Climate

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India: Heatstroke kills 33 election staff in one state on last day of voting

The chief electoral officer of the state of Uttar Pradesh said 33 polling personnel died because of heat that reached temperatures above 45°C. One voter also died.

Published on June 2, 2024, at 10:48 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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India's capital records record temperature of 52.3ºC

The India Meteorological Department said temperatures were much higher than expected and warned of water shortages.

Published on May 29, 2024, at 11:14 am (Paris), updated on May 29, 2024, at 1:29 pm Le Monde with AFP

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Texas pummeled by storms, over 1 million customers without power

Severe weather, including tornadoes, killed at least 24 people during the Memorial Day holiday weekend in the US. More rough weather and heavy rains were forecast for the Dallas area Tuesday night.

Published on May 28, 2024, at 10:27 pm (Paris), updated on May 29, 2024, at 4:20 am Le Monde with AP

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In Bangladesh, cyclone floods coastal villages

Nearly 800,000 residents had evacuated and hundreds of thousands of people were left without power on Monday. Authorities gave no casualty figures yet, but media reported that at least two people died.

Published on May 27, 2024, at 4:41 am (Paris), updated on May 27, 2024, at 7:56 am Le Monde with AP

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Chilean firefighter arrested, accused of starting deadly blaze

The devastating fire ended up killing 137 people in the town of Viña del Mar in February.

Published on May 25, 2024, at 3:11 am (Paris), updated on May 25, 2024, at 10:25 am Le Monde with AFP

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Brutal, weeks-long heatwave kills dozens in Mexico

Temperatures have been so high that howler monkeys have been dropping dead from the heat in the country's south.

Published on May 25, 2024, at 3:05 am (Paris), updated on May 25, 2024, at 10:24 am Le Monde with AFP

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In France, climate issues are absent from the EU election campaign

Climate issues are virtually absent from the debates ahead of the June 9 vote. Scientists and activists are despairing about the ability of politicians to take action on the environment.

Published on May 24, 2024, at 5:00 am (Paris) Julie Carriat Matthieu Goar

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French greenhouse gas emissions fell by 5.8% in 2023

France's climate change monitoring association Citepa had predicted in March a yearly fall of 4.8%. Despite the government's bullishness, several environmental groups have claimed such drops are largely cyclical.

Published on May 22, 2024, at 10:39 pm (Paris), updated on May 23, 2024, at 12:55 pm Le Monde with AFP

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India shuts schools as temperatures soar to more than 47°C

Temperatures hit 47.4°C with Delhi gripped by a 'severe heatwave.'

Published on May 21, 2024, at 11:59 am (Paris), updated on May 21, 2024, at 12:13 pm Le Monde with AFP

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Heavy rains in Northern Europe cause floods

There was flooding in parts of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Published on May 18, 2024, at 11:45 am (Paris), updated on May 18, 2024, at 11:46 am Le Monde with AFP

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Fresh rains pound flood-hit Brazilian south, evacuations double

The deluge – which experts link to climate change exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon – has affected almost 2 million people, leaving 116 dead and 756 injured. Another 143 people are still missing, according to authorities.

Published on May 10, 2024, at 10:26 pm (Paris), updated on May 11, 2024, at 10:20 am Le Monde with AFP

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Debate over fish aggregating devices in the Indian Ocean intensifies

As the next meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission gets underway, the NGO BLOOM Association published a comparative analysis between this industrial technique and traditional pole-and-line fishing in the Maldives.

Published on May 9, 2024, at 12:28 am (Paris), updated on May 9, 2024, at 8:05 am Martine Valo

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Rescue effort continues as death toll in Brazil floods climbs to 78

At least 150,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, with more than 3,000 rescue personnel on the scene still trying to reach trapped residents.

Published on May 6, 2024, at 5:20 am (Paris), updated on May 6, 2024, at 8:03 am Le Monde with AFP

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Kenya hit by 'one of the most violent' El Niño episodes since 1950

At least 29 of the country's 47 counties are affected by heavy rains. Kenya's death toll from flooding has risen to at least 188 since March.

Published on May 3, 2024, at 11:04 am (Paris) Noé Hochet-Bodin

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G7 countries commit to closing coal-fired power plants by 2035

The G7 (Canada, the US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK) collectively announced for the first time a date for the end of coal-fired power generation without CO2 capture and storage.

Published on April 30, 2024, at 8:04 pm (Paris) Audrey Garric

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Pakistan: Unusually heavy rains claimed at least 143 lives in April

Pakistan saw a rainfall increase of 164% above the normal levels in April, according to the country's Meteorological Department.

Published on April 30, 2024, at 4:56 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Dam bursts in Kenya as death toll from rains and floods continue to rise

At least 42 more people died when the dam burst in Nakuru county, said the local governor.

Published on April 29, 2024, at 11:35 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Myanmar records hottest ever April temperature, Bangladesh closes schools

The record temperature of 48.2°C was recorded in Chauk in central Myanmar's Magway region on Sunday. In Bangladesh, a court ordered the closure of schools due to the heat.

Published on April 29, 2024, at 11:07 am (Paris), updated on April 29, 2024, at 2:15 pm Le Monde with AFP

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Tornadoes kill at least 5 in central US, leaving a trail of destruction

Over 20,000 people remained without electricity after tornadoes began late Saturday night. Hospitals across the state of Oklahoma reported about 100 injuries.

Published on April 28, 2024, at 10:47 pm (Paris), updated on April 29, 2024, at 11:48 am Le Monde with AP

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In Mongolia, a murderous winter decimates nomadic herds

Many steppe herders have lost all or part of their livestock in recent months, due to the early formation of a layer of ice and extreme cold, which has deprived the animals of food. For many, this disaster signals the end of nomadic life.

Published on April 28, 2024, at 4:42 pm (Paris), updated on April 29, 2024, at 10:20 am Harold Thibault

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Highest-level rainstorm warning issued in southern China

The bad weather that has been affecting Guangdong province since Thursday has claimed at least four lives and led to tens of thousands of evacuations, according to the latest figures.

Published on April 23, 2024, at 9:04 am (Paris), updated on April 23, 2024, at 10:16 am Le Monde with AFP

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Canada's wildfire season begins early

More than 110 fires are already active in the province of British Columbia, some of which started last year but never went out.

Published on April 23, 2024, at 8:35 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Europe suffered record number of 'extreme heat stress' days in 2023, according to report

The report highlighted that the consequences for health were particularly acute, with heat singled out as the biggest climate-related threat.

Published on April 22, 2024, at 5:17 am (Paris), updated on April 22, 2024, at 7:23 am Le Monde with AFP

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In the French Alps, 'last chance tourists' visit the disappearing glacier

A new gondola lift, opened in February, provides easier access to the endangered Mer de Glace glacier. Site managers are keen to enhance the glacier's appeal, even if it means accepting the paradox between mass tourism and climate change awareness.

Published on April 21, 2024, at 11:01 pm (Paris), updated on April 22, 2024, at 10:22 am Jessica Gourdon

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Dubai reels from atypical heavy rains and widespread flooding

Torrential rain flooded roads and halted operations at Dubai's airport as storms hit the Gulf on Tuesday. Airport officials have urged passengers to stay away 'unless absolutely necessary' on Wednesday morning.

Published on April 16, 2024, at 11:36 pm (Paris), updated on April 17, 2024, at 1:01 pm Le Monde with AFP

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Biden administration issues license for massive Texas oil export terminal

Environmentalists denounced the license approval, saying it contradicted Joe Biden's climate agenda and would lead to 'disastrous' greenhouse gas emissions.

Published on April 12, 2024, at 2:04 am (Paris), updated on April 12, 2024, at 7:51 am Le Monde with AP

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Last 12 months have been the hottest ever recorded on the planet

The EU's climate monitor said Tuesday that March globally was 1.68°C hotter than an average March between the years 1850-1900, the reference period for the pre-industrial era.

Published on April 9, 2024, at 4:55 am (Paris), updated on April 9, 2024, at 10:03 am Le Monde with AFP

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Zimbabwe declares state of disaster to tackle the prolonged drought crisis

The declaration was widely expected following similar actions by neighboring Zambia and Malawi, where drought linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon has scorched crops, leaving millions of people in need of food assistance.

Published on April 4, 2024, at 4:08 am (Paris) Le Monde with AP

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At least nine dead after powerful earthquake shakes Taiwan

The 7.2 magnitude quake is believed to be the strongest in Taiwan since a 7.6-magnitude temblor in 1999. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center declared the tsunami threat from this major earthquake 'has now passed.'

Published on April 3, 2024, at 3:10 am (Paris), updated on April 3, 2024, at 5:33 pm Le Monde with AFP

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The US restored rules rolled back by Trump to protect endangered plants and animals

Wildlife advocates were only partially satisfied, saying some potentially harmful changes under Trump were untouched.

Published on March 28, 2024, at 11:20 pm (Paris), updated on March 29, 2024, at 7:29 am Le Monde with AP

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Macron and Lula launch green investment plan for Amazon

The announcement made at the start of Macron's state visit to Brazil is part of an international roadmap the two leaders intend to promote in the run-up to the COP30 environmental summit which will be held in Belem in northern Brazil in 2025.

Published on March 27, 2024, at 1:55 am (Paris), updated on March 27, 2024, at 7:28 am Le Monde with AFP

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At least a dozen killed in southeast Brazil rainstorm

Thousands have been left homeless following heavy rain and flooding in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Published on March 24, 2024, at 3:04 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Global sea level jumped due to El Niño and climate change, says NASA

Current projections suggest the next three decades could see the same increase as observed over the past 100 years.

Published on March 22, 2024, at 5:09 am (Paris), updated on March 22, 2024, at 7:29 am Le Monde with AP

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By 2100, coastal erosion will have affected thousands of buildings in France

An unpublished report analyzes the effects of rising seawaters on French coastlines. While there will be few consequences between now and 2028, the erosion will be much greater by 2050 and 2100.

Published on March 20, 2024, at 7:45 pm (Paris) Matthieu Goar Martine Valo

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'A planet on the brink': UN reports that 2014-2023 was hottest decade on record

The 2023 State of the Global Climate Report showed that not only was 2023 the hottest year ever recorded, but that average near-surface temperature was up by 1.45° – very close to the Paris Climate Accords' 1.5° threshold.

Published on March 19, 2024, at 5:59 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Historic water shortage: 'We are in danger of seeing Sicilian agriculture die'

The Italian island has been suffering from a rainfall deficit for over six months. The lack of water is threatening the economic survival of many farms.

Published on March 19, 2024, at 2:27 am (Paris), updated on March 19, 2024, at 8:09 am Allan Kaval

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UK's Cambridge University halts fossil fuel funding

The move comes after a campaign from students and academics at the institution,\ and a report by former UN climate change envoy Nigel Topping last year.

Published on March 18, 2024, at 11:25 pm (Paris), updated on March 19, 2024, at 7:15 am Le Monde with AFP

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NATO chief says climate change undermines global security

Alongside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, whose energy-rich country is set to host the COP29 in November, Jens Stoltenberg called climate change a 'crisis multiplier.'

Published on March 17, 2024, at 11:40 pm (Paris), updated on March 18, 2024, at 7:07 am Le Monde with AFP

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In Afghanistan, more than 60 people killed by weeks of heavy rain and snow

Almost 1,700 houses have also been totally or partially ruined and nearly 178,000 livestock killed, according to the government's disaster ministry on Wednesday.

Published on March 13, 2024, at 3:22 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Five dead, two children missing after weekend storms in southern France

Seven departments were placed on high weather alert on Saturday. They were out of danger for the most part on Monday.

Published on March 11, 2024, at 5:04 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Three bodies found, four missing, after floods snare cars in southern France

The search for four missing individuals, including a father and his two children, was suspended on Sunday, March 10, at nightfall, after three initial victims of the severe weather that swept through the southeast were found in Gard.

Published on March 10, 2024, at 2:27 pm (Paris), updated on March 11, 2024, at 7:48 am Le Monde with AFP

News

December 2023 to February 2024 was the warmest US winter on record

The absence of ice impacts everything from businesses that rely on outdoor sports to fish that use ice to protect themselves from predators during spawning season. It also makes the shoreline more susceptible to erosion, increasing potential damage to coastal infrastructure.

Published on March 9, 2024, at 12:07 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Fifth mass coral bleaching event in eight years underway on Australia's Great Barrier Reef

When water temperatures rise excessively, corals will expel the algae residing in their tissues, resulting in the coral turning completely white. While corals can survive a bleaching event, they experience high stress levels and face increased mortality risks.

Published on March 8, 2024, at 2:16 am (Paris), updated on March 8, 2024, at 8:41 am Le Monde with AFP

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A monster blizzard is expected to bring 10 feet of snow to California and Nevada mountains

A blizzard warning through Sunday morning covers a 300-mile stretch of the mountains. California authorities shut down 100 miles of Interstate 80 on Friday.

Published on March 2, 2024, at 2:24 am (Paris), updated on March 2, 2024, at 4:47 am Le Monde with AP

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Greta Thunberg joins banned anti-highway protest in southern France

Organizers planned to hold workshops, discussion groups and concerts to oppose the construction of a new highway between the cities of Toulouse and Castres.

Published on February 10, 2024, at 10:33 am (Paris), updated on February 10, 2024, at 12:43 pm Le Monde with AFP

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France recorded over 5,000 deaths due to summer 2023 heat

Around 3,700 of the deaths were people aged over 75. Extreme heat has been straining healthcare systems, hitting older people, infants and children.

Published on February 8, 2024, at 2:38 pm (Paris), updated on February 8, 2024, at 2:46 pm Le Monde with AFP

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California storms leave at least three dead

A potent storm unleashed record rainfall in Los Angeles on Monday, causing mudslides in upscale neighborhoods and prompting California Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency.

Published on February 6, 2024, at 2:35 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Extreme heat drives Chile wildfires leaving at least 110 dead

Authorities warned of 'complicated' conditions as they battled fires in the coastal tourist region of Valparaiso amid an intense summer heat wave.

Published on February 4, 2024, at 6:37 pm (Paris), updated on February 5, 2024, at 3:15 am Le Monde with AFP

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Chile wildfires kill at least 46 in 'unprecedented catastrophe'

Forest fires have moved toward more populated areas in central Chile, leaving a trail of devastation. Firefighters have struggled to reach the most threatened neighborhoods.

Published on February 4, 2024, at 2:35 am (Paris), updated on February 4, 2024, at 10:15 am Le Monde with AFP

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Drought emergency declared in Barcelona

Catalonia declared a drought emergency for the northeastern area of some six million people including the city of Barcelona.

Published on February 1, 2024, at 1:00 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Biden halts new US natural gas export facilities, citing climate

The US president's administration said new liquified natural gas (LNG) export applications would be subjected to an indefinite review considering climate and wider environmental and economic impacts

Published on January 26, 2024, at 11:46 am (Paris), updated on January 26, 2024, at 11:53 am Le Monde with AFP

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Doomsday Clock sticks at 90 seconds to midnight due to wars, nuclear threats and climate crisis

Midnight is the theoretical end of the world and the clock remains at the closest it has been in its more than 75-year history, pointing 'ominously toward global catastrophe.'

Published on January 23, 2024, at 7:54 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Winter weather heavily disrupts transport in Scandinavia and Germany

According to a Frankfurt airport spokeswoman, 570 of 1,047 flights have already been axed from the schedule as Germany's business capital prepares for dramatic weather conditions.

Published on January 18, 2024, at 2:37 am (Paris), updated on January 18, 2024, at 7:18 am Le Monde with AP and AFP

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Greenland has lost 20% more ice than previously thought

A US study compiled hundreds of thousands of satellite images from 1985 to 2022, with researchers finding 'nearly every' glacier in Greenland had gotten smaller.

Published on January 17, 2024, at 5:42 pm (Paris), updated on January 17, 2024, at 5:57 pm Le Monde with AFP

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Mauritius lifts maximum alert in the wake of storm Belal

Tropical storm Belal has claimed the life of one person on the island nation, submerged numerous cars under floodwaters, led to flight cancellations and 8,400 people being left without power.

Published on January 16, 2024, at 12:26 pm (Paris), updated on January 16, 2024, at 2:20 pm Le Monde with AFP

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Cyclone Belal 'didn't cause the cataclysm we might have feared' on France's Réunion Island

Initial reports from local authorities indicate that the French Indian Ocean island department suffered one fatality, widespread power outages and significant disruptions to its drinking water supply networks. Road conditions are still uncertain.

Published on January 15, 2024, at 10:56 pm (Paris), updated on January 16, 2024, at 7:32 am Jérôme Talpin

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Floods hit Mauritius as tropical cyclone approaches

Heavy flooding hit the Indian Ocean island nation on Monday after battering the French overseas territory of Réunion.

Published on January 15, 2024, at 5:30 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Cyclone Belal sweeps through France's Réunion Island

Residents of the island in the Indian Ocean were ordered to stay indoors as Cyclone Belal struck on Monday morning. One person, who was homeless, died.

Published on January 15, 2024, at 10:42 am (Paris), updated on January 15, 2024, at 11:06 am Jérôme Talpin

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France's Réunion Island on highest alert as major storm hits

The Météo-France weather service warned that winds could exceed 200 km/h on the coast and 250 km/h or more in the highlands. All people on the island, including the emergency services, are to observe a strict lockdown.

Published on January 15, 2024, at 1:36 am (Paris), updated on January 15, 2024, at 9:32 am Le Monde with AFP

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US storms bring blast of Arctic air, snow and ice

95 million people were under weather warnings or advisories Sunday for wind chills below zero Fahrenheit (-17 Celsius).

Published on January 15, 2024, at 12:54 am (Paris), updated on January 15, 2024, at 5:10 am Le Monde with AP

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