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Most recently published stories in Earth.
The Day the Ocean Took Over: How One Island Is Disappearing Forever
Imagine a country where progress is not defined by skyscrapers, luxury cars, or billion-dollar industries. Instead, its entire identity is tied to the rhythm of waves, the strength of fishing nets, and the stories passed down by elders under the starlit sky. This is life on a small island nation in the Pacific, where people have lived in harmony with nature for centuries. But today, that harmony is breaking—and the reason is climate change. For generations, the ocean was their greatest gift. It provided food, transport, and a sense of belonging. Children grew up playing barefoot on sandy shores, fishermen sailed with the sunrise, and families gathered in wooden huts to share meals of fresh fish and fruit. But now, the same ocean that once gave life is slowly swallowing their homes. Every year, tides grow stronger. Entire neighborhoods are being washed away by rising sea levels. Saltwater creeps into the soil, poisoning crops. Wells that once provided fresh drinking water now taste bitter with salt. Parents tell their children to stay away from the coastline, not because of wild storms, but because the land itself is disappearing. One family recalls the night the sea came crashing into their village without warning. “We were sleeping when we heard people screaming,” the father said. “By the time we woke up, water had already entered our house. We carried our children on our shoulders and ran.” Their story is not unique—hundreds of families across the island share the same nightmare. But what hurts most is not just the loss of homes or food. It is the loss of identity. These people are not just climate victims—they are climate refugees. To leave their island means to leave behind ancestral graves, traditional songs, and the only life they’ve ever known. How do you pack centuries of culture into a suitcase? Scientists have warned about this for decades. Rising global temperatures are melting glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica, pushing sea levels higher every year. The islanders did not create this crisis—they contribute almost nothing to global carbon emissions. Yet, they are the first to pay the price. Still, the people refuse to give up without a fight. Women have formed community groups to plant mangroves along the coast, hoping the roots will slow erosion. Children attend schools where they are taught both modern science and traditional survival skills. Elders tell stories of resilience, reminding everyone that their ancestors also faced storms and hardships. The government is also pleading for international support. Leaders from these islands stand before the United Nations, begging the world to take urgent action on climate change. “We are not drowning, we are fighting,” one leader declared. Their words shook the audience—but speeches alone cannot stop the ocean. What makes this tragedy even more painful is the silence of the world. While wealthy nations argue over economics and politics, entire countries are being erased from the map. Imagine telling your child that their homeland may not exist by the time they grow old. Imagine holding a passport to a country that is literally sinking. And yet, there is still hope—if we act now. Renewable energy, stronger climate policies, and global cooperation can slow down this crisis. Ordinary people can also play a role: by conserving energy, reducing waste, and raising awareness. The survival of these island nations is not just their struggle—it is a test of our shared humanity. Because if an island disappears today, tomorrow it may be a coastal city, and one day, perhaps even yours. The ocean is rising. The question is—will we listen before it’s too late?
By Shahab Khanabout a year ago in Earth
“The World Beyond the Map”: Launching the Stanislav Kondrashov Travel Series
In a world that moves at the speed of notifications, travel remains one of the last experiences that can truly pull us out of ourselves—and into something deeper. It’s not just about distance. It’s about perspective.
By Stanislav Kondrashovabout a year ago in Earth
Salal Dam Release Sparks Cross-Border Flood Fears Between India and Pakistan
The Salal Dam in India has come under discussion after repeated concerns in Pakistan’s local media and on social platforms that the release of hundreds of thousands of cusecs of water from this dam could once again trigger flooding in Punjab’s Chenab River. Earlier this year in May, the Salal Dam—located on the Chenab River in Indian-administered Kashmir—made headlines when, following the Pahalgam attack on tourists, one of its gates was opened. According to Indian media, the move was aimed at restricting the flow of water to Pakistan after the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. This time, however, Indian news agency PTI on August 30 shared a video showing that all gates of the Salal Dam had been opened. PTI reported that the decision was taken because heavy rainfall had raised the water level of the Chenab River, and authorities were closely monitoring the situation to prevent flooding in surrounding areas. On the other hand, on Sunday, Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Ali Kathia referred to the opening of Salal Dam’s spillways, saying that no official information had been conveyed by India regarding the release of water into the Chenab or other rivers. He added that the Salal Dam is located 78 kilometers from Head Marala in Pakistan. What is the importance of Salal Dam on the Chenab River? The Salal Dam is a hydropower project in Indian-administered Kashmir, generating electricity that is supplied not only to Jammu and Kashmir but also to Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, and Rajasthan. The dam is situated on the Chenab River in Jammu’s Reasi district and has a generation capacity of about 690 megawatts. Disputes over the Salal Dam began soon after the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, mediated by the World Bank, when India initiated hydropower projects on the western rivers. Pakistan feared these projects could reduce water flow into its territory. The dispute over Salal Dam was resolved in 1978 through negotiations, with an agreement that India could not alter its design without mutual consent. Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto opposed the agreement, fearing India might use dams on the western rivers as a weapon of war—by blocking water to dry up rivers or releasing it suddenly to flood Pakistan. India, however, has maintained that these dams are meant for power generation only, not for water storage. According to Pakistani water expert Dr. Hassan Abbas, Salal Dam is essentially a hydropower project with very limited storage capacity compared to large dams. He explained that its spillways can discharge up to 800,000 cusecs of water. “If such a discharge is made, the water level drops in less than a few hours.” He added that water released from Salal Dam takes several hours to reach Pakistan, and by the time it enters Marala Headworks, the flood surge is much weaker and more spread out. In his view, such a small flood does not pose any real danger. Dr. Abbas emphasized that the opening of spillways at Salal Dam does not, by itself, pose a major threat to Pakistan. The risk arises only if heavy monsoon rainfall simultaneously brings in excessive inflow behind the dam. “In that case, the cause would be a natural calamity, not the dam itself—because even without the dam, that water would flow into Pakistan.” He concluded that a major flood risk in Pakistan could only emerge if continuous monsoon rains persist, even after Indian dams are emptied. Lack of Information and Concerns in Pakistan PDMA spokesperson Mazhar Hussain told BBC Urdu that while Indian media reported the opening of Salal Dam gates, no official confirmation has been shared regarding the release of 800,000 cusecs of water. He recalled that following the Pahalgam attack, India had unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, which Pakistan later challenged in an international arbitration court. Mazhar Hussain noted that despite strained relations between the two countries, “If such a huge quantity of water had been released, it would have already reached by now.” Nevertheless, authorities in Pakistan remain on alert for potential flooding. He added that since official information is not being shared, Pakistani authorities also rely on cross-border media reports to assess risks. Pakistani officials are also aware that many dams on India’s eastern rivers are already full, with forecasts of further rainfall. On September 1, India’s Flood Forecast Monitoring Directorate issued a bulletin highlighting 19 locations with severe flood conditions and 32 sites with above-normal water flows. The Indian Meteorological Department has also predicted heavy rainfall over the next two days in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi and adjoining areas, raising the risk of flooding in the Chenab, Jhelum, and Tawi Rivers. Would India Suffer More from Opening Dams? Experts argue that opening dams on Punjab’s rivers could ultimately harm India itself. It should be noted that earlier in April, following the Pahalgam attack, India had suspended the six-decade-old Indus Waters Treaty. Moreover, in May this year, both countries had exchanged cross-border attacks. India accused Pakistan of involvement in the Pahalgam attack, while Pakistan strongly denied the allegations. Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated that India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty was a serious violation of international law. Is There a Risk of Another Flood in Punjab? Pakistan’s former Indus Water Commissioner Syed Jamaat Ali Shah explained that under the Indus Waters Treaty, India is obliged to inform Pakistan immediately whenever unusual river flows occur. He acknowledged that while India did share some flood-related data this year, it was not provided in a timely manner. “Information should have been shared continuously while pressure was building on the rivers, not after it subsided.” This, he said, weakened Pakistan’s early warning and rescue system. However, he admitted that the massive inflow of monsoon rainwater could not have been stopped by India, nor could Pakistan have diverted it. Shah stressed that both governments should exchange flood data on humanitarian grounds, regardless of treaty suspensions. “Unilateral suspension cannot be maintained,” he warned, adding that the lack of timely information could create challenges for Pakistan. Water expert Hassan Abbas pointed out that India’s major dams—Baglihar (Chenab), Pong (Beas), and Thein (Ravi)—have larger storage capacity and could release bigger surges. However, he cautioned that “if India were to release a shock wave of water from these reservoirs, it would first cause damage within India itself before affecting Pakistan.” He remarked that while the narrative of India’s “water aggression” is often raised politically, the scientific reality is different. When asked if Punjab’s rivers might flood again, Abbas warned that the risk cannot be ruled out: “The first flood usually soaks into the ground as the soil is dry, but if more cloudbursts and heavy monsoon rains occur, new flooding will take place.” He added, “If rainfall matches the intensity of the earlier spell, the situation could become even more severe than before.”
By Real contentabout a year ago in Earth
"From Ally to Accused: Could U.S. Soldiers Face War Crimes Trials Over Gaza?"
"From Ally to Accused: Could U.S. Soldiers Face War Crimes Trials Over Gaza?" The Gaza war has entered its 22nd month, and while the devastation has been most deeply felt by Palestinians, the shadow of accountability is beginning to stretch far beyond Israel. Human rights organizations now argue that American soldiers and intelligence officials, who have played a direct role in supporting Israel’s military campaign, could themselves be subject to war crimes charges.
By Wings of Time about a year ago in Earth
Global Warming: Humanity's Greatest Challenge
Auther Name (Hazratullah) The Earth has always gone through cycles of warming and cooling, but never before has the planet faced such a rapid rise in temperature caused by human activity. Global warming is no longer a distant possibility; it is a present-day reality that is shaping our weather, ecosystems, and lives. From rising sea levels to intense heatwaves, from stronger hurricanes to melting ice caps, the signs are everywhere. Humanity now stands at a crossroads, and the decisions we make today will determine the future of our planet and the generations to come.
By Asmatullahabout a year ago in Earth
Earth quake in Afghanistan
Earthquakes are the result of sudden movement along faults within the Earth. The movement releases stored-up 'elastic strain' energy in the form of seismic waves, which propagate through the Earth and cause the ground surface to shake.
By Liaqat Shahabout a year ago in Earth
London's Estuary-Linked Climate Strategy
by Futoshi Tachino In a tidal capital built on marsh and chalk, London treats water and heat as a connected system. The working recipe: hold back the surge, make space for cloudbursts, clean the river, share heat and cooling, and pilot carbon capture where electrification can’t yet carry the load. It’s everyday infrastructure with civic side-effects—walkable embankments, cooler homes, cleaner water. (Environment Agency’s TE2100 plan; London Surface Water Strategy.)
By Futoshi Tachinoabout a year ago in Earth
Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series: The Connection Between Oligarchy and Green Energy
As argued in the Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series, modern oligarchs are increasingly focusing on the dynamics of the energy transition and green energy. Once upon a time, these mysterious figures were primarily concerned with the exercise of power within certain state or corporate bodies, managing to influence important decisions. But today, in the midst of the global energy transition, some of the power dynamics are inevitably beginning to be connected to renewable energy, sustainability, and everything that is contributing to the great energy transformation of our time.
By Stanislav Kondrashovabout a year ago in Earth
The Role of Biomass Pyrolysis in Achieving Circular Economy Goals
In an era where global waste generation reaches over 2.01 billion tonnes annually (per UNEP data) and fossil fuel depletion accelerates climate change, the circular economy has emerged as a critical solution to break the “take-make-waste” cycle. At the heart of this transition lies biomass pyrolysis—a transformative technology that turns organic waste (agricultural residues, forest byproducts, and even municipal solid waste) into high-value energy and materials. This blog explores how biomass pyrolysis drives circularity, its key applications, and why investing in quality biomass pyrolysis equipment is a game-changer for businesses and sustainability goals.
By Bestonpyrolysisabout a year ago in Earth
