In a unique way to raise awareness about global deforestation, workers painted the trees blue outside the Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusetts to celebrate the Earth Day.

Why are they painting the trees blue?

The world is witnessing erratic shifts in climate patterns. The time is running out to fight for our planet and questions arise, can the Paris accord goal be achieved?

World Earth day: Are we standing by our climate pledges?

Floods, heatwaves, droughts and climate change is wreaking havoc in the United States. The country is facing more and more natural disasters with extreme weather events becoming more severe and frequent in the last few years. Watch this report!

Floods, fires & extreme heat wreak havoc in United States

UNESCO's global geoparks are landscapes of big significance especially geologically, they seek to combine sustainable development and conservation by involving local communities. In the latest, UNESCO has announced that it is now designating eight more new sites as global geoparks spread across seven countries.

Sustainable development key part of UNESCO'S 8 global geoparks

Cruise ships on a key West Island in Florida face the heat from the local residents. Residents say cruises affect the environment.

Key West Island in Florida faces dispute over cruise ships, residents say cruises affect environment

India is already experiencing a warming climate. Around the globe, countries are experiencing unusual and unprecedented aftermaths of climate change. The question arises: In what ways the climate change could impact India?

From heatwaves to erratic monsoons, 10 ways climate change will impact India

In the UK, people have started taking energy prices into their own hands by switching to community-led energy production as the rise in prices does not seem to be slowing down.

United Kingdom sees surge in people joining community schemes

1st April snowfall has been recorded in Portland. Schools in Portland remain closed for the time being and some residents rejoice at the unusual timings.

1st April snowfall recorded in Portland, some residents rejoice the unusual timings

The year 2021 has witnessed a record rise in methane emissions into the atmosphere. Scientists from around the world are raising alarms.

2021 witnessed a record rise in methane emissions into the atmosphere

At least 25 people have died so far in landslides and floods in central and southern Philippines after Tropical Storm Megi swept the nation.

Heavy rains pummel southern Philippines, 25 dead and 6 reported missing

A dust storm that has swept through much of Iraq has left&nbsp;dozens&nbsp;of people in hospital with &nbsp;respiratory problems, a health ministry spokesman said Saturday.

The storm erupted in the north of the country on Thursday, prompting the cancellation of flights serving Arbil, capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region.

As the storm swept south, it shrouded Baghdad and cities as far south as Nasiriyah in a ghostly orange.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-presidential-vote-delayed-again-over-lack-of-quorum-465780">&nbsp;Iraq presidential vote delayed again over lack of quorum</a>

In the capital, buildings and vehicles were covered in ochre-coloured dust, AFP journalists reported.

The storm has caused "dozens&nbsp;of hospitalisations across Iraq due to respiratory problems", health ministry spokesman Saif al-Badr told AFP.

The director of Iraq's meteorological office, Amer al-Jabri, said that while dust storms were not uncommon in Iraq, they are becoming more frequent "due to drought, desertification and declining rainfall".

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: 12 Iranian Missiles land in Iraq

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-12-iranian-missiles-land-in-iraq-462331/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Iraq is particularly vulnerable to climate change, having already witnessed record low rainfall and high temperatures in recent years.

Experts have said these factors threaten social and economic disaster in the war-scarred country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tehran-warned-iraq-often-about-threats-posed-to-iran-foreign-ministry-462111">Tehran warned Iraq often about threats posed to Iran: Foreign ministry</a>

In November, the World Bank warned that Iraq could suffer a 20 percent drop in water resources by 2050 due to climate change.

A dust storm that has swept through much of Iraq has left dozens of people in hospital with respiratory problems, a health ministry spokesman said Saturday. The storm erupted in the north of the country on Thursday, prompting the cancellation of flights serving Arbil, capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region.

A dust storm that has swept through much of Iraq has left dozens of people in hospital with respiratory problems, a health ministry spokesman said Saturday. The storm erupted in the north of the country on Thursday, prompting the cancellation of flights serving Arbil, capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region. As the storm swept south, it shrouded Baghdad and cities as far south as Nasiriyah in a ghostly orange. Also read | Iraq presidential vote delayed again over lack of quorum In the capital, buildings and vehicles were covered in ochre-coloured dust, AFP journalists reported. The storm has caused "dozens of hospitalisations across Iraq due to respiratory problems", health ministry spokesman Saif al-Badr told AFP. The director of Iraq's meteorological office, Amer al-Jabri, said that while dust storms were not uncommon in Iraq, they are becoming more frequent "due to drought, desertification and declining rainfall". Watch | Gravitas: 12 Iranian Missiles land in Iraq Iraq is particularly vulnerable to climate change, having already witnessed record low rainfall and high temperatures in recent years. Experts have said these factors threaten social and economic disaster in the war-scarred country. Also read | Tehran warned Iraq often about threats posed to Iran: Foreign ministry In November, the World Bank warned that Iraq could suffer a 20 percent drop in water resources by 2050 due to climate change.

Dozens hospitalised as Iraq gripped by dust storm

Amid the global outrage over global warming, what is driving the methane emissions? The US government data shows the grim reality.

What is driving methane emissions? US government data shows the grim reality

Extreme snowfall has wrecked the Bolivian highway leaving dozens of vehicles stranded. La Cumbre was left covered in snow halting all movements.

Snowstorm wrecks Bolivian highway leaving dozens of vehicles stranded

Humanity has less than three years to halt the rise of planet-warming carbon emissions and less than a decade to slash them almost in half, the UN said Monday in a landmark report on stopping global warming and ensuring a "liveable future".

That daunting task is still -- and only just -- possible, but current policies are leading the planet towards catastrophic temperature rises, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on&nbsp;Climate&nbsp;Change (IPCC) made clear.

The world's nations, they said, are taking our future right to the wire.&nbsp;

The 2,800-page report -- by far the most comprehensive assessment of how to halt global heating ever produced -- documents to "a litany of broken&nbsp;climate&nbsp;promises", said UN chief Antonio Guterres in a blistering judgement of governments and industry. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"Some government and business leaders are saying one thing -- but doing another. Simply put, they are lying. And the results will be catastrophic," Guterres said in a video message released at the same time as the UN report.

In recent months, the IPCC has published the first two instalments in a trilogy of mammoth scientific assessments covering how greenhouse gas emissions are heating the planet and what that means for life on Earth.

This third report outlines what we can do about it.

"We are at a crossroads," said IPCC chief Hoesung Lee. "The decisions we make now can secure a liveable future. We have the tools and know-how required to limit warming."&nbsp;

There are solutions, the report says, but they touch on virtually all aspects of modern life and require significant investment and need "immediate action".

The very first item on the global to-do list is to stop greenhouse gas emissions from rising any further.&nbsp;

That must be done before 2025 to have a hope of keeping within even the less ambitious warming targets of the Paris deal of two degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.&nbsp;

Scenarios of catastrophic 2.5C of warming also have emissions peaking within three years.

Beyond that, the report said carbon emissions need to drop 43 percent by 2030 and 84 percent by mid-century to meet the more ambitious Paris goal of 1.5C. &nbsp;

"It's now or never, if we want to limit global warming to 1.5C," said Jim Skea, a professor at Imperial College London and co-chair of the working group behind the report.&nbsp;

"Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, it will be impossible."

And cutting emissions is no longer enough, the IPCC said. Technologies to suck CO2 out of the atmosphere -- not yet operating to scale -- will need to be ramped up enormously.

WATCH |&nbsp;Why bees in this Moroccan village are dying?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/why-bees-in-this-moroccan-village-are-dying-468348/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Fossil fuels

The 1.5C target is presently "beyond reach", even with the most updated global&nbsp;climate&nbsp;pledges, the IPCC said.

To get there the world must radically reduce the fossil fuels behind the lion's share of emissions.&nbsp;

Nations should stop burning coal completely and slash oil and gas use by 60 and 70 percent respectively to keep within the Paris goals, the IPCC said.&nbsp;

It warned that current fossil fuel infrastructure, if used to the end of its expected lifetime without capturing carbon emissions, would make it impossible to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, the IPCC said.

While government policies, investments and regulations will propel emissions cuts, the IPCC made clear that individuals can also make a big difference.

Cutting back on long-haul flights, switching to plant-based diets,&nbsp;climate-proofing buildings and other ways of cutting the consumption that drives energy demand could reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 to 70 percent by 2050.&nbsp;

"Rapid and deep changes in demand make it easier for every sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," including construction, food consumption and transport, the report said.

With war in Ukraine spurring urgent efforts to transition away from Russian oil and gas in the West, observers said the report should sharpen nations' focus on&nbsp;climate&nbsp;commitments.&nbsp;

Humanity has less than three years to halt the rise of planet-warming carbon emissions and less than a decade to slash them almost in half, the UN said Monday in a landmark report on stopping global warming and ensuring a "liveable future".

Humanity has less than three years to halt the rise of planet-warming carbon emissions and less than a decade to slash them almost in half, the UN said Monday in a landmark report on stopping global warming and ensuring a "liveable future". That daunting task is still -- and only just -- possible, but current policies are leading the planet towards catastrophic temperature rises, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) made clear. The world's nations, they said, are taking our future right to the wire. The 2,800-page report -- by far the most comprehensive assessment of how to halt global heating ever produced -- documents to "a litany of broken climate promises", said UN chief Antonio Guterres in a blistering judgement of governments and industry. "Some government and business leaders are saying one thing -- but doing another. Simply put, they are lying. And the results will be catastrophic," Guterres said in a video message released at the same time as the UN report. In recent months, the IPCC has published the first two instalments in a trilogy of mammoth scientific assessments covering how greenhouse gas emissions are heating the planet and what that means for life on Earth. This third report outlines what we can do about it. "We are at a crossroads," said IPCC chief Hoesung Lee. "The decisions we make now can secure a liveable future. We have the tools and know-how required to limit warming." There are solutions, the report says, but they touch on virtually all aspects of modern life and require significant investment and need "immediate action". The very first item on the global to-do list is to stop greenhouse gas emissions from rising any further. That must be done before 2025 to have a hope of keeping within even the less ambitious warming targets of the Paris deal of two degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. Scenarios of catastrophic 2.5C of warming also have emissions peaking within three years. Beyond that, the report said carbon emissions need to drop 43 percent by 2030 and 84 percent by mid-century to meet the more ambitious Paris goal of 1.5C. "It's now or never, if we want to limit global warming to 1.5C," said Jim Skea, a professor at Imperial College London and co-chair of the working group behind the report. "Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, it will be impossible." And cutting emissions is no longer enough, the IPCC said. Technologies to suck CO2 out of the atmosphere -- not yet operating to scale -- will need to be ramped up enormously. WATCH | Why bees in this Moroccan village are dying? × Fossil fuels The 1.5C target is presently "beyond reach", even with the most updated global climate pledges, the IPCC said. To get there the world must radically reduce the fossil fuels behind the lion's share of emissions. Nations should stop burning coal completely and slash oil and gas use by 60 and 70 percent respectively to keep within the Paris goals, the IPCC said. It warned that current fossil fuel infrastructure, if used to the end of its expected lifetime without capturing carbon emissions, would make it impossible to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, the IPCC said. While government policies, investments and regulations will propel emissions cuts, the IPCC made clear that individuals can also make a big difference. Cutting back on long-haul flights, switching to plant-based diets, climate-proofing buildings and other ways of cutting the consumption that drives energy demand could reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 to 70 percent by 2050. "Rapid and deep changes in demand make it easier for every sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," including construction, food consumption and transport, the report said. With war in Ukraine spurring urgent efforts to transition away from Russian oil and gas in the West, observers said the report should sharpen nations' focus on climate commitments.

United Nations warns that it's 'now or never' to avoid climate catastrophe

According to an IMF report, climate-related disasters are on the rise in West Asia posing a major threat to growth and prosperity in the region.

Climate-related disasters on the rise in West Asia

According to a report released by Global Witness, Facebook’s algorithm amplifies climate doubters rather than nudging people towards reliable information.

Reports say Facebook pushing sceptics towards climate misinformation

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the release of the country’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, aiming to reach its new climate target of cutting emissions by 40 per cent below the 2005 levels by 2030.

Canada's new plan aims at reducing Carbon emissions by 2030

Climate change is making lives tougher for people in Jordan, a country which is already experiencing an extreme scarcity of water. Now, the middle eastern kingdom is witnessing an unprecedented rise in summer temperatures.

Jordan's worsening water crisis: Growing problem of water scarcity

Portugal has issued a warning of earthquakes in the Azores. Experts warned recently that Portugal’s Azores could see an eruption similar to Spain’s La Palma.

Quake-hit Azores prepares for worst, volcano experts warn it could erupt

More than 13 million people have been affected in the horn of Africa and as per reports, the number could grow to 20 million if the rainy season that began this month does not improve the situation.

Drought crisis in the horn of Africa, 13 million people face severe hunger

As heatwave conditions continued to intensify across India, the maximum temperature hit 40 degrees Celsius in various parts of North India.

Temperature shoots past 40 degress celsius in Indian capital, IMD raises concern

"Plastic&nbsp;still has value," said Nzambi Matee of the mountains of discarded oil drums, laundry buckets, yoghurt tubs and other trash being shredded&nbsp;into&nbsp;colourful flakes at her Nairobi factory.

"I believe that&nbsp;plastic&nbsp;is one of the misunderstood materials."

The 30-year-old&nbsp;Kenyan&nbsp;engineer and&nbsp;inventor&nbsp;would know: her start-up recycles tonnes of&nbsp;plastic&nbsp;destined for landfill&nbsp;into&nbsp;eco-friendly&nbsp;bricks&nbsp;that are stronger, cheaper and lighter than concrete.

A creation of her own design, these sustainable paving blocks already line roads, driveways and sidewalks in Nairobi, but could soon also serve as an alternative building material for low-cost housing.

Every day her enterprise, Gjenge Makers, churns out 1,500&nbsp;bricks&nbsp;made from industrial and household&nbsp;plastic&nbsp;that otherwise would be dumped in the city's overflowing garbage heaps.

The young entrepreneur quit a job in oil and gas -- the very industry that makes&nbsp;plastic&nbsp;from fossil fuels -- to explore recycling after being shocked at how little trash was being reused.

"In Nairobi we generate about 500 metric tonnes of&nbsp;plastic&nbsp;waste every single day, and only a fraction of that is recycled," said Matee,&nbsp;who&nbsp;bounds with energy around the factory floor in denim overalls and trainers.&nbsp;

"And that made me think -- what happens to this&nbsp;plastic?"

Stronger, lighter, cheaper&nbsp;

Most winds up in landfill, rivers and oceans, and less than 10 percent is recycled.

In Nairobi, one of Africa's fastest-growing capitals, Matee found an endless supply of raw material to work with, scouring the city's tips and industrial zones for unwanted&nbsp;plastic.

It took several years to perfect a prototype -- the machinery required was custom built and sourced from spare industrial parts -- but by 2019 production was steadily underway.

The shredded&nbsp;plastic&nbsp;is mixed with sand and subjected to extreme heat, producing a &nbsp;sludge that is moulded&nbsp;into&nbsp;different sized blocks.

The end result is a paver that is anywhere between two and seven times stronger than concrete, half the weight, and as much as 15 percent cheaper, says Matee.

It is also more durable.&nbsp;

Plastic&nbsp;is fibrous in nature, and the unique production process prevents air pockets from forming within the&nbsp;bricks. This results in greater compression strength than conventional paving stones that crack under heavy force or prolonged weather exposure.

"Because of that, it doesn't break," said Matee, clapping two of the&nbsp;plastic&nbsp;bricks&nbsp;together sharply.

In 2021, they recycled 50 tonnes of&nbsp;plastic&nbsp;but Matee hopes to double that amount this year as production expands.

&nbsp;Big plans&nbsp;

There are limitations.&nbsp;

Of the seven major types of&nbsp;plastic, only four can be recycled&nbsp;into&nbsp;bricks.&nbsp;

PET&nbsp;plastic&nbsp;-- the kind used in&nbsp;plastic&nbsp;bottles and a major scourge on the environment -- is not yet compatible, but they hope to change that.

"There is more that can be done, there is more that needs to be done. We are just a single drop in the ocean... small, small drops will make a big effect," Matee said.

They are trying to break&nbsp;into&nbsp;the affordable housing market by designing a block that can replace or complement&nbsp;bricks, mortar and other standard building materials.

A prototype is in the works, with plans to build a model home by the end of the year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"We want to be the leaders in alternative building products. Our first area of attack is&nbsp;plastic," Matee said.

Her trailblazing work has attracted accolades, and earned another boost earlier this year after she designed a custom gavel for a major UN environment summit where the&nbsp;plastic&nbsp;trash crisis topped the agenda.

Gjenge Makers has also created over 100 direct and indirect jobs through recycling&nbsp;plastic&nbsp;–- helping both livelihoods and the environment in a way Matee says wasn't possible working with fossil fuels.

"Let's just say I sleep better," she said with a grin.

"Plastic still has value," said Nzambi Matee of the mountains of discarded oil drums, laundry buckets, yoghurt tubs and other trash being shredded into colourful flakes at her Nairobi factory.

"Plastic still has value," said Nzambi Matee of the mountains of discarded oil drums, laundry buckets, yoghurt tubs and other trash being shredded into colourful flakes at her Nairobi factory. "I believe that plastic is one of the misunderstood materials." The 30-year-old Kenyan engineer and inventor would know: her start-up recycles tonnes of plastic destined for landfill into eco-friendly bricks that are stronger, cheaper and lighter than concrete. A creation of her own design, these sustainable paving blocks already line roads, driveways and sidewalks in Nairobi, but could soon also serve as an alternative building material for low-cost housing. Every day her enterprise, Gjenge Makers, churns out 1,500 bricks made from industrial and household plastic that otherwise would be dumped in the city's overflowing garbage heaps. The young entrepreneur quit a job in oil and gas -- the very industry that makes plastic from fossil fuels -- to explore recycling after being shocked at how little trash was being reused. "In Nairobi we generate about 500 metric tonnes of plastic waste every single day, and only a fraction of that is recycled," said Matee, who bounds with energy around the factory floor in denim overalls and trainers. "And that made me think -- what happens to this plastic?" Stronger, lighter, cheaper Most winds up in landfill, rivers and oceans, and less than 10 percent is recycled. In Nairobi, one of Africa's fastest-growing capitals, Matee found an endless supply of raw material to work with, scouring the city's tips and industrial zones for unwanted plastic. It took several years to perfect a prototype -- the machinery required was custom built and sourced from spare industrial parts -- but by 2019 production was steadily underway. The shredded plastic is mixed with sand and subjected to extreme heat, producing a sludge that is moulded into different sized blocks. The end result is a paver that is anywhere between two and seven times stronger than concrete, half the weight, and as much as 15 percent cheaper, says Matee. It is also more durable. Plastic is fibrous in nature, and the unique production process prevents air pockets from forming within the bricks. This results in greater compression strength than conventional paving stones that crack under heavy force or prolonged weather exposure. "Because of that, it doesn't break," said Matee, clapping two of the plastic bricks together sharply. In 2021, they recycled 50 tonnes of plastic but Matee hopes to double that amount this year as production expands. Big plans There are limitations. Of the seven major types of plastic, only four can be recycled into bricks. PET plastic -- the kind used in plastic bottles and a major scourge on the environment -- is not yet compatible, but they hope to change that. "There is more that can be done, there is more that needs to be done. We are just a single drop in the ocean... small, small drops will make a big effect," Matee said. They are trying to break into the affordable housing market by designing a block that can replace or complement bricks, mortar and other standard building materials. A prototype is in the works, with plans to build a model home by the end of the year. "We want to be the leaders in alternative building products. Our first area of attack is plastic," Matee said. Her trailblazing work has attracted accolades, and earned another boost earlier this year after she designed a custom gavel for a major UN environment summit where the plastic trash crisis topped the agenda. Gjenge Makers has also created over 100 direct and indirect jobs through recycling plastic –- helping both livelihoods and the environment in a way Matee says wasn't possible working with fossil fuels. "Let's just say I sleep better," she said with a grin.

'Trash has value': Kenyan inventor turns plastic into bricks

Climate change has impacted the aviation sector in the U.S. and hot air makes it harder for a plane to fly. Under hot conditions, planes take more fuel to take off, airlines are planning for a hotter future.

Climate change impacts aviation sector, hot air makes it harder for plane to fly

Ice shelf as big as Rome has collapsed in East Antarctica due to extraordinary heatwave. This is worrisome and the question arises, 'Is World's coldest place warming up?'

Glenzer Conger ice shelf collapses in East Antarctica

Do you buy new clothes every season? If yes, read this fact, "Around 8-10% of carbon emissions due to fashion industry". It's time to recycle textiles to live sustainably.

The Environmental cost of clothing: Turning plastic bottles into sustainable workwear

It's been four years since South Africa's tourist capital nearly ran dry during a drought that left the city limping towards a day zero.

Cape Town's water crisis: Poor townships still struggle to get access to water

Over 200 firefighters from 30 agencies have been deployed in Colorado where wildfire flames burned 200 acres of land.

Wildfire rages on in Colorado, flames burn 200 acres of land

Authorities have confirmed the mass bleaching event and said, "the Great Barrier Reef has been hit by a bleaching event because of heat stress".

Australia bears brunt of climate change, authorities confirm mass bleaching event

Students and union officials have gathered outside Australian PM Scott Morrison's House and raised slogans to demand greater action on climate change.

Students' call for climate action grows louder, ask government to divert funding

Peru happens to be one of the most water-insecure countries at the moment. While Peruvian infrastructure continues to improve, unequal access to safe drinking water is still a major issue.

Peru Water Crisis: Two million people lack access to water

For months now climate activists and global bodies have been sounding an alarm over climate change calling for urgent climate action. The United Nations has in the latest said that the impact of global warming is now simply irreversible and that there is still a brief window of time to avoid the very worst.

IPCC scientists to examine carbon removal

climate

Climate, News on Climate, stories on Climate, articles on Climate, Climate stories at Wion, Climate news, Climate latest news