In the 05/13/2025 edition:
News: Climate change threatens Latin American banana exports
By Science and Development Network on May 12, 2025 01:35 pm
A study published in Nature Food has found that by 2080, rising temperatures will lead to a 60 per cent reduction in suitable areas for export banana production in Latin America and the Caribbean without urgent interventions to tackle climate change.
News: Study of Türkiye gold mine landslide highlights need for future monitoring
By Seismological Society of America on May 12, 2025 01:29 pm
A new analysis of a fatal landslide that occurred on 13 February 2024 at the Çöpler Gold Mine in Türkiye reveals that the site of the landslide had been slowly moving for at least four years prior to the failure.
News: SoCal officials unleash sterile mosquitoes in bid to curb disease — with promising results
By Los Angeles Times on May 12, 2025 01:05 pm
Releasing sterile male mosquitoes reduced the population of invasive pests in parts of Southern California by up to about 82%, studies found.
News: Smart watches join the fight as Ahmedabad battles blazing heat
By The New India Express on May 12, 2025 12:44 pm
As part of a year-long global research project on how heat is affecting vulnerable communities across the globe, residents in Ahmedabad have been given smartwatches to monitor their bodily reactions to the blazing heat.
News: Turning to nature to fight flooding: How cities are using bio-retention basins, rain gardens
By Detroit News, the on May 12, 2025 12:39 pm
Local officials say that green infrastructure projects are necessary as Metro Detroit sees more intense storms amid a warming climate.
News: Fire-tolerant chinaberry tree endorsed for forest planting
By Science and Development Network on May 12, 2025 12:32 pm
Researchers in India have identified a species of tree that they say could be ideal for replanting efforts. The chinaberry tree can withstand flames well, due to its high heat tolerance, and is able to regenerate quickly following incidental fires.
News: Extreme weather and climate change impacts hit Africa hard
By World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on May 12, 2025 12:00 pm
Extreme weather and climate change impacts are hitting every single aspect of socio-economic development in Africa and exacerbating hunger, insecurity and displacement, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
News: Can theatre help strengthen Zimbabwe’s climate resilience?
By Dialogue Earth on May 10, 2025 11:00 am
Survivors of Cyclone Idai are using legislative theatre to bridge divides, spark dialogue, and drive climate action in their communities.
News: Wildfire prevention: AI startups support prescribed burns, early alerts
By Nvidia Corporation on May 10, 2025 11:00 am
Artificial intelligence is helping identify and treat diseases faster with better results for humankind. Natural disasters like wildfires are next.
News: Italy helps conserve Pakistan’s melting water towers through scientific innovation
By Development Asia on May 09, 2025 07:51 pm
Italian-led glacier research and conservation in Pakistan’s Karakoram region highlight a model for transboundary environmental conservation.
News: Early warning practice of China: Shangluo harnesses 3-in-1 platform to assist precise disaster prevention
By China Meteorological Administration on May 09, 2025 07:39 pm
In 2023, the Government proposed to establish a municipal and county-level “3-in-1” disaster prevention and mitigation command platform integrating meteorological services, emergency flood control, and primary level comprehensive management.
News: The 2025 heatwave in Southeast Asia: a window into the future
By Climate Impacts Tracker Asia on May 09, 2025 06:33 pm
With every passing year, the problem of extreme heat is growing more severe. While heatwaves intensify, arrive earlier and last longer, demographic, economic and urbanisation factors exacerbate their negative impacts.
News: Protecting Iceland’s towns from lava flows—with dirt
By PhysOrg, Omicron Technology Ltd on May 09, 2025 01:59 pm
In March 2021, the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland came to life. While the eruption was ongoing, large-scale field experiments were conducted to build defensive earthen barriers aimed at slowing down the molten lava flow.
News: Sendai to host U.N. disaster reduction conference in 2027
By Japan Times Ltd., the on May 09, 2025 12:09 pm
The U.N. Office for Disaster Risk Reduction will hold an Asia-Pacific ministerial conference in the city of Sendai in autumn 2027, it was learned Tuesday.
News: Media in the face of disasters
By United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – Headquarters on May 09, 2025 11:40 am
To bolster media institutions to operate effectively during disasters and to support society’s ability to withstand and recover from disasters, UNESCO is developing a Model Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan for Media Institutions.
News: Noaa to stop tracking cost of climate crisis-fueled disasters: ‘Major loss’
By Guardian, the (UK) on May 09, 2025 11:31 am
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) will no longer track the cost of climate crisis-fueled weather disasters, including floods, heatwaves, wildfires and more.
News: How states can build disaster-ready budgets
By The Pew Charitable Trusts on May 09, 2025 11:08 am
Figure 1 Major Natural Disasters Are Growing More Frequent and Expensive Total and annual average billion‑dollar events by decade overlaid with cost trend, 1980‑2024
News: All of the biggest U.S. cities are sinking
By Columbia Climate School on May 09, 2025 10:22 am
A new study of the 28 most populous U.S. cities finds that all are sinking to one degree or another. The cities include not just those on the coasts, where relative sea level is a concern, but many in the interior.
News: Reframing indigenous and local knowledge in early warning systems: A call to rethink, respect and rebalance
By Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP) on May 09, 2025 09:50 am
The future of early warning isn’t one system, it’s many. This blog summarizes reflections on the continued value of indigenous and local knowledge for early warning systems.
News: Air flow design is the quiet champion of climate resilience
By Earth.org on May 08, 2025 07:46 pm
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) helps simulate how air, water, and heat move around objects and can be employed in climate-resilient cities, infrastructure, and buildings by optimising ventilation, temperature regulation, and structural stability.
News: Paper sensors and smartphone app monitor personal smoke exposure
By Washington State University on May 08, 2025 05:07 pm
An inexpensive paper sensor along with a smartphone-based reader developed by a Washington State University-led team can rapidly provide information on a person’s personal smoke exposure during wildfire season.
News: Geneva Association report calls for action to safeguard home insurance amid rising extreme weather risks
By International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics (Geneva Association) on May 08, 2025 02:03 pm
Global insured losses from natural catastrophes now regularly exceed USD 100 billion annually. A new report calls for an all-of-society effort to take action in the face of intensifying weather extremes.
News: WMO strengthens early warning services in Nepal
By World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on May 08, 2025 01:13 pm
WMO is working with the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DHM) and the Center for Applied Research and Development (CARD) in Nepal to strengthen early warning systems for floods and other disasters frequently faced by the country.
News: WMO supports the implementation of the Common Alerting Protocol and HydroSOS in Bangladesh
By World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on May 08, 2025 01:07 pm
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is supporting the implementation of Common Alerting Protocol and End-to-End Early Warning Systems for Floods and Drought in Bangladesh.
News: Effective emergency management prevented larger catastrophe after climate change fueled heavy rains in Central Mississippi river valley
By World Weather Attribution on May 08, 2025 12:59 pm
In early April, a number of severe storms hit the Central Mississippi river valley in the United States, marked by extreme rainfall and a record number of tornado warnings.
News: Scorpions ‘taking over’ Brazilian cities with reported stings rising 250%
By Guardian, the (UK) on May 08, 2025 12:57 pm
Fast and unplanned growth of cities providing ideal conditions for the creatures to thrive, say researchers.
News: Children born in 2020 will face ‘unprecedented exposure’ to climate extremes
By Carbon Brief on May 08, 2025 12:23 pm
Children born in 2020 will face “unprecedented exposure” to extreme weather events, including heatwaves, droughts and wildfires, even if warming is limited to 1.5C above pre-industrial temperatures, according to a new study published in Nature.
News: Warming climate making fine particulate matter from wildfires more deadly and expensive
By Oregon State University on May 08, 2025 11:47 am
New research estimates that during the study period a total of 164,000 deaths resulted from wildfire PM2.5. It determined that 15,000 of those deaths were attributable to climate change. Absent climate change, the total would have been just 149,000.
News: Lessons in service and humanity from the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
By United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) on May 08, 2025 08:59 am
On World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day, UNDRR’s Kamal Kishore reflects on what we can learn from the work of the inspiring organizers and volunteers of the Red Cross and Red Crescent around the world – humility, a local focus, and quiet persistence.
News: The Disaster Response Game
By New York Academy of Sciences, the on May 07, 2025 03:34 pm
The Disaster Response Game puts scientists in the driver’s seat to practice how to think and respond quickly to emerging crises like wildfires, hurricanes, and food security.
News: The Volcanic Eruption Game
By New York Academy of Sciences, the on May 07, 2025 03:34 pm
Players will explore how to respond to the eruption, and how their choices may change based on shifting situations, incomplete information, and risk assessments.
News: The Pathogen Outbreak Game
By New York Academy of Sciences, the on May 07, 2025 03:34 pm
This game challenges players in facing an emerging, unknown pathogen. Refine your decision-making while collaborating with a global scientific community.
News: Crisis Mini-Games
By New York Academy of Sciences, the on May 07, 2025 03:34 pm
In these five-minute mini-games, players analyze and discuss factors influencing resource allocation in large-scale crises.
News: After LA wildfires, lead contamination threatens residents
By Context on May 07, 2025 03:21 pm
Los Angeles wildfire fallout prompts county to offer free blood tests over fears of lead contamination among local residents.
News: From game to reality: How a blackout across Europe reinforced the urgency of resilience planning
By Center for Advanced Preparedness and Threat Response Simulation (CAPTRS) on May 07, 2025 02:36 pm
CAPTRS build games to help decision makers prepare for cascading failures. For its team members, the recent blackout in Europe felt especially personal.
News: Real-world geoengineering experiments revealed by UK agency
By Guardian, the (UK) on May 07, 2025 02:22 pm
Trials will test ways to block sunlight and slow climate crisis that threatens to trigger catastrophic tipping points.
News: The National Weather Service is once again translating lifesaving alerts. What happened?
By Grist Magazine on May 07, 2025 02:11 pm
At the beginning of last month, the National Weather Service, or NWS, discontinued its automated emergency-weather translation services in various languages. Then, the automated translation services would be back up and running as of Monday, April 28.
News: Tandem heat-wave-drought events across Eurasia amplified by global warming, new study finds
By PhysOrg, Omicron Technology Ltd on May 07, 2025 02:07 pm
The tandem heat-wave-drought events in the region stretching from Eastern Europe to East Asia are unprecedented, as confirmed by a new study that analyzed tree-ring data going back 300 years and climate models.
News: Hawaii lawmakers raise the state’s hotel tax to help the islands cope with climate change
By Associated Press on May 07, 2025 01:48 pm
Hawaii lawmakers passed on Friday first-of-its-kind legislation that will increase the state’s lodging tax to raise money for environmental protection and strengthening defenses against climate change -fueled natural disasters.
News: Drought over large parts of Europe raises concern
By European Commission Joint Research Centre on May 07, 2025 01:43 pm
Low rainfall, dry soils, and shrinking rivers are pressuring ecosystems, farming, and transport routes across Europe and neighbouring regions.
News: Hurricanes and earthquakes could lead to global insured losses of USD 300 billion in a peak year, finds Swiss Re Institute
By Swiss Reinsurance Company (Swiss Re) on May 07, 2025 01:32 pm
While loss severity is rising worldwide, the US accounted for almost 80% of global insured losses in 2024, due to vulnerability to different hazards. In the long-run globally, exposure is the main factor determining claims cost and premium rates.
News: The world’s wealthiest 10% caused two thirds of global warming since 1990
By International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis on May 07, 2025 12:53 pm
A new study published in Nature Climate Change finds that the world’s wealthiest 10% are responsible for two thirds of observed global warming since 1990 and the resulting increases in climate extremes such as heatwaves and droughts.
News: Tackling heat waves in Bangladesh: A climate urgency
By Dhaka Tribune on May 07, 2025 12:50 pm
As Bangladesh welcomed the Bengali New Year in 2025, celebrations were marked by intense heat. Over recent years, the country has been facing the growing effects of climate change, especially in relation to the monsoon season.
News: 2024 sea level “report cards” map futures of U.S. coastal communities
By William & Mary’s Virginia Institute of Marine Science on May 07, 2025 12:08 pm
Featuring four new localities, the updated report cards show past and projected rates of sea level rise and acceleration for 36 U.S. coastal communities in a new, interactive dashboard.
News: The virus that stalks urban neighborhoods
By Yale Climate Connections on May 07, 2025 11:40 am
West Nile sickened hundreds in the most affluent residential area in Dallas in 2012. Chicago, Los Angeles, and Sacramento suffer from hot spots, too. What’s helping it thrive in cities?
News: Hurricane forecasts are more accurate than ever – NOAA funding cuts could change that, with a busy storm season coming
By Conversation Media Group, the on May 06, 2025 01:34 pm
Cuts in staffing and threats to funding at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – which includes the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service – are diminishing operations that accurate hurricane forecasting relies on.
News: Call for abstracts deadline extended: International Conference on Emergency Preparedness and Response
By International Atomic Energy Agency on May 06, 2025 01:05 pm
Interested contributors now have until 19 May 2025 to submit abstracts for the IAEA’s International Conference on Emergency Preparedness and Response.
News: Nigeria’s first multiple-stress resilient maize hybrid combining tolerance to fall armyworm and drought, with resistance to Striga hermonthica
By International Institute of Tropical Agriculture on May 06, 2025 12:33 pm
In collaboration with Nigeria’s Institute for Agricultural Research, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture released a medium-maturing top-cross maize hybrid that combines tolerance to fall armyworm and drought with parasite resistance.
News: Killer fungus could spread through parts of Europe due to climate change
By Independent, the (UK) on May 06, 2025 11:21 am
Aspergillus can cause lung problems when it spreads to humans.
News: SPC’s disaster resilience program launches in Papua New Guinea
By Pacific Community on May 06, 2025 11:19 am
Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) most vulnerable communities will soon benefit from strengthened disaster preparedness with the launch of a new initiative to predict and respond to natural disasters.
News: Flood protection in Pikine, Senegal
By InsuResilience Solutions Fund on May 06, 2025 10:59 am
To address flood risk in Pikine, Senegal, the InsuResilience Solutions Fund (ISF) partnered with an international consortium led by AXA Climate to develop a flood insurance solution that will provide financial protection against severe flooding.