Global Climate News

India launched "Mission Mausam" to make the country a climate-smart nation. The mission focuses on developing advanced weather technologies, improving weather and climate understanding, and providing air quality data for better weather management. The IMD Vision-2047 document, outlining plans for weather resilience and climate change adaptation, was also released.

The Los Angeles area experienced unprecedented Santa Ana winds causing multiple wildfires. The Palisades fire was uncontainable due to strong winds, and water hydrants ran dry due to insufficient water pressure. The Eaton Canyon fire, possibly caused by an electrical tower, spread to Altadena. SoCal Edison faced criticism due to past fire-related settlements.

The year 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures surpassing 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. This led to a re-evaluation of global climate strategies, although current commitments are still insufficient. Citi and Bank of America left the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, and BlackRock left the Net-Zero Asset Managers alliance. The Mediterranean region experienced severe climate extremes, including record-breaking heatwaves and devastating floods.

India launched ‘Mission Mausam’ to make the country a ‘Weather-ready and Climate-smart’ nation by developing cutting-edge weather technologies, implementing high-resolution atmospheric observations, and improving the understanding of weather and climate processes. The IMD Vision-2047 document for weather resilience and climate change adaptation was also released.

SINTEF researchers found significant variations in fire safety measures in battery rooms, highlighting the need for national guidelines to address the risks associated with Li-ion battery fires. A recent case study examined seven buildings, revealing inconsistencies in ventilation and fire safety measures. The researchers recommend a holistic approach to battery room design, considering room size, battery chemistry, and fire suppression systems.

Chinese researchers investigated the mechanical behavior of geogrid-soil interface under rainfall infiltration using a large direct shear apparatus. The study found that rainfall infiltration reduces peak shear stress, cohesion, and the friction angle of the interface. The research provides guidance for predicting and mitigating rainfall effects on soil properties in geotechnical engineering.

Taiwan has unveiled an expanded carbon reduction reporting plan.

An international team of researchers, including those from NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), conducted a study on Arctic outbreaks. The study found that despite Arctic warming, cold-air outbreaks will continue. The researchers aim to better understand the triggers of these events and improve their predictability to help communities better prepare for adverse winter weather.

Canada has offered support to California in response to devastating wildfires. The Canadian Armed Forces are providing air transport, the Canadian Coast Guard is exploring available resources, and Natural Resources Canada is working with US agencies to identify deployable resources. Several Canadian provinces are also mobilizing resources, including firefighters, aircraft, and equipment.

Mozambique's Ministry of Health aims to decentralize services, improve maternal and child health, and expand vaccination programs. However, limited energy access and frequent climate events hinder these goals. Decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions are proposed to provide reliable power for healthcare facilities, ensuring continuous operation of essential medical equipment and services.

The MCJ newsletter discussed climate change adaptation, featuring Kathryn Bakos from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation and Seyed Madaeni from Verse, a clean energy procurement software company. It also highlighted a YouTube video from Google on wildfire prediction and listed several climate-related job openings.

US President Joe Biden announced a permanent stop to new oil and gas drilling across more than 625m acres of US coastal waters, protecting 20% of the seabed. President-elect Donald Trump pledged to halt wind farm construction during his second term. The Biden administration finalized rules offering billions in tax credits for hydrogen production. California wildfires caused at least $50bn in losses. 2024 was Earth’s hottest year on record, exceeding 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Analysis showed climate-induced sea level rise will overwhelm major oil ports. Oxfam analysis revealed the world’s richest 1% used up their 2025 share of the 1.5C carbon budget in 10 days.

dClimate's newsletter summarizes news on carbon markets, climate risk management, and climate data. MSCI reported $1.4B in retired carbon credits in 2024. Insurance is seen as key to restoring credibility in carbon markets. Arbol uses AI-driven parametric insurance to address climate-induced coverage gaps. California requires insurers to offer coverage in wildfire zones. A new high-resolution dataset for global grasslands has been released. The WMO operationalized WIS 2.0, a global information system for Earth data.

France expressed solidarity with California wildfire victims and offered support to American firefighting efforts. The French Consulate General in Los Angeles is assisting French nationals.

Greenpeace conducted various climate activism campaigns globally, including a petition with over 1,640,108 signatures submitted to the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs to ban bee-killing pesticides; a protest against Woodside’s drilling project in Australia impacting endangered species; and highlighting the impact of climate change on residents of Bilangbilangan and Batasan Islands in the Philippines, where solar panels and charging stations were installed.

Georgia Power responded to Winter Storm Cora, minimizing power interruptions despite heavy snow and ice. The company invested in infrastructure improvements, including Smart Grid technology, to enhance grid resiliency and minimize outages. Crews from across the Southern Company system were deployed to support restoration efforts.

Grenada: The Green Climate Fund, through GIZ, has approved a project to improve water resource management and resilience to climate change, benefiting over 100,000 people by 2024. This includes building 16 storm-proof water storage facilities and improving water efficiency. Renewable energy will also be implemented for the National Water and Sewerage Authority, co-financed by the BMU.

The US Congress passed several bills related to water conservation and drought preparedness. The Great Salt Lake Stewardship Act will divert funds to conserve Utah’s Great Salt Lake. The WATER Data Improvement Act will support U.S. Geological Survey programs tracking water availability. The Drought Preparedness Act reauthorizes the Bureau of Reclamation’s Drought Response Program. The America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act supports wildlife habitat restoration.

France has experienced significant glacier melt, impacting Mont Blanc's stability and causing increased rockfalls. Geomorphologist Ludovic Ravanel's research highlights the link between climate change and these events, emphasizing the need for safety measures and route reassessment for mountaineers. The mayor of Saint-Gervais proposed a €15,000 deposit for climbers, covering rescue and funeral costs.

The UN Secretary-General expressed sorrow over devastating wildfires in California, claiming lives and displacing thousands. Damages are estimated to exceed $50 billion. The UN commended first responders and highlighted prevention strategies such as clearing underbrush and improving evacuation planning. The WHO emphasized the health risks of wildfire smoke. The UN stands ready to provide assistance if needed.