Air quality monitors recorded PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 900 micrograms per cubic meter in parts of Pai, roughly 60 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended 24-hour exposure limit, according to monitoring data cited this week. Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second-largest city, consistently ranked among the world’s most polluted major cities during the period.

Residents reported acute health effects linked to prolonged exposure. Pon Doikam, a 36-year-old vendor working outdoors in Chiang Mai, said she experienced nasal bleeding and persistent respiratory irritation after spending hours in polluted conditions. “It feels like you’re trapped in the smoke constantly,” she said.

The pollution surge is part of an annual haze season affecting much of Southeast Asia, driven by crop burning and forest fires. However, locals described current conditions as unusually severe. Geographic factors have compounded the situation, with mountainous terrain trapping smoke and hindering firefighting access to remote forest areas.

Field observations confirmed multiple active fires along routes between Chiang Mai and Pai. Volunteer firefighter Maitree Nuanja said local response capacity remains limited, relying heavily on donated supplies. He noted that teams are operating with constrained fuel and equipment support while facing prolonged exposure to hazardous air.

Authorities confirmed the death of a volunteer firefighter earlier this week, citing suspected exhaustion combined with heat exposure and pre-existing health conditions.Public health risks are particularly acute for vulnerable groups. In Chiang Mai, authorities have set up “dust-free rooms” equipped with air filtration systems to protect residents, including elderly populations.

Watwilai Chaiwan, an 82-year-old resident of a care facility, said the pollution has worsened symptoms such as dizziness and migraines and discouraged outdoor activity.Medical professionals warned of broader health implications.

Thanakrit Im-iam, a doctor in Chiang Mai, said fine particulate matter can penetrate deep into the body, carrying toxins and heavy metals. He reported common symptoms including eye irritation, respiratory inflammation and mucus buildup, adding that long-term exposure could have severe consequences.

The haze has also weighed on tourism, a key economic driver in northern Thailand. Local transport operator Chakkrawat Wichitchaisilp reported a noticeable decline in visitors during what is typically a peak travel season. Visibility across Chiang Mai has been significantly reduced, with skyline views obscured by dense smog.

Government officials held discussions this week to address the crisis, while some districts in Chiang Mai declared disaster zones to expedite financial assistance. However, environmental groups said policy responses remain insufficient.

Kanongnij Sribuaiam of the Thailand Clean Air Network urged faster progress on stalled clean air legislation, warning that delays could force the process to restart if deadlines are missed.

The recurring haze crisis underscores ongoing challenges in managing cross-border pollution, agricultural practices and forest fire control across the region.

This strategic decision highlights the Kingdom’s growing commitment to preserving its natural heritage and achieving the Vision 2030 goal of protecting 30 percent of its land and sea areas.

The two new reserves are vital for maintaining marine biodiversity and supporting ecosystems that thrive along the Red Sea coast. These areas are known for their rich marine life, coral reefs, and stunning underwater landscapes that attract both scientists and nature enthusiasts.

The announcement marks another positive milestone in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to safeguard its environment while promoting sustainable tourism.

Located northwest of Jeddah, Ras Hatiba spans over 5,700 square kilometers of diverse habitats.

It includes extensive coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows — all crucial ecosystems that support endangered species such as green turtles, dugongs, dolphins, whales, and sharks.

The reserve’s pristine environment also plays a vital role in carbon absorption and coastal protection, making it an essential part of the country’s ecological balance.

Meanwhile, the Blue Holes marine reserve is a natural wonder of geological and biological significance. These rare circular formations, found along the southern Red Sea coast, were first identified in 2022.

Scientists have discovered more than 20 of these formations, each hosting unique ecosystems teeming with marine life including colorful fish, invertebrates, and sea mammals. Their discovery has opened a new chapter for Saudi marine research and ocean conservation.

By designating these two areas as protected zones, the Kingdom is moving closer to its target of 30 percent protection coverage by 2030.

Currently, nature reserves cover over 16 percent of the country’s total area — a significant leap from just a few years ago.

This increase underscores the government’s commitment to advancing sustainable development goals, promoting eco-tourism, and ensuring the long-term health of the nation’s marine resources.

These conservation efforts are aligned with Vision 2030’s Green Initiative, which emphasizes biodiversity protection, renewable energy, and reducing the impacts of climate change.

Protecting Ras Hatiba and the Blue Holes will not only preserve marine ecosystems but also help create eco-friendly opportunities for tourism, research, and community engagement.

Saudi authorities have also emphasized that local communities will play a role in maintaining these reserves. Through education and involvement in sustainable practices, citizens and visitors will be encouraged to contribute to marine conservation efforts.

This collaborative approach ensures that economic growth, tourism, and environmental responsibility coexist harmoniously.

The Kingdom’s bold environmental steps send a strong message of leadership in marine conservation across the region.

By protecting coral reefs and blue holes, Saudi Arabia is setting a global example of how economic progress can go hand-in-hand with nature preservation.

These efforts also enhance the country’s reputation as a forward-looking nation investing in both its people and the planet.

In the coming years, experts expect the Ras Hatiba and Blue Holes reserves to become global centers for marine research, biodiversity education, and eco-tourism.

With world-class scientific studies and carefully planned management, Saudi Arabia’s marine reserves could become models of sustainability for other coastal nations.

The inclusion of these two stunning marine reserves reflects a hopeful vision — one where development and conservation work together for the benefit of future generations.

By protecting these rare ecosystems, Saudi Arabia reaffirms its commitment to nurturing its natural treasures while moving steadily toward a greener, more sustainable future.

The initiative focuses on planting over 11,000 seedlings in Rafha as part of a comprehensive afforestation plan designed to enhance green spaces, improve air quality, and combat desertification across the region.

The campaign aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader vision for sustainable development, aiming to create a balance between nature and human progress, environment, sustainability, green growth, tree planting, biodiversity, reforestation, eco-initiatives.

The campaign represents a collaborative effort among government agencies, environmental organizations, and hundreds of volunteers from different parts of the Kingdom.

Participants, including students, local residents, and environmental enthusiasts, are contributing to the planting of native trees suited to the region’s climate.

Their shared commitment reflects the growing awareness of environmental conservation and the importance of restoring vegetation cover, community engagement, eco-awareness, climate action, tree planting, sustainable living, green projects, public participation.

Each seedling planted marks a small but powerful step toward restoring the natural ecosystem and promoting long-term sustainability.

The initiative aims not only to increase the region’s greenery but also to preserve soil quality, reduce the effects of desertification, and support the natural water cycle.

The project will play a crucial role in stabilizing the desert environment, preventing soil erosion, and protecting local wildlife habitats, soil preservation, desert restoration, wildlife protection, sustainability goals, natural balance, green environment.

As part of the Kingdom’s broader afforestation vision, the campaign also supports national efforts to combat the impacts of climate change and ensure a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations.

The Northern Borders initiative stands as a model for other regions to follow, demonstrating that environmental restoration is both achievable and beneficial for communities and nature alike, afforestation, climate goals, green transformation, carbon reduction, renewable ecosystem, eco-friendly initiatives, Vision 2030.

The Kingdom’s focus on reforestation has seen remarkable results in recent years. The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority recently planted over 3,000 seedlings in its nursery in the Jouf region, continuing its ongoing environmental projects.

These initiatives are part of a nationwide strategy to restore degraded lands and strengthen the resilience of Saudi Arabia’s ecosystems against changing climatic conditions, conservation projects, tree growth, green Saudi, environmental protection, habitat revival.

Volunteers from schools and universities have played a major role in the Northern Borders tree-planting drive. Their active participation showcases a rising environmental consciousness among youth and the community’s dedication to sustainable living.

Such volunteer programs encourage teamwork and foster a deeper connection between people and nature, environmental education, youth involvement, volunteerism, eco-responsibility, social awareness, green culture, community development.

The restoration efforts have already achieved notable success, with nearly 4 million seedlings planted across various regions of the Kingdom and over 750,000 hectares of land rehabilitated.

These achievements highlight the positive results of long-term planning and national dedication toward building a greener and more sustainable future, sustainability milestones, reforestation success, nature restoration, eco-progress, land rehabilitation, Saudi environment.

The Kingdom’s greening projects are not only transforming the landscape but also enhancing the quality of life for citizens and residents. Increased vegetation contributes to improved air quality, cooler temperatures, and more beautiful surroundings that inspire community pride and well-being.

This continuous commitment to environmental preservation sets an example for global green movements and underscores Saudi Arabia’s leadership in sustainable development, clean air, green future, eco-leadership, sustainable innovation, quality of life, environmental progress.

The Northern Borders tree-planting campaign stands as a powerful symbol of hope and renewal, reinforcing the importance of nature in the nation’s future.

As seedlings take root and flourish, they represent growth, unity, and the Kingdom’s promise to preserve its natural heritage for generations to come, green hope, environmental renewal, unity, national pride, eco-future, sustainability legacy.

In the heart of Saudi Arabia’s northwestern mountains, a rare flower has reemerged after decades of disappearance. The sighting of Globularia alypum, known locally as “Zuraiqa” or “Aynon Kuhli,” has reignited national pride and ecological optimism.

Once widespread, this delicate blue daisy had vanished due to overgrazing and land degradation. Its return marks not just a scientific milestone but also a celebration of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing environmental revival.

Environmental consultant Oubaid Alouni, a former adviser at the National Vegetation Center, described the discovery as deeply symbolic.
“The primary cause of its scarcity is overgrazing, as it is an excellent grazing species,” he said. “The second cause is land degradation. The third cause is a history of neglect.”

Belonging to the Plantaginaceae family, Globularia alypum is native to the Mediterranean basin. It thrives in North Africa, southern Europe, and parts of Southwest Asia — including Saudi Arabia’s mountainous regions.

Alouni noted that the plant’s survival is tied to its resilience and adaptability. “Camels heavily graze it, so it is more commonly found in mountainous or calcareous regions where it is naturally protected,” he said.

He praised ongoing national initiatives that focus on restoring native vegetation and protecting endangered species. Saudi Arabia’s environmental centers are investing in reforestation, habitat restoration, and seed preservation programs.

To ensure Globularia alypum’s survival, Alouni recommends replanting it in its natural northwestern habitats. He also advocates for public education and the cultivation of this plant in home gardens to raise awareness of its ecological and medicinal importance.

Standing between 30 and 80 centimeters tall, the shrub forms dense, woody bushes with evergreen leaves. Its spherical clusters of soft blue to violet blooms paint the winter landscape with beauty and life from October through June.

“The advantage of this shrub is that it can become an annual in very hot places,” Alouni explained. “The seeds fall into the soil, and if winter comes with mild weather and rains, it sprouts again.”

He described it poetically: “It is like a beautiful dress with its lovely navy-blue color and round shape.” For many, this flower symbolizes endurance — thriving quietly even under challenging environmental conditions.

Beyond its visual charm, Globularia alypum holds remarkable medicinal value rooted in traditional healing practices. It has been used for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic effects across generations.

Scientific studies by national research centers confirm its health benefits. Extracts from the plant can help lower blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity due to its rich polyphenolic compounds.

“It is useful as an anti-rheumatic, antidiabetic, and for intermittent fevers, in addition to its use as a laxative,” Alouni added. Its blend of beauty and biology makes it a perfect symbol of the bond between nature and medicine.

However, Alouni cautioned that more research and documentation are needed. Some specimens remain unrecorded due to their rarity and the limited number of botanical experts available.

He emphasized that maintaining accurate plant records is crucial for understanding biodiversity and shaping conservation policy. Every species documented contributes to preserving the Kingdom’s environmental knowledge and natural legacy.

The rediscovery of the blue daisy underscores the growing momentum behind Saudi Arabia’s ecological restoration. It highlights how traditional wisdom and modern science can unite to safeguard the nation’s natural treasures.

This humble flower, once forgotten, now stands as a living emblem of regeneration and hope. Its return to the wild reflects the country’s broader vision — to protect its environment, nurture biodiversity, and celebrate the beauty of its land.

At least 240 people have died this year in the mountainous region as landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rains buried homes and destroyed crops and infrastructure.

Seasonal monsoon showers are vital for India’s $3-trillion economy, bringing nearly 70% of the rain the country needs to water farms and refill reservoirs and aquifers.

But the monsoon’s convergence with a low-pressure weather system in the Himalayas in recent years has caused extremely heavy rains, something that scientists and officials have blamed on rising temperatures.

“Think of it as a collision of two forceful systems,” said Kuldeep Srivastava, head of the India Meteorological Department’s regional centre in New Delhi.

“It causes significant rain, or even cloudbursts … we are noticing in the last few years, intense spells of rain lasting short durations,” he said, adding that this was due climate change driven by global increase in temperatures.

The number of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall days per decade in India’s Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh (HP) and neighbouring Uttarakhand increased to 118 between 2011 and 2020 from 74 in the preceding decade, data from the weather office showed.

At least 166 people have died in HP and 74 in Uttarakhand this year since June in landslides, flash floods and other rain-related incidents, according to government data.

Rains battered the two states following the convergence of the monsoon system with Western Disturbances, a weather system that originates in the Mediterranean Sea and moves east, bringing moisture-laden winds that cause winter rain and snow in the Himalayas.

Western Disturbances usually pass north of India’s northern border between the summer and monsoon months of June and October, but, as temperatures rise, some of them move slightly south, said V.P. Dimri, director of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism.

“Because of sea surface temperature warming, the Western Disturbances have more energy … similarly, general warming of the earth is also leading to change in wind motions,” he added.

Monsoon rainfall patterns across India have seen a climatic shift in the recent decades, said Roxy Mathew Koll, a scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.

Singapore (Reuters) – The target of keeping long-term global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) is moving out of reach, climate experts say, with nations failing to set more ambitious goals despite months of record-breaking heat on land and sea.

As envoys gathered in Bonn in early June to prepare for this year’s annual climate talks in November, average global surface air temperatures were more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels for several days, the EU-funded Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said.

Though mean temperatures had temporarily breached the 1.5C threshold before, this was the first time they had done so in the northern hemisphere summer that starts on June 1. Sea temperatures also broke April and May records.

“We’ve run out of time because change takes time,” said Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a climatologist at Australia’s University of New South Wales.

As climate envoys from the two biggest greenhouse gas emitters prepare to meet next month, temperatures broke June records in the Chinese capital Beijing, and extreme heatwaves have hit the United States.

Parts of North America were some 10C above the seasonal average this month, and smoke from forest fires blanketed Canada and the U.S. East Coast in hazardous haze, with carbon emissions estimated at a record 160 million metric tons.

In India, one of the most climate vulnerable regions, deaths were reported to have spiked as a result of sustained high temperatures, and extreme heat has been recorded in Spain, Iran and Vietnam, raising fears that last year’s deadly summer could become routine.

Countries agreed in Paris in 2015 to try to keep long-term average temperature rises within 1.5C, but there is now a 66% likelihood the annual mean will cross the 1.5C threshold for at least one whole year between now and 2027, the World Meteorological Organization predicted in May.

‘Quadruple Whammy’

High land temperatures have been matched by those on the sea, with warming intensified by an El Nino event and other factors.

Global average sea surface temperatures hit 21C in late March and have remained at record levels for the time of year throughout April and May. Australia’s weather agency warned that Pacific and Indian ocean sea temperatures could be 3C warmer than normal by October.

Global warming is the major factor, said Piers Forster, professor of climate physics at the University of Leeds, but El Nino, the decline in Saharan dust blowing over the ocean and the use of low-sulphur shipping fuels were also to blame.

“So in all, oceans are being hit by a quadruple whammy,” he said. “It’s a sign of things to come.”

Thousands of dead fish have been washing up on Texan beaches and heat-induced algal blooms have also been blamed for killing sea lions and dolphins in California.

Warmer seas could also mean less wind and rain, creating a vicious circle that leads to even more heat, said Annalisa Bracco, a climatologist at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Though this year’s high sea temperatures are caused by a “perfect combination” of circumstances, the ecological impact could endure, she said.

“The ocean is going to have a very slow response as it accumulates (heat) slowly but also keeps it for very long.”

The Road To Dubai

Climate experts say the extent and frequency of extreme weather is increasing, and this year has also seen punishing droughts across the world, as well as a rare and deadly cyclone in Africa.

The Worldwide Fund for Nature, however, warned of a “worrying lack of momentum” during climate talks in Bonn this month, with little progress made on key issues like fossil fuels and finance ahead of November’s COP28 climate talks in Dubai.

“It was very detached from what was going on outside of the building in Bonn – I was very disappointed by that,” said Li Shuo, Greenpeace’s senior climate adviser in Beijing.

“We are really getting to the moment of truth … I am hoping that the sheer reality will help us change people’s moves and change the politics.”

Talks between the United States and China could resume next week with U.S. climate envoy John Kerry set to visit Beijing, though few expect it to add momentum to climate negotiations.

“This is more a trust-building exercise,” Li said. “I don’t think either side will be able to push the other side to say much more than they are willing to do – the politics won’t allow that.”

The COP27 UN climate summit began on Monday in the Red Sea town of Sharm el-Sheikh, in the hope of averting the worst impacts of climate change. World leaders, policymakers and delegates from nearly 200 countries have gathered to discuss the future of the planet.

Food resources for the African continent are set to be a key point of discussions. To unpack the importance of what extra resources could mean for Africa, we’re joined by the new head of the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development, Alvaro Lario.

In Rio de Janeiro, this urban community garden in the Manguinhos favela is the largest in Latin America: it feeds 800 families a month with affordable, pesticide-free produce.

Although violence, police raids and deadly shootings in the northern favelas of the city threaten programmes like this, our observer Yuri Lopes Cruz sees the garden as a way to reach Rio’s most vulnerable people.

Europe’s lithium extraction and production projects have been mostly undertaken by small and medium-scale companies across the continent.

With the EU committed to making electric vehicles widely available by 2035, the demand for metals required to produce batteries, particularly lithium, is expected to explode. The market is currently dominated by a handful of countries, but Europe wants to join the club by exploiting its subsoil.

Abuja — According to a revised toll announced on Sunday, it is now known that more than 600 people died in Nigeria’s worst floods in a decade.

More than 1.3 million people have also been evicted from their homes as a result of the tragedy, according to a statement from Nigeria’s ministry of humanitarian affairs.