Lightning, downpours kill 65 in Pakistan, as April rain doubles historical average

At least 65 people have died in storm-related incidents including lightning in Pakistan, officials said, with rain so far in April falling at nearly twice the historical average rate.…Continue readingLightning, downpours kill 65 in Pakistan, as April rain doubles historical average

Dubai reels from floods chaos after record rains

Huge tailbacks snaked along six-lane expressways after up to 254 millimeters of rain—about two years’ worth—fell on the desert United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. The storms hit the UAE…Continue readingDubai reels from floods chaos after record rains

Human-caused heating behind extreme droughts in Syria, Iraq and Iran

Extreme droughts that have wrecked the lives of millions of people in Syria, Iraq and Iran since 2020 would not have happened without human-caused global heating, a study has…Continue readingHuman-caused heating behind extreme droughts in Syria, Iraq and Iran

Climate-driven extreme heat may make parts of Earth too hot for humans

If global temperatures increase by 2°C above pre-industrial levels, the 2.2 billion residents of Pakistan and India’s Indus River Valley, the one billion people living in eastern China and…Continue readingClimate-driven extreme heat may make parts of Earth too hot for humans

Medicanes: rare, ‘supercharging’ Mediterranean storms

The flash flood that has killed thousands of people in Libya this week followed a “medicane”, a rare but destructive weather phenomenon that scientists believe will intensify in a…Continue readingMedicanes: rare, ‘supercharging’ Mediterranean storms

Mediterranean’s devastating Storm Daniel may be harbinger of storms to come

Storm Daniel, which wrought devastation across the Mediterranean in the past week, killed 15 people in central Greece where it dumped more rain than previously recorded before sweeping across…Continue readingMediterranean’s devastating Storm Daniel may be harbinger of storms to come

‘No more water’: Iraq drought claims lakeside resort

Iraqi merchant Mohamed has never seen such a grim tourist season: years of drought have shrunken the majestic Lake Habbaniyah, keeping away the holidaymakers who once flocked there during…Continue reading‘No more water’: Iraq drought claims lakeside resort

Atlantic collapse: Q&A with scientists behind controversial study predicting a colder Europe

In late July, a study published in Nature Communications warned that a critical ocean system that brings warm water up the North Atlantic, also known as the Atlantic Meridional…Continue readingAtlantic collapse: Q&A with scientists behind controversial study predicting a colder Europe

Morocco breaks heat record

Temperatures in Morocco have for the first time on record topped 50˚C (120˚F), the North African country’s meteorological service said Sunday amid a scorching heat wave. The meteorological station…Continue readingMorocco breaks heat record

A year on, the devastating long-term effects of Pakistan’s floods are revealed

The flooding in Pakistan in August and September 2022 – described by UN secretary general António Guterres as a “monsoon on steroids” – led to the deaths of more…Continue readingA year on, the devastating long-term effects of Pakistan’s floods are revealed

Extreme heat hits Iraq, as temperatures exceed 50 degrees Celsius

Extreme temperatures and a lack of electrical power are a deadly combination, and one that is being felt across Iraq. The country is one of the world’s most vulnerable…Continue readingExtreme heat hits Iraq, as temperatures exceed 50 degrees Celsius

Two-day holiday in Iran over extreme heat

Iran on Tuesday declared a two-day holiday for government workers and banks nationwide as searing temperatures sweep across the country, state media reported. The decision came after the meteorological…Continue readingTwo-day holiday in Iran over extreme heat

From Algeria to Syria, heatwaves scorch Middle East, North Africa

Algeria In Algeria, five states were listed as places with the highest temperatures in the world in recent days, according to El Dorado Weather, which keeps a log of…Continue readingFrom Algeria to Syria, heatwaves scorch Middle East, North Africa

Iraq’s marshes are dying, and a civilization with them

The marshlands have shrunk from 20,000 square kilometers (7,700 square miles) in the early 1990s to 4,000 (1,500 square miles) by latest estimates—choked by dams on the great rivers…Continue readingIraq’s marshes are dying, and a civilization with them

Iraq’s oil boom blamed for worsening water crisis in drought-hit south

To help extract oil, companies pump large quantities of water into the ground. For each barrel of oil, many of which are later exported to Europe, up to three…Continue readingIraq’s oil boom blamed for worsening water crisis in drought-hit south

TotalEnergies, Iraq reach agreement on $10bn Gas Growth Integrated Project

TotalEnergies and the Iraqi government have reached an agreement on the $10bn Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) in Iraq with an aim to monetise and develop the country’s natural…Continue readingTotalEnergies, Iraq reach agreement on $10bn Gas Growth Integrated Project

COP27 being used to rebrand gas as transitional fuel, experts warn

Gas producers and their financial backers see COP27 as an opportunity for discussions about rebranding natural gas as a transition fuel rather than a fossil fuel, experts have said.…Continue readingCOP27 being used to rebrand gas as transitional fuel, experts warn

Concern about climate change shrinks globally

Concerns about climate change shrank across the world last year, with fewer than half of those questioned in a new survey believing it posed a “very serious threat” to…Continue readingConcern about climate change shrinks globally

ADNOC and TAQA close financing for 3.8 billion dollar decarbonisation of oil and gas extraction

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) have closed financing for a $3.8 billion project to decarbonise ADNOC’s offshore oil and gas extraction…Continue readingADNOC and TAQA close financing for 3.8 billion dollar decarbonisation of oil and gas extraction

Climate migrants flee Iraq’s parched rural south, but cities offer no refuge

The UN describes Iraq as the fifth-most-vulnerable country to climate change. Temperatures have increased by 1.8˚C (3.2˚F) in three decades, well above the global average, and in the summers,…Continue readingClimate migrants flee Iraq’s parched rural south, but cities offer no refuge

Chad’s heaviest rains in 30 years leads to ‘catastrophic’ floods

Chad’s heaviest seasonal rainfall in more than 30 years has left parts of the capital N’Djamena navigable only by boat and forced thousands to flee their flooded homes over…Continue readingChad’s heaviest rains in 30 years leads to ‘catastrophic’ floods

Saudi Aramco posts biggest quarterly profit of any listed company

Saudi Aramco posted the biggest quarterly adjusted profit of any listed company globally driven by high crude prices and production. Revenue climbed 80% to $150 billion and free cash…Continue readingSaudi Aramco posts biggest quarterly profit of any listed company

Iraq’s Garden of Eden now ‘like a desert’

The reputed home of the biblical Garden of Eden, Iraq’s swamplands have been battered by 3 years of drought and low rainfall, as well as reduced water flows along…Continue readingIraq’s Garden of Eden now ‘like a desert’

Drought tightens its grip on Morocco

No longer having access to potable running water, the villagers of Ouled Essi Masseoud rely solely on sporadic supplies in public fountains and from private wells. “The fountains work…Continue readingDrought tightens its grip on Morocco

Heatwaves scorch Iraq as protracted political crisis grinds on

Temperatures have soared up to nearly 50˚C (122˚F) in Baghdad almost daily, and in the southern city of Basra, temperatures have come close to 53˚C (127˚F) – dangerously high…Continue readingHeatwaves scorch Iraq as protracted political crisis grinds on

Algeria, Nigeria, and Niger sign MoU for $13 billion Trans Saharan gas pipeline

The more than 4,000km (2,485 mile) long onshore gas pipeline is planned to start in Warri in Nigeria, travel through Niger, and end in Hassi R’Mel in Algeria, from…Continue readingAlgeria, Nigeria, and Niger sign MoU for $13 billion Trans Saharan gas pipeline

Concerns as Pakistan glaciers melt

As dawn breaks over Javed Rahi’s mountain village, a loud boom shatters the silence and a torrent of water comes cascading down from the melting glacier nearby, followed by…Continue readingConcerns as Pakistan glaciers melt

Biden expects Saudi Arabia to take ‘further steps’ to boost oil supply

US president Joe Biden said he expected Saudi Arabia to take “further steps” to increase the supply of oil in the “coming weeks” following a meeting with Crown Prince…Continue readingBiden expects Saudi Arabia to take ‘further steps’ to boost oil supply

Shell signs up to Qatar project as LNG demand booms

Shell has become the latest international partner in the expansion of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Qatar as global demand for the fuel soars. Europe’s…Continue readingShell signs up to Qatar project as LNG demand booms

Iraq swept by tenth sandstorm in weeks

Iraq temporarily closed Baghdad airport Monday as choking clouds of dust blanketed the capital, the latest crippling sandstorm in a country that has warned climate change poses an “existential…Continue readingIraq swept by tenth sandstorm in weeks

QatarEnergy signs deal with TotalEnergies for North Field East

QatarEnergy signed a partnership deal with TotalEnergies for the North Field East expansion of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, and said more partners would be announced…Continue readingQatarEnergy signs deal with TotalEnergies for North Field East

‘It seems this heat will take our lives’: Pakistan city fearful after hitting 51˚C (124˚F)

Muhammad Akbar, 40, sells dried chickpeas on a wheelbarrow in Jacobabad, and has suffered heatstroke three times in his life. But now, he says, the heat is getting worse.…Continue reading‘It seems this heat will take our lives’: Pakistan city fearful after hitting 51˚C (124˚F)

Climate change ravages Iraq as palm trees make way for desert

Basra, Iraq – Southern Iraq was once known as the “black land” – the vast swaths of palm trees blocking out everything else, and providing food, shelter, and shade.…Continue readingClimate change ravages Iraq as palm trees make way for desert

Iraq sandstorm grounds flights, sends 1,000 to hospitals

Iraq closed public buildings and temporarily shut airports Monday as another sandstorm—the ninth since mid-April—hit the country. More than 1,000 people were hospitalised across the nation with respiratory problems.…Continue readingIraq sandstorm grounds flights, sends 1,000 to hospitals

Germany, Qatar sign energy partnership agreement

Qatar and Germany have signed a declaration to deepen their energy partnership, with a focus on trade in hydrogen and liquefied natural gas (LNG), as Europe’s biggest economy looks…Continue readingGermany, Qatar sign energy partnership agreement

Mideast sandstorms snarl traffic, close schools, harm health

Sandstorms across the Middle East have delayed flights, closed schools and hospitalised thousands—a phenomenon experts say could worsen as climate change warps regional weather patterns. The Middle East has…Continue readingMideast sandstorms snarl traffic, close schools, harm health

Extreme temperatures compound poverty in Pakistan’s hottest city

Jacobabad in Pakistan’s arid Sindh province is in the grip of the latest heatwave to hit South Asia—peaking at 51˚C (124˚F). Canals in the city—a vital source of irrigation…Continue readingExtreme temperatures compound poverty in Pakistan’s hottest city

Pakistan city hits nearly 50˚C (122˚F) as blistering heatwave grips nation

Pakistan is in the grip of a blistering heatwave, with parts of the nation already scorched by temperatures of nearly 50˚C (122˚F) as officials warn of acute water shortages…Continue readingPakistan city hits nearly 50˚C (122˚F) as blistering heatwave grips nation

Saudi Aramco overtakes Apple as the world’s most valuable company

Saudi Aramco has overtaken Apple as the world’s most valuable company after higher oil prices pushed shares of the world’s biggest crude exporter to record levels, while a broader…Continue readingSaudi Aramco overtakes Apple as the world’s most valuable company

India, Pakistan must brace for even worse heatwaves

The devastating heatwave that gripped India and Pakistan over the last two months is unprecedented, but worse—perhaps far worse—is on the horizon as climate change continues apace, top climate…Continue readingIndia, Pakistan must brace for even worse heatwaves

Horn of Africa ravaged by worst drought in four decades

In the Horn of Africa as a whole, in an area stretching from northern Kenya to Somalia and swaths of Ethiopia, up to 20 million people could go hungry…Continue readingHorn of Africa ravaged by worst drought in four decades

Saudi Aramco closed a deal to sell a stake in its natural-gas pipelines for $15.5 billion

An investor group, led by BlackRock, acquired a 49% stake in Aramco Gas Pipelines Co. in a lease and leaseback deal in December, according to a statement. The consortium…Continue readingSaudi Aramco closed a deal to sell a stake in its natural-gas pipelines for $15.5 billion

Record floods linked to climate change have left the people of South Sudan in crisis

Climate scientists say the floods in 2019 and 2020 were driven in part by global warming-linked changes in a weather pattern called the Indian Ocean Dipole. In East Africa, this led…Continue readingRecord floods linked to climate change have left the people of South Sudan in crisis

Across Iraq’s south, there is a sense of an ending

Where civilization emerged between the Tigris and Euphrates, climate change is poisoning the land and emptying the villages.Continue readingAcross Iraq’s south, there is a sense of an ending

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen produced as much as four years’ worth of rain in Oman

Up to 14½ inches (368mm) fell in Al Khaburah, which is just to the west of where the storm came ashore. The city of about 40,000 people averages between…Continue readingTropical Cyclone Shaheen produced as much as four years’ worth of rain in Oman

War and Warming

Climate change is amplifying war, civil unrest, displacement, poverty, hunger and water scarcity in Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria and Mali. Noor Ahmad Akhundzadah, a professor of hydrology at Kabul University:…Continue readingWar and Warming

Pakistan’s mission to plant 10 billion trees across the country

It’s all part of an effort that started in 2015, when Imran Khan — then a provincial politician and now Pakistan’s prime minister — backed a program dubbed a…Continue readingPakistan’s mission to plant 10 billion trees across the country