Environment

Study explains surprise surge in methane during pandemic lockdown

A mysterious surge in planet-heating atmospheric methane in 2020 despite Covid lockdowns that reduced many human-caused sources can be explained by a greater release from nature and, surprisingly, reduced air pollution, scientists said Wednesday.. The researchers focused on the mystery of the concentrations of methane in the atmosphere in 2020, which had their biggest increase on record even as Covid-19 lockdowns saw carbon dioxide emissions fall.

Wed, Dec 14, 2022 3 mins read

Environment

Developing countries stage walk out at UN biodiversity talks

Delegates from developing countries at high-stakes UN talks on biodiversity staged a late-night walkout after talks broke down with wealthy nations over the contentious issue of funding, officials and non-profit groups said Wednesday.. A group of developing nations including Gabon, Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia this year called for rich countries to provide at least $100 billion annually -– rising to $700 billion a year by 2030 -- for biodiversity.

Wed, Dec 14, 2022 1 mins read

Environment

HSBC bank says to stop funding new oil and gas fields

Banking giant HSBC on Wednesday said it would end financing for new oil and gas fields, a decision welcomed by environmentalists who nevertheless urged greater action from banks and government.. - 'Strong signal' - "HSBC's announcement sends a strong signal to fossil fuel giants and governments that banks' appetite for financing new oil and gas fields is diminishing," said Jeanne Martin, head of banking programme at ShareAction.

Wed, Dec 14, 2022 2 mins read

Environment

Youth of African diaspora consider climate solutions at US summit

A group of young Black Americans and their peers from African countries on Tuesday highlighted their common anxieties over climate change, shared as members of the global African diaspora. . As the attendees discussed such possible solutions, Regan announced the United States would allocate $4 million for Peace Corps volunteers to work on projects combatting climate change in 24 Sub-Saharan African countries. 

Tue, Dec 13, 2022 2 mins read

Environment

Snakes have clitorises, scientists say, slamming research 'taboo'

Female snakes have clitorises, according to the first detailed study on the subject Wednesday, in which the scientists lashed out at how little female sex organs have been researched compared to males across species.. However comparatively little research on the subject has been carried out, as in the case for the clitorises of pretty much all animals -- including humans.

Tue, Dec 13, 2022 2 mins read

Environment

DR Congo leader blames climate change for devastating floods

The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo joined the United States on Tuesday in blaming climate change for major floods that have claimed around 100 lives in the capital Kinshasa.. Blinken offered condolences for the deaths, saying the flooding was "further evidence of the challenges we are facing with climate and something we need to work on together."

Tue, Dec 13, 2022 1 mins read

Environment

Rich nations oppose new biodiversity fund

Creating a new global fund for biodiversity -- a core demand of developing countries at UN talks in Montreal -- "would take years" and be less effective than reforming existing financial mechanisms, Canada's environment minister said Tuesday.. He recalled the Global Environment Facility, currently the main multilateral mechanism for biodiversity, took seven years to create.

Tue, Dec 13, 2022 2 mins read

Environment

More financing needed for IMF climate change fund: director

A new fund helping low-income countries tackle the impacts of climate change already has around $40 billion worth of commitments, but this is "nothing in comparison with the needs," IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said Tuesday.. "The interest is very significant from both low-income countries and vulnerable middle-income countries, especially small island states," Georgieva said.

Tue, Dec 13, 2022 1 mins read

Environment

Hawaii volcano goes quiet after spectacular display

The world's largest volcano, which has offered a spectacular weeks-long show in its first eruption for almost four decades, has gone quiet, scientists in Hawaii said Tuesday.. But on Tuesday, experts at the US Geological Survey said the show was largely over.

Tue, Dec 13, 2022 1 mins read

Environment

Fifty-five dead as floods strike DR Congo capital

At least 55 people died on Tuesday as the worst floods in years battered DR Congo's capital Kinshasa following an all-night downpour, according to an official toll.. - 'Disaster' - In November 2019, around 40 people in Kinshasa died in floods and landslides. 

Tue, Dec 13, 2022 2 mins read