat to ice if&nbsp;it appears in the form of rain.

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Lead author &nbsp;of the study, David Bromwich from The Ohio State University was quoted by IANS as saying - “We are concerned about these findings. We’ve been seeing overall quite big changes on the peninsula, generally getting warmer and ice shelves and glaciers discharging into the ocean”. 
 
Antarctica is one of the fastest-warming regions on the planet, especially since the 1950s. The most affected part is situated in western Antarctica, and is largely covered in mountains.&nbsp;The highest peak is 10,600 feet high!

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/what-really-happened-to-water-on-mars-scientists-finally-have-the-answer-371088" hreflang="en">What really happened to water on Mars? Scientists finally have the answer!</a> 
 
The study, which was published in the journal Climate Dynamics, takes into account simulations of 19 global climate models. The highest drop in temperatures of 2 degrees Celsius is expected to plague Antarctica between autumn and winter. 
 
But the summer temperatures pose a bigger threat to the peninsula’s ice. This implies the peninsula faces the double threat - of warmer temperatures, and potential precipitation in the form of rain, as opposed to snow.

Climate change is altering life on our planet in all ways possible: climate patterns have become more unpredictable, bizarre weather is the new normal, and extreme temperatures a common occurrence across the world.

Climate change is altering life on our planet in all ways possible: climate patterns have become more unpredictable, bizarre weather is the new normal, and extreme temperatures a common occurrence across the world. Now, scientists have predicted the temperature of Antarctic peninsula in the coming decades. By 2044, the temperature in Arctic will increase by 0.5 to 1.5 degree Celsius, the study posits. Precipitation in the peninsula is also expected to increase by 5-10 per cent around the same time. Precipitation is a threat to ice if it appears in the form of rain. Also read: Mystery of 'Oumuamua' solved: Find out where the foreign space object came from! Lead author of the study, David Bromwich from The Ohio State University was quoted by IANS as saying - “We are concerned about these findings. We’ve been seeing overall quite big changes on the peninsula, generally getting warmer and ice shelves and glaciers discharging into the ocean”. Antarctica is one of the fastest-warming regions on the planet, especially since the 1950s. The most affected part is situated in western Antarctica, and is largely covered in mountains. The highest peak is 10,600 feet high! Also read: What really happened to water on Mars? Scientists finally have the answer! The study, which was published in the journal Climate Dynamics, takes into account simulations of 19 global climate models. The highest drop in temperatures of 2 degrees Celsius is expected to plague Antarctica between autumn and winter. But the summer temperatures pose a bigger threat to the peninsula’s ice. This implies the peninsula faces the double threat - of warmer temperatures, and potential precipitation in the form of rain, as opposed to snow.

Scientists reveal how hot Antarctica will be by 2044 due to climate change

Heatwaves and droughts that have plagued Europe in the last seven years constitute the most extreme weather-related events in the region for over 2,000 years, a research posits.

To ascertain this, the researchers analysed tree rings dating back to Roman rings, but attributing the extreme changes to global warming.

According to the study, the heatwaves have had a series of ill-effects in the region - ranging from thousands of early deaths, destruction of crops, and the increasingly common sight of forest fires.

The study was undertaken by researchers at the CzechGlobe centre, and referred to the sharp rise as particularly scary for agriculture and forestry.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/tackling-climate-change-new-centre-in-india-will-impart-training-on-circular-economy-369323" hreflang="en">Tackling climate change: New centre in India will impart training on circular economy</a>

With these changes, heatwaves and droughts will become more common in the future. In addition, the study found that summer climate in Europe has&nbsp;been drying over the last two millennia. Even though the data only considers climate patterns till 2018, Europe has experienced harsh summers both in 2019 and 2020.

Scientists believe that climate change driven changes caused circulation of air over the continent to change. The study was published in the journal nature Geoscience and analysed 27,000 growth rings from 147 oak trees.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/climate-change-caused-1500-deaths-in-uk-during-heatwaves-study-claims-367420" hreflang="en">Climate change caused 1,500 deaths in UK during heatwaves, study claims</a>

For the last century, researchers referred to living oaks, along with timber from old buildings. For the Middle Ages, scientists used oak flourishing in river deposits. For the Roman period, wood was used. Based on this, they determined temperatures from wood density and width. They checked how much water was available to trees, based on which they determined the timeline and intensity of previous droughts.

Turns out, what Europe experienced in the last few years is worse than what happened in the last 2,000 years.

Heatwaves and droughts that have plagued Europe in the last seven years constitute the most extreme weather-related events in the region for over 2,000 years, a research posits.

Heatwaves and droughts that have plagued Europe in the last seven years constitute the most extreme weather-related events in the region for over 2,000 years, a research posits. To ascertain this, the researchers analysed tree rings dating back to Roman rings, but attributing the extreme changes to global warming. According to the study, the heatwaves have had a series of ill-effects in the region - ranging from thousands of early deaths, destruction of crops, and the increasingly common sight of forest fires. The study was undertaken by researchers at the CzechGlobe centre, and referred to the sharp rise as particularly scary for agriculture and forestry. Also read: Tackling climate change: New centre in India will impart training on circular economy With these changes, heatwaves and droughts will become more common in the future. In addition, the study found that summer climate in Europe has been drying over the last two millennia. Even though the data only considers climate patterns till 2018, Europe has experienced harsh summers both in 2019 and 2020. Scientists believe that climate change driven changes caused circulation of air over the continent to change. The study was published in the journal nature Geoscience and analysed 27,000 growth rings from 147 oak trees. Also read: Climate change caused 1,500 deaths in UK during heatwaves, study claims For the last century, researchers referred to living oaks, along with timber from old buildings. For the Middle Ages, scientists used oak flourishing in river deposits. For the Roman period, wood was used. Based on this, they determined temperatures from wood density and width. They checked how much water was available to trees, based on which they determined the timeline and intensity of previous droughts. Turns out, what Europe experienced in the last few years is worse than what happened in the last 2,000 years.

Recent droughts and heatwaves in Europe worst in 2,000 years, study claims

Scientists recently found plants beneath ice in Greenland, essentially rewriting what we know about previous warming periods in Earth's history. The discovery of plants beneath ice reveals that the region underwent melting at a scale similar to what's happening right now.

Within the last million years, the region underwent melting, similar to what we have done to the planet, or as scientists call it - climate change.

The plants which were discovered recently have a long history though. A group of US Army scientists drilled down ice in northwestern Greenland in 1966. They then extracted a long tube of dirt from the bottom.

Lost in a freezer for decades, the tube was rediscovered in 2017. Soon after in 2019, University of Vermont’s scientist Andrew Christ observed the remains closely under a microscope and found that twigs and leaves were growing in the tube, as opposed to just sand and rock.

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Through this, Christ ascertained that greenery and vegetation have thrived in Greenland in the past, perhaps caused by warming cycles like the one happening right now.

With a team of scientists led by Joerg Schaefer from Columbia University, along with University of Copenhagen’s Dorthe Dahl-Jense, and Paul Bierman at UVM, it was found that most, if not all, of Greenland was green within the last million years.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/do-gigantic-stars-from-the-past-hold-secrets-to-black-holes-scientists-say-so-370499" hreflang="en">Do gigantic stars from the past hold secrets to black holes? Scientists say so!</a>

It is possible that greenery flourished in Greenland even in the last few hundred-thousand years. Christ referred to the remains in the discovery as a “time capsule”, and a sneak-peek into what used to live on Greenland.

This discovery could help scientists understand climate change, and how Greenland will respond to global warming in the near future. It could also help scientists predict how long it would take for the ice to melt.

Scientists recently found plants beneath ice in Greenland, essentially rewriting what we know about previous warming periods in Earth's history. The discovery of plants beneath ice reveals that the region underwent melting at a scale similar to what's happening right now.

Scientists recently found plants beneath ice in Greenland, essentially rewriting what we know about previous warming periods in Earth's history. The discovery of plants beneath ice reveals that the region underwent melting at a scale similar to what's happening right now. Within the last million years, the region underwent melting, similar to what we have done to the planet, or as scientists call it - climate change. The plants which were discovered recently have a long history though. A group of US Army scientists drilled down ice in northwestern Greenland in 1966. They then extracted a long tube of dirt from the bottom. Lost in a freezer for decades, the tube was rediscovered in 2017. Soon after in 2019, University of Vermont’s scientist Andrew Christ observed the remains closely under a microscope and found that twigs and leaves were growing in the tube, as opposed to just sand and rock. Also read: Pentagon wants to develop ready-to-use jetpacks for US defence forces Through this, Christ ascertained that greenery and vegetation have thrived in Greenland in the past, perhaps caused by warming cycles like the one happening right now. With a team of scientists led by Joerg Schaefer from Columbia University, along with University of Copenhagen’s Dorthe Dahl-Jense, and Paul Bierman at UVM, it was found that most, if not all, of Greenland was green within the last million years. Also read: Do gigantic stars from the past hold secrets to black holes? Scientists say so! It is possible that greenery flourished in Greenland even in the last few hundred-thousand years. Christ referred to the remains in the discovery as a “time capsule”, and a sneak-peek into what used to live on Greenland. This discovery could help scientists understand climate change, and how Greenland will respond to global warming in the near future. It could also help scientists predict how long it would take for the ice to melt.

Scientists discover plants buried deep beneath Greenland's ice sheet. What does this mean?

Flights cancelled, power outages remain the after-effects of the snowstorm in many western regions of the United States.

United States: Snowstorm sweeps across Western States

The fight against climate change is a mammoth global effort. But some countries are ahead of others. Singapore is building floating solar farms to cut down its greenhouse gas emissions.

Singapore builds mammoth floating solar farms

A new study reveals that at least 1,500 heatwave deaths that occurred in the United Kingdom can be attributed to climate change and the crises triggered by it. The research posits a "very broad estimate" of deaths caused by heatwaves in the UK which took place in 2003 and 2018.

The study found that the heatwave which struck the UK in 2003 caused 2,234 deaths. Out of these, at least 1,117 were caused by climate change, which was caused by human actions in the first place. In addition, the 2018 heatwave, whereby temperatures broke records in cities like Glasgow,&nbsp;Belfast and caused around 863 deaths. Out of these, 432 were caused by climate change.

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But the study's lead author - Ben Clarke, who is a PhD student at the University of Oxford's Environmental Change Institute told The Independent that more work is required to refine the estimates. He said that researchers were able to calculate the possibility of more heatwaves simply based on climate change which was caused by human beings.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/climate-change-may-have-contributed-to-emergence-of-coronavirus-in-china-study-361841" hreflang="en">Climate change may have contributed to emergence of coronavirus in China: Study</a>

Their claims found backing from previous estimates of excess deaths that took place during the heatwaves. This technique of ascertaining how climate change, which is caused largely by human beings could affect the damage done by extreme weather events like floods, heatwaves, and storms, and is known as ''event attribution''.

The intensity of the UK's 2003 heatwave went up twice owing to climate change caused by human beings. In addition, the intensity of the 2018 heatwave increased by 30 per cent owing to climate change.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/countries-failing-to-fund-climate-change-adaptation-measures-says-united-nations-357335" hreflang="en">Countries failing to fund climate change adaptation measures, says United Nations</a>

The study was published in the journal titled Climate Risk Management and focuses on studies to ascertain the extent of deaths and damage caused by events that qualify as extreme weather. These can be attributed to climate change.

A new study reveals that at least 1,500 heatwave deaths that occurred in the United Kingdom can be attributed to climate change and the crises triggered by it. The research posits a "very broad estimate" of deaths caused by heatwaves in the UK which took place in 2003 and 2018.

A new study reveals that at least 1,500 heatwave deaths that occurred in the United Kingdom can be attributed to climate change and the crises triggered by it. The research posits a "very broad estimate" of deaths caused by heatwaves in the UK which took place in 2003 and 2018. The study found that the heatwave which struck the UK in 2003 caused 2,234 deaths. Out of these, at least 1,117 were caused by climate change, which was caused by human actions in the first place. In addition, the 2018 heatwave, whereby temperatures broke records in cities like Glasgow, Belfast and caused around 863 deaths. Out of these, 432 were caused by climate change. But the study's lead author - Ben Clarke, who is a PhD student at the University of Oxford's Environmental Change Institute told The Independent that more work is required to refine the estimates. He said that researchers were able to calculate the possibility of more heatwaves simply based on climate change which was caused by human beings. Also read: Climate change may have contributed to emergence of coronavirus in China: Study Their claims found backing from previous estimates of excess deaths that took place during the heatwaves. This technique of ascertaining how climate change, which is caused largely by human beings could affect the damage done by extreme weather events like floods, heatwaves, and storms, and is known as ''event attribution''. The intensity of the UK's 2003 heatwave went up twice owing to climate change caused by human beings. In addition, the intensity of the 2018 heatwave increased by 30 per cent owing to climate change. Also read: Countries failing to fund climate change adaptation measures, says United Nations The study was published in the journal titled Climate Risk Management and focuses on studies to ascertain the extent of deaths and damage caused by events that qualify as extreme weather. These can be attributed to climate change.

Climate change caused 1,500 deaths in UK during heatwaves, study claims

The famous Miami Beach in Florida could soon lose its charm - palm trees. In a bid to minimise the effects of climate change, Miami Beach will now look for more shade-providing alternatives to palm trees so that visitors can escape the scorching sun. 
 
According to the Miami Herald, officials are embarking on a 30-year plan to cut down on the number of palm trees in the city. As part of this, officials intend to reduce the trees to a quarter of its total canopy by 2050.

These measures are part of a bigger move to decrease urban warming and to improve air quality.&nbsp; The projects are already underway, with 1,000 palm trees set to be removed over the coming weeks.&nbsp;

The Guardian cited Elizabeth Wheaton, the Environmental and Sustainability Director for Miami Beach as saying that they had no plans for mass felling of trees. Media reports indicate that the reduction in the number of trees will be achieved not by brazen felling, but by planting 1,300 fresh shade trees instead of palm trees over the upcoming two decades.

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Wheaton claims that this will help make the city "more walkable and pleasant". According to Wheaton, the expansion of trees with shade will help "enhance the city's brand and quality of life", the Miami Herald cited it as saying. 
 
Even then, palm trees will not be completely fazed out and will continue to be a "focal point" for Miami. Planting shade trees like oak, ash, elm, and sycamore has multiple benefits. Shade trees can help remove carbon dioxide and harmful ozone. In addition, they can also intercept rainfall.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/ufo-sighting-in-florida-triggers-wild-theories-including-trident-missile-test-362650" hreflang="en">UFO sighting in Florida triggers wild theories including Trident missile test</a>

The palm tree has become the primary associative factor with Miami and has been used in mainstream depictions of the city for many generations. Miami has 48,900 trees, out of which Arecaceae palms account for 55 per cent of the trees.

The famous Miami Beach in Florida could soon lose its charm - palm trees. In a bid to minimise the effects of climate change, Miami Beach will now look for more shade-providing alternatives to palm trees so that visitors can escape the scorching sun.

The famous Miami Beach in Florida could soon lose its charm - palm trees. In a bid to minimise the effects of climate change, Miami Beach will now look for more shade-providing alternatives to palm trees so that visitors can escape the scorching sun. According to the Miami Herald, officials are embarking on a 30-year plan to cut down on the number of palm trees in the city. As part of this, officials intend to reduce the trees to a quarter of its total canopy by 2050. These measures are part of a bigger move to decrease urban warming and to improve air quality. The projects are already underway, with 1,000 palm trees set to be removed over the coming weeks. The Guardian cited Elizabeth Wheaton, the Environmental and Sustainability Director for Miami Beach as saying that they had no plans for mass felling of trees. Media reports indicate that the reduction in the number of trees will be achieved not by brazen felling, but by planting 1,300 fresh shade trees instead of palm trees over the upcoming two decades. Also read: Popcorn, palm trees and face masks: Cannes rolls out drive-in cinema Wheaton claims that this will help make the city "more walkable and pleasant". According to Wheaton, the expansion of trees with shade will help "enhance the city's brand and quality of life", the Miami Herald cited it as saying. Even then, palm trees will not be completely fazed out and will continue to be a "focal point" for Miami. Planting shade trees like oak, ash, elm, and sycamore has multiple benefits. Shade trees can help remove carbon dioxide and harmful ozone. In addition, they can also intercept rainfall. Also read: UFO sighting in Florida triggers wild theories including Trident missile test The palm tree has become the primary associative factor with Miami and has been used in mainstream depictions of the city for many generations. Miami has 48,900 trees, out of which Arecaceae palms account for 55 per cent of the trees.

Miami is set to reduce number of palm trees as climate concerns rise

In Pics: Global efforts not enough to tackle climate change, says UN

Netizens say the snowstorm in Texas was fake. It was supposedly part of a bigger conspiracy planned by Bill Gates. Many claim they have evidence. WION's Palki Sharma brings you a report

Gravitas: Was the Texas snowstorm fake?

The impact of global warming across the world is increasingly evident over these passing years. In India's Jammu & Kashmir, Srinagar has witnessed extremes of cold and heat in a span of less than a month time. WION brings you a report.

WION Fineprint: Jammu & Kashmir feel the effects of extreme climate change

After being swept by an unusual winter storm, Texas is facing a dire aftermath situation. 8.8 million people without water, at least 15,000 people still without electricity & rampant food shortages. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Texas faces dire aftermath situation

Largest U.S oil refineries in Texas have released tons of air pollutants into the skies. The refineries had to shut their production to not let the air dilute with pollutants. These pollutants also resulted in Hypodermia which resulted in killing dozens of people. Pollutants which came from the Texas air originally got diluted from the Artic air and pollutants held responsible for the diseases.

Environmental crises in Texas led to dozens of hypothermia cases

The UN Security Council will be organising a world leaders' summit to discuss <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/climate-change">climate change's</a> implications for world peace.

This session has been called by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and will be conducted online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Britain now holds the Security Council's rotating presidency and Johnson will be addressing the forum, along with the US climate czar John Kerry, French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the prime ministers of Ireland, Vietnam, Norway and other countries.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-and-joe-biden-vow-to-deepen-ties-and-cooperate-on-tackling-climate-change-358893" hreflang="en">Boris Johnson and Joe Biden vow to deepen ties and cooperate on tackling climate change</a>

This session will also be a test for the US-China relations which have been observing a down low for the past one year after the former US President Donald Trump spearheaded with China over the origin of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

"We should watch how the Chinese position themselves with the Americans," a UN ambassador was quoted anonymously by news agency AFP.

The impact of climate change on world peace is an issue on which the majority of the 15 members have divergent opinions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/un-offers-scientific-blueprint-to-tackle-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-364780">WATCH|</a>

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"You know that the Russians and the Chinese will immediately say (climate change has) 'nothing to do' with the council's issues," the UN ambassador said. &nbsp;

However, he added that "the Chinese are more liable to be slightly open to that discussion".&nbsp;

This left the Russians on their own, especially since Moscow believes climate change is not a huge issue that needs to be discussed in the UN Security Council. Russia prefers dealing with climate change-related questions on a case-by-case basis.

The meeting, to be held on Tuesday, "will be focused on the security aspects of climate change," another ambassador was quoted by AFP on condition of anonymity.

The UN Security Council will be organising a world leaders' summit to discuss climate change's implications for world peace. This session has been called by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and will be conducted online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The UN Security Council will be organising a world leaders' summit to discuss climate change's implications for world peace. This session has been called by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and will be conducted online due to the coronavirus pandemic. Britain now holds the Security Council's rotating presidency and Johnson will be addressing the forum, along with the US climate czar John Kerry, French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the prime ministers of Ireland, Vietnam, Norway and other countries. Also read| Boris Johnson and Joe Biden vow to deepen ties and cooperate on tackling climate change This session will also be a test for the US-China relations which have been observing a down low for the past one year after the former US President Donald Trump spearheaded with China over the origin of the deadly coronavirus pandemic. "We should watch how the Chinese position themselves with the Americans," a UN ambassador was quoted anonymously by news agency AFP. The impact of climate change on world peace is an issue on which the majority of the 15 members have divergent opinions. WATCH| "You know that the Russians and the Chinese will immediately say (climate change has) 'nothing to do' with the council's issues," the UN ambassador said. However, he added that "the Chinese are more liable to be slightly open to that discussion". This left the Russians on their own, especially since Moscow believes climate change is not a huge issue that needs to be discussed in the UN Security Council. Russia prefers dealing with climate change-related questions on a case-by-case basis. The meeting, to be held on Tuesday, "will be focused on the security aspects of climate change," another ambassador was quoted by AFP on condition of anonymity.

Boris Johnson calls UN Security Council meet for climate change's impact on world peace

West Asia has been blanketed by snow. Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Palestine & Saudi Arabia are all reporting snowfall. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why this is proof of climate change.

Gravitas: Why its snowing in West Asia

The winter storm in Texas has killed at least 30. More than 200,000 homes are without power. Millions have been told to boil tap water. Can climate change be blamed for the crisis in Texas? WION's Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: A brutal blast of winter weather leads to blackouts in Texas

The United States has officially returned to the Paris climate accord, exactly one month after Joe Biden took office as the president and immediately moved to rejoin.

The world's largest economy and second largest carbon emitter was formally back in the 2015 accord on Thursday.

The re-entry of the United States means that the Paris accord again includes virtually every country after Biden's predecessor Donald Trump made the US the sole outlier.

"Climate change and science diplomacy can never again be 'add-ons' in our foreign policy discussions," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement saluting the return of the United States.

Biden plans an April 22 climate summit to coincide with Earth Day and John Kerry, the former secretary of state and now US climate envoy, has called for the world to raise ambitions during UN climate talks in Glasgow in November.

Biden has vowed to make the US power sector pollution-free by 2035 and to go to an entirely net-zero-emission economy by 2050.

The Paris accord aims to limit global temperature rises to two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to go down to 1.5 degrees.

Trump had argued that the Paris climate accord was unfair to the United States.

The United States has officially returned to the Paris climate accord, exactly one month after Joe Biden took office as the president and immediately moved to rejoin.

The United States has officially returned to the Paris climate accord, exactly one month after Joe Biden took office as the president and immediately moved to rejoin. The world's largest economy and second largest carbon emitter was formally back in the 2015 accord on Thursday. The re-entry of the United States means that the Paris accord again includes virtually every country after Biden's predecessor Donald Trump made the US the sole outlier. "Climate change and science diplomacy can never again be 'add-ons' in our foreign policy discussions," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement saluting the return of the United States. Biden plans an April 22 climate summit to coincide with Earth Day and John Kerry, the former secretary of state and now US climate envoy, has called for the world to raise ambitions during UN climate talks in Glasgow in November. Biden has vowed to make the US power sector pollution-free by 2035 and to go to an entirely net-zero-emission economy by 2050. The Paris accord aims to limit global temperature rises to two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to go down to 1.5 degrees. Trump had argued that the Paris climate accord was unfair to the United States.

US officially back in Paris climate accord, vows action

Events shaping the course of sustainable living in India

Facebook said Thursday it would expand its climate information hub and direct its users to experts to debunk myths and hoaxes in the field in a ramped up effort to fight misinformation.

The social media giant said it has added a section to its climate hub that features "facts that debunk common climate myths" and will rely on climate communication experts from the George Mason University, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and the University of Cambridge.

The information hub is already available in France, Germany, Britain and the United States, and is being expanded to Belgium, Brazil, Canada, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Spain, South Africa and Taiwan.&nbsp;

"Along with expanding the center, we’re improving it. We added a section that features facts that debunk common climate myths," Facebook said.

"We already direct people to the Climate Science Information Center when they search for climate-related terms, and will keep doing that where the center is available. In countries where it isn't, we will soon direct people to the&nbsp;&nbsp;UN Environment Programme, a leading global environmental authority."

Facebook said Thursday it would expand its climate information hub and direct its users to experts to debunk myths and hoaxes in the field in a ramped up effort to fight misinformation.

Facebook said Thursday it would expand its climate information hub and direct its users to experts to debunk myths and hoaxes in the field in a ramped up effort to fight misinformation. The social media giant said it has added a section to its climate hub that features "facts that debunk common climate myths" and will rely on climate communication experts from the George Mason University, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and the University of Cambridge. The information hub is already available in France, Germany, Britain and the United States, and is being expanded to Belgium, Brazil, Canada, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Spain, South Africa and Taiwan. "Along with expanding the center, we’re improving it. We added a section that features facts that debunk common climate myths," Facebook said. "We already direct people to the Climate Science Information Center when they search for climate-related terms, and will keep doing that where the center is available. In countries where it isn't, we will soon direct people to the UN Environment Programme, a leading global environmental authority."

Facebook to debunk climate change myths in expanded hub

Russian scientists have unlocked the mysteries of the formation of&nbsp;massive holes&nbsp;in the north of Western Siberia, in the central part of the Yamal Peninsula.

The giant crater&nbsp;named C17 in the geoinformation system “The Arctic and the World Ocean”&nbsp;was created by the Oil and Gas Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (OGRI RAS). It was&nbsp;formed in the period 15 May–9 June 2020.

It is characterised by minimal water flooding and the uniquely good preservation of a significant part of the arch and a cavity of the complex shape formed in the ground ice.

For the first time, as a result of aerial photography from inside the crater with a UAV, a 3D model of the crater and a giant cavity in the ground ice, formed during its thawing from below, was built. The crater's&nbsp;diameter was about 25 m.

Study author Igor Bogoyavlensky, of the Oil and Gas Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said&nbsp;"Three times we got close to losing it, but succeeded in getting the data for the 3D model."

<section data-containers="36" data-eq-pts="xsmall: 0, medium: 460, large: 780, full16x9: 1100" data-eq-state="xsmall medium large" data-vr-zone="zone-1-0" data-zn-id="body-text" data-zone-label="bodyText" id="body-text">The accumulation of gas, the pressure rise and the development of gas-dynamic processes in the cavity led to the growth of the PHM, and the explosion and formation of the crater.</section>

The formation of the crater C17 was preceded by a long-term growth of the perennial heaving mound (PHM) on the surface of the third marine terrace.

According to&nbsp;Evgeny Chuvilin, the lead research scientist at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology's Center for Hydrocarbon Recovery in Moscow, "The new crater is uniquely well preserved, as surface water hadn't yet accumulated in the crater when we surveyed it, which allowed us to study a 'fresh' crater, untouched by degradation."

Rapid climate warming at northern high latitudes is driving geomorphic changes across the permafrost zone. In the Yamal and Gydan peninsulas in western Siberia, subterranean accumulation of methane beneath or within ice-rich permafrost can create mounds at the land surface. Once over-pressurized by methane, these mounds can explode and eject frozen ground, forming a gas emission crater (GEC).

"The craters and other abrupt changes occurring across the Arctic landscape are indicative of a rapidly warming and thawing the Arctic, which can have severe consequences for Arctic residents and globally," said&nbsp;Sue Natali, Arctic program director at the Woodwell Climate Research Center and coauthor of the study.

Russian scientists have unlocked the mysteries of the formation of massive holes in the north of Western Siberia, in the central part of the Yamal Peninsula. The giant crater named C17 in the geoinformation system “The Arctic and the World Ocean” was created by the Oil and Gas Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (OGRI RAS).

Russian scientists have unlocked the mysteries of the formation of massive holes in the north of Western Siberia, in the central part of the Yamal Peninsula. The giant crater named C17 in the geoinformation system “The Arctic and the World Ocean” was created by the Oil and Gas Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (OGRI RAS). It was formed in the period 15 May–9 June 2020. It is characterised by minimal water flooding and the uniquely good preservation of a significant part of the arch and a cavity of the complex shape formed in the ground ice. For the first time, as a result of aerial photography from inside the crater with a UAV, a 3D model of the crater and a giant cavity in the ground ice, formed during its thawing from below, was built. The crater's diameter was about 25 m. Study author Igor Bogoyavlensky, of the Oil and Gas Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said "Three times we got close to losing it, but succeeded in getting the data for the 3D model." The accumulation of gas, the pressure rise and the development of gas-dynamic processes in the cavity led to the growth of the PHM, and the explosion and formation of the crater. The formation of the crater C17 was preceded by a long-term growth of the perennial heaving mound (PHM) on the surface of the third marine terrace. According to Evgeny Chuvilin, the lead research scientist at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology's Center for Hydrocarbon Recovery in Moscow, "The new crater is uniquely well preserved, as surface water hadn't yet accumulated in the crater when we surveyed it, which allowed us to study a 'fresh' crater, untouched by degradation." Rapid climate warming at northern high latitudes is driving geomorphic changes across the permafrost zone. In the Yamal and Gydan peninsulas in western Siberia, subterranean accumulation of methane beneath or within ice-rich permafrost can create mounds at the land surface. Once over-pressurized by methane, these mounds can explode and eject frozen ground, forming a gas emission crater (GEC). "The craters and other abrupt changes occurring across the Arctic landscape are indicative of a rapidly warming and thawing the Arctic, which can have severe consequences for Arctic residents and globally," said Sue Natali, Arctic program director at the Woodwell Climate Research Center and coauthor of the study.

Scientists unravel mysteries of massive holes forming in Siberian permafrost

If you thought climate change is a recent problem, then you might have to rethink your belief because an interesting study has recently revealed that climate change may have been the reason behind late emergence of plant-eating dinosaurs.

It is being believed that plant-eating dinosaurs probably arrived in the northern hemisphere millions of years after the meat-eating species.

This delay of millions of years in the emergence and the migration of dinosaurs was probably caused due to climate change, scientists believe.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/where-did-the-asteroid-which-wiped-out-dinosaurs-came-from-scientists-answer-363987" hreflang="en">Where did the asteroid which wiped out dinosaurs came from? Scientists answer</a>

A new way of calculating the dates of dinosaur fossils revealed that plant-eating dinosaurs, sauropodomorphs, were actually 215m years old and not 228m years old, as it was previously believed.

This has changed the previous belief and has revealed that there might not be any plant-eating dinosaur family in the northern hemisphere which was more than 215m years old.

On the other hand, examples of meat-eating dinosaurs have been found dating back to at least 220m years ago.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-an-accidental-discovery-of-life-in-antarctica-364133">WATCH|</a>

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The study lead author Dennis Kent of Columbia University believes the plant-eating dinosaurs were latecomers in the northern hemisphere.

As per his team's research, during the Triassic era — which was nearly 230m years ago, carbon dioxide levels were 10 times higher than the present day. the atmosphere was hotter with no ice sheets at the poles and two bands of extreme deserts on both sides of the equator — north and south.

This dryness might have led to fewer plants for the sauropodomorphs, making it difficult for them to survive the journey. The meat-eaters, on the other hand, had enough insects to survive.

Later, when carbon dioxide levels dropped to half nearly 215m years ago, plants started growing in the deserts, which led to the emergence of sauropodomorphs in the area.

If you thought climate change is a recent problem, then you might have to rethink your belief because an interesting study has recently revealed that climate change may have been the reason behind late emergence of plant-eating dinosaurs.

If you thought climate change is a recent problem, then you might have to rethink your belief because an interesting study has recently revealed that climate change may have been the reason behind late emergence of plant-eating dinosaurs. It is being believed that plant-eating dinosaurs probably arrived in the northern hemisphere millions of years after the meat-eating species. This delay of millions of years in the emergence and the migration of dinosaurs was probably caused due to climate change, scientists believe. Also read| Where did the asteroid which wiped out dinosaurs came from? Scientists answer A new way of calculating the dates of dinosaur fossils revealed that plant-eating dinosaurs, sauropodomorphs, were actually 215m years old and not 228m years old, as it was previously believed. This has changed the previous belief and has revealed that there might not be any plant-eating dinosaur family in the northern hemisphere which was more than 215m years old. On the other hand, examples of meat-eating dinosaurs have been found dating back to at least 220m years ago. WATCH| The study lead author Dennis Kent of Columbia University believes the plant-eating dinosaurs were latecomers in the northern hemisphere. As per his team's research, during the Triassic era — which was nearly 230m years ago, carbon dioxide levels were 10 times higher than the present day. the atmosphere was hotter with no ice sheets at the poles and two bands of extreme deserts on both sides of the equator — north and south. This dryness might have led to fewer plants for the sauropodomorphs, making it difficult for them to survive the journey. The meat-eaters, on the other hand, had enough insects to survive. Later, when carbon dioxide levels dropped to half nearly 215m years ago, plants started growing in the deserts, which led to the emergence of sauropodomorphs in the area.

Migration of meat-eating dinosaurs was delayed by million years. Why?

Microsoft founder <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bill-gates-and-other-world-leaders-applaud-india-for-quick-vaccine-production-354643">Bill Gates</a> has said that rich nations should switch to "100% synthetic beef" since "poorest 80 countries" won't be&nbsp;eating synthetic beef.

Gates claimed that people will "get used to the taste difference" while asserting that it will "taste better over time". The billionaire philanthropist has discussed ways to tackle climate change in his new book, “How to avoid a climate disaster: The solutions we have and the breakthroughs we need,” which was released on Tuesday.

"Eventually, that green premium is modest enough that you can sort of change the [behaviour of] people or use regulation to totally shift the demand,” Gates said.

The comments by Gates come after research showed burping cows are massive emissions contributors impacting greenhouse gas methane in the world. The researchers had said that emissions from cattle were "almost as large as those from fossil fuels".

The Twitterati, however, had several reasons to discount Gates' explanation.

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Bill Gates won't give up his private jet but he wants us to give up burgers.
— kue (@thekue20) <a href="https://twitter.com/thekue20/status/1361763302817361922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Day One of my Bill Gates synthetic food diet. <a href="https://t.co/dtIqf564vE">pic.twitter.com/dtIqf564vE</a>
— Faber (@dfaber84) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfaber84/status/1361875745534922754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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I gave <a href="https://twitter.com/BillGates?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BillGates</a> 10 min to meet my offer to donate $1 million to our restaurant worker relief fund and I’ll never cook a steak again. He seems to have ignored me, so the offer is passed to <a href="https://twitter.com/Beef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Beef</a> - $1 million donation and I’ll ONLY cook steaks. <a href="https://t.co/gR7ChBRrzs">pic.twitter.com/gR7ChBRrzs</a>
— Chef Andrew Gruel (@ChefGruel) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChefGruel/status/1361833515612999680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Bill Gates is a sociopath. <a href="https://t.co/XdQV98umlw">pic.twitter.com/XdQV98umlw</a>
— Garbage Human (@GarbyJooman3) <a href="https://twitter.com/GarbyJooman3/status/1361895977263710210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has said that rich nations should switch to "100% synthetic beef" since "poorest 80 countries" won't be eating synthetic beef. Gates claimed that people will "get used to the taste difference" while asserting that it will "taste better over time".

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has said that rich nations should switch to "100% synthetic beef" since "poorest 80 countries" won't be eating synthetic beef. Gates claimed that people will "get used to the taste difference" while asserting that it will "taste better over time". The billionaire philanthropist has discussed ways to tackle climate change in his new book, “How to avoid a climate disaster: The solutions we have and the breakthroughs we need,” which was released on Tuesday. "Eventually, that green premium is modest enough that you can sort of change the [behaviour of] people or use regulation to totally shift the demand,” Gates said. The comments by Gates come after research showed burping cows are massive emissions contributors impacting greenhouse gas methane in the world. The researchers had said that emissions from cattle were "almost as large as those from fossil fuels". The Twitterati, however, had several reasons to discount Gates' explanation. Bill Gates won't give up his private jet but he wants us to give up burgers. — kue (@thekue20) February 16, 2021 × Day One of my Bill Gates synthetic food diet. pic.twitter.com/dtIqf564vE — Faber (@dfaber84) February 17, 2021 × I gave @BillGates 10 min to meet my offer to donate $1 million to our restaurant worker relief fund and I’ll never cook a steak again. He seems to have ignored me, so the offer is passed to @Beef - $1 million donation and I’ll ONLY cook steaks. pic.twitter.com/gR7ChBRrzs — Chef Andrew Gruel (@ChefGruel) February 17, 2021 × Bill Gates is a sociopath. pic.twitter.com/XdQV98umlw — Garbage Human (@GarbyJooman3) February 17, 2021 ×

Rich countries should move to 100% synthetic beef, says Gates; Twitter explodes

Several international law experts are seeking to approve a new crime, "ecocide", which will allow authorities to take action against environmental destruction.&nbsp;

These experts plan to submit a draft report of their law to the International Criminal Court's governing body, reports ABC News.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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If approved, environmental crimes will become ICC's fifth jurisdictional responsibility, some of the others being, genocide, crimes against humanity, aggression crimes and war&nbsp;crimes.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/restoring-environmental-rules-rolled-back-by-trump-could-take-years-358684">Restoring environmental rules rolled back by Trump could take years</a>

The group says that climate change has no border and damage to local ecosystems can have massive global consequences.&nbsp;

"In this day and age, it's no longer possible to say that one is destroying large swathes of nature without realising what one is doing," Jojo Mehta, a member of this group, says.&nbsp;

She and an expert panel assembled by her, want governments, companies and individuals should be held accountable for the damage to the environment done under their nose.&nbsp;

Teen climate activist Greta Thunberg has supported the implementation of the law and French President Emmanuel Macron have also hinted at incorporating ecocide into&nbsp;the domestic law of the country.&nbsp;

Calling the environmental damages "sins of ecology", Pope Francis has said that his understanding of ecocide is the "massive contamination of air, land and water resources, the&nbsp;large-scale destruction of flora and fauna, and any action capable of producing an ecological disaster or destroying an ecosystem." 
&nbsp;

Several international law experts are seeking to approve a new crime, "ecocide", which will allow authorities to take action against environmental destruction. These experts plan to submit a draft report of their law to the International Criminal Court's governing body, reports ABC News.

Several international law experts are seeking to approve a new crime, "ecocide", which will allow authorities to take action against environmental destruction. These experts plan to submit a draft report of their law to the International Criminal Court's governing body, reports ABC News. Watch | If approved, environmental crimes will become ICC's fifth jurisdictional responsibility, some of the others being, genocide, crimes against humanity, aggression crimes and war crimes. Also read | Restoring environmental rules rolled back by Trump could take years The group says that climate change has no border and damage to local ecosystems can have massive global consequences. "In this day and age, it's no longer possible to say that one is destroying large swathes of nature without realising what one is doing," Jojo Mehta, a member of this group, says. She and an expert panel assembled by her, want governments, companies and individuals should be held accountable for the damage to the environment done under their nose. Teen climate activist Greta Thunberg has supported the implementation of the law and French President Emmanuel Macron have also hinted at incorporating ecocide into the domestic law of the country. Calling the environmental damages "sins of ecology", Pope Francis has said that his understanding of ecocide is the "massive contamination of air, land and water resources, the large-scale destruction of flora and fauna, and any action capable of producing an ecological disaster or destroying an ecosystem."

International lawyers propose 'ecocide' to criminalise environmental destruction

An early start to the pollen season in the US, this coupled with fossil fuel burning is one of the many consequences of climate change. WION brings you a report on how climate change is impacting the lives of many Americans.

Climate change is causing early pollen season in US

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US President Joe Biden discussed an open& free Indo-pacific, COVID-19 pandemic, climate change on a phone call. This was the first conversation between the two leaders after Biden's inauguration,

Modi & Biden discuss Indo-pacific, Quad & COVID on a phone call

A surreal, blood-red river inundated the&nbsp;Indonesian village of Jenggot after floods hit a nearby batik factory on Saturday, causing a frenzy on social media.

Thousands of users on Twitter shared photos and videos of the village south of Pekalongan city in Central Java being flooded by crimson-coloured water, which some social media users said reminded them of blood.

"I am so afraid if this photo gets into the bad hands of hoax spreaders," said a Twitter user Ayah E Arek-Arek. "Fear-mongering narratives about signs that it is the end of the world, bloody rain etc".

Pekalongan is a city known for manufacturing batik, a traditional&nbsp;Indonesian method of using wax to resist water-based dyes to depict patterns and drawings, usually on fabric.

It is not uncommon for rivers in Pekalongan to turn different colours. Bright green water covered another village north of the city during a flood last month.

"Sometimes there are purple puddles on the road too," said Twitter user Area Julid, who claimed to be from the area.

The head of Pekalongan disaster relief, Dimas Arga Yudha, confirmed that the photos being circulated were real.

"The red flood is due to the batik dye, which has been hit by the flood. It will disappear when it mixes with rain after a while," he said.

A surreal, blood-red river inundated the Indonesian village of Jenggot after floods hit a nearby batik factory on Saturday, causing a frenzy on social media. Thousands of users on Twitter shared photos and videos of the village south of Pekalongan city in Central Java being flooded by crimson-coloured water, which some social media users said reminded them of blood.

A surreal, blood-red river inundated the Indonesian village of Jenggot after floods hit a nearby batik factory on Saturday, causing a frenzy on social media. Thousands of users on Twitter shared photos and videos of the village south of Pekalongan city in Central Java being flooded by crimson-coloured water, which some social media users said reminded them of blood. "I am so afraid if this photo gets into the bad hands of hoax spreaders," said a Twitter user Ayah E Arek-Arek. "Fear-mongering narratives about signs that it is the end of the world, bloody rain etc". Pekalongan is a city known for manufacturing batik, a traditional Indonesian method of using wax to resist water-based dyes to depict patterns and drawings, usually on fabric. It is not uncommon for rivers in Pekalongan to turn different colours. Bright green water covered another village north of the city during a flood last month. "Sometimes there are purple puddles on the road too," said Twitter user Area Julid, who claimed to be from the area. The head of Pekalongan disaster relief, Dimas Arga Yudha, confirmed that the photos being circulated were real. "The red flood is due to the batik dye, which has been hit by the flood. It will disappear when it mixes with rain after a while," he said.

Indonesian village turns red as floods hit batik-manufacturing hub

A team of researchers at the University of Cambridge have revealed that climate change could have played a direct role in the occurrence of the SARS-CoV-2 which has caused the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

The study, which was published in the Science of the Total Environment journal has pointed out large-scale changes in the type of vegetation in southern Chinese province called Yunnan, and also in areas of Myanmar and Laos.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/work-on-next-gen-coronavirus-vaccines-with-focus-on-mutations-underway-361092" hreflang="en">Work on next gen coronavirus vaccines with focus on mutations underway</a>

Climate changes such as an increase in temperature, sunlight and atmospheric carbon dioxide have led to depletion in the growth of plants and trees and have also changed natural habitats from tropical shrubland to tropical savannah and deciduous woodland.

This, as per the researchers, led to a suitable environment for many species of bats that were found in the forests. The research has also claimed that the number of coronaviruses is also linked to the number of bat species present in the area.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/study-shows-variant-spreading-in-britain-could-become-resistant-to-vaccines-360831" hreflang="en">Study shows variant spreading in Britain could become resistant to vaccines</a>

"Climate change over the last century has made the habitat in the southern Chinese Yunnan province suitable for more bat species," said Robert Beyer, a researcher in the University of Cambridge and first author of the study. "Understanding how the global distribution of bat species has shifted as a result of climate change may be an important step in reconstructing the origin of the Covid-19 outbreak."

With a change in the habitats, some species travelled from one place to another and carried their viruses with them and may have also initiated alterations of the existing viruses, leading to more dangerous viruses, such as coronavirus.&nbsp;

"As climate change altered habitats, species left some areas and moved into others -- taking their viruses with them. This not only altered the regions where viruses are present but most likely allowed for new interactions between animals and viruses, causing more harmful viruses to be transmitted or evolve," Beyer said.

A team of researchers at the University of Cambridge have revealed that climate change could have played a direct role in the occurrence of the SARS-CoV-2 which has caused the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

A team of researchers at the University of Cambridge have revealed that climate change could have played a direct role in the occurrence of the SARS-CoV-2 which has caused the deadly coronavirus pandemic. The study, which was published in the Science of the Total Environment journal has pointed out large-scale changes in the type of vegetation in southern Chinese province called Yunnan, and also in areas of Myanmar and Laos. Also read| Work on next gen coronavirus vaccines with focus on mutations underway Climate changes such as an increase in temperature, sunlight and atmospheric carbon dioxide have led to depletion in the growth of plants and trees and have also changed natural habitats from tropical shrubland to tropical savannah and deciduous woodland. This, as per the researchers, led to a suitable environment for many species of bats that were found in the forests. The research has also claimed that the number of coronaviruses is also linked to the number of bat species present in the area. Also read| Study shows variant spreading in Britain could become resistant to vaccines "Climate change over the last century has made the habitat in the southern Chinese Yunnan province suitable for more bat species," said Robert Beyer, a researcher in the University of Cambridge and first author of the study. "Understanding how the global distribution of bat species has shifted as a result of climate change may be an important step in reconstructing the origin of the Covid-19 outbreak." With a change in the habitats, some species travelled from one place to another and carried their viruses with them and may have also initiated alterations of the existing viruses, leading to more dangerous viruses, such as coronavirus. "As climate change altered habitats, species left some areas and moved into others -- taking their viruses with them. This not only altered the regions where viruses are present but most likely allowed for new interactions between animals and viruses, causing more harmful viruses to be transmitted or evolve," Beyer said.

Climate change may have contributed to emergence of coronavirus in China: Study

A French court on Wednesday held the state responsible for its alleged failure to take sufficient measures to halt climate change, handing NGOs victory in a landmark case backed by over two million citizens.&nbsp;

The administrative court in Paris ruled that the government's failure to convert its commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions into policy made it "responsible... for some ecological damage seen".&nbsp;

The judges said however they would take a further two months to decide whether it was necessary to force President Emmanuel Macron's government to take steps to ensure it met its targets on greening the economy.

Oxfam France, in a Tweet, hailed the ruling as a "historic victory for the climate".

"The state's climate action has been recognized as ILLEGAL," it added.

Oxfam France, Greenpeace France and two other groups accused the government of failing to keep Macron's stated promise to "make our planet great again". The case is part of a mounting push by climate campaigners across the world to use courts to pressure governments into action.

An international accord signed in Paris five years ago aims to limit global warming to less than two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial levels, and preferably to 1.5 degrees. But experts say governments are far from meeting their commitments and anger is growing among younger generations over inaction, symbolised by the campaigns of Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg.

In a separate but similar case in November, France's top administrative court gave the government a three-month deadline to show it was taking action on global warming.

That case was brought by Grande-Synthe, a low-lying northern coastal town that is particularly exposed to the effects of climate change.

A French court on Wednesday held the state responsible for its alleged failure to take sufficient measures to halt climate change, handing NGOs victory in a landmark case backed by over two million citizens.

A French court on Wednesday held the state responsible for its alleged failure to take sufficient measures to halt climate change, handing NGOs victory in a landmark case backed by over two million citizens. The administrative court in Paris ruled that the government's failure to convert its commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions into policy made it "responsible... for some ecological damage seen". The judges said however they would take a further two months to decide whether it was necessary to force President Emmanuel Macron's government to take steps to ensure it met its targets on greening the economy. Oxfam France, in a Tweet, hailed the ruling as a "historic victory for the climate". "The state's climate action has been recognized as ILLEGAL," it added. Oxfam France, Greenpeace France and two other groups accused the government of failing to keep Macron's stated promise to "make our planet great again". The case is part of a mounting push by climate campaigners across the world to use courts to pressure governments into action. An international accord signed in Paris five years ago aims to limit global warming to less than two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial levels, and preferably to 1.5 degrees. But experts say governments are far from meeting their commitments and anger is growing among younger generations over inaction, symbolised by the campaigns of Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg. In a separate but similar case in November, France's top administrative court gave the government a three-month deadline to show it was taking action on global warming. That case was brought by Grande-Synthe, a low-lying northern coastal town that is particularly exposed to the effects of climate change.

'Historic victory': Court finds France liable for inaction on climate change

Do you know Climate change is making you late for work? It is also making you unhealthy and your coffee expensive. WION's Palki tells you how Climate Change is affecting us personally in ways we don't realise.

Gravitas Plus: Climate Change is affecting you personally. Here's how

Earth’s ice is melting faster today than in the mid-1990s, new research suggests, as climate change nudges global temperatures ever higher.

Earth losing ice faster today than in the mid-1990s, study suggests

Almost half a million people have died in natural disasters linked to extreme weather events in the last 20 years, according to a new assessment of the direct threat posed to humanity by climate change.

The mortality burden of climate-related catastrophes such as storms, flooding and heatwaves is overwhelmingly borne by developing countries.

At the start of the Climate Adaptation Summit, held virtually this year due to the pandemic, the think tank Germanwatch calculated that these disasters have cost the global economy a staggering $2.56 trillion this century.

An analysis of more than 11,000 extreme weather events showed nearly 480,000 fatalities since 2000, with Puerto Rico, Myanmar and Haiti the worst hit countries, it said.&nbsp;

Under the 2015 Paris climate deal, wealthier nations are supposed to provide $100 billion every year to help poorer states mitigate temperature rises and adapt to the changing climate.&nbsp;

But recent research suggests the true amount of funding available to developing countries for climate action is vastly lower.

Germanwatch's Global Climate Index examined the impact of two decades of extreme weather events, particularly the 2019 storm season, which produced hurricanes and cyclones that devastated parts of the Caribbean, east Africa and south Asia.

"This shows that poor vulnerable countries face particularly great challenges in dealing with the consequences of extreme weather events," said co-author David Eckstein.

"They urgently need financial and technical assistance."

Adaptation -- reducing the fallout among communities and increasing their capacity to deal with climate-related disasters such as floods and drought -- is a pillar of the Paris accord.

The deal earmarks $50 billion annually to adaptation, but as disasters have multiplied in the years since it was struck, the United Nations says the cost will balloon over the coming years.

Out of an estimated $70 billion needed by developing nations each year, only $30 billion is currently available.

In its Adaptation Gap report this month, the UN's Environment Programme said the true annual cost of adapting to climate impacts could be as high as $300 billion by 2030 and $500 billion by mid-century.

Eight out of the top ten most affected countries on Monday's index have low or lower middle income per capita.

"Poorer countries are hit hardest because they are more vulnerable to the damaging effects of a hazard and have lower coping capacity," said co-author Vera Keunzel.&nbsp;

She said countries such as Haiti, the Philippines and Pakistan were hit nearly constantly by extreme weather events, leading them no time to fully recover from one disaster before the next strikes.&nbsp;

The Climate Adaptation Summit, hosted by the Netherlands, will see countries convene virtually to seek "clear commitments to deliver concrete new endeavours" to help countries deal with the changing climate.

Almost half a million people have died in natural disasters linked to extreme weather events in the last 20 years, according to a new assessment of the direct threat posed to humanity by climate change.

Almost half a million people have died in natural disasters linked to extreme weather events in the last 20 years, according to a new assessment of the direct threat posed to humanity by climate change. The mortality burden of climate-related catastrophes such as storms, flooding and heatwaves is overwhelmingly borne by developing countries. At the start of the Climate Adaptation Summit, held virtually this year due to the pandemic, the think tank Germanwatch calculated that these disasters have cost the global economy a staggering $2.56 trillion this century. An analysis of more than 11,000 extreme weather events showed nearly 480,000 fatalities since 2000, with Puerto Rico, Myanmar and Haiti the worst hit countries, it said. Under the 2015 Paris climate deal, wealthier nations are supposed to provide $100 billion every year to help poorer states mitigate temperature rises and adapt to the changing climate. But recent research suggests the true amount of funding available to developing countries for climate action is vastly lower. Germanwatch's Global Climate Index examined the impact of two decades of extreme weather events, particularly the 2019 storm season, which produced hurricanes and cyclones that devastated parts of the Caribbean, east Africa and south Asia. "This shows that poor vulnerable countries face particularly great challenges in dealing with the consequences of extreme weather events," said co-author David Eckstein. "They urgently need financial and technical assistance." Adaptation -- reducing the fallout among communities and increasing their capacity to deal with climate-related disasters such as floods and drought -- is a pillar of the Paris accord. The deal earmarks $50 billion annually to adaptation, but as disasters have multiplied in the years since it was struck, the United Nations says the cost will balloon over the coming years. Out of an estimated $70 billion needed by developing nations each year, only $30 billion is currently available. In its Adaptation Gap report this month, the UN's Environment Programme said the true annual cost of adapting to climate impacts could be as high as $300 billion by 2030 and $500 billion by mid-century. Eight out of the top ten most affected countries on Monday's index have low or lower middle income per capita. "Poorer countries are hit hardest because they are more vulnerable to the damaging effects of a hazard and have lower coping capacity," said co-author Vera Keunzel. She said countries such as Haiti, the Philippines and Pakistan were hit nearly constantly by extreme weather events, leading them no time to fully recover from one disaster before the next strikes. The Climate Adaptation Summit, hosted by the Netherlands, will see countries convene virtually to seek "clear commitments to deliver concrete new endeavours" to help countries deal with the changing climate.

480,000 killed by extreme weather this century: Study

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