2023 in a blink: Climate, weather records that broke this year

Down To Earth recaps climate stories that broke records

As Chennai & north Tamil Nadu return to normalcy, Tirunelveli in state’s south flooded due to heavy rain

Exceptionally heavy rainfall is expected till mid-day on December 18 in Tirunelveli

DTE Coverage: How negotiations unfolded on Global Goal for Adaptation at COP28

The final text that emerged is slightly better

New GGA text slightly better, still no equity or finance target

A positive change from the previous text is that a timeframe of 2030 has been put into the text for achieving the thematic targets on water …

Tensions rise over negotiating text on global carbon market on COP28 penultimate day

Objections raised by several blocs over the wording of the text

COP28: Article 6 negotiations see late night deliberations striving to find consensus

Parties also discussed the definition of cooperative approaches

At COP28, India’s national statement has no direct reference to fossil fuel cuts

Indian environment minister showcased country’s achievements and showcased projects flagged by Prime Minister Modi  

COP28: Developed countries owe $500 billion to developing ones under new climate finance goal, finds UNCTAD

Some $250 billion of the $500 billion owed should go to mitigation, $100 billion for adaptation and $150 billion for loss and damage

Simply Put: A fairy tale

Developed nations should phase out fossil fuels by early 2030s, fund developing nations: Report

US, UK, EU, Japan, and Australia must more than double NDC ambition to reach lower end of their fair share

Michaung intensifies into severe cyclonic storm; weak winds slowing its movement & causing heavy rainfall in Chennai

Michaung is moving slowly due to weak background atmospheric winds which steer the cyclone forward; this is resulting in heavy rains across Chennai

COP28: A key negotiation highlights countries’ challenges with scaling up mitigation ambition

The Mitigation Work Programme produced a report from discussions this year on how countries can take more action to mitigate emissions

Mocha among ‘most impactful’ global cyclones in 2023: WMO report at COP28

Paris agreement target under serious threat; act now, urges document  

Extreme weather 2023: India is in for more disasters, without a doubt

By transitioning to a low-carbon economy and building resilient communities, India can play a leading role in shaping a more sustainable future …

Extreme weather 2023: It was a slightly better picture this year, compared to 2022

However, the impact spread wider, affecting all 36 states and Union Territories (UTs) compared to 34 last year

World needs to limit global warming to 1.5°C to protect cryosphere, 2°C too high: Report

But both 2°C and 1.5°C could spell doom for permafrost 

Sand and dust storms are increasing, human activities contribute 25% emissions: UNCCD

Such storms present a formidable challenge to achieving 11 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals

Climate change & wildlife: How focused monitoring of distribution, population trends can help conservation efforts

Data limitation on species occurrence, evironmental parameters main hurdle for ecologists

Climate impact in Zimbabwe: Elephants, other wildlife begin early mass migration to escape drought conditions

Poor rains in preceding rainy season, water sources ran dry in August

Run-up to World Rhino Day 2023: Poaching, climate change & habitat loss threaten global population

African and Indonesian rhinos are critically endangered and near threatened 

Hurricane Lee: 144,000 people stranded without power in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia

Hurricane Lee started as a tropical depression in the central Atlantic Ocean on September 5, 2023. On September 7, it intensified into a Category …

I’ve spent 40 years studying Antarctica. The frozen continent has never needed our help more

Antarctica matters; what happens there affects global weather patterns and sea levels

Departure from the goddess: Sunderbans’ women & Bonbibi suffer the worst of climate crisis

Women live precarious lives in the cyclone-ravaged delta, as people slowly disconnect from Bonbibi worship & its principles of ecosystem …

Rural poor lose 5% of income to heat stress every year, more vulnerable to future climate risks

Every day of extreme precipitation causes poor households to lose 0.8 per cent of their incomes relative to non-poor households

Fifteen non-profits take fresh legal action against Europe’s biggest plastics project

This marks a new phase in the over three-year long legal battle against INEOS’ ‘Project One’, a €3 billion plastic project …