Natural disasters at decade low: UN study

The world this year suffered the fewest number of natural disasters in a decade,but floods,droughts and other extreme weather continued to account for most of the deaths and economic losses....

The world this year suffered the fewest number of natural disasters in a decade,but floods,droughts and other extreme weather continued to account for most of the deaths and economic losses,according to a UN report released on Monday. There were 245 natural disasters recorded this year,down from the decade high of 434 in 2005,said the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. Another UN study said by 2050,ocean acidity could increase by 150 per cent and that by 2100,70 per cent of cold-water corals that are feeding grounds for commercial fish species will be exposed to corrosive waters. Last week,scientists at the conference said oceans absorb about 25 per cent of all carbon dioxide emitted by humans each year.

Polar ice may go in 5 years,says Al Gore

AL GORE has told the UN climate conference that new data suggests that the Arctic polar ice cap may disappear in the summertime as soon as five to seven years from now. The former US vice-president joined the foreign ministers of Norway and Denmark in presenting two new reports on melting Arctic ice. The Arctic Ocean sea ice has shrunk dramatically,to record low levels,the past several summers. Scientists blame global warming. Gore said polar scientists told him that the latest data suggest a 75 per cent chance the entire polar ice cap will melt in summer within the next five to seven years.

US pledges $85 mn for renewable energy

THE US pledged on Monday to contribute $85 million to a $350 million multinational fund aimed at speeding up renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in poor countries. US Energy Secretary Steven Chu also announced a high-level meeting in Washington next year of major developed countries energy ministers to discuss global deployment of clean energy technology. Projects which the fund will support include a plan to speed affordable solar lighting systems and LED lanterns to those without access to electricity.

‘Grave insult to wounded people’: Cong lashes out at PM Modi amid his first Manipur visit

India7 hr ago

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Manipur for the first time since ethnic violence hit the state in May 2023, the Congress on Saturday called it a “farce, tokenism, and a grave insult to a wounded people”.

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