In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, a massive wildfire raged through the thick, lush greenery. This wasn’t just any fire; it was a calamity that consumed more than 17 million animals in its path, a chilling reminder of how the destruction of nature can reverberate across ecosystems. The Amazon, often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth,” plays a pivotal role in managing the planet’s climate. Yet, the actions of humanity—deforestation, illegal logging, and deliberate fires for agricultural purposes—have not only caused immeasurable loss to wildlife but have also accelerated climate change. The forest’s destruction led to a dangerous feedback loop, intensifying global weather patterns in ways that humans had never anticipated.

Fast forward to 2018, and the monsoon rains that battered Kerala, a state in India, were an equally dire omen. What began as an ordinary August downpour escalated into one of the deadliest floods in the region in almost a century. Rivers overflowed, breaking through dams and inundating vast swathes of land. Entire towns were submerged. Hundreds of lives were lost, and the devastation reached far beyond the physical damage, triggering social and economic upheaval. The aftermath left thousands homeless, as people sought refuge in makeshift shelters. The floods in Kerala were not an isolated incident; in fact, they were a warning from nature, signaling a world grappling with extreme weather events, made worse by human-induced climate change. The same was the case with 2024 Wayanad landslides.

And this global pattern of violent weather doesn’t stop in the tropics. In recent years, a blistering heatwave has swept across parts of North America. The US and Canada, known for their cold winters, have experienced record-breaking summer temperatures, an anomaly that scientists have linked directly to climate change. Oregon, once known for its temperate weather, saw the largest wildfire in its history, spurred by the heatwave. This was not just a local disaster—it was part of a larger, worrying trend in which global warming is creating the conditions for wildfires, floods, and heatwaves to proliferate at an unprecedented rate.

Climate change refers to significant, long-term shifts in weather patterns and temperatures.

These are not just isolated incidents. They are signs of a planet in distress, a planet experiencing the devastating effects of climate change, a phenomenon that is rapidly altering our environment and our lives.

The Science Behind the Crisis

Climate change refers to significant, long-term shifts in weather patterns and temperatures. These changes can manifest in a variety of ways: from prolonged droughts and unseasonal rains to extreme heatwaves and hurricanes. The root cause of today’s accelerated climate change is primarily human activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial emissions, which release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The Earth’s climate has always undergone natural variations—shifting from ice ages to warmer periods over millennia. However, what we are witnessing today is a much more rapid and intense change, driven by human actions. According to scientists, the Earth’s average temperature has risen by approximately 1.1°C since the late 19th century, with the past few decades seeing a rate of warming unprecedented in the geological record. The current trajectory suggests that global temperatures could rise by another 1-2°C by the end of the century, which would have catastrophic implications for both human and natural systems.

The impacts of this warming are already being felt globally. Melting ice caps and glaciers, rising sea levels, shifting weather patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events are some of the most visible signs. The Amazon rainforest, which once functioned as a massive carbon sink, is now a source of carbon emissions due to deforestation and wildfires. Meanwhile, heatwaves in parts of Europe and North America have reached previously unimaginable levels, set new temperature records and causing widespread harm.

A Global Phenomenon: From Kerala to Oregon

The devastating Kerala floods of 2018 were preceded by a series of warnings. The state’s weather patterns had been shifting, with increasingly unpredictable rainfall, leading to swollen rivers and the overflowing of dams. Once a relatively regular occurrence, floods in Kerala became more intense and frequent over time. Experts argue that climate change, through the intensification of the monsoon season and rising sea levels, has exacerbated the situation. But Kerala is not alone. Across the world, regions that were once resilient to extreme weather are now facing unprecedented levels of flooding, wildfires, and other disasters.

In 2020, when a record heatwave struck North America, temperatures in the Pacific Northwest soared to levels never seen before. Oregon, a state known for its temperate climate, reported its highest-ever temperatures. This heatwave triggered wildfires that devastated millions of acres of forest and caused significant loss of life. The fires were not simply a result of hot weather, but of the conditions created by climate change—dry forests, extreme heat, and shifting weather patterns all came together to fuel the fires.

Similarly, across the Atlantic, parts of Europe experienced an unusually harsh summer, with wildfires ravaging Spain, Portugal, and southern France. These fires were not natural events but were made more intense by the warming climate. Even in regions like Siberia, where wildfires were once rare, extreme temperatures and dry conditions have now turned vast areas into tinderboxes.

The Growing Threat: What the Future Holds

The world’s climate is now so volatile that extreme weather events are no longer an anomaly. They are becoming the new normal. Rising temperatures are leading to extreme heatwaves, higher sea levels are threatening coastal communities, and shifting weather patterns are disrupting ecosystems and agriculture. We are seeing longer droughts, more intense storms, and unpredictable rainfall, all of which are affecting millions of people across the globe.

In the coming decades, the situation is expected to worsen. According to scientists, we are on track to exceed a 1.5°C rise in global temperatures by 2050, with the potential for far-reaching consequences. Sea levels are projected to rise, displacing millions of people, while agriculture will suffer due to unpredictable rainfall and extreme temperatures. Already vulnerable regions, such as the Pacific Islands, will be the hardest hit, while major cities like New York, Mumbai, and Jakarta are all at risk of flooding.

Rising Temperatures and Their Far-reaching Effects

Even small changes in the Earth’s temperature can have profound impacts. A temperature-increase of just 1.5°C could lead to the irreversible melting of polar ice caps, resulting in a rise in sea levels that would submerge entire cities. Rising temperatures can also trigger the release of methane from thawing permafrost, a potent greenhouse gas that could accelerate global warming even further.

The stories from the Amazon, Kerala, Oregon, and beyond serve as stark reminders that the climate crisis is not a future problem—it is a present-day reality

One of the most troubling aspects of this warming is how it is changing the planet’s ecosystems. Species that once thrived in specific temperature ranges are now struggling to survive. Many are migrating to cooler areas, while others face extinction. As habitats shrink and weather patterns change, the very fabric of biodiversity is at risk.

Can We Change Course?

The question now is: Can we reverse or at least slow down these changes? While the situation is dire, scientists and environmentalists believe that immediate action can still mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. Transitioning to renewable energy sources, reducing deforestation, and investing in sustainable agricultural practices are essential steps. Governments, corporations, and individuals all have a role to play in ensuring that we shift towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

There is still time to act, but the window is closing fast. The more we delay, the more severe the impacts will be. The stories from the Amazon, Kerala, Oregon, and beyond serve as stark reminders that the climate crisis is not a future problem—it is a present-day reality that we can no longer afford to ignore.

A Global Call to Action

From the scorched rainforests of the Amazon to the flooded streets of Kerala and the heat-baked forests of Oregon, climate change is no longer a distant concept. It is here, now, and it affects all of us. But the power to change our future lies in our hands. By making sustainable choices, demanding policy changes, and holding accountable those who contribute to the climate crisis, we can begin to heal our planet before it’s too late.

The stories we tell today will define the world that future generations inherit. Will they look back and see a world that acted in time, or a world that failed to change until it was too late? The choice is ours.

In a heart-wrenching journey spanning continents, three African elephants will soon embark on a transformative path to healing and freedom. Vantara, a world-renowned wildlife sanctuary in India, will soon welcome Achtaum, Kani, and Mina—a trio of African forest elephants who have spent nearly 23 years under the harsh, confining conditions of a private zoo in Tunisia. For these majestic creatures, a new life of care and compassion awaits.

In a powerful act of compassion and responsibility, Vantara (Star of the Forest), one of the world’s leading wildlife rescue centers, is preparing to receive three African forest elephants from the arid confines of Tunisia. These elephants—Achtaum, Kani, and Mina—are between 28 and 29 years old, and their lives have been anything but ordinary. For two decades, they have lived in Friguia Park, a private zoo in Tunisia, where they were brought from Burkina Faso as young calves. What began as a hopeful chapter for these elephants has, over the years, become a story of neglect and financial hardship.

Friguia Park, once an attraction for visitors seeking a glimpse of these majestic creatures, faced mounting financial challenges that left it unable to meet the elephants’ complex and ever-evolving needs. The zoo, with limited resources, struggled to provide the elephants with the care they desperately required—especially in terms of their specialized diet, healthcare, and proper living conditions. The decision was made: the elephants could no longer stay in Tunisia, but a return to the wild, where they could reclaim their rightful place, was not an option. Instead, the zoo sought out Vantara. Founded by Anant Mukesh Ambani, Vantara has become a sanctuary of healing for wildlife from around the globe.

Founded by Anant Mukesh Ambani, Vantara has become a sanctuary of healing for wildlife from around the globe

Despite being the stars of Friguia Park for many years, life at adverse conditions had taken a toll on Achtaum, Kani, and Mina. A recent veterinary assessment conducted by Vantara’s team revealed startling health concerns. They have become vulnerable to a range of conditions: skin ailments, malnourishment, and poor physical health. Achtaum, the male of the group, has a split tusk and a molar tooth infection, requiring immediate and ongoing medical intervention. Kani, one of the females, has cracked nails—likely due to prolonged exposure to hard, unnatural flooring. Their living quarters were little more than poorly ventilated concrete cells, with limited access to natural elements like fresh water, green forage, or the essential mental stimulation elephants need to stay healthy.

The lives of African forest elephants—an already endangered species—are a stark contrast to what these elephants have experienced in Tunisia. Native to the dense, tropical forests of Central and West Africa, African forest elephants are creatures of the wild, living in vast landscapes where they forage freely for a wide variety of leaves, fruits, and bark. They thrive in lush environments, where access to clean water, mud wallows, and dense vegetation supports both their physical health and their complex social structures.

At Vantara, the elephants will experience a radical change. The sanctuary’s expansive enclosures—carefully designed to replicate their natural habitat—will allow them to roam through native foliage, bathe in mud pools, and forage for a diverse and nutritious diet. With wide, forested spaces to roam and plenty of room to engage in natural behaviours, Achtaum, Kani, and Mina will finally know the freedom they were denied for so long.

This is not just a rescue. It is a reminder that no creature is beyond hope, and that the power of compassion can change even the darkest of destinies.

A team of scientists and engineers from NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) joined forces to determine if a small piloted drone, outfitted with a specialized payload, could assist in generating detailed maps of water flow rates.

Rivers supply fresh water to our communities and farms, provide habitats for various creatures, transport people and goods, and generate electricity. However, river flows can also carry pollutants downstream or surge suddenly, posing risks to people, wildlife, and property. “To better understand our home planet, NASA is committed to researching these changes in river flows,” according to a statement issued by the US space agency.

NASA and USGS scientists have developed an instrument package called the River Observing System (RiOS), which is about the size of a gallon of milk. RiOS includes thermal and visible cameras for tracking water surface motion, a laser for measuring altitude, navigation sensors, an onboard computer, and a wireless communications system. In 2023, researchers tested RiOS along a section of the Sacramento River in Northern California and plan to conduct a third and final field test in the fall of 2024.