Category: Climate

City Sets National Record for Highest Temperature

Staff ReporterClimate, Environment 0

Japan has set a new national record for high temperature, marking a significant milestone in the country’s climate history as Tamba reached a sweltering 41.2 degrees Celsius (106.2 degrees Fahrenheit).

The city of Tamba, located in Japan’s Hyōgo Prefecture, made history on Wednesday by registering the highest temperature ever recorded in the country. According to reports, the thermometer soared to an unprecedented 41.2 degrees Celsius (106.2 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing the previous record of 41.1 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit) set in Hamamatsu in 2020.

The national broadcaster NHK was the first to report this record-breaking heat, which coincided with similarly high temperatures across other regions. In response to these extreme conditions, NHK noted that a heatstroke alert was issued for 29 prefectures across Japan, highlighting the serious health risks associated with such extreme weather.

This spike in temperature is not an isolated incident. On Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued an early warning for extreme weather projected for August, classifying the threat level for the entire nation as “very high” concerning life-threatening heat.

Data from Al Jazeera underscores the gravity of the situation, reporting that 10,800 people required hospitalization due to heatstroke last week, with 16 fatalities attributed to heat-related conditions. Such statistics illustrate the severity of recent temperature rises, part of a disturbing trend of unprecedented heat in recent years.

The implications of record temperatures in Japan are significant within the broader context of global climate patterns. Elevated global temperatures and warming oceans are key drivers of extreme weather events. These conditions have led to increasingly erratic weather patterns worldwide, affecting Japan along with many other regions.

France 24 has noted how climate instability contributes to supercharging extreme weather events, resulting in more frequent and severe occurrences of heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and coastal flooding. These events have become not only more disruptive and dangerous but also more destructive, underscoring the urgent need for global action on climate change.

Although other forms of extreme weather, like floods and wildfires, are immediately observable, extreme heat presents a unique danger as a silent killer. ABC News has emphasized that extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, with heat waves causing more fatalities than tornadoes, floods, or hurricanes. Symptoms of heat-induced illnesses can be subtle, making them easy to overlook until severe consequences ensue. Even healthy individuals and those not typically at risk can succumb to extreme temperatures.

Recent incidents in the United States, such as at outdoor events in New Jersey where over 100 people fell ill due to the heat, illustrate the pervasive impact of rising temperatures. Episodes like these highlight the need for heightened awareness and proactive measures to safeguard public health.

In Japan, the government has been proactive in raising awareness about the dangers of extreme heat and enforcing measures to ensure workplace safety as temperatures rise. Understanding the critical issues linked to climate change is essential in preparing for and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events.

As nations worldwide grapple with the challenges posed by climate change, record-breaking temperatures in Japan serve as a stark reminder of the pressing need to address global warming and its myriad effects on communities and ecosystems.

Source: Original article

World Bank: Indian Cities Require $2.4 Trillion for Climate Infrastructure

Staff ReporterClimate, Economy 0

India needs to invest over $2.4 trillion by 2050 to develop climate-resilient urban infrastructure, as extreme weather linked to climate change poses increasing challenges for its rapidly expanding cities, the World Bank stated on Tuesday.

India faces a monumental task as it endeavors to equip its burgeoning urban areas against the impacts of climate change, necessitating an investment of more than $2.4 trillion by 2050. The World Bank report underscores that the nation’s cities, home to a population expected to nearly double to 951 million by 2050, are increasingly at risk due to erratic weather patterns and rising sea levels.

The report, titled “Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India,” emphasizes the urgency of large-scale investments in critical urban infrastructure such as housing, transportation, water systems, and waste management. Absent these investments, the nation could incur escalating costs arising from weather-related damages. Auguste Tano Kouame, the World Bank’s country director for India, highlighted the need for cities to bolster their resilience to ensure the safety of their residents, during the report’s launch, which was developed in partnership with India’s urban development ministry.

Urban flooding already results in significant financial losses, costing India approximately $4 billion annually. This figure is expected to rise to $5 billion by 2030 and could soar to $30 billion by 2070 if no corrective measures are implemented.

The World Bank’s projections, based on conservative urban population growth models, estimate that infrastructure investment needs could reach $10.9 trillion by 2070. These projections increase to $2.8 trillion and $13.4 trillion, respectively, under a scenario of moderate urbanization.

The World Bank’s report advocates for timely interventions which could prevent billions in annual losses due to flooding and extreme temperatures. Investing in resilient and efficient municipal infrastructure and services is paramount, according to the findings.

Currently, India allocates approximately 0.7% of its gross domestic product to urban infrastructure— a figure below global standards. The report urges a substantial increase in public and private financial flows to meet this shortfall. To achieve the necessary improvements in urban infrastructure, the report calls for greater coordination among federal, state, and municipal governments, including enhancing project financing and instituting climate-linked fiscal transfers.

In addition, the World Bank underscores the need for India to expand partnerships with the private sector, particularly in fields such as energy-efficient water supply, sanitation, waste management, and the construction of green buildings. Presently, private investment constitutes a mere 5% of total urban infrastructure investment.

According to News India Times, addressing these challenges is critical not only for mitigating future economic losses but also for ensuring the safety and sustainability of urban centers nationwide.

Source: Original article

Trump Administration to Omit Climate Reports from NASA Website

Staff ReporterClimate, Politics 0

The Trump administration’s decision to stop making key climate assessments easily accessible online is raising concerns about transparency and the public’s right to information.

The Trump administration has once again restricted access to crucial scientific reports detailing the country’s climate change risks by making it more challenging for the public to locate and access these assessments. Following the recent blackout of official government websites hosting the national climate assessments, NASA announced this week that it will not fulfill its earlier promise to host the reports on its platform, leaving climate data less accessible to the public.

These authoritative and peer-reviewed national climate assessments are vital for informing state and local governments, as well as the general public, about the impacts of a warming climate on their localities and offer guidelines on how to adapt. Although the White House had initially indicated that NASA would take over hosting duties in alignment with a 1990 law requiring these reports, that plan has now been retracted.

According to NASA Press Secretary Bethany Stevens, the space agency will no longer display the climate assessments or related data. Stevens stated in an email that NASA met its obligations by delivering the reports to Congress but has no further legal responsibility to host the information.

Earlier in July, NASA had assured the public that all previous reports would remain accessible through its website, thus maintaining continuity in reporting. However, this assurance has since been nullified.

Texas Tech climate scientist and past national climate assessment co-author, Katharine Hayhoe, emphasized the importance of these documents, stating, “This document was written for the American people, paid for by the taxpayers, and it contains vital information we need to keep ourselves safe in a changing climate.”

Despite the government’s decision, past reports remain available at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s library, and interactive versions of the latest report can still be accessed online.

The administration’s maneuver has been criticized as a deliberate attempt to hide essential climate data, with former Obama White House science adviser John Holdren calling it a classic example of misdirection. He accused the Trump administration of trying to suppress or bury critical scientific information regarding climate change.

Holdren highlighted the importance of these reports to government bodies and the general public, as they are crafted to help individuals understand the current and future impacts of climate change on their lives and environments. Holdren further accused the administration of taking away a valuable resource that helps citizens prepare for and mitigate climate-related challenges.

The 2023 climate assessment revealed significant adverse effects of climate change on the security, health, and livelihoods of people across the United States, with minority groups and Native American communities facing greater risks.

According to Associated Press, this step by the Trump administration to retract essential climate information poses a threat to public awareness and informed decision-making in addressing the ongoing and future consequences of climate change.

Source: Original article

China Joins India In The Climate Challenge – Target Net-Zero University Campus

Staff ReporterWorld, Climate 0

India and China may be politically at odds, and the news headlines may be dominated by the “border tension” and “military standoff”, but on the environmental front, there is welcome convergence.

To accelerate the global movement of Net-Zero (carbon-neutral) university campuses, Li Qinglong, the first astronaut of China and the skill-building instructor of China’s space heroes, has announced his support for the ambitious Network of Universities established by Green TERRE Foundation of India, called Smart Campus Cloud Network (SCCN). He encouraged Operation Earth, China’s not-for-profit Organisation to be the hub of Net-Zero universities in China.

The alliance between two civil society organizations in India and China, Green TERRE Foundation of India  and Operation Earth of China will promote through network practical activities in the university campuses to make the campus Net-Zero along with research and development projects leading to Net-Zero

“We are all fighting a global war against our common enemy, which is the climate crisis,” said Dr Rajendra Shende, founder director, of Green TERRE Foundation and Chairman of the International Advisory Council of Operation Earth China while announcing the alliance.

“From space, the Earth is so beautiful. It is our only but fragile home. We must protect her beauty and the ecosystem we rely on for survival. Therefore, I am thrilled to support the joint initiative of India’s Green TERRE Foundation’s SCCN program and China’s Operation Earth, Climate Action. Young college students are the main force in developing and utilizing cutting-edge aerospace technologies, including space technologies like space seed breeding, to address climate change and food security issues. University students from China and India should work together to protect the beautiful Earth!’, said Li Qinglong.

China has pledged to the United Nations that it would be carbon neutral by 2060. India has pledged to the United Nations that it would become carbon neutral by 2070.

“Both India and China countries are separated by mighty Himalaya. But the Himalaya is a symbol of unity. We are united by our common desire to address climate challenge by forming university to university alliance on Net Zero Campus,” said Chen Liangzhong, founder of Operation Earth China and Advisor to Green TERRE Foundation.

The 21st Century will be the Asian century with  India and China in front to lead the green growth for the benefit of the planet and people. Operation Earth and Green TERRE Foundation, both not-for-profit organizations, therefore believe that tomorrow’s youth are climate warriors. They can achieve the Net Zero campus much earlier and at the same time build their green skills to inspire and assist others in the sectors like clean energy, Shende said.

Under the alliance, the network of universities would digitally exchange information on their progress of efforts to make campus Net-Zero. They would undertake pilot projects on emerging technologies related to climate-resilient and climate-friendly practices. Smart Campus Cloud Network (SCCN) is a global network of universities that encourage the implementation of SDGs on the campus and thereby build the green skills in them to make them SDG-ready.

SDG7 and SDG 13 are specific to climate change and hence Net-Zero Campus are their priorities. Nearly 500 universities and higher educational institutes from 12 countries, including China, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, UAE, Egypt, Portugal and Spain are the members of the Network that have begun the implementation of SDGs and Net-Zero in their campuses.

Read more at: https://www.southasiamonitor.org/indo-pacific-china-watch/china-joins-india-climate-challenge-target-net-zero-university-campus

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