Emergency Declared in California as Wildfires Rage
The Governor of the US state of California, Gavin Newsom, has declared a state of emergency because of raging wildfires.
The Kincade fire located in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco, first started on October 23, 2019. It is the largest fire currently burning in the state.
More than 15,800 acres of land has already been scorched. About 2,000 fire personnel were assigned to battle the wildfire.
Along with other smaller fires in northern California, 180,000 people have been forced to evacuate the region as homes and business are at high risk with the fast-moving blazes.
So far this year more than 207,600 acres have been scorched by wildfires. This is down significantly from 1.8 million acres burned in 2018.
The California wildfire season continues through December.
Oct 28, 2019
Kyarr Intensifies, Becomes the first Super Cyclone in Arabian Sea in 12 years
Cyclone 'Kyarr' intensifies to become the first Super Cyclonic storm in Arabian Sea in last 12 years after Cyclone Gonu ravaged the Oman coast in 2007.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone rapidly intensified and became a Super Cyclone .
The rapid intensification of cyclones being observed in recent years is posing an increasing challenge for the scientists to predict the intensity of the storm its likely path.
New Declaration Calls for Tackling Global Nitrogen Challenge
A new Declaration that aims to reduce nitrogen waste in half by 2030 has been announced.
A two-day event in Sri Lanka, with support from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), saw member states adopt the so-called Colombo Declaration on Sustainable Nitrogen Management.
As part of the Declaration, environment ministers and officials representing more than 30 countries endorsed UN plans for a campaign on sustainable nitrogen management called 'Nitrogen for Life'.
While carbon provides the basic skeleton of organic matter on the planet, nitrogen allows that matter to take on different forms and roles – amino acids, proteins and DNA are all nitrogen compounds.
According to UNEP, nitrogen overuse has negative impacts on the planet, biodiversity and is a contributor to the climate crisis.
The nitrogen compounds released when fossil fuels are burnt are responsible for as much as 50% of the "deadliest type of air pollution, the tiny particles that lodge inside people's lungs.
Oct 27, 2019
BASIC Countries Urge Developed Nations to Adhere to Paris Agreement
BASIC countries have urged the developed countries to take urgent action to close gaps and provide support to developing nations as a part of the commitment under the Paris agreement on climate change.
A joint statement issued by Brazil, South Africa, India and China (BASIC) stated that global climate action should promote climate justice by recognising the fundamental equality of all people in accessing economic growth and sustainable development.
Oct 26, 2019
Tiny beetle Named after Climate Activist Greta Thunberg
A tiny species of beetle discovered more than 50 years ago has been named after environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg.
Scientists at the Natural History Museum in London have officially called the insect Nelloptodesgretae to honour the 16-year-old Swedish activist's "outstanding contribution" in raising global awareness of climate change.
The arthropod, which has no eyes or wings, is less than 1 mm long and belongs to the Ptiliidae family, which is made up of some of the world's smallest beetles.
Oct 25, 2019
White Bellbird, The World's Loudest Bird
Bellbirds have the loudest bird calls yet documented in the world, according to a study which found that their mating songs pack more decibels than the screams of howler monkeys and the bellows of bisons.
According to the study, published in the journal Current Biology, the male white bellbird's mating call is about three times louder than screaming phias — the previously loudest bird singer.
The researchers, including those from the University of Massachusetts in the U.S., said that the bellbird's calls were so loud that they wondered how the females of the species listened to them at close range without permanent damage to their hearing.
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