Rainforests are one of the most effective tools in mitigating global heating and halting biodiversity loss. But as per reports, in 2022, an area the size of Switzerland was cleared from Earth’s most pristine rainforests. This comes despite world leaders' promise to halt the destruction of forests and reverse deforestation by 2030. As per reports, the equivalents of 11 football pitches of primary rainforest were destroyed every minute last year. Tropical areas lost 4.1 million hectares of primary rainforest in 2022, an increase of around 10% from 2021.

Rainforests the size of Switzerland were destroyed in 2022, says report

Chinese meteorological authorities have issued a warning of extreme weather conditions for the coming months. This warning comes after large areas in central and southwestern China faced rain-triggered disasters. Last week, over two thousand homes were damaged in flash floods in China's central Hunan province. Due to this, more than ten thousand people were evacuated to safety. These floods were simultaneously accompanied by record heat waves in other parts of the country.

China issues warnings of extreme weather conditions for coming months

An area of tropical forest the size of Switzerland was lost last year as tree losses surged, according to new research.

Deforestation surges despite pledges

The impact of early-season Canadian wildfires is felt from Washington DC up the coast to Boston and beyond. The impact of the fires is a combination of an early and large start to the wildfire season in Canada and some unfortunate meteorology. &nbsp;While the meteorology is not unusual, it is just unlucky to have two systems set up to have airflow and winds send wildfire smoke right into the eastern US. 
 
However, the early and dramatic start to the wildfire season is certainly an impact from a warming climate, resulting in an early start to what looks to be an unprecedented fire season. While the levels of particulate matter (PM) in the eastern US are going to be extreme in the coming days, they are transient. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world including areas of South Asia the levels of PM observed are not unusual and do not go away when the wind changes. 
 
The smoke stacks piercing the sky of Beijing, the perpetual haze over New Delhi, the exhaust fumes choking the traffic-clogged streets of Los Angeles, and the cloud of smog looming over London are a testament to a global crisis that is dangerously escalating. As we continue to exhale a harmful cocktail of pollutants into the atmosphere, the problem of air pollution has reached a critical juncture, taking an increasingly devastating toll on our urban habitats worldwide. 
 
Not only is this crisis damaging our ecosystems and human health, but it is also significantly exacerbating the urban heat phenomenon. The world's most populated countries, including India and China, are bearing the brunt, but so too are developed nations such as the United States and those across Europe. These landscapes, heavily imprinted by human activity, are showing a disconcerting correlation between rising air pollution and heat surges. A myriad of research studies has unveiled the insidious interplay of these two factors, revealing the urgency to tackle air pollution head-on in our quest to cool the simmering cities and safeguard our planet. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-1200-children-die-every-year-due-to-air-pollution-in-europe-says-report-585648">ALSO READ|&nbsp;More than 1,200 children die every year due to air pollution in Europe, says report</a> 
 
A study published in the Science of the Total Environment journal this year examined the mutual response of temperature and black carbon (a type of PM2.5) in the city of Kolkata, the study explains a high correlation between high black carbon concentration and rising urban temperature. Yet another paper published in this journal in 2021, focused on the Yangtze River Delta in China, a highly urbanised region with severe air pollution. 
 
It found that aerosols significantly enhanced the urban heat island intensity, particularly during the summer and on non-precipitation days. A study published in the Nature Communications journal 2018, examined how fine particulate air pollution in urban areas could exacerbate heatwaves. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that high levels of PM2.5 – tiny particles produced by burning fossil fuels – can significantly amplify the intensity of urban heat islands. 
 
The research team used data from more than 9,000 weather stations across the United States, and their analysis revealed that on days with high PM2.5 pollution, the daytime temperature of the most polluted urban areas could be up to 1°C hotter than that of neighbouring regions. The study also suggested that the presence of these particles can inhibit the dispersal of heat overnight, resulting in warmer nights. 
 
A comprehensive NASA study published in AMS in 2017 used Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) data and reported that aerosols from human-made sources could impact rainfall patterns and temperatures locally. This study revealed that particulates from air pollution served to intensify heat waves in cities and change local weather patterns. 
 
The combination of industrial and vehicular emissions, biomass burning, and other anthropogenic activities leads to the formation of a cocktail of pollutants - particulate matter, ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and more. Among these pollutants, particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, is one of the significant contributors to the increasing temperatures. 
 
The PM2.5 particles are so minute that they can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs. These particles pose severe health risks and directly contribute to atmospheric warming. These microscopic particles can absorb solar radiation and subsequently re-emit it as heat, thereby increasing the temperature of the surrounding air. In addition, these particles can serve as nuclei for cloud droplets, affecting cloud formation and properties, leading to alterations in local and regional weather patterns, including temperature. 
 
Black carbon, a component of PM2.5, is a significant contributor to the local heating effect. It absorbs sunlight efficiently, converting it to heat and contributing to atmospheric warming. This effect is magnified in India, where biomass burning is a significant source of black carbon. Black carbon is responsible for a significant portion of the observed warming trend in India over the past few decades. High levels of these pollutants in Indian cities, often related to energy production and transportation, further exacerbate the urban heat island effect. 
 
Simultaneously, the vast urban landscapes, characterised by concrete and asphalt, absorb more solar radiation and re-emit it as heat, significantly contributing to urban heat islands' formation and intensity. This phenomenon, coupled with air pollution, leads to higher temperatures in cities compared to surrounding rural areas. 
 
However, the implications of air pollution stretch beyond rising temperatures. There is an increasing body of evidence linking air pollution to a range of health issues. Prolonged exposure to air pollutants, such as PM2.5, is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, neurodevelopmental issues in children, and even premature death. 
 
This is compounded by the impact of elevated temperatures, leading to an upswing in heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and exacerbation of existing medical conditions. Moreover, the ripple effects of air pollution and escalating temperatures have profound economic consequences. From the healthcare perspective, rising costs are incurred to manage the multitude of health issues arising from air pollution. Loss of productivity due to illness and the reduced quality of life significantly affect the economy. On the agricultural front, extreme heat and degraded air quality threaten crop yield, endangering food security, and farmers' livelihoods. 
 
The grim picture painted by air pollution and its allied consequences might seem overwhelming. The path to significant air pollution reduction is filled with challenges, requiring comprehensive policy reforms, stringent regulations, and active public-private sector collaborations. However, effective strategies aimed at mitigating air pollution offer a ray of hope in this scenario. Steps such as strengthening vehicle emission standards, promoting renewable energy, and improving public transportation infrastructure are crucial. 
 
However, the responsibility lies not only with the authorities. Individuals can significantly contribute by adopting cleaner practices, reducing vehicle usage, proper waste disposal, and supporting renewable energy. These actions can lead to multi-faceted benefits including, temperature reduction, healthier citizens, a more sustainable economy, better food security, and a decrease in the urban heat island effect, making our cities more liveable. 
 
Text by: &nbsp; 
Shivang Agarwal with&nbsp;Suresh R, Area convener at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), an air quality and source emissions monitoring expert. 
 
 
Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

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The impact of early-season Canadian wildfires is felt from Washington DC up the coast to Boston and beyond. The impact of the fires is a combination of an early and large start to the wildfire season in Canada and some unfortunate meteorology.

The impact of early-season Canadian wildfires is felt from Washington DC up the coast to Boston and beyond. The impact of the fires is a combination of an early and large start to the wildfire season in Canada and some unfortunate meteorology. While the meteorology is not unusual, it is just unlucky to have two systems set up to have airflow and winds send wildfire smoke right into the eastern US. However, the early and dramatic start to the wildfire season is certainly an impact from a warming climate, resulting in an early start to what looks to be an unprecedented fire season. While the levels of particulate matter (PM) in the eastern US are going to be extreme in the coming days, they are transient. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world including areas of South Asia the levels of PM observed are not unusual and do not go away when the wind changes. The smoke stacks piercing the sky of Beijing, the perpetual haze over New Delhi, the exhaust fumes choking the traffic-clogged streets of Los Angeles, and the cloud of smog looming over London are a testament to a global crisis that is dangerously escalating. As we continue to exhale a harmful cocktail of pollutants into the atmosphere, the problem of air pollution has reached a critical juncture, taking an increasingly devastating toll on our urban habitats worldwide. Not only is this crisis damaging our ecosystems and human health, but it is also significantly exacerbating the urban heat phenomenon. The world's most populated countries, including India and China, are bearing the brunt, but so too are developed nations such as the United States and those across Europe. These landscapes, heavily imprinted by human activity, are showing a disconcerting correlation between rising air pollution and heat surges. A myriad of research studies has unveiled the insidious interplay of these two factors, revealing the urgency to tackle air pollution head-on in our quest to cool the simmering cities and safeguard our planet. ALSO READ| More than 1,200 children die every year due to air pollution in Europe, says report A study published in the Science of the Total Environment journal this year examined the mutual response of temperature and black carbon (a type of PM2.5) in the city of Kolkata, the study explains a high correlation between high black carbon concentration and rising urban temperature. Yet another paper published in this journal in 2021, focused on the Yangtze River Delta in China, a highly urbanised region with severe air pollution. It found that aerosols significantly enhanced the urban heat island intensity, particularly during the summer and on non-precipitation days. A study published in the Nature Communications journal 2018, examined how fine particulate air pollution in urban areas could exacerbate heatwaves. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that high levels of PM2.5 – tiny particles produced by burning fossil fuels – can significantly amplify the intensity of urban heat islands. The research team used data from more than 9,000 weather stations across the United States, and their analysis revealed that on days with high PM2.5 pollution, the daytime temperature of the most polluted urban areas could be up to 1°C hotter than that of neighbouring regions. The study also suggested that the presence of these particles can inhibit the dispersal of heat overnight, resulting in warmer nights. A comprehensive NASA study published in AMS in 2017 used Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) data and reported that aerosols from human-made sources could impact rainfall patterns and temperatures locally. This study revealed that particulates from air pollution served to intensify heat waves in cities and change local weather patterns. The combination of industrial and vehicular emissions, biomass burning, and other anthropogenic activities leads to the formation of a cocktail of pollutants - particulate matter, ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and more. Among these pollutants, particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, is one of the significant contributors to the increasing temperatures. The PM2.5 particles are so minute that they can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs. These particles pose severe health risks and directly contribute to atmospheric warming. These microscopic particles can absorb solar radiation and subsequently re-emit it as heat, thereby increasing the temperature of the surrounding air. In addition, these particles can serve as nuclei for cloud droplets, affecting cloud formation and properties, leading to alterations in local and regional weather patterns, including temperature. Black carbon, a component of PM2.5, is a significant contributor to the local heating effect. It absorbs sunlight efficiently, converting it to heat and contributing to atmospheric warming. This effect is magnified in India, where biomass burning is a significant source of black carbon. Black carbon is responsible for a significant portion of the observed warming trend in India over the past few decades. High levels of these pollutants in Indian cities, often related to energy production and transportation, further exacerbate the urban heat island effect. Simultaneously, the vast urban landscapes, characterised by concrete and asphalt, absorb more solar radiation and re-emit it as heat, significantly contributing to urban heat islands' formation and intensity. This phenomenon, coupled with air pollution, leads to higher temperatures in cities compared to surrounding rural areas. However, the implications of air pollution stretch beyond rising temperatures. There is an increasing body of evidence linking air pollution to a range of health issues. Prolonged exposure to air pollutants, such as PM2.5, is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, neurodevelopmental issues in children, and even premature death. This is compounded by the impact of elevated temperatures, leading to an upswing in heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and exacerbation of existing medical conditions. Moreover, the ripple effects of air pollution and escalating temperatures have profound economic consequences. From the healthcare perspective, rising costs are incurred to manage the multitude of health issues arising from air pollution. Loss of productivity due to illness and the reduced quality of life significantly affect the economy. On the agricultural front, extreme heat and degraded air quality threaten crop yield, endangering food security, and farmers' livelihoods. The grim picture painted by air pollution and its allied consequences might seem overwhelming. The path to significant air pollution reduction is filled with challenges, requiring comprehensive policy reforms, stringent regulations, and active public-private sector collaborations. However, effective strategies aimed at mitigating air pollution offer a ray of hope in this scenario. Steps such as strengthening vehicle emission standards, promoting renewable energy, and improving public transportation infrastructure are crucial. However, the responsibility lies not only with the authorities. Individuals can significantly contribute by adopting cleaner practices, reducing vehicle usage, proper waste disposal, and supporting renewable energy. These actions can lead to multi-faceted benefits including, temperature reduction, healthier citizens, a more sustainable economy, better food security, and a decrease in the urban heat island effect, making our cities more liveable. Text by: Shivang Agarwal with Suresh R, Area convener at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), an air quality and source emissions monitoring expert. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Clearing The Air: Combating pollution for a healthier global urban future

El Nino is officially here. But even though it’s still very weak, Forecasters expect this global disrupter to gradually strengthen.

Explainer: the high cost of El Nino in 2023

El Nino: How the climate pattern may prolong food inflation

The Greenhouse theatre, billed as Britain's first zero waste theatre, is staging plays in London over the summer months when long, light evenings reduce the need for electricity.

London: Zero waste theater seeks to spark climate action

Nasa reveals the invisible, shows shocking rise in carbon emissions.

NASA video shows carbon emissions on earth

Floods, heat waves, incessant rain, and climate change is the driving force behind all the extreme weather conditions throughout the globe and it is significantly affecting Europe which is now the fastest-warming continent in the world. The World Meteorological Organization and the European Union's Climate Change Service laid out a new report which states that Europe should brace for deadly heat waves as the continent recorded 2.3 degrees Celsius hotter temperature last year.

Europe recorded 2.3° Celsius hotter temperature last year | Climate-Change

The 'Dear Earth' art show has been held in Hayward Gallery in London. This ground-breaking exhibition of artistic responses to the climate disaster addresses themes of action, compassion, hope, and interconnectedness.

Dear Earth: Art and Hope' unveiled amid climate crisis

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

Warming breaches 1.5°C threshold in summer

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

UN Chief slams 'pitiful' world response to climate change

India's western states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, and other coastal regions are on high alert as Cyclone Biparjoy intensified into an extremely severe storm. The Cyclone is expected to pass between 200 to 300 kilometers from the coast of Gujarat where an orange level alert has been issued by the Weather Department as people brace for the Cyclone's impact. Reports have emerged of an unfortunate incident in Maharashtra moments ago where six people had drowned in the sea at Mumbai's Juhu beach. Out of the six two have reportedly been rescued by locals four people are still missing and search operations to find them are currently underway.

Cyclone Biparjoy to make landfall on June 15

As Cyclone Biparjoy intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm, the western Indian states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, and other coastal regions are now on high alert. The cyclone is forecast to pass between 200 and 300 kilometers off the coast of Gujarat early today, bringing thunderstorms and extremely strong winds for the next few days.

Cyclone Biparjoy to bring thunderstorms and severe winds

The phasedown of fossil fuels is inevitable, the United Arab Emirates incoming COP28 president said on Thursday, in stronger remarks than previous comments he where called for the phasedown of fossil fuel emissions rather than the fuels themselves.

COP28: Climate activists cheer COP28's fossil fuel phasedown call

According to reports, Spain will generate more than half of its power from renewable sources this year.

Spain to generate over 50% of power from renewables in 2023

On World Oceans Day, we look at how over a third of global fish stocks are being harvested at unsustainable levels.

World Oceans Day 2023

Despite late rainfall, Iraqi farmers in the northern Nineveh plains say they have bountiful wheat and barley harvests this season.

Late rainfall spurs bountiful Iraq wheat harvest

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

Climate change exacerbating inflation worldwide

With its 1.4 billion people, India is the third largest greenhouse gas emitter after china and the US. The country is now taking its first steps towards climate transition with volume targets.

Study: Climate transition costs, benefits unevenly distributed

In a bid to meet the growing demand for clean energy, India is considering a significant reduction in import taxes on solar panels. The government aims to bridge the gap between local production and rising demand by cutting the import tax from 40% to 20%.

India aims to cut solar panel taxes by 50%

Southern Europe is bracing for a summer of ferocious drought. The European Union has now decided to double its aerial firefighting fleet for the summer of 2023.

EU doubles aerial firefighting fleet

A debate rages on, about the future of plastics and their use at the ongoing global plastics convention in France.

UN talks on plastic treaty get underway in Paris

A severe storm last week toppled a magnificent cotton tree that had endured for many hundred years in the capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown. On Monday, a storm that dumped a lot of rain on Freetown caused one of the trees' branches to fall, but on Wednesday, another storm brought down the entire tree, leaving only the trunk standing.

Symbolic 'cotton tree' destroyed in storm

There is rising anxiety about temperatures as the climbing community gets ready to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the ascent of Mount Everest. The world's tallest peak is seeing either rising glacier melting or increasingly severe and unreliable weather.

Study: Highest glacier on Everest melting at alarming rate

Despite a move by countries towards single-use and degradable plastics, hundreds of tonnes end up on sites like these, every year. According to the UN’s environment programme, we could reduce our plastic waste by 80% by 2040 by using existing technologies and reusing and recycling.

Pathway to a plastic-free world

Microorganisms' ability to adapt to the climate change can help reduce global warming by storing carbon in the soil, a recent study from Lund University in Sweden claims.

The researchers collected soil samples from across Europe in a wide range of temperatures, from minus 3.1 to 18.3 degrees Celsius. The samples unveiled microorganisms that are present in soil, such as bacteria and fungi, which are strongly adapted to their local climate for their growth and respiration.&nbsp;

The researchers also surprisingly demonstrated that the microorganisms can not only adapt to temperature changes but also benefit from them.

“Despite decades of scientific pondering, researchers have not been able to determine whether microorganisms can adapt to warming, and if they do. We can now confirm that this is the case, and that the organisms can actually mitigate climate warming,” says Carla Cruz Paredes, a biology researcher at Lund University.

<h2>Differences in microorganisms' temperature sensitivity can predict how global warming can affect soil</h2>

Published in the scientific journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, the new study also reveals that the groups of microorganisms react differently to warming.

Bacteria and fungi react differently when it comes to temperature change as bacteria is more sensitive than fungi.

The differences in the temperature sensitivity hold significance for predicting the carbon losses that are likely to happen in the future and the way the soil can be affected by global warming.

“The outcome of these varying sensitivities to growth and respiration at different temperatures, and between bacteria and fungi, will impact the carbon balance between the soil and the atmosphere, and thus the soil’s feedback on climate warming,” says Carla Cruz Paredes.

The study also emphasizes on the importance of correctly representing microbial responses to climate warming in models of soil carbon content. The research also indicates that ecological responses from the Earth's microorganisms will play a key role in regulating the planet's climate.

"Climate warming is one of the biggest threats to our environment. To mitigate global warming, it is necessary to enhance the soil’s ability to store or sequester carbon and reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere. This study is a step forward in providing better predictions for the assessments of the UN’s climate panel," says Carla Cruz Paredes.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Microorganisms' ability to adapt to the climate change can help reduce global warming by storing carbon in the soil, a recent study from Lund University in Sweden claims.

Microorganisms' ability to adapt to the climate change can help reduce global warming by storing carbon in the soil, a recent study from Lund University in Sweden claims. The researchers collected soil samples from across Europe in a wide range of temperatures, from minus 3.1 to 18.3 degrees Celsius. The samples unveiled microorganisms that are present in soil, such as bacteria and fungi, which are strongly adapted to their local climate for their growth and respiration. The researchers also surprisingly demonstrated that the microorganisms can not only adapt to temperature changes but also benefit from them. “Despite decades of scientific pondering, researchers have not been able to determine whether microorganisms can adapt to warming, and if they do. We can now confirm that this is the case, and that the organisms can actually mitigate climate warming,” says Carla Cruz Paredes, a biology researcher at Lund University. Differences in microorganisms' temperature sensitivity can predict how global warming can affect soil Published in the scientific journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, the new study also reveals that the groups of microorganisms react differently to warming. Bacteria and fungi react differently when it comes to temperature change as bacteria is more sensitive than fungi. The differences in the temperature sensitivity hold significance for predicting the carbon losses that are likely to happen in the future and the way the soil can be affected by global warming. “The outcome of these varying sensitivities to growth and respiration at different temperatures, and between bacteria and fungi, will impact the carbon balance between the soil and the atmosphere, and thus the soil’s feedback on climate warming,” says Carla Cruz Paredes. The study also emphasizes on the importance of correctly representing microbial responses to climate warming in models of soil carbon content. The research also indicates that ecological responses from the Earth's microorganisms will play a key role in regulating the planet's climate. "Climate warming is one of the biggest threats to our environment. To mitigate global warming, it is necessary to enhance the soil’s ability to store or sequester carbon and reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere. This study is a step forward in providing better predictions for the assessments of the UN’s climate panel," says Carla Cruz Paredes. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Microorganisms' ability to adapt to climate change can help reduce global warming, claims study

As demand for sustainable and ethically sourced gems continues to rise, lab-grown diamonds have emerged as a captivating alternative. Lab-grown diamonds are charming both consumers and experts alike with their affordability and sustainable allure. Jasnoor Kaur brings you the report on the growing popularity of these lab creations.

Lab-grown diamonds: The future of sustainable luxury

Businesses all around the world in the mining, tourism, and agriculture sectors are directly impacted by climate change awareness and activism.

The coal mining industry runs the risk of suffering significant losses as governments increasingly tilt towards renewable energy sources and demand that companies have net-zero carbon emissions.&nbsp;

Leisure businesses, such as ski resorts, face risk of melting snow owing to climate change. Droughts, wildfires, and flooding are red flags for the agricultural sector.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/11-year-old-black-boy-shot-in-chest-by-mississippi-police-he-called-for-help-596673">11-year-old black boy shot in chest by Mississippi police he called for help</a>

In addition to all of this, businesses are spending money to implement government regulations regarding new climate-friendly policies. The same companies also run the danger of potential legal action, if they do not follow the law.&nbsp;

Therefore, there is no question that climate change is actually impacting the business climate, a term that refers to the overall conditions that influence the success of businesses.

It is in this context of competing forces vying for attention and power that one has to examine the recent crackdown on environmental activists in Germany.

<h2>Climate change and German economic damage forecasts</h2>

According to a study released in March 2023, Germany might wind up bearing huge economic damage of up to 900 billion euros by 2050 due to climate change. Climate activists, on the other hand, &nbsp;are worried that if regulations are not changed, businesses may fail and this could disrupt people's lives.&nbsp;

<h2>Last Generation environmental group</h2>

WION spoke with the Last Generation climate group after Wednesday's raids by German police on its supporters. The climate group is well-known for its distinctive style of protesting, which includes destroying artwork and blocking highways.&nbsp;

They sometimes also glue themselves to roads, actions that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sees as "completely crazy."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-his-loyalists-orchestrated-may-9-violence-intel-report-596659">Imran, his loyalists orchestrated May 9 violence: Intel report</a>

Carla Hinrichs, a supporter of the student-led group had her front door broken into by over 25 police officers Wednesday. With their guns drawn, the officers stormed into Carla's room where she was still in bed, the activist group told WION in an email response.&nbsp;

Ahead the protests scheduled for 30 May, the group, in a show of defiance, said that even though the rampant raids frighten them, it will still "not stop us from working for the preservation of a livable planet and climate."

Searches were carried out at the houses of about 15 climate change activists. Two of the group's members allegedly intended to damage a crucial oil pipeline in Bavaria, according to the prosecutor's office.&nbsp;

However, the group refuted all such claims in a conversation with WION saying "everything we do, we do transparently. We show our names and faces during our protests. We announce what we intend to do. We talk to politicians, police, church leaders."&nbsp;

It further questioned, "What is criminal about that? We don't get rich, on the contrary, we are constantly paying fines for what we do."&nbsp;

<h2>What is the group demanding?</h2>

The group has been calling out the German government to commit itself to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, something that all countries reaffirmed at the UN Climate Change Conference COP27 that took place in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh last November.&nbsp;

Speaking of their demands from the German government, Last Generation said there is a need for a "social council that leads us out of the climate crisis in a socially just way."&nbsp;

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"Our demand is that we must now come together in a citizen council to give politics a helping hand and preserve what our democracy is all about. For this citizen council, people from society are randomly drawn together to form a truly representative assembly of society. With this political instrument, the necessary measures can be decided in a way that is compatible with society. The Citizen Council is to develop legislative proposals on how Germany can end the burning of fossil fuels in a socially just way by 2030."

Earlier, the German authorities also took the website of the group offline but shortly after, Last Generation launched a new website.&nbsp;

The group is accused of fundraising to finance criminal activities. Last Generation told WION that their donation accounts have also been confiscated by the authorities.&nbsp;

"We are appalled and outraged that our donation accounts have been confiscated. What will happen to the people who have donated small amounts to us? &nbsp;donated? What about the many people who donated 5, 10 or 50 euros? donated. Will they all soon have to face legal consequences because they support a 'criminal organisation'?"

<h2>'Not Afraid'</h2>

Last Generation said it respects the law and would consistently rely on it without fear of court trials. Instead, they are concerned about how the effects of the climate catastrophe may undermine Germany's rule of law.&nbsp;

"We can see it everywhere in the world, whether it is the floods in Pakistan, which have left 30 million people homeless, or the ongoing droughts in France and Spain, which have cut off the drinking water supply in hundreds of communities. Hence, our democracy, our fundamental rights, our future - everything is at stake," the environmental group said. &nbsp;

"The German government is far from presenting a socially just climate protection plan to comply with the 1.5 degree limit that is oriented towards physical realities - as the Federal Constitutional Court ruling from 2021 actually demands of it. For this, it regularly receives harsh criticism from all expert committee, which were specifically used to advise the federal governments. However, this is followed neither by legal consequences nor by any concession on the part of the government," it added.&nbsp;

While rubbishing all allegations against them, the group recalled the words of UN Chief António Guterres that "climate activists are sometimes depicted as dangerous radicals but the truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels. Investing in new fossil fuels infrastructure is moral and economic madness."

As per the climate group, German government wants to sell to the public the idea that the country is on a good path to combat climate change.&nbsp;

"The federal government is breaking its own laws. The federal government is breaking the constitution every day. And as long as this continues, as long as Chancellor Scholz and the entire government break their own climate protection laws. As long as they do not respect the German Basic Law, we will continue to exercise our right to protest peacefully."

In the long term, it said, their goal is to drastically counteract the climate crisis and its drastic effects on people, so that the climatic tipping points are not exceeded and the death and displacement of millions of people can be prevented.

"We are all the last generation that can prevent the uncontrolled heating and destabilisation of the world's climate and thus immense human suffering. But we are also the generation that still has a chance to get out of the destruction. Together, we have to put pressure on our governments so that they finally act and protect our livelihoods."

The UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) will take place this year in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), from November 30 to December 12, 2023.&nbsp;

The nations uniting under one umbrella will establish new objectives, but the current climatic situation requires immediate response.

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Businesses all around the world in the mining, tourism, and agriculture sectors are directly impacted by climate change awareness and activism. The coal mining industry runs the risk of suffering significant losses as governments increasingly tilt towards renewable energy sources and demand that companies have net-zero carbon emissions.

Businesses all around the world in the mining, tourism, and agriculture sectors are directly impacted by climate change awareness and activism. The coal mining industry runs the risk of suffering significant losses as governments increasingly tilt towards renewable energy sources and demand that companies have net-zero carbon emissions. Leisure businesses, such as ski resorts, face risk of melting snow owing to climate change. Droughts, wildfires, and flooding are red flags for the agricultural sector. Also Read | 11-year-old black boy shot in chest by Mississippi police he called for help In addition to all of this, businesses are spending money to implement government regulations regarding new climate-friendly policies. The same companies also run the danger of potential legal action, if they do not follow the law. Therefore, there is no question that climate change is actually impacting the business climate, a term that refers to the overall conditions that influence the success of businesses. It is in this context of competing forces vying for attention and power that one has to examine the recent crackdown on environmental activists in Germany. Climate change and German economic damage forecasts According to a study released in March 2023, Germany might wind up bearing huge economic damage of up to 900 billion euros by 2050 due to climate change. Climate activists, on the other hand, are worried that if regulations are not changed, businesses may fail and this could disrupt people's lives. Last Generation environmental group WION spoke with the Last Generation climate group after Wednesday's raids by German police on its supporters. The climate group is well-known for its distinctive style of protesting, which includes destroying artwork and blocking highways. They sometimes also glue themselves to roads, actions that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sees as "completely crazy." Also Read | Imran, his loyalists orchestrated May 9 violence: Intel report Carla Hinrichs, a supporter of the student-led group had her front door broken into by over 25 police officers Wednesday. With their guns drawn, the officers stormed into Carla's room where she was still in bed, the activist group told WION in an email response. Ahead the protests scheduled for 30 May, the group, in a show of defiance, said that even though the rampant raids frighten them, it will still "not stop us from working for the preservation of a livable planet and climate." Searches were carried out at the houses of about 15 climate change activists. Two of the group's members allegedly intended to damage a crucial oil pipeline in Bavaria, according to the prosecutor's office. However, the group refuted all such claims in a conversation with WION saying "everything we do, we do transparently. We show our names and faces during our protests. We announce what we intend to do. We talk to politicians, police, church leaders." It further questioned, "What is criminal about that? We don't get rich, on the contrary, we are constantly paying fines for what we do." What is the group demanding? The group has been calling out the German government to commit itself to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, something that all countries reaffirmed at the UN Climate Change Conference COP27 that took place in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh last November. Speaking of their demands from the German government, Last Generation said there is a need for a "social council that leads us out of the climate crisis in a socially just way." Watch | Battleground Bakhmut: Russia vs Ukraine | WION Wideangle × "Our demand is that we must now come together in a citizen council to give politics a helping hand and preserve what our democracy is all about. For this citizen council, people from society are randomly drawn together to form a truly representative assembly of society. With this political instrument, the necessary measures can be decided in a way that is compatible with society. The Citizen Council is to develop legislative proposals on how Germany can end the burning of fossil fuels in a socially just way by 2030." Earlier, the German authorities also took the website of the group offline but shortly after, Last Generation launched a new website. The group is accused of fundraising to finance criminal activities. Last Generation told WION that their donation accounts have also been confiscated by the authorities. "We are appalled and outraged that our donation accounts have been confiscated. What will happen to the people who have donated small amounts to us? donated? What about the many people who donated 5, 10 or 50 euros? donated. Will they all soon have to face legal consequences because they support a 'criminal organisation'?" 'Not Afraid' Last Generation said it respects the law and would consistently rely on it without fear of court trials. Instead, they are concerned about how the effects of the climate catastrophe may undermine Germany's rule of law. "We can see it everywhere in the world, whether it is the floods in Pakistan, which have left 30 million people homeless, or the ongoing droughts in France and Spain, which have cut off the drinking water supply in hundreds of communities. Hence, our democracy, our fundamental rights, our future - everything is at stake," the environmental group said. "The German government is far from presenting a socially just climate protection plan to comply with the 1.5 degree limit that is oriented towards physical realities - as the Federal Constitutional Court ruling from 2021 actually demands of it. For this, it regularly receives harsh criticism from all expert committee, which were specifically used to advise the federal governments. However, this is followed neither by legal consequences nor by any concession on the part of the government," it added. While rubbishing all allegations against them, the group recalled the words of UN Chief António Guterres that "climate activists are sometimes depicted as dangerous radicals but the truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels. Investing in new fossil fuels infrastructure is moral and economic madness." As per the climate group, German government wants to sell to the public the idea that the country is on a good path to combat climate change. "The federal government is breaking its own laws. The federal government is breaking the constitution every day. And as long as this continues, as long as Chancellor Scholz and the entire government break their own climate protection laws. As long as they do not respect the German Basic Law, we will continue to exercise our right to protest peacefully." In the long term, it said, their goal is to drastically counteract the climate crisis and its drastic effects on people, so that the climatic tipping points are not exceeded and the death and displacement of millions of people can be prevented. "We are all the last generation that can prevent the uncontrolled heating and destabilisation of the world's climate and thus immense human suffering. But we are also the generation that still has a chance to get out of the destruction. Together, we have to put pressure on our governments so that they finally act and protect our livelihoods." The UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) will take place this year in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), from November 30 to December 12, 2023. The nations uniting under one umbrella will establish new objectives, but the current climatic situation requires immediate response. 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. ×

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