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World's glacier mass shrank again in 2024 for third consecutive year: UN
All 19 of the world's glacier regions experienced a net loss of mass in 2024 for the third consecutive year, the United Nations said Friday, warning that saving the planet's glaciers was now a matter of "survival". Five of the last six years have seen the most rapid glacier retreat on record, the UN's World Meteorological Organization said on the inaugural World Day for Glaciers. "Preservation of glaciers is a not just an environmental, economic and societal necessity: it's a matter of survival," said WMO chief Celeste Saulo. Beyond the continental ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica, more than 275,000 glaciers worldwide cover approximately 700,000 square kilometres (270,000 square miles), the WMO said. But they are rapidly shrinking due to climate change. "The 2024 hydrological year marked the third year in a row in which all 19 glacier regions experienced a net mass loss," the WMO said. Together, they lost 450 billion tonnes of mass, the agency said, citing new data from the Swiss-based World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS). It was the fourth-worst year on record, with the worst being in 2023. - Huge loss over 50 years - "From 2022-2024, we saw the largest three-year loss of glaciers on record," Saulo said. Glacier mass loss last year was relatively moderate in regions such as the Canadian Arctic and the peripheral glaciers of Greenland, but glaciers in Scandinavia, Norway's Svalbard archipelago and North Asia experienced their worst year on record. Based on a compilation of worldwide observations, the WGMS estimates that glaciers -- separate from the continental ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica -- have lost more than 9,000 billion tonnes since records began in 1975. "This is equivalent to a huge ice block of the size of Germany with a thickness of 25 metres," said WGMS director Michael Zemp. At current rates of melting, many glaciers in western Canada and the United States, Scandinavia, central Europe, the Caucasus and New Zealand "will not survive the 21st century", the WMO said. The agency said that together with ice sheets, glaciers store around 70 percent of the world's freshwater resources, with high mountain regions acting like the world's water towers. If they disappear, that would threaten water supplies for millions of people downstream. - 'Ignoring the problem' - For the UN, the only possible response is to combat global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "We can negotiate many things in the end, but we cannot negotiate physical laws like the melting point of ice," said Stefan Uhlenbrook, the WMO's water and cryosphere director. He declined to comment on the return to office of US President Donald Trump, a climate change sceptic who has pulled the United States out of the landmark 2015 Paris climate accords. However, Uhlenbrook said that "ignoring the problem" of climate change "is maybe convenient for a short period of time", but "that will not help us to get closer to a solution". For the inaugural World Day for Glaciers, the WGMS named a US glacier as its first Glacier of the Year. The South Cascade Glacier in Washington state has been monitored continuously since the 1950s and provides one of the longest uninterrupted records of glaciological mass balance in the western hemisphere. The US Geological Survey, the government body that studies the natural environment, has measurements there going back to 1958, while WGMS's records there began even earlier, in 1952. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 March,2025 12:01 PM IST | Geneva | AFP
World Sparrow Day
Varanasi: Know about this sparrow colony built to protect the bird species
On International Sparrow Day, Atul Pandey, a resident of Kakkarmatta in Varanasi, is leading a campaign to protect the birds. Under the banner of the "Vyagr Foundation," Atul has established a Sparrow Colony as part of his efforts to save the species whose population is increasingly declining. This initiative aims to provide a safe haven for sparrows, where they can live in large numbers. The Vyagr Foundation, led by Atul Pandey, is not only focused on raising awareness about sparrow conservation but also directly helping the birds. As part of this effort, the foundation distributes wooden birdhouses and earthen pots as gifts during events like birthdays, weddings, and even death rituals. The goal is to encourage people to contribute to sparrow conservation by placing these nests in their homes and spreading the message of saving sparrows. Speaking to IANS, Atul Pandey shared his motivation for the project: "I am the founder of Vyagr Foundation. I am originally from Deoria, and during my childhood, I remember the chirping of sparrows filling the air in our village. However, as urbanisation has spread, especially in cities with concrete jungles, we rarely hear sparrows anymore. This is a matter of concern for us, and that’s why we initiated this project to protect sparrows." "We began by distributing wooden birdhouses and earthen pots across the country and even abroad. These are being given free of cost on various occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and even during mourning ceremonies. We aim to increase awareness and give people the tools to help sparrows thrive," he told IANS. Atul also discussed the formation of the Sparrow Colony, now celebrating its 10th anniversary. "The Sparrow Colony was established before the Vyagr Foundation was officially founded in 2018, and we are now marking its 10th anniversary. We have created a safe environment for the sparrows here, with small houses, a netted area for them to fly and play in, and cleaning facilities. To make the environment more eco-friendly, we have developed an oxygen park with neem, peepal, and bamboo plants, which are highly oxygenated and beneficial for the birds." Atul’s initiative is being praised for its unique approach to sparrow conservation, especially in urban areas where the population of these small birds has been rapidly declining. His efforts are reaching far and wide, with people across the country and even abroad now becoming aware of the importance of saving sparrows. Another member of the foundation, Jayant Singh, commended Atul Pandey's work, saying, "The attempt to spread awareness for the protection of sparrows is admirable. He has created nests and environments in many places, giving sparrows a chance to grow and thrive. His contribution to sparrow conservation is significant, and his efforts are spreading awareness to distant places about preserving these birds." With ongoing efforts and a growing community, the Vyagr Foundation is making strides in sparrow conservation, fostering a more bird-friendly environment, and encouraging future generations to join the cause. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
20 March,2025 02:43 PM IST | Varanasi | IANS
World Sparrow Day 2025: Odisha artist commemorates the day with Rangoli artwork
To commemorate World Sparrow Day on March 20, Odisha-based artist Satya Narayan Maharana created a vibrant Rangoli artwork featuring two beautiful sparrows with the message "Save Sparrow" written below. Maharana has also urged everyone to take responsibility for conserving these birds and ensuring their safety. He emphasised the importance of providing food, water, and building safe homes for them. "Today is World Sparrow Day, and it's our responsibility to ensure their safety. We should take steps to protect them by providing food, water, and building safe homes for them," Maharana said. World Sparrow Day, celebrated every year on March 20, aims to raise awareness and promote the protection of these small yet significant creatures. "Today is World Sparrow Day, and it's our responsibility to ensure their safety. We should take steps to protect them by providing food, water, and building safe homes for them," Maharana said. World Sparrow Day is celebrated every year on March 20, to raise awareness and protect these small creatures. World Sparrow Day was initiated by "Nature Forever," a bird conservation organization in 2010. The aim was to raise awareness about the declining sparrow population. The event has spread to over 50 countries. The goal is to protect sparrows and stop their decline. In 2012, the house sparrow became Delhi's state bird. Since then, the event has gained global attention. People everywhere celebrate sparrows and work to protect them, as per a Ministry of Environment release. Sparrows are small but significant birds that play an essential role in maintaining ecological balance. They help control insect populations by feeding on various bugs and pests. Additionally, sparrows are key players in pollination and seed dispersal. Their presence enhances biodiversity, making them crucial for the health of both rural and urban ecosystems, the release read. Despite their importance, sparrows have been disappearing at an alarming rate. Several factors contribute to this decline. The use of unleaded petrol has led to toxic compounds that harm the insects, sparrows depend on for food. Urbanization has also taken away their natural nesting spaces. Modern buildings lack the spaces sparrows need for nesting, reducing places to raise their young, the release added.
20 March,2025 09:55 AM IST | Ganjam (Odisha) | ANI
Genetic study estimates 51 rare Asian elephants in Cambodia's northern plains
The first-ever genetic study of endangered Asian elephants has been conducted in Cambodia's northern plains, estimating that the population of the mammals in the region was 51, said a Fauna & Flora Cambodia's press release on Thursday. Conducted by Fauna & Flora in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, the study was carried out during the 2020-2021 dry season and utilised non-invasive genetic sampling techniques across three key protected areas: Prey Lang, Preah Roka, and Chhaeb Wildlife Sanctuaries, the press release said. The genetic research was performed at the Royal University of Phnom Penh with technical support from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, it added. "The researchers estimated a population of 51 elephants in the region, larger than previous local estimates suggested," the press release said. While smaller than Cambodia's primary elephant populations in the Cardamom Mountains and Eastern Plains, which support 200-300 individuals, the Prey Lang Extended Landscape population exhibits high genetic diversity, a critical factor for long-term viability, it added. Listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) are some of the largest mammals on the planet. Pablo Sinovas, country director of the Fauna & Flora Cambodia Programme, said that in this study, researchers combined molecular and spatial modelling techniques to assess the population size, genetic diversity, and habitat availability of an important yet imperilled group of Asian elephants in Cambodia. "Despite its small size, this population retains high levels of genetic diversity, an essential foundation for long-term survival," he said. Alex Ball, WildGenes conservation manager for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said that having a high level of genetic diversity within a population is fundamental to its long-term future, Xinhua news agency reported. "We now hope to expand this methodology across Cambodia and beyond, helping to build a clearer picture of Asian elephant numbers, which will inform how best we can work to help reverse the decline of these spectacular animals," he said. It is estimated that there are currently 400 to 600 Asian elephants in the wild in Cambodia, the press release said. The study's findings underscore the potential of the Prey Lang Extended Landscape to become a national stronghold for Asian elephants, significantly contributing to Cambodia's biodiversity conservation goals, it added.
14 March,2025 10:31 AM IST | Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | IANS
NASA's newest space telescope blasts off to map entire sky, millions of galaxies
NASA's newest space telescope rocketed into orbit Tuesday to map the entire sky like never before a sweeping look at hundreds of millions of galaxies and their shared cosmic glow since the beginning of time. SpaceX launched the Spherex observatory from California, putting it on course to fly over Earth's poles. Tagging along were four suitcase-size satellites to study the sun. Spherex popped off the rocket's upper stage first, drifting into the blackness of space with a blue Earth in the background. The USD 488 million Spherex mission aims to explain how galaxies formed and evolved over billions of years, and how the universe expanded so fast in its first moments. Closer to home in our own Milky Way galaxy, Spherex will hunt for water and other ingredients of life in the icy clouds between stars where new solar systems emerge. The cone-shaped Spherex at 1,110 pounds (500 kilograms) or the heft of a grand piano will take six months to map the entire sky with its infrared eyes and wide field of view. Four full-sky surveys are planned over two years, as the telescope circles the globe from pole to pole 400 miles (650 kilometers) up. Spherex won't see galaxies in exquisite detail like NASA's larger and more elaborate Hubble and Webb space telescopes, with their narrow fields of view. Instead of counting galaxies or focusing on them, Spherex will observe the total glow produced by the whole lot, including the earliest ones formed in the wake of the universe-creating Big Bang. This cosmological glow captures all light emitted over cosmic history,¿ said the mission's chief scientist Jamie Bock of the California Institute of Technology. It's a very different way of looking at the universe,¿ enabling scientists to see what sources of light may have been missed in the past. By observing the collective glow, scientists hope to tease out the light from the earliest galaxies and learn how they came to be, Bock said. We won't see the Big Bang. But we'll see the aftermath from it and learn about the beginning of the universe that way,¿ he said. The telescope's infrared detectors will be able to distinguish 102 colors invisible to the human eye, yielding the most colorful, inclusive map ever made of the cosmos. It's like "looking at the universe through a set of rainbow-colored glasses, said deputy project manager Beth Fabinsky of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. To keep the infrared detectors super cold ¿ minus 350 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 210 degrees Celsius) Spherex has a unique look. It sports three aluminum-honeycomb cones, one inside the other, to protect from the sun and Earth's heat, resembling a 10-foot (3-meter) shield collar for an ailing dog. Besides the telescope, SpaceX's Falcon rocket provided a lift from Vandenberg Space Force Base for a quartet of NASA satellites called Punch. From their own separate polar orbit, the satellites will observe the sun's corona, or outer atmosphere, and the resulting solar wind. The evening launch was delayed two weeks because of rocket and other issues. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
12 March,2025 03:10 PM IST | Vandenberg Space Force Base (US) | AP
Study raises possibility of country without butterflies
A study has been released, which for the first time tallies butterfly data from more than 76,000 surveys across the continental United States. The results: between 2000 and 2020, total butterfly abundance fell by 22 per cent across the 554 species counted. That means that for every five individual butterflies within the contiguous US in the year 2000, there were only four in 2020. "Action must be taken," said Elise Zipkin, a Red Cedar Distinguished Professor of quantitative ecology at Michigan State University and a co-author of the paper. "To lose 22 percent of butterflies across the continental U.S. in just two decades is distressing and shows a clear need for broad-scale conservation interventions," Elise added. In this paper, Zipkin and Haddad were among a working group of scientists with the USGS Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis who aggregated decades of butterfly data from 35 monitor programs, including records of over 12.6 million butterflies. Using data integration approaches, the team examined how butterfly abundances changed regionally and individually for the 342 species with enough data. Abundance is a term that threatens to become ironic. Butterfly populations dropped an average of 1.3 per cent annually across the country, except for the Pacific Northwest. But even that encouraging result came with a caveat. Further scrutiny of the apparent 10 per cent increase in overall abundance in the Pacific Northwest over the 20-year study period was credited largely to the California tortoiseshell butterfly, which was enjoying a population boom not expected to be sustained. "This is the definitive study of butterflies in the U.S.," said Collin Edwards, the study's lead author. "For those who were not already aware of insect declines, this should be a wake-up call. We urgently need both local- and national-scale conservation efforts to support butterflies and other insects. We have never had as clear and compelling a picture of butterfly declines as we do now." Edwards had been a postdoctoral research associate at Washington State University, Vancouver, and now works at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The results reveal that 13 times as many species declined as increased- with 107 species losing more than half their populations.
11 March,2025 10:25 AM IST | Washington DC (USA) | ANI
Cities expected to face growing risk of fires due to climate change: Researchers
As global temperatures climb due to climate change, cities are expected to face a growing risk of fires, according to Australian and international researchers on Tuesday. A new modelling study, published in Nature Cities, predicts that certain types of urban fires will become more frequent in the coming decades. Researchers estimate that, worldwide, this trend could result in an additional 330,000 fire-related deaths and over a million more injuries between 2020 and 2100. However, if global warming is limited to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, the number of deaths could be reduced by half. To establish this connection, the international research team analysed fires and peak monthly air temperatures across more than 2,800 cities in 20 countries, including the United States, China, Australia, and Britain, representing over 20 per cent of the global population. The findings could be useful for future urban planning and emergency response strategies. The researchers measured how the frequency of different urban fire incidents -- such as building fires, vehicle fires, and outdoor blazes at sites like landfills -- changes in response to rising temperatures, which aimed to evaluate the potential impact of global warming on various types of urban fires. There could be an 11.6 per cent increase in vehicle fires and a 22.2 per cent increase in outdoor fires by 2100, but a 4.6 per cent decrease in building fires, under a high greenhouse gas emission scenario, said the authors from the University of Science and Technology of China, the RMIT University in Melbourne, Shanghai Maritime University, Charles Darwin University, among others. They also estimate that global warming could contribute to approximately 335,000 fire-related deaths and 1.1 million injuries across all cities analysed between 2020 and 2100, Xinhua news agency reported. Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. Also Read: Cities at highest risk as climate change increases heatwave mortality: Study This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 March,2025 10:40 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Survey finds presence of over 6300 river dolphins in India
The first population estimation of riverine dolphins in India has revealed the presence of 6,324 dolphins in the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Indus River systems, according to a government report published on Monday. The Ganges River dolphin, known for its unique features, is found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system and its tributaries across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. A small population of the Indus river dolphin, a close relative of the Ganges river dolphin, is found in the Indus River system in India. As part of "Project Dolphin", a comprehensive survey was conducted for the first time to estimate the population of river dolphins across eight states -- Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam and Punjab. It is one of the world's largest freshwater surveys, covering the entire range of the Ganges river dolphin in the Ganga and Brahmaputra, as well as the Indus river dolphin in the Beas river, according to the report "Population Status of River Dolphin in India". The survey estimated 6,324 Ganges river dolphins (range: 5,977-6,688) and three Indus river dolphins. The findings suggest that dolphins thrive in areas with adequate water depth and minimal human disturbances, it said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Project Dolphin on August 15, 2020, to conserve dolphins and other aquatic ecosystems. Monitoring dolphin populations is crucial for conservation, especially for river dolphins, which have a slow growth rate and live in some of the world's most threatened habitats. The survey covering over 8,000 km was conducted from 2021 to 2023. It included eight states -- along the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries, as well as the Beas river. During the survey, 58 rivers were assessed. Of these, 28 rivers were actively surveyed by boat, while 30 were studied through road surveys, focusing on locations where the Ganges river dolphin had been historically reported. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 March,2025 06:05 PM IST | Mumbai | PTI
Population of Asiatic lions in Gir witnessing steady rise: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday commended the steady rise in population of Asiatic lions at Gujarat’s Gir wildlife sanctuary, highlighting the role of tribal communities in the surrounding areas in preserving their natural habitat. On the occasion of World Wildlife Day, which is observed on March 3 every year, he undertook a lion safari at the Gir wildlife sanctuary, post which he shared the information. “In the last many years, collective efforts have ensured that the population of Asiatic Lions is rising steadily,” Prime Minister informed in a post on X. This morning, on #WorldWildlifeDay, I went on a Safari in Gir, which, as we all know, is home to the majestic Asiatic Lion. Coming to Gir also brings back many memories of the work we collectively did when I was serving as Gujarat CM. In the last many years, collective efforts… pic.twitter.com/S8XMmn2zN7 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2025 He further stated, “Equally commendable is the role of tribal communities and women from surrounding areas in preserving the habitat of the Asiatic Lions.” The pictures shared from his social media handles showed PM Modi taking a closer view of the majestic Asiatic lions at the national park. He also took to X to share pictures of lions and lionesses that he clicked from his camera. “Lions and lionesses in Gir! Tried my hand at some photography this morning,” he wrote on X. Lions and lionesses in Gir! Tried my hand at some photography this morning. pic.twitter.com/TKBMKCGA7m — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2025 Further, he also informed that populations of tigers, leopards and rhinos have also risen in the past ten years. Over the last decade, the population of tigers, leopards, rhinos have risen too, indicating how deeply we cherish wildlife and are working to build sustainable habitats for animals. #WorldWildlifeDay — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2025 Last year, a report titled “Status of Tigers: Co-predators and Prey in India-2022 also put the spotlight on India's growing tiger population and said that a significant growth of 6.1% was registered, bringing the estimated number of tigers to 3,682. The report jointly released by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India said that India has become home to approximately 75 percent of world’s tiger population. (With inputs from IANS)
03 March,2025 04:27 PM IST | Gujarat | mid-day online correspondent
Oscars 2025: Los Angeles' firefighters receive standing ovation
In a heartwarming gesture, the Academy honoured firefighters who helped battle deadly wildfires in Los Angeles on Sunday night. Host Conan O'Brien welcomed a team of firefighters on the stage. The audience gave them a standing ovation. "On behalf of everyone in greater Los Angeles, thank you for all you do," O'Brien said before he welcomed several firefighters to speak. Firefighters' appearance at the Oscars also left the audience in splits as they cracked a joke or two, as per Variety. Los Angeles Fire Department captain Erik Scott kicked things off with a doozy: "Our hearts go out to those who have lost their homes," he said. "And I'm talking about the producers of 'Joker 2.'" Even O'Brien was impressed with the one-liner. "Damn," the comedian cracked, "best delivery of the night." Los Angeles Fire Department pilot Jonas Johnson was next and took aim at "A Complete Unknown," a musical biopic about the early life of Bob Dylan. "To play Bob Dylan, Timothee Chalamet learned how to sing," Johnson said. "In fact, his singing was so good, he almost lost the part." Los Angeles firefighters were welcomed with a warm reception last month as well at the Grammy's. The wildfires, which started earlier this month, have caused massive destruction. At least 25 people lost their lives, and over 105,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes.
03 March,2025 11:55 AM IST | Los Angeles | ANI
Study finds human activities affecting body clocks of mammals
Human-driven activities, including climate change, could be affecting body clocks of mammals, according to a global study that found that only 39 per cent of the species are behaving in line with what previous research says. Further, because of the environmental changes and the resulting effects, a majority of previous research related to body clocks of mammals could be outdated, researchers, including those from The University of Sydney, Australia, said. All animals are known to have circadian rhythms, or body clocks, regulating activities over a 24-hour period -- also called diel cycle. Collectively, the rhythms can develop into a generalised behaviour for a species. However, climate change threatens to upend these established patterns with unexpected consequences, the researchers said. For their analysis, published in the journal Science Advances, the team analysed video camera footage of 445 mammal species to note activity patterns over a 24-hour period. Results were compared with previous studies. "Through a global network representing 38 countries, we leveraged 8.9 million mammalian observations to create a library of 14,587 standardised diel activity estimates for 445 species," the authors wrote. "Overall, we found only 39 per cent agreement between our results and reference classifications, which further suggests that we need to re-evaluate species diel behaviour to fully understand their niche and how to conserve them in an anthropogenic world," they said. The team looked at whether circadian activity was responsive or resistant to environmental changes. The species showed a high plasticity in their diel patterns, indicating an ability to adjust daily activity depending on environmental conditions, the authors said. Finally, among a selected 126 species, the team studied how geography affected diel plasticity. "Distance from the equator, daylight hours per day, and exposure to human activity influenced diel phenotypes for 74 per cent of these species," they wrote. Data for the study was taken from the Global Animal Diel Activity Project, which includes 217 collaborators from 20,080 camera sites across 38 countries.
01 March,2025 09:47 AM IST | New Delhi | PTI