After a rather harsh winter, India is now bracing for a scorching summer. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted March, April and May are “likely to be warmer than usual” in the northwest, west, central and parts of south India.
But is climate change to blame? Some scientists believe this to be the case in Kerala, which has reported summer temperatures 2-3°C above normal. According to them, the rising sea surface temperature, caused by global warming, has pushed up humidity levels.
UK underwater: Europe’s transport infra needs to adapt to climate change, says UN study
After Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis earlier this month, Storm Jorge lashed across the UK, which battled the wettest February since records began. An average rainfall of 202.1mm of rainfall has been recorded so far as heavy rain and strong winds have displaced thousands across the country.
A possible solution to the widespread flooding was put forth by UK’s Environment Agency chief Sir James Bevan. He suggested developers should avoid building homes on flood plains, and if left with no choice, should make such homes more resilient, such as building garages on the ground floor so that minimum damage is done.
A UN study, meanwhile, has urged Europe to invest more into transport infrastructure that can withstand climate change. The report highlighted larger climate change impacts, such as the washing out of bridges during landslides and floods, as well as smaller, slower impacts, such as how rising heat can cause railway tracks to buckle.
Ocean currents being pushed towards poles due to climate change: Study
A new study, in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, claims that in a warming climate wind-driven ocean currents are slowly changing course and are moving towards the poles at a pace of a mile every two years. The study warns that this trend will deplete coastal fishing waters of important nutrients and could also cause sea level rise, heatwaves and extreme storms in surrounding areas.
Coronavirus brings China’s CO2 emissions down 25%
Coronavirus has not only affected people’s health, but also on the climate. With outbreak fears shutting down industry and air travel, China’s carbon dioxide levels in the last three weeks of February have been 25% lower (about 150 million metric tons) than during the same period last year. To put it into perspective, this three-week decline is equivalent to the emissions put out by New York State in the entire year.The Coronavirus outbreak could also affect crucial COP26 talks to be held in Glasgow this November, after travel restrictions have put dampener on preparations.
About The Author
You may also like
Climate change made Typhoon Gaemi more likely and more destructive: WWA study
With record breaking rain and heat, Uttarakhand reels under climate change impacts
Growing climate risks to India Inc call for a mindset shift, building resilience: Experts
Philippines island faces risk of heavy rainfall which is now 50% more intense, along with deadly landslides : WWA report
Seafood to lose nutritional value due to climate change: Study