Author: EcoLife

    First ice-free summer day forecast for Arctic Ocean by 2030s
    14 Mar 2024

    Sea ice could disappear during some summer days in the Arctic within the next few years, researchers have warned. A study by scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder suggest the first ice-free day in the Arctic Ocean could occur more than 10 years earlier than previous projections. Greenhouse gas emissions are the main contributors to sea ice loss. As the amount […]

    Warmest February ever extends streak of climate records
    13 Mar 2024

    Last month was the warmest February ever recorded, satellite data has revealed. An especially mild, wet winter in Europe helped extend a “long streak” of climate records, says the EU’s Copernicus programme. Global temperatures in February were almost 1.8°C warmer than was typical in pre-industrial times. A sustained rise of more than 1.5°C above that benchmark would mean the world misses […]

    WTO seeks agreement on fisheries deal in tough Abu Dhabi talks
    04 Mar 2024

    Trade ministers from around the globe have been engaged in tough talks at the World Trade Organisation’s 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, where negotiations on a key fisheries subsidies deal will be a major focus. “They just started … we have to be cautiously optimistic because we have to push things forward,” Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State […]

    Why is the UAE’s renewable energy sector attracting more private equity funding?
    03 Mar 2024

    A growing number of private equity funds are investing in the UAE’s renewable energy projects and energy transition initiatives, encouraged by an abundance of capital and geopolitical stability. The Emirates, the Arab world’s second-largest economy, plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. It hosted the Cop28 climate conference in December, and this introduced many companies and funds to the […]

    From artificial black surfaces to CO2 capture: Amazing ways to alter the climate
    19 Feb 2024

    While the UAE is lucky enough to enjoy almost endless sunshine, rainfall levels sometimes fall short of what would be ideal. This is despite sporadic spells of wet weather, such as experienced this week, which often occur in the winter months. As a result, the country has limited water resources and has invested heavily in desalination plants and put significant demands on aquifers, […]

    Warmest January on record as world logs first 12 months above 1.5°C level

    The global average temperature was for 12 months more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time, according to data from Copernicus Climate Change Service. The record, set between February 2023 and January 2024, brings the world closer to breaching the Paris Agreement, which aims to pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above […]

    UN climate chief says ‘torrents not trickles’ of finance are needed to meet goals
    07 Feb 2024

    The UN’s most senior climate official has said “torrents not trickles” of finance are needed if the world is to achieve its Cop goals. In a keynote speech in Baku, Azerbaijan, which will host the Cop29 UN Climate Conference in November, Simon Stiell said it will take an “Olympian effort” over the next two years to […]

    President Sheikh Mohamed extends UAE’s Year of Sustainability for 2024

    President Sheikh Mohamed marked the 27th National Environment Day on Sunday by declaring that the UAE’s Year of Sustainability will continue throughout 2024. The UAE leader said the decision underlined the country’s efforts to “protect and preserve the environment for the benefit of future generations”. Sheikh Mohamed announced the themed Year of Sustainability on January 20 last year. […]

    Now, ‘miracle soil’ biochar from camel dung in Dubai

    Dubai: A collaboration in Dubai has started the industrial-scale production of biochar from camel dung. Biochar, short for biological charcoal, is made from the thermo-chemical conversion of biomass – such as animal manure – into a charcoal-like material that boosts the properties of soil for agriculture. Dubai-based German firm Viqa Investment has announced its cooperation […]

    Victory in climate race ‘still possible’ even if 1.5°C hits this decade
    01 Feb 2024

    Record heatwaves could take the world beyond the key 1.5°C global warming benchmark as soon as this decade – but that does not mean all hope is lost, the UN’s top climate scientist says. Jim Skea said it is “still technically possible” to meet the goal of curbing the global temperature rise to 1.5°C, staving off the worst […]