At least nine people have died in the eastern United States,...

Including eight in Kentucky,...

As powerful storms brought flooding and exceptionally powerful winds,...

Downing trees and cutting power.

US flooding: Storms kill 9, including 8 in Kentucky

China is expanding its coal power capacity at an unprecedented scale, raising concerns over its climate commitments. In 2024, the country began construction on 94. 5 gigawatts of coal power projects, accounting for 93% of the global total, according to a new report.

China's coal boom risks climate goals

Silent but steadfast,
Trees hold history within their rings.
While empires rise and fall,
These ancient gurdians. . . .
Record every drought, flood, and shift in climate. . .
Our next story explains how researchers have unlocked their secrets,
Using tree rings to reveal how climate shaped the fate of china’s great dynasties.

Nature's ultimate time machine, tree ring reveal. . . From the glug

Trees are natural timekeepers, silently recording the passage of years in their rings, growth patterns, and changing foliage. Their annual rings, visible in cross-sections of trunks, tell stories of past climates, droughts, and rich seasons.

How climate shaped China's greatest empires?

How tree rings reveal extreme weather cycles

Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday (Feb 10) to bring back plastic straws, ending the use of paper straws.
The US president has ordered federal agencies and departments to stop purchasing paper straws and make sure they aren&rsquo;t offered in their buildings.
<h2>Paper straws &lsquo;don't work&rsquo;</h2>
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a ridiculous situation. We&rsquo;re going back to plastic straws,&rdquo; Trump told reporters at the White House as he signed the order. He added that paper straws &ldquo;don&rsquo;t work&rdquo;, saying &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve had them many times, and on occasion, they break, they explode.&rdquo;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-falls-in-line-with-trumps-order-changes-gulf-of-mexico-to-gulf-of-america-8709246">Google falls in line with Trump&rsquo;s order, changes Gulf of Mexico to &lsquo;Gulf of America&rsquo;</a>
The order rolls back the policy to phase out the use of all single-use plastic products by 2032 put in place under former president Joe Biden&rsquo;s administration.
&ldquo;The irrational campaign against plastic straws has forced Americans to use nonfunctional paper straws. This ends under President Trump,&rdquo; the White House said in a statement.
&ldquo;Paper straws are more expensive than plastic straws,&rdquo; it added. &ldquo;Paper straws are not the eco-friendly alternative they claim to be &ndash; studies have shown that producing paper straws can have a larger carbon footprint and require more water than plastic straws. Paper straws often come individually wrapped in plastic, undermining the environmental argument for their use.&rdquo;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-signs-executive-orders-to-impose-tariffs-on-steel-aluminium-8709152">Trump signs executive orders to impose tariffs on steel, aluminium</a>
<h2>Trump brushes aside environmental concerns</h2>
Plastic straws have been considered harmful to the oceans and marine life. However, the president said that he thinks &ldquo;it&rsquo;s OK&rdquo; to continue using plastic straws. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think that plastic is going to affect the shark very much as they&rsquo;re ... munching their way through the ocean,&rdquo; he said at a White House on Monday (Feb 10).
White House staff secretary Will Scharf said that paper straws have cost the government and private industry &ldquo;an absolute tonne of money and left consumers all over the country wildly dissatisfied with their straws.&rdquo;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-hamas-hell-will-break-out-unless-israeli-hostages-are-released-on-saturday-feb-15-israel-hamas-war-gaza-war-8709085">Trump warns Hamas 'all hell' will break loose unless Israeli hostages are released on Feb 15</a>
"It really is something that affects ordinary Americans in their everyday lives," Scharf said.
As per the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), approximately 85 per cent of single-use plastic products for food and beverage containers end up in landfills. According to a study by the World Wildlife Fund, at least 100,000 marine animals die due to plastic pollution every year.
Apart from marine life, microplastics are also found in human bodies, water, and even air, which significantly impact health.
<h2>&lsquo;Back to Plastic&rsquo;</h2>
The plastic manufacturing industry is praising the president&rsquo;s decision, according to The Guardian report.
Watch | Trump signs new tariff orders, to impose 25% tariffs on steel, aluminium imports
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/1102_SUMIT_STEEL_830AM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/1102_SUMIT_STEEL_830AM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=274&amp;tags=Trump signs new tariff orders" title="Trump signs new tariff orders, to impose 25% tariffs on steel, aluminium imports" id="PL_iframe_block-m704y1we-zjskq9be-glbx2pya"></iframe>
&ldquo;Straws are just the beginning,&rdquo; president and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association Matt Seaholm said in a statement. &ldquo;&lsquo;Back to Plastic&rsquo; is a movement we should all get behind.&rdquo;
(With inputs from agencies)

World | Trending | White House staff secretary Will Scharf said that paper straws have cost the government and private industry “an absolute tonne of money and left consumers all over the country wildly dissatisfied with their straws.”

Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday (Feb 10) to bring back plastic straws, ending the use of paper straws. The US president has ordered federal agencies and departments to stop purchasing paper straws and make sure they aren’t offered in their buildings. Paper straws ‘don't work’ “It’s a ridiculous situation. We’re going back to plastic straws,” Trump told reporters at the White House as he signed the order. He added that paper straws “don’t work”, saying “I’ve had them many times, and on occasion, they break, they explode.” Also read | Google falls in line with Trump’s order, changes Gulf of Mexico to ‘Gulf of America’ The order rolls back the policy to phase out the use of all single-use plastic products by 2032 put in place under former president Joe Biden’s administration. “The irrational campaign against plastic straws has forced Americans to use nonfunctional paper straws. This ends under President Trump,” the White House said in a statement. “Paper straws are more expensive than plastic straws,” it added. “Paper straws are not the eco-friendly alternative they claim to be – studies have shown that producing paper straws can have a larger carbon footprint and require more water than plastic straws. Paper straws often come individually wrapped in plastic, undermining the environmental argument for their use.” Also read | Trump signs executive orders to impose tariffs on steel, aluminium Trump brushes aside environmental concerns Plastic straws have been considered harmful to the oceans and marine life. However, the president said that he thinks “it’s OK” to continue using plastic straws. “I don’t think that plastic is going to affect the shark very much as they’re ... munching their way through the ocean,” he said at a White House on Monday (Feb 10). White House staff secretary Will Scharf said that paper straws have cost the government and private industry “an absolute tonne of money and left consumers all over the country wildly dissatisfied with their straws.” Also read | Trump warns Hamas 'all hell' will break loose unless Israeli hostages are released on Feb 15 "It really is something that affects ordinary Americans in their everyday lives," Scharf said. As per the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), approximately 85 per cent of single-use plastic products for food and beverage containers end up in landfills. According to a study by the World Wildlife Fund, at least 100,000 marine animals die due to plastic pollution every year. Apart from marine life, microplastics are also found in human bodies, water, and even air, which significantly impact health. ‘Back to Plastic’ The plastic manufacturing industry is praising the president’s decision, according to The Guardian report. Watch | Trump signs new tariff orders, to impose 25% tariffs on steel, aluminium imports “Straws are just the beginning,” president and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association Matt Seaholm said in a statement. “‘Back to Plastic’ is a movement we should all get behind.” (With inputs from agencies)

‘Straws are just the beginning’: Trump signs order bringing back plastic straws, says paper ones ‘explode’

Private jet travel, once reserved for a select few, has become more common in recent years.

With the rise of fractional ownership programs, charter services, and increased wealth among the ultra-rich, private jets now operate thousands of flights daily.

This surge in usage has brought the debate around their environmental impact into sharper focus.

Private jet-setters ignore carbon footprint

Rich save time, Planet pays the price

Round-up of top and latest news from the world of climate:

- LA Fires Fully Contained After Burning For 3 Weeks: State Agency 
- India Faces Warmer February, Winter Crops At Risk 
- Delhi Records Warmest Jan Since 2019 Due To Weak Western Disturbances

LA fires fully contained after burning for 3 weeks | India faces warmer February

Nepal is using low-value plastics in road construction which is helping the country address dual problems simultaneously,
the need for strong, durable roads and the management of plastic waste. Watch how a group of entrepreneurs are using this innovative idea of recycling plastic and paving roads in Nepal.

Plastic Roads In Nepal | Inside South Asia

Nepal sharply hikes Everest climbing permit fees and introduces a slew of measures to control garbage pollution and prevent accidents on the planet’s tallest peak. Watch to know more!

Nepal Eyes Boost In Tourism Revenue, Hikes Everest Climbing Fee

As reservoir levels fall to critical levels, Mauritius imposed water consumption limits on Monday.

Mauritius has previously implemented similar restrictions in response to the annual summer drought.

The island nation relies heavily on water for agricultural and sugarcane production.

Mauritius Imposes Restrictions On Water Usage And Reservoirs Dry Up

Nepal Hikes Everest Climbing Fee To $15,000

Climate activists from just stop oil painted over the grave of british naturalist Charles Darwin at London's Westminster abbey...

Two activists entered Westminster Abbey,---

Which is Britain's site for royal weddings, coronations, burials and a major tourist attraction,---

And used spray chalk on Darwin's grave..

Activists Write '1.5 Is Dead' On Darwin's Grave In Climate Protest | WION Climate Tracker

The water volume in the northern part of the Aral Sea has nearly doubled since 2008, according to Kazakhstan's Kazinform News Agency.
Once the fourth-largest lake in the world lying between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the freshwater sea used to be 40 metres deep, covering an area of 68,000 sq km. However, it became one of the world&rsquo;s worst environmental catastrophes when most of the Aral Sea dried up due to Soviet irrigation projects.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/climate-protestors-deface-darwins-grave-with-15-is-dead-over-climate-crisis-8619496" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Climate protesters deface Darwin&rsquo;s grave, spray &lsquo;1.5 is dead&rsquo; over climate crisis</a>
According to a recent statement from the Central Asian Republic&rsquo;s Water Resources Ministry, the volume of water in the northern, smaller section of the sea has &ldquo;increased by 42% and reached 27 billion cubic metres&rdquo; since 2008.
&ldquo;Thanks to the implementation of phase one of the (Northern) Aral Sea conservation project,&rdquo; the ministry added.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/la-wildfires-lapd-detains-homeless-man-suspected-of-starting-kenneth-fire-as-death-toll-reaches-10-arson-arson-suspect-8607143" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">LA wildfires: Police detain 'homeless suspect' for starting Kenneth fire</a>
<h2>Aral Sea conservation project</h2>
The first phase of the North Aral Sea conservation project has led to a significant reduction in water salinity and an increase in annual fish catch to 8,000 tons, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said. The scheme is jointly funded by the country&rsquo;s government and the World Bank for constructing infrastructure that stops the water from flowing out of the sea.
In 2024, the authorities directed 2.6 billion cubic metres of water into the northern of the sea, including one billion cubic metres during the irrigation season.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/la-wildfires-five-dead-thousands-evacuated-as-catastrophic-inferno-burns-with-zero-containment-8603305" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">LA wildfires: Five dead as fires continue to burn with 'zero containment'</a>
The water was directed from the Syr Darya River after making arrangements for better management and redistribution, with support from neighbouring countries, said Kazakh Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov.
The five former Soviet republics of Central Asia have decided upon annual water quotas for the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, which feed water to the Aral Sea. The restoration project focuses on enhancing the ecology of the region, boosting the fishing industry and promoting eco-tourism.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/2024-warmest-year-in-india-since-1901-says-imd-8583891" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">2024 warmest year in India since 1901, says IMD</a>
Kazakhstan announced in November last year, that it plans to supply additional 1.6 billion cubic metres of water to the sea by April this year.
Under the Soviet Union, the rivers feeding the sea were diverted for the purpose of agricultural activities, mainly for rice and cotton cultivation. From the 1960s to the 2010s, the sea was reduced by as much as 90 per cent in size.
By the late 1980s, the sea was divided into two parts, a larger section on the Uzbek side, most of which dried out, and a smaller part on the northern Kazakh side, which has been the focus of conservational efforts.
(With inputs from agencies)

World | Kazakhstan announced in November last year, that it plans to supply additional 1.6 billion cubic metres of water to the sea by April this year.

The water volume in the northern part of the Aral Sea has nearly doubled since 2008, according to Kazakhstan's Kazinform News Agency. Once the fourth-largest lake in the world lying between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the freshwater sea used to be 40 metres deep, covering an area of 68,000 sq km. However, it became one of the world’s worst environmental catastrophes when most of the Aral Sea dried up due to Soviet irrigation projects. Also read | Climate protesters deface Darwin’s grave, spray ‘1.5 is dead’ over climate crisis According to a recent statement from the Central Asian Republic’s Water Resources Ministry, the volume of water in the northern, smaller section of the sea has “increased by 42% and reached 27 billion cubic metres” since 2008. “Thanks to the implementation of phase one of the (Northern) Aral Sea conservation project,” the ministry added. Also read | LA wildfires: Police detain 'homeless suspect' for starting Kenneth fire Aral Sea conservation project The first phase of the North Aral Sea conservation project has led to a significant reduction in water salinity and an increase in annual fish catch to 8,000 tons, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said. The scheme is jointly funded by the country’s government and the World Bank for constructing infrastructure that stops the water from flowing out of the sea. In 2024, the authorities directed 2.6 billion cubic metres of water into the northern of the sea, including one billion cubic metres during the irrigation season. Also read | LA wildfires: Five dead as fires continue to burn with 'zero containment' The water was directed from the Syr Darya River after making arrangements for better management and redistribution, with support from neighbouring countries, said Kazakh Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov. The five former Soviet republics of Central Asia have decided upon annual water quotas for the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, which feed water to the Aral Sea. The restoration project focuses on enhancing the ecology of the region, boosting the fishing industry and promoting eco-tourism. Also read | 2024 warmest year in India since 1901, says IMD Kazakhstan announced in November last year, that it plans to supply additional 1.6 billion cubic metres of water to the sea by April this year. Under the Soviet Union, the rivers feeding the sea were diverted for the purpose of agricultural activities, mainly for rice and cotton cultivation. From the 1960s to the 2010s, the sea was reduced by as much as 90 per cent in size. By the late 1980s, the sea was divided into two parts, a larger section on the Uzbek side, most of which dried out, and a smaller part on the northern Kazakh side, which has been the focus of conservational efforts. (With inputs from agencies)

Severely damaged North Aral freshwater sea brought back to life, water volume almost doubles

Melting ice in Antarctica could trigger volcanic eruptions beneath the continent’s vast ice sheet, creating a slow but dangerous feedback loop, scientists warn. Watch to know more.

Antarctica Ice Melt Could Trigger Volcanic Eruptions: Study

Airports in several UK cities have had to close runways as a severe snowstorm hit parts of the country on Sunday (Jan 5). The John Lennon Airport in Liverpool and the Birmingham Airport are among those that shut their runways for some time after heavy snowfall overnight, which has disrupted travel and life in several areas. The bad weather is being attributed to an 'Arctic blast' sweeping across the northern hemisphere.
Manchester Airport reopened its runway but warned of further delays. In spite of snow-time operating procedures in place, security checks could take longer.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/heavy-snow-blankets-s-koreas-wider-seoul-eastern-regions">Heavy snow blankets S. Korea's wider Seoul, eastern regions</a>
<h2>Bad weather causes power cuts, road travel disruptions</h2>
Parts of Britain are facing power cuts due to heavy snow, even as temperatures fell below 11 degrees Celcius in Scotland. National Highways warned that northern England roads could see heavy snowfall of up to 25 centimetres.
There has been traffic chaos on the air and road in much of the UK.&nbsp; 
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/half-of-united-states-to-witness-heaviest-snowfall-of-decade-with-frigid-conditions-8592925" rel="dofollow">&nbsp;Half of United States to witness heaviest snowfall of decade with frigid conditions</a>
Two amber alerts are in place in England, Wales, and Scotland. Amber warning means there's increased risk and severity due to the bad weather.
<h2>UK weather: Met Office forecast for snow, sleet and rains</h2>
In an advisory on its website, the UK Met Office predicted snow and sleet across the north of the country on Sunday. It expected sleet to spread across northern England and into southern Scotland.&nbsp;
Freezing rain will affect parts of north Wales and central England in the couple of days ahead, it warned.
The situation with heavy rains and sleet will continue into Monday in both north and south.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

UK weather | UK flights | World | Trending: A severe snowstorm has swept across the United Kingdom, bringing significant disruptions to daily life. This intense weather event has led to the closure of several airport runways.

Airports in several UK cities have had to close runways as a severe snowstorm hit parts of the country on Sunday (Jan 5). The John Lennon Airport in Liverpool and the Birmingham Airport are among those that shut their runways for some time after heavy snowfall overnight, which has disrupted travel and life in several areas. The bad weather is being attributed to an 'Arctic blast' sweeping across the northern hemisphere. Manchester Airport reopened its runway but warned of further delays. In spite of snow-time operating procedures in place, security checks could take longer. Also read: Heavy snow blankets S. Korea's wider Seoul, eastern regions Bad weather causes power cuts, road travel disruptions Parts of Britain are facing power cuts due to heavy snow, even as temperatures fell below 11 degrees Celcius in Scotland. National Highways warned that northern England roads could see heavy snowfall of up to 25 centimetres. There has been traffic chaos on the air and road in much of the UK. Also read: Half of United States to witness heaviest snowfall of decade with frigid conditions Two amber alerts are in place in England, Wales, and Scotland. Amber warning means there's increased risk and severity due to the bad weather. UK weather: Met Office forecast for snow, sleet and rains In an advisory on its website, the UK Met Office predicted snow and sleet across the north of the country on Sunday. It expected sleet to spread across northern England and into southern Scotland. Freezing rain will affect parts of north Wales and central England in the couple of days ahead, it warned. The situation with heavy rains and sleet will continue into Monday in both north and south. (With inputs from agencies)

UK snow: Arctic blast snowstorm leads to airport runway closures, powercuts

2024 becomes the hottest year on record, driven by climate change and unprecedented global temperature spikes. Scientists warn this extreme heat underscores the urgent need for global climate action.

2024 Becomes The World's Hottest Year On Record

The Earth almost appears to be sending a distress call to limit planetary global warming. The world experienced an average of 41 additional days of extreme heat in 2024 due to the climate crisis. The impact of human-caused global heating was far worse for some people, as revealed in a study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central. Watch in for more details!

Climate crisis exposed people to 6 weeks of dangerous heat: Report

From tiny and impoverished Mayotte to oil-rich behemoth Saudi Arabia, prosperous European cities to overcrowded slums in Africa, nowhere was spared the devastating impact of supercharged climate disasters in 2024.
This year is the hottest in history, with record-breaking temperatures in the atmosphere and oceans acting like fuel for extreme weather around the world.
World Weather Attribution, experts on how global warming influences extreme events, said nearly every disaster they analysed over the past 12 months was intensified by climate change.
"The impacts of fossil fuel warming have never been clearer or more devastating than in 2024. We are living in a dangerous new era," said climate scientist Friederike Otto, who leads the WWA network.
<h2>Heat</h2>
That was tragically evident in June when more than 1,300 people died during the Muslim hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia where temperatures hit 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit).
Extreme heat -- sometimes dubbed the 'silent killer' -- also proved deadly in Thailand, India, and United States.
Conditions were so intense in Mexico that howler monkeys dropped dead from the trees, while Pakistan kept millions of children at home as the mercury inched above 50C.
Greece recorded its earliest ever heatwave, forcing the closure of its famed Acropolis and fanning terrible wildfires, at the outset of Europe's hottest summer yet.
<h2>Floods</h2>
Climate change isn't just sizzling temperatures -- warmer oceans mean higher evaporation, and warmer air absorbs more moisture, a volatile recipe for heavy rainfall.
In April, the United Arab Emirates received two years worth of rain in a single day, turning parts of the desert-state into a sea, and hobbling Dubai's international airport.
Kenya was barely out of a once-in-a-generation drought when the worst floods in decades delivered back-to-back disasters for the East African nation.
Four million people needed aid after historic flooding killed more than 1,500 people across West and Central Africa. Europe -- most notably Spain -- also suffered tremendous downpours that caused deadly flash flooding.
Afghanistan, Russia, Brazil, China, Nepal, Uganda, India, Somalia, Pakistan, Burundi and the United States were among other countries that witnessed flooding in 2024.
<h2>Cyclones</h2>
Warmer ocean surfaces feed energy into tropical cyclones as they barrel toward land, whipping up fierce winds and their destructive potential.
Major hurricanes pummelled the United States and Caribbean, most notably Milton, Beryl and Helene, in a 2024 season of above-average storm activity.
The Philippines endured six major storms in November alone, just two months after suffering Typhoon Yagi as it tore through Southeast Asia.
In December, scientists said global warming had helped intensify Cyclone Chino to a Category 4 storm as it collided head-on with Mayotte, devastating France's poorest overseas territory.
<h2>Droughts and wildfires</h2>
Some regions may be wetter as climate change shifts rainfall patterns, but others are becoming drier and more vulnerable to drought.
The Americas suffered severe drought in 2024 and wildfires torched millions of hectares in the western United States, Canada, and the Amazon basin -- usually one of Earth's wettest places.
Between January and September, more than 400,000 fires were recorded across South America, shrouding the continent in choking smoke.&nbsp;
The World Food Programme in December said 26 million people across southern Africa were at risk of hunger as a months-long drought parched the impoverished region.
<h2>Economic toll&nbsp;</h2>
Extreme weather cost thousands of lives in 2024 and left countless more in desperate poverty. The lasting toll of such disasters is impossible to quantify.
In terms of economic losses, Zurich-based reinsurance giant Swiss Re estimated the global damage bill at $310 billion, a statement issued early December.
Flooding in Europe -- particularly in the Spanish province of Valencia, where over 200 people died in October -- and hurricanes Helene and Milton drove up the cost, the company said.
As of November 1, the United States had suffered 24 weather disasters in 2024 with losses exceeding $1 billion each, government figures showed.
Drought in Brazil cost its farming sector $2.7 billion between June and August, while "climatic challenges" drove global wine production to its lowest level since 1961, an industry body said.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Climate change isn't just sizzling temperatures -- warmer oceans mean higher evaporation, and warmer air absorbs more moisture, a volatile recipe for heavy rainfall.

From tiny and impoverished Mayotte to oil-rich behemoth Saudi Arabia, prosperous European cities to overcrowded slums in Africa, nowhere was spared the devastating impact of supercharged climate disasters in 2024. This year is the hottest in history, with record-breaking temperatures in the atmosphere and oceans acting like fuel for extreme weather around the world. World Weather Attribution, experts on how global warming influences extreme events, said nearly every disaster they analysed over the past 12 months was intensified by climate change. "The impacts of fossil fuel warming have never been clearer or more devastating than in 2024. We are living in a dangerous new era," said climate scientist Friederike Otto, who leads the WWA network. Heat That was tragically evident in June when more than 1,300 people died during the Muslim hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia where temperatures hit 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit). Extreme heat -- sometimes dubbed the 'silent killer' -- also proved deadly in Thailand, India, and United States. Conditions were so intense in Mexico that howler monkeys dropped dead from the trees, while Pakistan kept millions of children at home as the mercury inched above 50C. Greece recorded its earliest ever heatwave, forcing the closure of its famed Acropolis and fanning terrible wildfires, at the outset of Europe's hottest summer yet. Floods Climate change isn't just sizzling temperatures -- warmer oceans mean higher evaporation, and warmer air absorbs more moisture, a volatile recipe for heavy rainfall. In April, the United Arab Emirates received two years worth of rain in a single day, turning parts of the desert-state into a sea, and hobbling Dubai's international airport. Kenya was barely out of a once-in-a-generation drought when the worst floods in decades delivered back-to-back disasters for the East African nation. Four million people needed aid after historic flooding killed more than 1,500 people across West and Central Africa. Europe -- most notably Spain -- also suffered tremendous downpours that caused deadly flash flooding. Afghanistan, Russia, Brazil, China, Nepal, Uganda, India, Somalia, Pakistan, Burundi and the United States were among other countries that witnessed flooding in 2024. Cyclones Warmer ocean surfaces feed energy into tropical cyclones as they barrel toward land, whipping up fierce winds and their destructive potential. Major hurricanes pummelled the United States and Caribbean, most notably Milton, Beryl and Helene, in a 2024 season of above-average storm activity. The Philippines endured six major storms in November alone, just two months after suffering Typhoon Yagi as it tore through Southeast Asia. In December, scientists said global warming had helped intensify Cyclone Chino to a Category 4 storm as it collided head-on with Mayotte, devastating France's poorest overseas territory. Droughts and wildfires Some regions may be wetter as climate change shifts rainfall patterns, but others are becoming drier and more vulnerable to drought. The Americas suffered severe drought in 2024 and wildfires torched millions of hectares in the western United States, Canada, and the Amazon basin -- usually one of Earth's wettest places. Between January and September, more than 400,000 fires were recorded across South America, shrouding the continent in choking smoke. The World Food Programme in December said 26 million people across southern Africa were at risk of hunger as a months-long drought parched the impoverished region. Economic toll Extreme weather cost thousands of lives in 2024 and left countless more in desperate poverty. The lasting toll of such disasters is impossible to quantify. In terms of economic losses, Zurich-based reinsurance giant Swiss Re estimated the global damage bill at $310 billion, a statement issued early December. Flooding in Europe -- particularly in the Spanish province of Valencia, where over 200 people died in October -- and hurricanes Helene and Milton drove up the cost, the company said. As of November 1, the United States had suffered 24 weather disasters in 2024 with losses exceeding $1 billion each, government figures showed. Drought in Brazil cost its farming sector $2.7 billion between June and August, while "climatic challenges" drove global wine production to its lowest level since 1961, an industry body said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Year 2024 saw devastating impact of supercharged climate disasters

Light rain in Delhi-NCR has brought a slight drop in temperature, but the region's air quality remains in the "severe" category, posing health risks. Authorities continue to monitor pollution levels as the weather shifts.



India: Coldwave Grips Northern India, Heavy Rainfall Alert For South India

India: Light Rain Brings Chill to Delhi-NCR, Air Quality Remains 'Severe'

Light rain in Delhi-NCR has brought a slight drop in temperature, but the region's air quality remains in the "severe" category, posing health risks. Authorities continue to monitor pollution levels as the weather shifts.

Residents of Mayotte have voiced strong criticism over the delayed and inadequate response to Cyclone Chido, with reports suggesting that up to a thousand people may have been killed in the disaster.



Cyclone Chido: Mayotte Residents Criticize Cyclone Response

Residents of Mayotte have voiced strong criticism over the delayed and inadequate response to Cyclone Chido, with reports suggesting that up to a thousand people may have been killed in the disaster.

Businesses are being urged to take immediate action to address growing climate risks. According to the World Economic Forum, climate hazards such as extreme heat could cause billions in losses. Our next report explores the financial risks and opportunities businesses face as they navigate the evolving climate landscape. Take a look…

Energy, Climate, Telecom Sectors Most Vulnerable To Climate Risks: WEF

Climate Risks Could Slash Earnings by 7% by 2035, Warns WEF

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