Colombian presidential hopeful Uribe dies two months after shooting
Colombian Senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe, who was shot in the head during a campaign rally two months ago, died early Monday at the a...
UN Environment Programme reveals that climate change is severely affecting the Caucasus region, with glacier retreat and shrinking freshwater supplies threatening communities
A new report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) reveals that climate change is severely affecting the Caucasus region, with glacier retreat and shrinking freshwater supplies threatening communities across Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and parts of Iran, Russia, and Türkiye. Released ahead of the UNFCCC COP29 summit, the report outlines alarming environmental changes and calls for urgent, collaborative solutions to mitigate their impacts.
According to the second Caucasus Environment Outlook (CEO-2), glaciers in the region have receded by an average of 600 meters over the past century. Since 2000, more than 11 billion tonnes of freshwater previously stored in ice have been lost. The decline in glacier and snow cover is already affecting river flows, a key water source for millions, with projections indicating further reductions in available freshwater. River flows across most Caucasus countries are expected to decrease by up to 20% by 2100, and recent data already show substantial declines, such as a 26% drop in Armenia and 20% in Azerbaijan by 2020.
The report warns that average regional temperatures could rise by as much as 3.6°C by the century's end, with mountainous areas seeing the most rapid warming. This intensifying heat is expected to speed up glacier melt, increase flood risks, and further reduce water resources. In August 2023, the village of Shovi in Georgia’s Racha region experienced a deadly mudflow, killing at least 24 people. This disaster, triggered by intense rainfall and glacial melt, highlights the severe, immediate risks posed by climate change in the region.
The UNEP report includes 20 maps visualizing environmental shifts and calls for comprehensive measures to adapt to these changes. UNEP’s Europe Office Director Arnold Kreilhuber emphasized the urgency of reducing emissions globally, noting that the Caucasus report "doesn’t just sound the alarm. It provides valuable guidance to help mitigate climate impacts for people and the environment."
To address these challenges, the report recommends integrating climate adaptation into regional policies, prioritizing environmental considerations in urban planning, and developing transboundary water management plans. Enhanced collaboration on data sharing and monitoring is also highlighted as essential for managing the risks posed by climate change in this ecologically and geopolitically complex region.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
A resumption of Iraq’s Kurdish oil exports is not expected in the near term, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday, despite an announcement by Iraq’s federal government a day earlier stating that shipments would resume immediately.
In an exclusive interview with AnewZ, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reflected on the city’s resilience, the urgent task of reconstruction, and his deep respect for the unwavering spirit of its residents.
Outcomes of the U.S.-led peace summit between Armenia and Azerbaijan have been discussed during today's phone conversation between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to allocate funds for the purpose of providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
A newly appointed Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani has arrived in Baghdad on Monday for his first official visit since taking office on 5th August.
The Kremlin said on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a phone call, during which Pashinyan updated Putin on his recent talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment