The Indo-Gangetic Plain stretches from the delta of the Brahmaputra and Ganges rivers to the Indus River valley, covering northern India, eastern Pakistan, southern Nepal, and most of Bangladesh. With forty percent of India’s population residing in the region, it is one of the most densely populated areas of the Indian subcontinent. The region...

On 30-31 January 2025, DG DEFIS co-organised the first-ever UN Space Sustainability Days together with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in Vienna, Austria.

One of the top priorities is the full rollout of the EU’s Space flagship programmes: Galileo, Copernicus, SSA (Space Surveillance and Awareness), and GOVSATCOM. These programs will be further enhanced to ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of space innovation and security.

On 27 January 2025, Storm Herminia struck parts of Spain, Portugal, France, the UK, and Ireland. In western France, the storm led to severe flooding in regions such as Normandy and Brittany, affecting road conditions and rail services. The national meteorological service issued warnings for flash floods as rivers and streams overflowed. In...

Floods remain one of the most complex and devastating natural hazards, impacting lives, infrastructure, and economies around the world. The increase in their frequency and magnitude due to climate change make the development and use of early warning systems (EWS)—capable of mitigating risks through advanced forecasting and preparedness...

Since December 2024, many locations in the U.S. state of Alaska have recorded warmer temperatures than usual for the time of year. In the capital, Anchorage, the average temperature reached −6.4°C on 15 January, which is 2.4°C above the five-year historical average for that date. These unseasonably warm conditions have led to concerns about ice...

On 24 January 2025, Storm Éowyn hit Ireland as one of the most intense storms to affect the country in recent years. In addition to causing power outages in over 725,000 homes, Éowyn led to school, office, and airport closures and disrupted transport services. Coastal regions bore the brunt of the storm, with record winds reaching over 180...

In 2024, renewable energies made up 59 percent of Germany’s total electricity generation, up from 56 percent in 2023. For the first time, wind and solar overtook fossil fuels as energy sources, thanks in large part to renewable energy deployment policies, including more accessible wind permits and an increase in solar energy installations....

Malta, an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, is the European Union's smallest Member State in terms of surface area and number of inhabitants. Founded in 1962, BirdLife Malta is the island’s oldest environmental organisation, dedicated to the conservation of wild birds and their habitats. The organisation manages four nature reserves which...

Cyprus, a beautiful Mediterranean island known for its rich history and strategic location, is modernising its infrastructure to better support economic growth and connectivity in light of its position as a key centre for trade, tourism, and maritime activities. The European Commission funded significant projects to promote sustainable...

DLR | Bergisch Gladbach, Germany | English

Between 15 and 18 January 2025, an eruptive phase of Hawaii's Kīlauea volcano was recorded, making it the fourth episode since 23 December 2024.The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that the eruption was confined to the Halemaʻumaʻu crater within the Kīlauea summit caldera. The activity included episodic fountaining, a phenomenon not...

SNSA | Espoo, Finland & Online | English

Between 17 and 18 January 2025, Morocco was affected by significant snowfall, particularly in mountainous regions above 1,400 metres. In Ifrane, often referred to as the "Switzerland of Morocco", heavy snowfall transformed the city into a picturesque winter landscape. In the face of a severe cold wave and snowfall, authorities in Morocco have...

According to the World Drought Atlas, droughts directly affect up to 55 million people worldwide each year. Among the most costly and dangerous natural hazards, droughts affect access to drinking water, agriculture, energy, trade, and navigation. They also threaten ecosystems and the essential services they provide.

On 20 January 2025, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology upgraded Tropical Cyclone Sean to a Category 4 storm off the coast of Western Australia. Though not predicted to make landfall on the Australian mainland, the cyclone brought intense rainfall and flooding to the city of Karratha, where an almost 20-year rainfall record was broken after...

Singapore, a densely populated island city-state, is celebrated for its innovative urban planning, green spaces, and efforts to balance rapid development with environmental sustainability. Singapore is redefining mental health tourism with its innovative therapeutic gardens, which provide serene spaces to help sooth various conditions. By 2030,...

Scientists have discovered a thriving microbial ecosystem beneath 14 metres of ice covering Antarctica’s Lake Enigma, a previously thought-to-be entirely frozen lake. Using radar surveys and drilling, they identified a vast body of liquid water harboring unique microbes, including previously unobserved ultrasmall bacteria. This discovery...

Baie de Goulven, or Goulven Bay, is a scenic coastal bay located in the Brittany region of France. Known for its rich biodiversity and natural beauty, this ecosystem is home to diverse habitats, including mudflats, an estuary, salt marshes, beaches, and sand dunes, providing essential resources for a wide range of bird species. The 180-hectare...

On 10 January 2025, authorities in Paraguay declared a 60-day national emergency due to widespread forest fires. The fires have impacted public and private protected wild areas, biodiversity, and local communities. As of 10 January, nearly 15,000 hectares had been affected, most of which are in the eastern region of the country. With over 2,200...