In worrying news from the environmental front, Antarctica has hit record temperatures in eastern Antarctica. Now, the temperatures have soared to more than 30 degrees Celsius above normal.

Temperatures soar by 30 degrees Celsius in Antarctica

The&nbsp;Great&nbsp;Barrier&nbsp;Reef&nbsp;has again been hit with "widespread"&nbsp;bleaching, authorities said Friday, as higher-than-average ocean temperatures off Australia's northeast threaten the already struggling World Heritage site.

Surveillance flights over the&nbsp;reef&nbsp;revealed damage due to heat stress ranging from minor to severe&nbsp;bleaching&nbsp;across the 2,300-kilometre (1,243-mile) network of corals, the&nbsp;Great&nbsp;Barrier&nbsp;Reef&nbsp;Marine Park Authority said.&nbsp;

"Bleaching&nbsp;has been detected across the Marine Park -- it is&nbsp;widespread&nbsp;but variable, across multiple regions, ranging in impact from minor to severe," the authority said in its weekly update.&nbsp;

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Over the past week sea temperatures throughout the marine park ranged between 0.5 and two degrees Celsius above average, while the far north and inshore areas recorded temperatures between two and four degrees above average.&nbsp;

"The most heavily impacted reefs are around the Townsville region. There have also been reports of early mortality where heat stress has been the greatest."

The news comes ahead of a UNESCO trip to the&nbsp;reef&nbsp;to inspect the site's health, informing a decision on its heritage listing which is to be considered in June.

Bleaching&nbsp;occurs when healthy corals become stressed by spikes in ocean temperatures, causing them to expel algae living in their tissues, draining them of their vibrant colours.

There have been five mass&nbsp;bleaching&nbsp;events across the&nbsp;Great&nbsp;Barrier&nbsp;Reef&nbsp;triggered by unusually warm sea temperatures since 1997, leaving many affected corals struggling to survive.

Several cyclones have also battered the&nbsp;reef, as climate change drives more extreme weather.

Outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish have also eaten away at the coral.

While recent changes are not yet classified as a mass&nbsp;bleaching&nbsp;event, the Australian Marine Conservation Society described the report as "disastrous news", particularly during a La Nina weather pattern, which is usually associated with cooler ocean temperatures.&nbsp;

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"It shows the consistent pressure our&nbsp;reef&nbsp;is now under from global heating," the society's campaign manager Lissa Schindler said.&nbsp;

"A healthy&nbsp;reef&nbsp;can recover from coral&nbsp;bleaching&nbsp;but it needs time. More frequent marine heatwaves primarily driven by the burning of coal and gas means it is not getting this time."

Australia's conservative government earlier this year announced new funding in the hope of preventing the climate-ravaged&nbsp;reef&nbsp;from being removed from UNESCO's World Heritage list.

When the UN previously threatened to downgrade the&nbsp;reef's World Heritage listing in 2015, Australia created a "Reef&nbsp;2050" plan and poured billions of dollars into protection.

The measures are believed to have arrested the pace of decline, but much of the world's largest&nbsp;reef&nbsp;system has already been damaged.

A recent study found&nbsp;bleaching&nbsp;had affected 98 percent of the&nbsp;reef&nbsp;since 1998, leaving just a fraction untouched.

The&nbsp;Great&nbsp;Barrier&nbsp;Reef&nbsp;-- the world's largest living structure, visible from space -- was added to the list in 1981 for its "superlative natural beauty" and extensive biodiversity.

But the list is not permanently fixed, and sites can be downgraded or even removed entirely on the UN body's recommendation.

While placement on the "in-danger" list is not considered a sanction -- some nations have their sites added to gain international attention to help save them -- others see it as a dishonour.

Watch |&nbsp;Microplastics found in Marine life: Scientists take research trips on the Brazilian coast

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/microplastics-found-in-marine-life-scientists-take-research-trips-on-the-brazilian-coast-463298/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Great Barrier Reef has again been hit with "widespread" bleaching, authorities said Friday, as higher-than-average ocean temperatures off Australia's northeast threaten the already struggling World Heritage site.

The Great Barrier Reef has again been hit with "widespread" bleaching, authorities said Friday, as higher-than-average ocean temperatures off Australia's northeast threaten the already struggling World Heritage site. Surveillance flights over the reef revealed damage due to heat stress ranging from minor to severe bleaching across the 2,300-kilometre (1,243-mile) network of corals, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said. "Bleaching has been detected across the Marine Park -- it is widespread but variable, across multiple regions, ranging in impact from minor to severe," the authority said in its weekly update. Also read | Australian watchdog sues Facebook-owner Meta over scam advertisements Over the past week sea temperatures throughout the marine park ranged between 0.5 and two degrees Celsius above average, while the far north and inshore areas recorded temperatures between two and four degrees above average. "The most heavily impacted reefs are around the Townsville region. There have also been reports of early mortality where heat stress has been the greatest." The news comes ahead of a UNESCO trip to the reef to inspect the site's health, informing a decision on its heritage listing which is to be considered in June. Bleaching occurs when healthy corals become stressed by spikes in ocean temperatures, causing them to expel algae living in their tissues, draining them of their vibrant colours. There have been five mass bleaching events across the Great Barrier Reef triggered by unusually warm sea temperatures since 1997, leaving many affected corals struggling to survive. Several cyclones have also battered the reef, as climate change drives more extreme weather. Outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish have also eaten away at the coral. While recent changes are not yet classified as a mass bleaching event, the Australian Marine Conservation Society described the report as "disastrous news", particularly during a La Nina weather pattern, which is usually associated with cooler ocean temperatures. Also read | WION Climate Summit: Nepal's environment minister urges for global partnerships to combat climate crisis "It shows the consistent pressure our reef is now under from global heating," the society's campaign manager Lissa Schindler said. "A healthy reef can recover from coral bleaching but it needs time. More frequent marine heatwaves primarily driven by the burning of coal and gas means it is not getting this time." Australia's conservative government earlier this year announced new funding in the hope of preventing the climate-ravaged reef from being removed from UNESCO's World Heritage list. When the UN previously threatened to downgrade the reef's World Heritage listing in 2015, Australia created a "Reef 2050" plan and poured billions of dollars into protection. The measures are believed to have arrested the pace of decline, but much of the world's largest reef system has already been damaged. A recent study found bleaching had affected 98 percent of the reef since 1998, leaving just a fraction untouched. The Great Barrier Reef -- the world's largest living structure, visible from space -- was added to the list in 1981 for its "superlative natural beauty" and extensive biodiversity. But the list is not permanently fixed, and sites can be downgraded or even removed entirely on the UN body's recommendation. While placement on the "in-danger" list is not considered a sanction -- some nations have their sites added to gain international attention to help save them -- others see it as a dishonour. Watch | Microplastics found in Marine life: Scientists take research trips on the Brazilian coast

Great Barrier Reef suffers 'widespread' bleaching event

Denmark's Ambassador to India Freddy Svane, while speaking at the WION Climate Summit, emphasised the need for individual responsibility to tackle climate change. His remarks came at the first edition of WION's annual Climate Summit, the theme of which was 'Climate Calling: The last chance to answer climate emergency'.

"If we are not changing our behaviour, then despite pouring in billions of dollars, it will still have no impact," he said.&nbsp;

He further added that we need to invest a little bit of money into the green transition of India but the money basically has to "come from your pocket."&nbsp;

The private sector should also contribute, he said.&nbsp;

He spoke about how his country, Denmark, has done a "fantastic job." &nbsp;

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"We have really changed our economy."&nbsp;

"There's no future if we are not going green. We can't afford not to do anything," he added.&nbsp;Raising an alarm, Freddy highlighted that people have not realised how endangered the planet is.&nbsp;

India's Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari made a big announcement at WION Climate Summit. He revealed that India's first Hydrogen-powered car was to be unveiled on Wednesday (March 16). The car, made as a pilot project, was kept at his residence, he said.

In his address during the summit, Gadkari said that there was a need to find alternate options for fuels like petrol and diesel.

Denmark's Ambassador to India Freddy Svane, while speaking at the WION Climate Summit, emphasised the need for individual responsibility to tackle climate change.

Denmark's Ambassador to India Freddy Svane, while speaking at the WION Climate Summit, emphasised the need for individual responsibility to tackle climate change. His remarks came at the first edition of WION's annual Climate Summit, the theme of which was 'Climate Calling: The last chance to answer climate emergency'. "If we are not changing our behaviour, then despite pouring in billions of dollars, it will still have no impact," he said. He further added that we need to invest a little bit of money into the green transition of India but the money basically has to "come from your pocket." The private sector should also contribute, he said. He spoke about how his country, Denmark, has done a "fantastic job." Also read | WION Climate Summit | India's first Hydrogen-powered car to be unveiled: Gadkari "We have really changed our economy." "There's no future if we are not going green. We can't afford not to do anything," he added. Raising an alarm, Freddy highlighted that people have not realised how endangered the planet is. India's Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari made a big announcement at WION Climate Summit. He revealed that India's first Hydrogen-powered car was to be unveiled on Wednesday (March 16). The car, made as a pilot project, was kept at his residence, he said. In his address during the summit, Gadkari said that there was a need to find alternate options for fuels like petrol and diesel.

WION Climate Summit | Denmark's Ambassador to India stresses the need for individual responsibility

During the Wion Climate Summit, Palki Sharma Upadhyay, Executive Editor of Wion, started the discussion on why ignoring climate change is not an option. Sudhir Chaudhary, CEO & Editor-in-Chief of Wion, gave the welcome address as the panelists discussed solution-oriented deliberation on climate policy.

Wion Climate Summit: Why ignoring Climate change is not an option

During Wion Climate Summit, Svein Tveitdal, Director, Klima 2020, talks about electronic vehicles and problems related to EV mobility in future.

WION Climate Summit: Challenges in EVs, are they truly sustainable?

During WION Climate Summit, Mahua Acharya, MD & CEO, CESL talks about the needs of financiers in the electronic vehicles market.

WION Climate Summit: Electronic vehicles market: What do the financiers want?

During Wion Climate Summit, Svein Tveitdal, Director, Klima 2020, talks about the business of electronic vehicles in Scandinavian countries and the incentives needed for EVs.

WION Climate Summit: Is it easier to own EVs in Scandinavian countries?

During Wion Climate Summit, Caspar Rawles talks about the challenges in developing nickel and cobalt industries around the world.

WION Climate Summit: How can India, others develop nickel, cobalt industry?

A think tank has warned that to meet global climate targets, removing carbon dioxide from the air will now be essential. As per the energy transitions commission, there is a need to tidy up carbon offset markets. This will form a critical route to limiting global heating to 1.5C in line with scientific warnings.&nbsp;

Lord Adair Turner, the energy transitions commission in a report by The Guardian said, "We would encourage the tidying up of what has been an area with loose standards and loose claims."

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“It would be very unfortunate to take the past problems of the carbon markets and use that to say we should not use them at all. This is potentially a very large flow of money. So we should try to make sure that financial flow, which is valuable, is provided.”

He further said that the carbon markets were viewed with suspicion because of being subjected to mismanagement and abuse.&nbsp;

The report further found out that more than $200 billion in a year of funding is required to remove enough carbon to stay within 1.5C.&nbsp;

Over the next three decades, this would amount to about 0.25 per cent of the global GDP.

(With inputs from agencies)

A think tank has warned that to meet global climate targets, removing carbon dioxide from the air will now be essential. As per the energy transitions commission, there is a need to tidy up carbon offset markets.

A think tank has warned that to meet global climate targets, removing carbon dioxide from the air will now be essential. As per the energy transitions commission, there is a need to tidy up carbon offset markets. This will form a critical route to limiting global heating to 1.5C in line with scientific warnings. Lord Adair Turner, the energy transitions commission in a report by The Guardian said, "We would encourage the tidying up of what has been an area with loose standards and loose claims." Also read | Spain to ban influencers promoting unhealthy foods to children “It would be very unfortunate to take the past problems of the carbon markets and use that to say we should not use them at all. This is potentially a very large flow of money. So we should try to make sure that financial flow, which is valuable, is provided.” He further said that the carbon markets were viewed with suspicion because of being subjected to mismanagement and abuse. The report further found out that more than $200 billion in a year of funding is required to remove enough carbon to stay within 1.5C. Over the next three decades, this would amount to about 0.25 per cent of the global GDP. (With inputs from agencies)

To meet global climate targets, carbon dioxide will have to be removed from air

The death toll from week-long floods battering&nbsp;Australia's east coast rose to 20 on Tuesday, after the bodies of a man and a woman were discovered in floodwaters in Sydney.

Police said it was "suspected" the pair are a missing mother and son whose car was abandoned in a stormwater canal.

Tens of thousands of Sydney residents have been told to evacuate their homes as severe storms and flash flooding inundated swathes of&nbsp;Australia's largest city Tuesday.

The national weather bureau warned of "a tough 48 hours ahead" for Sydney, with 60,000 people subject to evacuation orders and warnings across the affected areas, according to emergency services.

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Intense rainfall across Sydney flooded bridges and homes, swept away cars and even collapsed the roof of a supermarket.

The Manly Dam, in the city's north, began to spill Tuesday, with 2,000 residents told to evacuate.

In the riverside suburb of Georges Hall vehicles were semi-submerged and police had to rescue stranded in their cars by rising floodwaters.

&nbsp;A 'watery' Black Summer

State emergency services have been stretched thin as the torrential rain and intense storms continued into a second week -- with flood warnings in place Tuesday for the entire 2,000-kilometre (1,250-mile) coastline of New South Wales.

"It's very much the watery equivalent of the 'Black Summer' bushfires," emergency services spokesperson Phil Campbell told AFP.

In the past week the scale of the damage to property and wildlife was similar to those devastating bushfires, he said, which ravaged&nbsp;Australia's east for months in late 2019 and early 2020.

"We have also had a similar effect on communities in terms of dislocation with roads closed, infrastructure damaged, power outages," Campbell said.

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In the past 24 hours, emergency services were called to 100 flood rescues across the state, a number that is expected to rise as the full force of the storms bears down on Sydney Tuesday.

In the northern reaches of New South Wales -- where floodwaters this week destroyed homes, washed away cars and stranded hundreds of locals on their roofs -- a long, slow cleanup is under way.

There are 800 people in emergency accommodation in the state's Northern Rivers region alone, state emergency services commissioner Charlene York.

According to emergency services, almost half of the 5,000 flood-ravaged homes inspected in the region in the wake of the disaster are uninhabitable.

In Mullumbimby, a town cut off from phone service, internet and outside help for days by the floods, local Casey Whelan told AFP that "lots of people in my street can't get flood insurance".

"They will have no way to rebuild," he said.

Australia&nbsp;has been at the sharp end of climate change, with droughts, deadly bushfires, bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef and floods becoming more common and intense as global weather patterns change.

The death toll from week-long floods battering Australia's east coast rose to 20 on Tuesday, after the bodies of a man and a woman were discovered in floodwaters in Sydney.

The death toll from week-long floods battering Australia's east coast rose to 20 on Tuesday, after the bodies of a man and a woman were discovered in floodwaters in Sydney. Police said it was "suspected" the pair are a missing mother and son whose car was abandoned in a stormwater canal. Tens of thousands of Sydney residents have been told to evacuate their homes as severe storms and flash flooding inundated swathes of Australia's largest city Tuesday. The national weather bureau warned of "a tough 48 hours ahead" for Sydney, with 60,000 people subject to evacuation orders and warnings across the affected areas, according to emergency services. Also read | Fears of energy war between Russia, West grow. What’s at stake? Intense rainfall across Sydney flooded bridges and homes, swept away cars and even collapsed the roof of a supermarket. The Manly Dam, in the city's north, began to spill Tuesday, with 2,000 residents told to evacuate. In the riverside suburb of Georges Hall vehicles were semi-submerged and police had to rescue stranded in their cars by rising floodwaters. A 'watery' Black Summer State emergency services have been stretched thin as the torrential rain and intense storms continued into a second week -- with flood warnings in place Tuesday for the entire 2,000-kilometre (1,250-mile) coastline of New South Wales. "It's very much the watery equivalent of the 'Black Summer' bushfires," emergency services spokesperson Phil Campbell told AFP. In the past week the scale of the damage to property and wildlife was similar to those devastating bushfires, he said, which ravaged Australia's east for months in late 2019 and early 2020. "We have also had a similar effect on communities in terms of dislocation with roads closed, infrastructure damaged, power outages," Campbell said. Also read | UK's Queen meets Canada's PM in first in-person meeting since catching Covid; pays tribute to Ukraine In the past 24 hours, emergency services were called to 100 flood rescues across the state, a number that is expected to rise as the full force of the storms bears down on Sydney Tuesday. In the northern reaches of New South Wales -- where floodwaters this week destroyed homes, washed away cars and stranded hundreds of locals on their roofs -- a long, slow cleanup is under way. There are 800 people in emergency accommodation in the state's Northern Rivers region alone, state emergency services commissioner Charlene York. According to emergency services, almost half of the 5,000 flood-ravaged homes inspected in the region in the wake of the disaster are uninhabitable. In Mullumbimby, a town cut off from phone service, internet and outside help for days by the floods, local Casey Whelan told AFP that "lots of people in my street can't get flood insurance". "They will have no way to rebuild," he said. Australia has been at the sharp end of climate change, with droughts, deadly bushfires, bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef and floods becoming more common and intense as global weather patterns change.

Australia flood toll rises to 20 as thousands evacuate Sydney

A study reveals how people from rich countries can prevent the climate crisis by making certain changes in their lifestyles.

You can help fight climate change with these six lifestyle changes

People can now help in preventing climate crisis by making certain changes in their lifestyles. A research from three leading institutions has revealed that people from rich countries can help in preventing climate crisis by making certain lifestyle changes.

People can now help in preventing climate crisis by making certain changes in their lifestyles. A research from three leading institutions has revealed that people from rich countries can help in preventing climate crisis by making certain lifestyle changes. The study was carried out by researchers at Leeds University. It was then analysed by experts at the global engineering firm Arup and the C40 group of world cities. Published recently, the study was carried along with the launch of a new climate movement. The aim was to support relatively well off people to sign up to the six pledges. Also read | Prices of premium perfumes are skyrocketing. Here’s why Named as 'The Jump', the campaign urges people to take six “shifts” for one, three or six months. Here is a list of changes that the campaign needs: Eating a plant-based diet, with healthy portions and no waste Buy just three new items of clothing per year Take just one short-haul flight every three years and one long haul flight every eight years Use one electrical product for at least seven years Get rid of personal motor vehicles or use your existing vehicle for longer Make at least one life shift, for instance moving to green energy or changing pension supplier Tom Bailey, co-founder of the campaign, in a report by The Guardian said, "This ends once and for all the debate about whether citizens can have a role in protecting our earth. We don’t have time to wait for one group to act, we need ‘all action from all actors now’.” “The research is clear that governments and the private sector have the largest role to play but it is also equally clear from our analysis that individuals and communities can make a huge difference.” (With inputs from agencies)

Here is how people can fight climate change by making these six lifestyle changes

A landmark United Nations report has concluded that the risk of devastating wildfires around the world will surge in coming decades as climate change further intensifies what the report described as a “global wildfire crisis.”

The scientific assessment is the first by the organization’s environmental authority to evaluate wildfire risks worldwide. It was inspired by a string of deadly blazes around the globe in recent years, burning the American West, vast stretches of Australia and even the Arctic.

The images from those fires — cities glowing under orange skies, smoke billowing around tourist havens and heritage sites, woodland animals badly injured and killed — have become grim icons of this era of unsettled relations between humankind and nature.

“The heating of the planet is turning landscapes into tinderboxes,” said the report, which was published Wednesday by the U.N. Environment Program.

The report, produced by more than 50 researchers from six continents, estimated that the risk worldwide of highly devastating fires could increase by up to 57% by the end of the century, primarily because of climate change. The risks will not be distributed equally: Some regions are likely to see more fire activity, while others may experience less.

It is a stark warning about the increased heat and dryness that human-caused global warming is bringing about. Nations and localities need to prepare better for the dangers, the report’s authors said.

“There isn’t the right attention to fire from governments,” said Glynis Humphrey, a fire expert at the University of Cape Town and an author of the new report. More societies worldwide are learning the value of prescribed burns and other methods of preventing wildfires from raging out of control, she said. Yet public spending in developed nations is still heavily skewed toward firefighting instead of forest management.

In some regions with long histories of brush fires, such as eastern Australia and the western United States and Canada, they have become more intense over the past decade and are ravaging larger areas, the report found. But uncontrolled burning is also starting to occur in places where it had not been common before, such as Russia, northern India and Tibet. In parts of the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa, by contrast, fire activity has declined over the past two decades, partly because drought has killed off more grass.

While climate change is giving rise to more of the record warmth and dryness that have contributed to recent episodes of severe burning, the overall effect on fire risks is complex and can vary from place to place.

Researchers have determined that the extreme heat wave in the Pacific Northwest last year almost certainly would not have occurred without planetary warming caused by greenhouse-gas emissions. Scientists have also found the fingerprints of climate change on brush fires in Australia and extreme heat and burning in Siberia.

But hot weather and weak rainfall can also decrease the amount of vegetation that is available to feed fires. In other places, the decreased humidity can make vegetation more flammable, helping fires spread more easily.

After taking all these factors into account, the report still forecasts a significant increase in the global risk of extraordinary wildfires, even if nations manage to limit emissions of heat-trapping gases.

In a moderate scenario for global warming, the likelihood of extreme, catastrophic fires could increase by up to one-third by 2050 and up to 52% by 2100, the report estimates. If emissions are not curbed and the planet heats up more, wildfire risks could rise by up to 57% by the end of the century.

The increase in burning is projected to be especially large in places including the Arctic, said Douglas I. Kelley, a researcher at the UK Centre for Ecology &amp; Hydrology who conducted the data analysis for the report. The northern reaches of Russia and North America are already warming much more quickly than the rest of the globe. The intense Arctic fires of 2020 released more polluting gases into the atmosphere that June than in any other month in 18 years of data collection.

In more temperate regions of the United States and Asia, Kelley said, wildfires could increase as emissions rise because the higher amount of carbon dioxide in the air helps plants grow, resulting in more vegetation to fuel blazes.

The prolonged drought in the American West — the region’s worst, scientists say, in at least 1,200 years — has helped to spark wildfires earlier in the year. Forecasters are expecting the warmth and dryness to continue into this spring and beyond.

The U.N. report urges governments to become more proactive about fire hazards. Of every dollar spent in the United States on managing wildfires, almost 60 cents goes toward immediate firefighting responses, according to research cited in the report. Much less is spent on reducing fire risks in advance and helping communities recover in ways that could make them more resilient.

Peter Moore, a fire management consultant with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and an author of the report, said more countries could learn from Portugal, which drew up an ambitious national fire plan after two blazes killed more than 100 people in 2017. Decades of economic development there had caused a decrease in farmland and an expansion of poorly managed forests, making the landscape highly flammable.

“So when the wrong weather turned up, and then a series of ignitions happened, they had a series of dramatic and catastrophic fire events,” Moore said. In eastern Australia, western North America, Chile and elsewhere, he said, “those same conditions are starting to occur.”

Not all human development adds to fire risks. In the tropical grasslands of Africa, population density has increased, and farmers have converted more of the area into cropland and pasture. That has fragmented the savannas, making it harder for wildfires to spread. Researchers have used satellite data to estimate that, despite global warming, large decreases in Africa helped the total amount of burned land worldwide fall by a quarter between 1998 and 2015.

Many fires in Africa are set deliberately to clear away vegetation and avert wildfires that would be more severe and less controllable, said Humphrey of the University of Cape Town. Communities in many places have managed the land this way for centuries, and the U.N. report calls for such traditional knowledge to be better integrated into fire policies.

Humphrey said more governments needed to discover, or rediscover, what fire actually is: “something really critical for our planet, but that also needs to be managed.”

A landmark United Nations report has concluded that the risk of devastating wildfires around the world will surge in coming decades as climate change further intensifies what the report described as a “global wildfire crisis.

A landmark United Nations report has concluded that the risk of devastating wildfires around the world will surge in coming decades as climate change further intensifies what the report described as a “global wildfire crisis.” The scientific assessment is the first by the organization’s environmental authority to evaluate wildfire risks worldwide. It was inspired by a string of deadly blazes around the globe in recent years, burning the American West, vast stretches of Australia and even the Arctic. The images from those fires — cities glowing under orange skies, smoke billowing around tourist havens and heritage sites, woodland animals badly injured and killed — have become grim icons of this era of unsettled relations between humankind and nature. “The heating of the planet is turning landscapes into tinderboxes,” said the report, which was published Wednesday by the U.N. Environment Program. The report, produced by more than 50 researchers from six continents, estimated that the risk worldwide of highly devastating fires could increase by up to 57% by the end of the century, primarily because of climate change. The risks will not be distributed equally: Some regions are likely to see more fire activity, while others may experience less. It is a stark warning about the increased heat and dryness that human-caused global warming is bringing about. Nations and localities need to prepare better for the dangers, the report’s authors said. “There isn’t the right attention to fire from governments,” said Glynis Humphrey, a fire expert at the University of Cape Town and an author of the new report. More societies worldwide are learning the value of prescribed burns and other methods of preventing wildfires from raging out of control, she said. Yet public spending in developed nations is still heavily skewed toward firefighting instead of forest management. In some regions with long histories of brush fires, such as eastern Australia and the western United States and Canada, they have become more intense over the past decade and are ravaging larger areas, the report found. But uncontrolled burning is also starting to occur in places where it had not been common before, such as Russia, northern India and Tibet. In parts of the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa, by contrast, fire activity has declined over the past two decades, partly because drought has killed off more grass. While climate change is giving rise to more of the record warmth and dryness that have contributed to recent episodes of severe burning, the overall effect on fire risks is complex and can vary from place to place. Researchers have determined that the extreme heat wave in the Pacific Northwest last year almost certainly would not have occurred without planetary warming caused by greenhouse-gas emissions. Scientists have also found the fingerprints of climate change on brush fires in Australia and extreme heat and burning in Siberia. But hot weather and weak rainfall can also decrease the amount of vegetation that is available to feed fires. In other places, the decreased humidity can make vegetation more flammable, helping fires spread more easily. After taking all these factors into account, the report still forecasts a significant increase in the global risk of extraordinary wildfires, even if nations manage to limit emissions of heat-trapping gases. In a moderate scenario for global warming, the likelihood of extreme, catastrophic fires could increase by up to one-third by 2050 and up to 52% by 2100, the report estimates. If emissions are not curbed and the planet heats up more, wildfire risks could rise by up to 57% by the end of the century. The increase in burning is projected to be especially large in places including the Arctic, said Douglas I. Kelley, a researcher at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology who conducted the data analysis for the report. The northern reaches of Russia and North America are already warming much more quickly than the rest of the globe. The intense Arctic fires of 2020 released more polluting gases into the atmosphere that June than in any other month in 18 years of data collection. In more temperate regions of the United States and Asia, Kelley said, wildfires could increase as emissions rise because the higher amount of carbon dioxide in the air helps plants grow, resulting in more vegetation to fuel blazes. The prolonged drought in the American West — the region’s worst, scientists say, in at least 1,200 years — has helped to spark wildfires earlier in the year. Forecasters are expecting the warmth and dryness to continue into this spring and beyond. The U.N. report urges governments to become more proactive about fire hazards. Of every dollar spent in the United States on managing wildfires, almost 60 cents goes toward immediate firefighting responses, according to research cited in the report. Much less is spent on reducing fire risks in advance and helping communities recover in ways that could make them more resilient. Peter Moore, a fire management consultant with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and an author of the report, said more countries could learn from Portugal, which drew up an ambitious national fire plan after two blazes killed more than 100 people in 2017. Decades of economic development there had caused a decrease in farmland and an expansion of poorly managed forests, making the landscape highly flammable. “So when the wrong weather turned up, and then a series of ignitions happened, they had a series of dramatic and catastrophic fire events,” Moore said. In eastern Australia, western North America, Chile and elsewhere, he said, “those same conditions are starting to occur.” Not all human development adds to fire risks. In the tropical grasslands of Africa, population density has increased, and farmers have converted more of the area into cropland and pasture. That has fragmented the savannas, making it harder for wildfires to spread. Researchers have used satellite data to estimate that, despite global warming, large decreases in Africa helped the total amount of burned land worldwide fall by a quarter between 1998 and 2015. Many fires in Africa are set deliberately to clear away vegetation and avert wildfires that would be more severe and less controllable, said Humphrey of the University of Cape Town. Communities in many places have managed the land this way for centuries, and the U.N. report calls for such traditional knowledge to be better integrated into fire policies. Humphrey said more governments needed to discover, or rediscover, what fire actually is: “something really critical for our planet, but that also needs to be managed.”

Climate forecasters warn of a 'global wildfire crisis'

A three-day summit has been organised in the French port city of Brest, where global leaders have pushed for an ambitious feat to save Marine life.

Global leaders launch One Ocean Summit: 'A Pledge to protect our Marine life'

The ongoing drought crisis in Kenya is worsening. Kenya continues to fight widespread water scarcity, with many areas seeing little to no rainfall in the last two years.

Kenya continues to fight widespread water scarcity as over 80% of dams & reservoirs dry up

At an estimated cost of $57.36 billion, France says that it will build six new Nuclear reactors. According to President Macron, the first reactor will go online by 2035.

France to build six new Nuclear reactors at an estimated cost of $57.36 billion

A study has revealed that Mount Everest is melting faster than expected due to Global Warming and strong winds.

A Study reveals that Mount Everest is melting faster than expected due to Global Warming

In the last 40 years extreme weather events have cost Europe almost 510 billion euros and around 142, 000 lives, this is according to a new report published by the European environment agency only three percent of all these extreme weather events in the continent were alone responsible for around 60% of the total financial damages.

Massive economic damage caused by extreme weather

At least 24 people have been killed in what is being termed as the heaviest flooding in Ecuador. In two decades 20 people have gone missing and 47 people have been injured. Video footage shows water carrying stones, mud and debris down the streets in the Ecuadorian capital.

Ecuador: 24 people killed in Landslide, rescuers pull body from muds

The rapid melting of glaciers is among one of the biggest threats of climate change worldwide. Scientists are now carrying out research to study this phenomenon and possibly slow down the impact. In a recent study, it was revealed that glaciers melt more quickly when they flow into a lake as compared to when they are on land.

Study: Glaciers melt more quickly when they flow into a lake as compared to when they are on land

While climate change disrupts farming practices, a crop named false banana could be the answer to food scarcity issues. Scientists say that it has the potential to feed more than 100 million people. Watch the video to know more

A crop virtually unknown outside Ethiopia is the answer to food scarcity

A blanket of heavy snow has covered the great capital of Athens further disrupting road and air traffic. The once-in-a-lifetime weather event has completely covered Greek islands in snow.

Greek islands covered in snow in rare weather event

A German zoo has now welcomed Polar bear twins. The birth of the twins is an important event for species conservation.

A German Zoo welcomes Polar bear twins

Flash floods triggered by torrential rains have battered Madagascar's capital resulting in deaths of at least about 10 people and rendering almost about 12000 people homeless.

Flash floods leave 10 dead, 12000 homeless in Madagascar

The Hiba storm has reached Lebanon, leaving its mountains and several towns blanketed in the snow. The storm that began on Tuesday night is expected to remain for an entire week.

Hiba storm cover Lebanon's mountains & several towns in a blanket of snow

Initial damage assessment is now underway in Tonga following a violent volcanic eruption which also triggered a tsunami which crashed ashore on Tonga. According to authorities at least, a 15 meter tall Tsunami waves crashed ashore on Tonga resulting in deaths of at least about three people and demolishing several homes.

Tonga volcanic eruption: At least 3 killed, homes demolished; damage assessment is underway

Just days after a first eruption triggered massive tsunami waves around the pacific, another large eruption has been detected at the Tonga volcano. The pacific tsunami warning center say that it has also detected large waves in the area, the first eruption that triggered major tsunami waves across the pacific has brought in significant damage to the island's capital.

Tsunami batters south pacific island, Tonga calls for immediate aid

Kurdish region in Iraq has been inundated with heavy rainfall this as the flood water has now swept through the city of Erbil and has caused massive damage and a number of casualties which are yet to be reported.

Iraq: Floodwaters sweep through Ebril, govt announces holidays for schools

How do you survive a heat wave with global temperatures on the rise. Due to climate change, the demand for air conditioners has gone up as well but for people who cannot afford expensive solutions is there an easier, cheaper and a practical way to stay cool? Our next report gets you the complete story.

Barcelona turns into a heat island, what's the solution?

A New Year has started but it looks like the last one was one of the hottest years globally. According to the world meteorological organization, the years from 2015 to 2021 are on track to being the seven hottest on record.

2021 ranks as fifth hottest year on record, La Nina causes temperatures to dip

European Union's climate monitoring service has made an alarming revelation as it reported that the last seven years have been the hottest on record globally "by a clear margin."

Extreme climate conditions have become a common phenomenon as a result of global warming. There has been a massive surge in the concentrations of methane in the atmosphere.&nbsp;

The Copernicus climate change service, in its latest assessment, revealed that 2021 was the fifth warmest on record globally, marginally warmer than 2015 and 2018.&nbsp;

Global warming has further led to record-breaking wildfires across Australia and Siberia, a 'once-in-1000-years' heatwave in North America and massive flooding across Asia, Africa, the US and Europe.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/western-diet-responsible-for-global-rise-of-autoimmune-diseases-say-researchers-443537">Also read |&nbsp;Western diet responsible for global rise of autoimmune diseases, say researchers</a>

C3S Director Carlo Buontempo said, "2021 was yet another year of extreme temperatures with the hottest summer in Europe, heatwaves in the Mediterranean, not to mention the unprecedented high temperatures in North America."

"These events are a stark reminder of the need to change our ways, take decisive and effective steps toward a sustainable society and work towards reducing net carbon emissions."&nbsp;

The C3S further stated that methane has gone up "very substantially", to an annual record of about 1,876 parts per billion. Methane is the gas that causes global warming, just like carbon dioxide. Methane growth rates for 2020 and 2021 were 14.6 parts per billion per year and 16.3 parts per billion per year, respectively.

Vincent-Henri Peuch, Director of the Copernicus atmosphere monitoring service tracks greenhouse gas increases. He said that observational evidence is important to avoid "climate catastrophe". &nbsp; &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

European Union's climate monitoring service has made an alarming revelation as it reported that the last seven years have been the hottest on record globally "by a clear margin.

European Union's climate monitoring service has made an alarming revelation as it reported that the last seven years have been the hottest on record globally "by a clear margin." Extreme climate conditions have become a common phenomenon as a result of global warming. There has been a massive surge in the concentrations of methane in the atmosphere. The Copernicus climate change service, in its latest assessment, revealed that 2021 was the fifth warmest on record globally, marginally warmer than 2015 and 2018. Global warming has further led to record-breaking wildfires across Australia and Siberia, a 'once-in-1000-years' heatwave in North America and massive flooding across Asia, Africa, the US and Europe. Also read | Western diet responsible for global rise of autoimmune diseases, say researchers C3S Director Carlo Buontempo said, "2021 was yet another year of extreme temperatures with the hottest summer in Europe, heatwaves in the Mediterranean, not to mention the unprecedented high temperatures in North America." "These events are a stark reminder of the need to change our ways, take decisive and effective steps toward a sustainable society and work towards reducing net carbon emissions." The C3S further stated that methane has gone up "very substantially", to an annual record of about 1,876 parts per billion. Methane is the gas that causes global warming, just like carbon dioxide. Methane growth rates for 2020 and 2021 were 14.6 parts per billion per year and 16.3 parts per billion per year, respectively. Vincent-Henri Peuch, Director of the Copernicus atmosphere monitoring service tracks greenhouse gas increases. He said that observational evidence is important to avoid "climate catastrophe". (With inputs from agencies)

A 'climate catastrophe': 2021 was the fifth warmest year on record globally

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