Global Climate News

Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa initiated a dye tracer study at Red Hill, Oʻahu, in February 2025 to investigate groundwater flow. The approved method involved injecting a non-toxic fluorescent compound into a monitoring well to study its migration over the spring of 2025 as part of ongoing recovery efforts following prior jet fuel leaks. The team plans to monitor the water extraction and dye recovery effectiveness to ensure community drinking water safety.

US-based Grand Canyon Trust has offered free volunteer trips for individuals eager to participate in science and restoration projects on the Colorado Plateau. These trips require no special skills, only a passion for nature and a desire to learn. The organization provides food and camping gear to all volunteers, encouraging outdoor engagement and environmental stewardship.

US-based Idaho National Laboratory has developed the Sample Preparation Laboratory (SPL), the first new hot cells built in 50 years, to test structural materials for advanced nuclear reactors. SPL aims to cut down irradiated material samples for research and testing in various extreme conditions. The facility is scheduled to go 'hot' in January 2026, with installations and tests of scientific equipment occurring through 2025. This initiative is expected to play a critical role in exploring material properties for sustainable nuclear energy solutions.

The Government of Togo has secured up to EUR 150 million in guarantee coverage from Société Générale of France for a short-term loan facility. This funding is aimed at supporting trade-related payments, particularly in the agriculture, electricity, and water distribution sectors. The project aligns with the Togo 2025 Government Roadmap and is designed to improve access to essential utility services and enhance food security. The financing will bolster the country’s resilience and contribute to sustainable fiscal management amid economic constraints.

Canada's University of Saskatchewan (USask) has launched a $1.65 million international water health program with funding from NSERC’s Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program. This initiative will train graduate students to address global water crises by integrating various scientific disciplines such as chemistry, biology, geography, and social sciences. It involves collaboration with German institutions, offering students both local and international training experiences in water health issues.

Canada has announced a funding initiative for Lake of the Woods, led by Minister Terry Duguid on behalf of Minister Steven Guilbeault. The announcement took place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with details to be provided during a media availability session scheduled for February 24, 2025. The initiative is aimed at enhancing environmental protections and promoting sustainable water management in the area.

India's Inland Waterways Authority (IWAI) has commissioned a feasibility study for the Urban Water Transport System across 17 cities. The initiative, led by Kochi Metro Rail Limited, aims to create a sustainable urban transport system by utilizing waterways—promoting energy-efficient electric ferries and modernized terminals. The selected cities include Ayodhya, Kolkata, Varanasi, and others, with a focus on leveraging existing navigable waterways to connect municipalities and promote tourism and regional economic growth.

Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) began releasing ALPS-treated water into the sea in August 2023. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that it would conduct additional testing to ensure the safety of this discharge. Future discharges will release approximately 7,800 cubic meters each, totaling about 54,600 m3 per year. As of mid-February 2025, TEPCO has stored nearly 1.3 million m3 of ALPS-treated water in tanks on-site.

India's Vice President, Dr. Jagdeep Dhankhar, addressed the African-Asian Rural Development Organization conference, highlighting the importance of gender participation in governance. He stressed that climate change is a significant issue stemming from the reckless exploitation of natural resources, with India leveraging technology to empower people and combat these issues. His government has invested heavily in rural development and education, with a goal of making India a developed nation by 2047.

South Africa's Cabinet approved the submission of the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in the Western Indian Ocean to Parliament. The Nairobi Convention promotes sustainable biodiversity management and enhances resilience to climate change impacts. This protocol offers opportunities for South Africa to enhance its capacity for climate change mitigation. The adoption was made official on 12 September 2023.

Cyprus-based University of Cyprus, supported by Imperial College, has developed innovative smart systems to monitor and manage electricity and water networks. This initiative, aimed at creating resilient critical infrastructure, is part of the Horizon 2020 Teaming programme. Researchers identified the fragmentation of data from water operators and developed a custom-designed geographical information system called Oceanos to integrate and analyze this data. The Oceanos Digital Twin, which offers tools for simulating the water network, is now being used for effective day-to-day management of over 1300km of water pipes in Limassol, while smart monitoring systems for electricity have similarly enhanced grid operations.

Germany's Statistische Bundesamt reported that in 2022, the country's industries utilized approximately 12.75 billion cubic meters of water, which marked a reduction of 16.7% compared to 2019. This decrease was primarily attributed to the shutdown of three nuclear power plants, leading to a significant drop of 2.02 billion cubic meters in water usage within the energy sector. Despite the reduction, energy supply industries continued to consume the largest amount, with 6.59 billion cubic meters used for cooling processes.

The Water Resources Agency of Taiwan has taken proactive measures to enhance its water resource infrastructure to ensure water resilience amid climate change. A report highlighted potential water shortages due to drought impacting the advanced semiconductor industry. In response, the agency has strengthened its supply resilience, with an existing surplus of 679,000 tons of water per day across Taiwan. It has partnered with local governments to promote the construction of 16 recycled water plants, producing 634,000 tons of treated water daily, supporting the industry's green energy needs and ensuring a balanced water supply for public and agricultural use.

MIT researchers studied how droplets impact a deep pool of water, revealing the intricate dynamics of splashing droplets. The study provides insights into how these droplets can aerosolize surface particles, including pathogens and pesticides, which can have implications for both public health and agricultural runoff. The work was led by Lydia Bourouiba from the Civil and Environmental Engineering department, aiming to develop a mathematical model to predict the behavior of secondary droplets created during splashes.

Norwegian SINTEF has been developing advanced models since the 1980s to simulate cable properties in complex marine environments. These dynamic underwater cables are crucial for transporting energy from floating installations like offshore wind turbines to static seabed cables, essential for Europe’s planned 6,000 km of underwater power cables annually. This transition to renewable energy marks a significant shift from previous oil and gas industry investments, optimizing design and manufacturing processes to reduce costs.

Japan's Aichi Prefecture announced the call for project proposals to form an ecosystem network in 2025. Utilizing the 'Aichi Forest and Green Creation Tax', the initiative aims to support community-driven projects for biodiversity, including habitat creation and maintenance. Successful projects can receive grants up to 3 million yen, with a 100% subsidy for eligible costs covered by the governor. The application period runs from February 21 to March 14, 2025, and projects must be completed by February 2026.

Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration announced on February 12, 2025, that it has lifted the pollution control status of the underground water pollution case at the Penghu County Oil Supply Center, attributed to effective pollution mitigation efforts. After several years of remediation efforts, the pollutant concentration has now fallen below the regulatory standards, marking it as the first successful pollution cleanup case in 2025. The pollution incident, which started in 2018, involved oil contamination discovered during inspections. To ensure safe drinking water for local residents, immediate response measures were implemented by CPC Corporation, with continuous supervision from environmental officials. The case highlights the importance of proactive environmental management for sustainable water resource usage.

China's Pearl River Delta region underwent a detailed assessment of groundwater quality influenced by urban development and climate changes between wet and dry seasons. The study reported concerning levels of contaminants such as arsenic and nitrate, highlighting that 34% and 47% of groundwater samples exceeded WHO recommendations, respectively. This research underscored the urgent need for improved sanitation systems and the control of agricultural pollution to protect water resources. Moreover, the need for dietary fluoride supplementation was noted due to low fluoride concentrations.

Researchers at Guilin University of Technology in the People's Republic of China have explored the potential of Membrane Biofilm Reactors (MBfRs) for efficient pollutant removal and carbon emissions reduction in wastewater treatment. The study discusses the challenges faced, such as the lack of cheap hydrogen supply and substrate competition. By coupling MBfRs with technologies like metal catalysts and anaerobic ammonia oxidation, the research indicates improvements in both stability and energy consumption, showcasing a path forward in sustainable wastewater management.

Wales-based Natural Resources Wales (NRW) collaborated with Adventure Tours UK to plant approximately 200 trees at the confluence of the River Ceiriog and Dee on February 20. This planting is part of the LIFE Dee River project, which has already established 20,000 trees across the catchment area. The initiative aims to enhance local biodiversity and support river health by stabilizing riverbanks, reducing erosion, and providing shade to cool water temperatures for cold-water species like salmon. Additionally, the newly planted trees will sequester carbon, contributing to the mitigation of climate change.