Leaders, activists, and finance officials from around the world are gathering in Paris for the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact. The main focus of the summit is to address the need for overhauling the world's development banks, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, and ensuring they are better equipped to tackle the challenges of climate change. While issues like debt restructuring and poverty reduction will be discussed, the spotlight will be on the representation of developing nations and the inclusion of climate change considerations in lending decisions.
The Indian government is undertaking a pan-India study to gauge the impact of climate change and the behavior of microclimates within states and districts. The study, which is expected to be released by 2027, will be conducted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and will expand the IMD's network of monitoring stations across the country.
Mexico is facing a severe energy crisis as a deadly heatwave and record-breaking temperatures grip the country. With temperatures exceeding 113F in some states, Mexico has experienced a significant spike in heat-related deaths, reaching a peak in the last two weeks. The strain on the power grid has led to power shortages across more than 10 Mexican states, highlighting the lack of investment and preparedness in the country's electric system. Experts warn that climate change is exacerbating extreme heat in Mexico and that power shortages may become increasingly common. The Mexican government's neglect of investment in the electric system, coupled with a reliance on state-owned energy plants, has contributed to the current crisis.
India's first hydrogen-powered train is expected to run from Jind district in Haryana. The train is being developed by the Northern Railway and is expected to be operational by March 2024. The train will be manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. The train is being developed by the Indian Railways and the National Hydrogen Energy Development Agency (NHIDCL).
Europe is experiencing the effects of climate change at an alarming rate, with multiple countries recording their warmest year on record in 2022. The State of the Climate in Europe 2022 report, jointly released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, highlights the devastating consequences of accelerated heating on the region's socio-economic fabric and ecosystems.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that India is working to become a green energy hub and that the country is committed to reducing its carbon emissions. Speaking at a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden in Washington, DC, Modi said that India has set a target of achieving 40% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030.
A new invention that could help address two major environmental problems: plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions is being developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge. Researchers have developed a solar-powered reactor that can convert both CO2 and plastic waste into sustainable fuels.
The Chennai Climate Action Plan (CCAP), released on Tuesday, aims to make Chennai a climate-resilient city by 2050. The plan includes a number of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including:
In a bid to boost the renewable energy transition, the Chennai Airport has started running fully on renewable energy. The airport has achieved this milestone by using a combination of solar power, wind power, and energy efficiency measures.
In May 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California reported that carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the Earth's atmosphere have reached another record high. Measurements obtained from the summit of a Hawaiian volcano indicated that CO2 levels have surged more than 50 percent compared to the beginning of the industrial age.