Displaying items by tag: Environment

A dense orange haze has enveloped Athens as clouds of Sahara desert dust swept across Greece, marking one of the worst episodes since 2018. Similar clouds hit Greece, Switzerland, and southern France in late March and early April. As the air quality has deteriorated, Greeks with respiratory issues have been advised to stay indoors, wear masks, and avoid strenuous activities. The Sahara annually releases 60 to 200 million tonnes of mineral dust, some of which travels long distances. A meteorologist has compared the view from one weather station to Mars. The fire service has reported 25 wildfires in 24 hours, including one in Crete, where temperatures soared above 30C. The situation underscores the environmental challenges posed by such natural phenomena, requiring vigilant monitoring and response efforts.

In Mexico's drought-stricken Michoacan state, subsistence farmers are taking direct action against commercial farms, particularly avocado orchards, which are depleting water sources. Angry residents have organised teams to remove illegal water pumps and breach unlicensed irrigation ponds, sparking potential conflicts with avocado growers, some of whom have ties to drug cartels. The drought, exacerbated by increased water use for lucrative export crops, has led to disappearing rivers and lakes. The residents are demanding fair access to water resources; they have proposed giving 20% of the water to the orchard owners. The government has been urged to address the root causes of the conflict and prevent further environmental degradation.

The southern Orenburg region in Russia is facing its worst flooding in decades, with 55 cities and towns affected and thousands evacuated. Entire neighbourhoods have been submerged, with volunteers and emergency workers rescuing trapped individuals and animals. The crisis, which caught authorities off-guard, is likely to worsen, as the Ural River is expected to rise even higher. A state of emergency has been declared; the damage to houses is severe, with estimates exceeding 21 billion rubles (£178 million). The flooding, triggered by snowmelt and rainfall, breached protective dams, leading to thousands of evacuations. There are claims that the authorities knew the likelihood of flooding in advance, but took no preventative action. Some promises of compensation and dam reconstruction have been made, but locals remain disillusioned, demanding accountability for the crisis.

During his visit to Brazil, Emmanuel Macron has called the proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal ‘very bad’. He called for a new agreement prioritising climate, biodiversity, and development. While Brazil is eager to sign, France, concerned about its farmers and environmental standards, has reservations. Brazilian officials remain hopeful, emphasising President Lula's commitment to strengthening ties with the EU. Macron also urged increased Brazilian investment in France and proposed collaboration in African markets. He plans to push for international standards promoting decarbonisation and environmental preservation at upcoming summits. His remarks reflect broader debates about balancing economic interests with environmental responsibilities.

Giant redwoods, the world's largest trees, are thriving in the UK, surpassing their native numbers in California. Introduced by the Victorians as a symbol of botanical prestige, there are an estimated 500,000 giant redwoods in the UK, compared to California's 80,000. While not yet reaching the heights of their American counterparts - the tallest in the UK measures 54.87m compared to California's 90m - they have the potential to grow taller over time, as they can live for over 2,000 years. When researchers conducted a study on these trees, using laser scanning to measure their growth, they found they were growing at a similar rate to those in Sierra Nevada and adapting well to the UK climate. While the giant redwoods face climate change threats in California, they may find a more hospitable environment in the UK. However, despite their success, they are not likely to dominate native forests, as they require specific conditions for reproduction.

Oil leaking from a capsized barge off Tobago's coast has spread hundreds of miles, reaching the island of Bonaire. It is now regarded as a serious threat to both humans and the environment. The barge, of unknown ownership, ran aground on 7 February, for reasons which are unclear. Investigations suggest it had previously stopped in Venezuela, and possibly was leaking oil from 3 February. Trinidad and Tobago declared a national emergency on 11 February, with ongoing efforts to contain the spill. Satellite images showed the slick extending into Grenada's marine area by 14 February; now the east coast of Bonaire, including vital ecosystems like mangroves, fish, and coral, has been contaminated. There is particular concern for the mangroves, which are among the best preserved in the Caribbean. Despite efforts at containment, oil continues to leak from the barge.

A group led by Sunita Chaudhary are repurposing discarded mountain climbing ropes into handcrafted items like jewellery boxes and table mats. These ropes, once vital for climbers but later discarded, are now collected as part of an initiative to clean up mountain waste. Chaudhary, a skilled craftswoman from the Tharu community, transforms these materials using traditional techniques. The Himalayas accumulate vast amounts of waste from mountaineering activities, estimated at nearly 140,000 tons on Mount Everest alone. Government-led campaigns dispose of biodegradable waste securely and recycle non-biodegradable materials. However, recycling mountain climbing ropes proved challenging until Shilshila Acharya, an advocate for sustainable waste management, connected with a local waste-processing business and Chaudhary's team. This initiative aims to integrate local expertise, mountain waste, and the local economy, ensuring that waste collected from mountains like Everest avoids landfills in the future.

A new database by Malaysian climate watchdog RimbaWatch has shown that despite global efforts to combat climate change, Southeast Asian countries are still planning to develop numerous fossil fuel projects, which could significantly increase carbon emissions. These planned projects could lead to a surge in emissions, posing a major challenge to the region's commitment to reduce greenhouse gases. This is the first time that an assessment of the carbon cost has been made in the region: RimbaWatch has used the data available from the fossil fuel companies themselves, such as the Malaysian giant Petronas. The report also emphasises the urgent need for transparency and accountability in assessing the environmental impact of these projects. It calls for greater scrutiny and regulation to ensure that the countries align their development plans with global climate goals and prioritise sustainable energy alternatives.

Labour has halved its commitment to green investments, reducing its annual pledge from £28bn to less than £15bn. This decision, a significant shift under Keir Starmer's leadership, has caused unrest among environmentalists, unions, and some in the energy sector. Only one-third of the revised budget, announced by Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, represents new funding. The reduction aims to mitigate Conservative criticism about excessive borrowing, yet it has angered environmental groups who argue it increases long-term costs and hinders achieving green objectives. The Unite union criticised Labour for aligning too closely with Conservative policies, while the energy sector expressed concern over diminished ambitions for UK energy. Starmer justified the decision by citing changed economic circumstances since the initial announcement in 2021, including high interest rates and government debt concerns. The revised plan includes £4.7bn yearly on green projects, complementing existing government commitments. Labour MPs have expressed relief at the change, despite the reduced financial commitment. Environmental campaigners, however, are disappointed, pointing out the challenge of meeting energy targets with less funding.

Novaya Urada, a village in the North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, has deep roots in livestock farming and each year draws tourists hoping to photograph a vibrant poppy field nearby. However, responding to an escalating rubbish crisis, the authorities have started work on a landfill site near the village, expected to receive 300 tons of non-recyclable rubbish a year - even though there will also be three new waste-processing facilities in the republic this year. Despite initial assurances that they had nothing to worry about, residents are fighting determinedly against the dump, citing lack of consultation and environmental impact assessment. They say that construction has already destroyed the beloved poppy field and is threatening the nearby Sarykum Dune, home to rare flora and fauna.