Environment

• Tuesday, October 20th 2020 - 06:22 UTC

  A 7.5 magnitude quake off Alaska triggers small tsunami waves

  

  A major 7.5-magnitude quake off the coast of Alaska triggered small tsunami waves on Monday, US agencies said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

• Monday, October 19th 2020 - 09:00 UTC

  New Zealand manages to refloat half a pod of stranded pilot whales

  

  More than a dozen pilot whales have died in New Zealand after becoming stranded on the country's North Island, the Department of Conservation said on Sunday.

• Friday, October 16th 2020 - 09:20 UTC

  Switzerland bans the export of five toxic chemicals, including paraquat

  

  Starting from next year, Switzerland will not allow the export of five hazardous plant protection products already banned in the European country. The Swiss government approved the amendment to the law on chemical substances this week as part of measures to reduce risks associated with toxic chemicals. It added that the move is intended to help protect health and the environment in importing countries, particularly in the developing world.

• Thursday, October 15th 2020 - 09:49 UTC

  Pandemic restrictions reflected an unprecedented fall in greenhouse gas emissions

  

  Covid-19 pandemic restrictions saw an unprecedented fall in greenhouse gas emissions in the first half of 2020 – larger than during the 2008 financial crisis and even World War II – experts said on Wednesday.

• Wednesday, October 14th 2020 - 09:26 UTC

  Ozone hole over Antarctica peaks at 24 million square kms, the highest for the last decade

  

  The annually occurring ozone hole over the Antarctic is one of the largest and deepest in recent years. Analyses show that the hole has reached its maximum size. The 2020 ozone hole grew rapidly from mid-August and peaked at around 24 million square kilometers in early October. It now covers 23 million km2, above average for the last decade, and spreading over most of the Antarctic continent.

• Wednesday, October 14th 2020 - 08:57 UTC

  Climate change emergencies and consequences forecasted to double by 2030, UN report

  

  In the wake of heat waves, global warming, forest fires, storms, droughts, and a rising number of hurricanes, the UN weather agency is warning that the number of people who need international humanitarian help could rise 50% by 2030 compared to the 108 million who needed it worldwide in 2018.

• Friday, October 9th 2020 - 09:55 UTC

  After rejecting Mercosur trade deal on climate demands, EU parliament votes to drastically cut greenhouse gases by 2030

  

  European Union lawmakers have backed a plan to cut greenhouse gases by 60% from 1990 levels by 2030, hoping member states will not try to water the target down during upcoming negotiations.

• Friday, October 9th 2020 - 09:30 UTC

  Drone captures a white shark circling a surfer off the Australian coast

  

  A dramatic close encounter between Australian world championship surfer Matt Wilkinson and a shark off the east coast of the country was captured by a drone, showing the shark circle him, close in, and then dart away from his feet.

• Thursday, October 8th 2020 - 08:31 UTC

  Record heatwave in Midwest and south Brazil, with warning of hyperthermia risk

  

  Inmet (National Meteorological Institute) has issued an alert for the risk of death from hyperthermia due to the heatwave affecting several regions of Brazil. The agency alert is valid until Thursday (8) or Friday (9), depending on the location.

• Wednesday, October 7th 2020 - 09:55 UTC

  Paraguay declares national emergency as forest fires rage across Chaco

  

  Paraguay’s Congress declared a national emergency as forest fires raged, burning vast swaths of the Chaco dry forest, home to sprawling cattle ranches, jaguars and many indigenous tribes.