Environment

Brazil reports more Amazon fires so far this year than all of 2021

The number of forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon so far this year has already surpassed that for all of 2021, according to official figures released Monday that triggered new alarm for the world's biggest rainforest.. According to INPE figures, there have been multiple days that surpassed the so-called "Day of Fire" on August 10, 2019, when farmers launched a coordinated plan to burn huge amounts of felled rainforest in the northern state of Para.

Mon, Sep 19, 2022 2 mins read

Environment

Brazil reports more Amazon fires so far this year than all of 2021

The number of forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon so far this year has already surpassed that recorded for all of 2021, according to official figures released Monday that triggered new alarm for the world's biggest rainforest.. Satellite monitoring has detected 75,592 fires from January 1 to September 18 this year, already higher than the 75,090 detected for all of last year, according to the Brazilian space agency, INPE. The latest grim news from the rainforest will likely add to pressure on President Jair Bolsonaro, who is fighting to win reelection next month and faces international criticism over a surge in destruction in the Amazon on his watch.

Mon, Sep 19, 2022 1 mins read

Environment

How many ants are on Earth? 20 quadrillion, study says

There are at least 20 quadrillion ants on Earth, according to a new study that says even that staggering figure likely underestimates the total population of the insects, which are an essential part of ecosystems around the world.. Some studies have already attempted to estimate the global ant population, but they resulted in a far smaller number than 20 quadrillion, which is 20 million billion.

Mon, Sep 19, 2022 1 mins read

Environment

Ukraine conflict may hike long-term grain prices 7%: study

Russia's invasion of Ukraine may cause long-term grain prices to rise seven percent, according to a study on Monday showing how expanded production elsewhere to compensate would lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions.. Figures from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization show food prices are currently more than 10 percent higher than they were a year ago. 

Mon, Sep 19, 2022 2 mins read

Environment

Evacuation warnings after typhoon makes landfall in Japan

Millions of people in Japan were under evacuation warnings on Monday as Typhoon Nanmadol brought strong winds and heavy rain to the southwest of the country after making landfall overnight.. But evacuation warnings of various levels remained in place for 9.6 million people on the last day of a holiday weekend in Japan.

Sun, Sep 18, 2022 3 mins read

Environment

Rattled Taiwan hit by more aftershocks

Aftershocks struck southeastern Taiwan on Monday, including a 5.5-magnitude earthquake that was felt in the capital Taipei, a day after a more powerful tremor killed one person and injured around 150 others.. Hualien, a tourist hotspot, was struck by a 6.4-magnitude earthquake in 2018 that killed 17 people and injured nearly 300. 

Sun, Sep 18, 2022 1 mins read

Environment

'Extremely rare' Rameses II-era burial cave found in Israel

Israeli archaeologists on Sunday announced the "once-in-a-lifetime" discovery of a burial cave from the time of ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Rameses II, filled with dozens of pottery pieces and bronze artefacts.. In a video released by the Israel Antiquities Authority, gobsmacked archaeologists shine flashlights on dozens of pottery vessels in a variety of forms and sizes, dating back to the reign of the ancient Egyptian king who died in 1213 BC. Bowls -- some of them painted red, some containing bones -- chalices, cooking pots, storage jars, lamps and bronze arrowheads or spearheads could be seen in the cave.

Sun, Sep 18, 2022 2 mins read

Environment

Fossil fuel reserves contain 3.5 tn tonnes of CO2: database

Burning the world's remaining fossil fuel reserves would unleash 3.5 trillion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions -- seven times the remaining carbon budget to cap global heating at 1.5C -- according to the first public inventory of hydrocarbons released Monday.. All told, the remaining fossil fuel reserves contain seven times the emissions of the carbon budget for 1.5C. "We have very little time to address the remaining carbon budget, said Rebecca Byrnes, deputy Director of Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, who helped compile the registry.

Sun, Sep 18, 2022 3 mins read

Environment

Alaskans assess damage as powerful storm rumbles north

Residents in towns and villages on Alaska's western coast were beginning Sunday to assess the damage from one of the most powerful storms to hit the region in decades.. But coastal towns in that northern region remained under flood warnings Sunday, the National Weather Service (NWS) Fairbanks office tweeted.

Sun, Sep 18, 2022 1 mins read

Environment

Strong quake strikes eastern Taiwan

A strong earthquake struck southeastern Taiwan on Sunday, bringing down at least one building in a small town.. In Taiwan, at least one building that hosted a convenience store on the ground floor collapsed in the town of Yuli, according to the island's semi-official Central News Agency.

Sun, Sep 18, 2022 2 mins read