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New Delhi wakes to toxic smog after Diwali as firecrackers add to seasonal pollution crisis

New Delhi wakes to toxic smog after Diwali as firecrackers add to seasonal pollution crisis

A thick blanket of smog has shrouded India’s capital after firecrackers lit up the skies over New Delhi during Diwali celebrations
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Thick smog shrouds New Delhi after Diwali firecrackers add to seasonal pollution

Thick smog shrouds New Delhi after Diwali firecrackers add to seasonal pollution

A thick blanket of smog has shrouded India’s capital after firecrackers lit up the skies over New Delhi during Diwali celebrations
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Unitaid Launches $10.9 Million Initiative to Protect Health Products from Climate Change Impacts

Unitaid Launches $10.9 Million Initiative to Protect Health Products from Climate Change Impacts

Unitaid has announced a US$10.9 million investment to safeguard essential medicines, diagnostics, and other health products from the increasing threats of rising temperatures and humidity. This initiative, known as the Safeguarding Heat Stability in Essential Life-Saving Drugs and Diagnostics (SHIELD) project, will run from 2027 to 2030. It aims to address a critical, often overlooked aspect of preparing health systems for climate change: ensuring the efficacy of health products throughout global supply chains. The project, led by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), will investigate which essential health products are currently vulnerable to heat and humidity and which could become vulnerable over the next 20-30 years. Researchers will measure temperature and humidity exposures during storage, transport, and delivery in India, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal, with validation in Brazil and South Africa. Laboratory testing will assess product responses to these conditions, and climate projections will help ant...
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G20 Expands to 21 Members with African Union Admission, U.S. to Host 2026 Summit

G20 Expands to 21 Members with African Union Admission, U.S. to Host 2026 Summit

The G20, an international economic cooperation forum, has expanded its membership to 21, with the African Union (AU) being admitted as a permanent member during the 2023 New Delhi Summit under India's presidency. This marks the first expansion of the grouping since its inception in 1999. The G20 now comprises 19 individual countries, the European Union, and the African Union. Together, these members represent approximately 85% of global GDP, about 75% of world trade, and two-thirds of the world's population. The forum was initially formed in 1999 as a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in response to the Asian financial crisis, aiming to include major emerging economies in discussions on global financial stability. It was elevated to a leaders' summit in 2008 during the global financial crisis to facilitate high-level political decisions. The United States is scheduled to host the G20 leaders' summit in 2026, followed by the United Kingdom in 2027.
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UN climate summit kicks off in Turkey after a disastrous year of extreme weather

UN climate summit kicks off in Turkey after a disastrous year of extreme weather

World leaders, delegates and climate activists are in Antalya, Turkey, for a U.N. climate summit
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Global Food Prices Decline in October, Influenced by US Harvest and Weak Demand

Global Food Prices Decline in October, Influenced by US Harvest and Weak Demand

Global Food Prices Decline in October, Influenced by US Harvest and Weak Demand
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Mondelez International Shifts Strategy Towards Volume-Led Growth Amidst Market Share Gains

Mondelez International Shifts Strategy Towards Volume-Led Growth Amidst Market Share Gains

Mondelez International Shifts Strategy Towards Volume-Led Growth Amidst Market Share Gains
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Upgrading power grids to accommodate renewable energy is a key issue at climate talks

Upgrading power grids to accommodate renewable energy is a key issue at climate talks

Outdated power grids around the world are a major hurdle in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy
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Climate Change Drives Dengue Fever Expansion into Nepal's High Himalayas

Climate Change Drives Dengue Fever Expansion into Nepal's High Himalayas

Dengue fever, transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, is increasingly prevalent in Nepal's high-altitude regions, a significant shift from its historical confinement to lowland areas. Researchers have documented the mosquito species at elevations up to 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) over the past decade. This expansion has led to major nationwide epidemics, with the virus reported in 76 out of 77 districts by 2025, causing approximately 9,000 infections and at least six deaths. The phenomenon is attributed to rising average minimum temperatures, which allow mosquitoes to survive and reproduce in previously inhospitable altitudes. Additionally, rapid urbanization in cities like Kathmandu creates ideal breeding grounds due to water storage practices and overwhelmed drainage systems. The presence of multiple dengue virus strains further exacerbates public health risks, as secondary infections with different strains increase the likelihood of severe dengue. Health officials also warn of potential local Zika virus ...
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New Delhi Residents Brace for Severe Winter Air Pollution as Government Implements Action Plan

New Delhi Residents Brace for Severe Winter Air Pollution as Government Implements Action Plan

Residents of New Delhi, India, are preparing for another season of severe air pollution as winter approaches. The city is already experiencing a grey haze and a smoky smell, leading to complaints of eye irritation and breathing difficulties. This annual phenomenon is attributed to falling temperatures and slower winds trapping pollutants, combined with smoke from crop residue burning in neighboring states, vehicle and factory emissions, and construction dust. Air purifiers have become a household necessity for those who can afford them, and many residents are wearing masks outdoors. In response, the Delhi government has implemented a Winter Action Plan, which began on November 1 and will run until February 28, aiming to address the pollution spike. Experts acknowledge this proactive step but emphasize the need for more holistic and long-lasting measures beyond the current plan.
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Global Food Prices Decline in October, Sugar Surges Amid Supply Disruptions

Global Food Prices Decline in October, Sugar Surges Amid Supply Disruptions

Global food prices experienced their first decline in four months in October, with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Price Index falling by 1.2% to 133.9 points from 135.6 points in September. This decrease was primarily driven by lower prices for cereals, meat, and dairy products. Cereal prices dropped by 4.5% due to softened global demand and improved production outlooks, particularly for wheat in Argentina and corn in the United States and South America. International wheat prices reversed a four-month rising streak, and corn prices retreated after reaching a three-year high in September. Meat and dairy prices also saw declines of 1.2% and 1.1% respectively, attributed to ample supplies and subdued international demand. However, sugar prices surged by 6.6% in October, marking their fourth consecutive monthly increase and reaching their highest level since December 2024. This spike was mainly caused by rainfall-related disruptions to sugarcane harvesting in Brazil, the world's largest s...
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Diwali celebrations coincide with worsening air. Here’s how to stay safer

Diwali celebrations coincide with worsening air. Here’s how to stay safer

For people across South Asia, especially in northern India, Diwali celebrations coincide with the return of hazardous winter air, raising concerns about how to celebrate safely