The global cost of disasters is growing: The economic burden of disasters is intensifying. While the direct costs of disasters averaged $70–80 billion a year between 1970 and 2000, between 2001 and 2020 these annual costs grew significantly to $180–200 billion. But the real cost is far higher. Disaster costs …
India’s Cabinet has given its approval to a “National Monsoon Mission,” which will equip the weather department with high-end computers, radars and scientific manpower to generate more detailed and accurate forecasts. India’s current antiquated methods of forecasting the all-important monsoon rains is getting a re-vamp. No other weather phenomenon generates …
New research suggests that global warming is causing the cycle of evaporation and rainfall over the oceans to intensify more than scientists had expected, an ominous finding that may indicate a higher potential for extreme weather in coming decades. By measuring changes in salinity on the ocean’s surface, the researchers …
Faced with slow progress towards an international agreement to limit greenhousegas emissions, governments are taking the initiative by passing their own climate laws. Mexico — plagued by a persistent drought but optimistic about its prospects for wind power — made one of the boldest commitments of any nation to limit …
The Centre has sanctioned Rs.706 crore toward immediate drought relief to the State from the National Disaster Response Fund. This was in response to the letter written by Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on March 24. Responding to the letter of the Chief Minister for release of funds on …
The Government has launched an integrated centre which will provide estimates of crop output and assess the drought situation in the country through latest technologies. The Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, today launched the National Crop Forecast Centre, which will prepare in-season forecasts for major crops such as rice, wheat, …
Mexico's Senate on Thursday passed a climate change bill aimed at encouraging a voluntary carbon emissions trading market, clearing the way for President Felipe Calderon to sign it, as expected, into law. The measure gives the energy ministry authority to establish policies and incentives to promote low-carbon technologies, including a …
India's first genetically engineered (GE) drought-resistant rice variety has been developed in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata. The University of Calcutta developed the rice having drought tolerant features and its field-trials would be conducted within two-three years, a top official of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) said here. …
The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation is funding a pilot project to enable the state’s farmers to reverse the environmental degradation and rural poverty in the state by applying scientific methods to groundwater management. Baseline studies jointly conducted by the FAO, Centre and state government have identified seven districts …
Average temperature across Pakistan will increase between 3.9°C and 4.4°C by 2080s, corresponding to an increase in average global temperature rise of between 2.8°C and 3.4°C by the end of this century because of climate changes. This was stated at the concluding day of the 'International Symposium on Strategies Conservation …
A drought affecting parts of England could last until after Christmas, Britain's environment agency warned on Monday, as rain over the spring and summer is unlikely to replenish low water levels. In a country more usually associated with damp and drizzle, drought has been declared in seventeen counties in England's …
Water scarcity always evokes a knee-jerk measure - drilling borewells; long-term plans need of the hour. Every drop is priceless: Scramble for water is a common sight in villages during summer. Given the ever-increasing demand for the precious commodity, only scientific conservation methods will save the day. Elected representatives are …
The State government has submitted a proposal to the Centre to release Rs 2,200 crore fund for drought management. But the Centre has not released any amount till date, said the former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa. During his visit to Ammerahalli tank on Thursday, he said if the Centre …
At least 52 glacial lakes in Gilgit and Astore districts have been identified as ‘potentially dangerous’ by a project sponsored by the European Union and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project report titled “Managing climate risks in the Himalayas: A community-centric approach” says that in the sub-basins of Swat, …
An all-party delegation led by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda will leave for Delhi in the third week of April to press for the release of Rs 2,200 crore for drought-relief works. A letter in this regard has already been sent to the Union government, said Municipal Administration Minister …
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has maintained records of weather and climate since the late 1800s. According to these records, the month of March, 2012 has set a new record as the warmest March ever for the contiguous United States. Across the nation, 15,000 local warm temperature records …
After securing first rank in providing potable water to rural habitations along with a special bonus, Tamil Nadu has been rated number one by the Water Resources Ministry in implementing rain water harvesting projects. According to the Ministry data, TN has had the maximum chunk of recharging structures implemented during …
About 4 million hectares of crops are suffering from a severe drought in China that has hit 13 provinces including the major farming province of Sichuan in southwest China, state news agency Xinhua said. The drought has left 7.8 million people and 4.6 million livestock without adequate drinking water in …
Groundwater over exploited in 77 of the 123 drought-hit taluks, it suggests Politicians may be falling over each other to visit drought-hit areas and score brownie points. But what matters now when 69 per cent of the total 176 taluks in the State are reeling under drought is to judiciously …
The collapse of an ice sheet in Antarctica up to 14,650 years ago might have caused sea levels to rise between 14 and 18 metres, a study showed on Wednesday, data which could help make more accurate climate change predictions. The melting of polar ice could contribute to long-term sea …
This study examined the role of indigenous knowledge in climate change adaptation in Uganda with specific focus on the Teso sub-region. Specifically, the study identified indigenous knowledge practices used in climate change adaptation, documented indigenous knowledge in climate observation, and identified constraints to indigenous knowledge use for climate change adaptation.
