FAO-WMO Report Warns Extreme Heat Endangers Global Food Systems, Threatens 1+ Billion Livelihoods

WMO Warns 'Very Strong' El Nino Till Feb 2027; Threat to Monsoon & Winters

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns of a 'very strong' El Nino that will persist until February 2027, with potential to disrupt global weather patterns, including India's monsoon and winter. This is a critical update for exam aspirants as it links to geography, climate, and agriculture.

World Bank Report: Extreme Heat Costs South Asia 31 Million Jobs, 7% GDP by 2050

World Bank report warns extreme heat costs South Asia 31 million jobs annually and threatens 7% GDP loss by 2050. It urges governments to treat heat as a core development challenge, not a seasonal emergency. Essential for UPSC: climate-economy linkages, urban resilience, and vulnerable worker protection.

National Bamboo Mission: 13.96 Mn Ha Bamboo, 136 Species, Rs 28,005 Cr Industry – Green Gold Potential

Bamboo, 'Green Gold', offers rapid growth, soil stabilisation, and carbon sequestration. India has the world's largest bamboo area (13.96 Mn Ha) but low productivity vs China. The National Bamboo Mission (NBM) aims to strengthen the value chain, but challenges like poor connectivity and low yield persist. This article is a must-read for Environment, Agriculture, and Economy segments.

India Exports Hilsa (Ilish) to Bangladesh: 500 Tonnes Sent via Petrapole; Trade Reversal and Significance for Fisheries

India has begun exporting Hilsa (ilish) fish to Bangladesh for the first time, reversing the traditional flow. Around 500 tonnes have been sent via Petrapole land port, with the catch largely from Gujarat. This development signals changing production and demand patterns and offers opportunities for West Bengal to build a science-based Hilsa economy.

Kerch Strait Tensions Risk Global Food Crisis as Russia-Ukraine Supply 25% of Wheat

The escalation of strikes on Black Sea ports, Kerch Strait, and Sea of Azov threatens to disrupt grain exports from Russia and Ukraine, reviving global food crisis fears similar to March 2022. With both countries accounting for over a quarter of world wheat exports and 60% of sunflower oil, the paralysis of maritime trade could spill over into food supply shortages, especially when compounded by West Asia war and extreme weather events.

UNEP Report: Global Warming to Exceed 1.5°C Limit, Path to Return Below Danger Zone Mapped

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a first-of-its-kind report acknowledging that Earth will exceed the 1.5°C warming threshold agreed in the Paris Accord within the next few years. The report shifts strategy from prevention to 'overshoot' management, urging ambitious emission cuts and carbon removal to cool the planet back below the limit by century's end.

UNEP Report: 1.5°C Global Warming Breach Inevitable; Overshoot Key Paris Agreement Target

A new UNEP report confirms that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is no longer possible. The focus now shifts to minimizing overshoot and returning to below 1.5°C, with heavy reliance on carbon dioxide removal technologies.

Global Refinery Attacks Spike Sulphur Prices Above $1,000/Tonne; Threatens India's Phosphatic Fertiliser Supply

The energy crisis has shifted from crude oil supply to refined products. Attacks on refineries in Russia and West Asia have caused sulphur prices to skyrocket from $200 to $1,000/tonne, severely affecting India's ability to manufacture phosphatic fertilizers. This distinct crisis poses a long-term threat to India's food security and fertiliser imports even as the country enjoys surplus refining capacity.