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Deccan Herald
30-06-2025
- Business
- Deccan Herald
Non-metros contributing 70% of our sales: BlueStar MD
Bengaluru: The aspirational middle class from tier 3,4 and 5 cities are the new consumers for home appliances company, BlueStar, which are contributing 70% of its sales, Managing Director B Thiragarajan told DH in an interview. 'We saw almost 70% of the sales in fiscal year 2025, as there is a penetration level and good amount of disposable income.,' he has been witnessing a rising demand for consumer goods, including electronics from non-metros as discretionary spending continues to rise. However, 2025 saw a distorted summer with early rain spells and erratic dampening the sales for consumer electronics companies. BlueStar, as the country's second largest player in air-conditioning, witnessed a degrowth of 25% in financial year 2024-25 (FY25) as compared to the previous year when it saw 57% growth. .The cooler than usual summer has hit the sales of several companies including talcum, ice cream, soft drink among others. The unusual weather has emerged as a new threat to India's 1.4 billion-strong market lately. .Despite this, the firm believes that the rest of the year will make up for the degrowth, particularly the festive season. 'If the summer has failed a full year, the growth will be there because subsequent seasons do well,' he added. Additionally, the company is investing in customer experience especially as quick commerce has been picking up pace. .The Mumbai-headquartered firm has been beefing up delivery on quick commerce platforms, given that it's increasingly becoming a way of life, especially in now, Blue Star had to slash production by as much as 25% between April and June, as it saw less buyers. .While workforce remains an issue for the home appliances firm with respect to demand, conforming to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has created hurdles in the supply chain because of testing. BlueStar also sells commercial ACs, however, the market size continues to be very small. Presently, the commercial segment is one-tenth of the residential market size. .India experienced extreme weather events on 88% of days in 2024, in one or more parts of the country, as per data by Centre for Science and Environment and Down To Earth. Between 1993 and 2022, India lost about $180 billion to severe heat and rains, the Climate Risk Index 2025 report said. This climate change, essentially the extreme summer, has also been causing shortage in gig workers for quick commerce players like Zepto, Zomato, Swiggy among others.
Arabian Post
25-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Most Vulnerable Nations Bear Brunt Amid Slumping Climate Finance
Greenlogue/AP A newly released global analysis reveals that funding for climate adaptation in the world's most hazard-prone nations has dropped sharply, leaving them dangerously exposed to floods, heatwaves and storms. The Climate Risk Index 2025, based on data spanning 1993 to 2022 from EM-DAT, the World Bank and IMF, found that more than 765,000 people died and nearly US$4.2 trillion was lost in direct economic damage due to more than 9,400 extreme weather events. It highlights the double jeopardy faced by vulnerable countries: they suffer more intense weather impacts while having little financial leeway to adapt. ADVERTISEMENT Analysis of finance flows shows a steep decline in support. According to the United Nations Environment Programme's Adaptation Gap Report, international public climate finance to developing nations fell by roughly 15%, resting at US$21.3 billion in 2021—just a fraction of annual needs estimated between US$194 billion and US$366 billion. Regions like Africa face an even starker shortfall. Despite rising flows—up to US$43.7 billion in 2021/22—they remain only around 20–25% of what is required to meet national climate targets. Asia-Pacific is similarly under‑funded, with the Asian Development Bank warning that US$34 billion committed in 2022 falls far short of the US$102–431 billion needed annually to adapt infrastructure and shield vulnerable communities. The bank warns that failure to close this gap could shave off as much as 17% from the region's GDP by 2070 under high‑emissions scenarios. Aggregate indices measure the gap between need and support. Columbia University's Climate Finance Vulnerability Index classifies countries by their combined risk exposure and lack of financial access. The Vulnerable Twenty alliance of 68 low‑emitting but hard-hit nations advocates for strengthened public and private finance and debt relief measures that would enable climate action without undermining fiscal stability. On the ground, this lack of finance has real-world consequences. In 2024, Hurricane Beryl inflicted losses equivalent to 22% of GDP in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Only about one third of the required US$57 billion in humanitarian assistance reached those in need. The remainder fell short, forcing governments to prioritise disaster recovery over healthcare, education and infrastructure. Pre-arranged financial instruments offer a promising route to enhance resilience. Regional risk pools such as ARC and CCRIF reached US$9.8 billion in coverage in 2023, up 27% year‑on‑year. Yet, aid‑supported pre‑arranged financing only accounts for 1.1% of total crisis aid, and low‑income countries receive merely 3.1% of that amount. Experts warn that reliance on post-disaster appeal models leads to delayed funds that reach affected populations too late. Ahead of COP29, fragile, conflict-affected nations formed a new 'Network of Climate‑vulnerable Countries,' demanding an annual US$20 billion for adaptation by 2026. These nations received just US$8.4 billion in 2022. They urge reforms to channel grants—not loans—to avoid exacerbating sovereign debt crises. The newly capitalised US$700 million loss and damage fund, hosted in Manila, is intended to support recovery in smaller nations. However, concerns persist that bureaucracy and unequal access will delay payouts to those who need it most. The scientific and policy evidence is clear: extreme events such as floods, storms and heatwaves account for most fatalities and economic losses—storms cause 56% of financial loss, floods 32%, and heatwaves contribute significantly to mortality. At the same time, studies show that well‑targeted climate finance can substantially reduce welfare costs associated with heatwaves. Investments in adaptation, early warning systems and resilient infrastructure are cost‑effective insurance for societies under climate pressure. Despite these findings, the trajectory of climate finance remains far below the scale required. Developing nations, especially least‑developed and conflict‑affected states, are being left behind. Financing mechanisms are evolving, and pledges are growing, but a profound imbalance remains between exposure to climate risk and access to the capital needed for resilience.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Crews work around clock after extreme storm damages fish hatchery facility: 'We won't know the total cost of renovation'
A trout hatchery is dealing with the consequences of intense rainfall that left the Arkansas facility with significant damage. According to K8 News, the Jim Hinkle Spring River Hatchery in Mammoth Spring was flooded after massive amounts of rainfall in April. It's one of five hatcheries operated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission that produce millions of fish each year for public waters. Jason Miller, assistant chief of the AGFC's Fisheries Division, said debris was brought into the hatchery during the storm. Crews started their repairs after a damage assessment. "The Commission authorized $500,000 to get us started on both the hatchery recovery and the initial work on other infrastructure throughout eastern Arkansas, but we won't know the total cost of renovation until we can get a few more inspections complete now that we've cleared off a lot of the debris," Miller said, per K8 News. The AGFC said crews removed 26 dump truck loads of silt from the area, per the outlet. About 150,000 rainbow trout remain, but many were killed or escaped in heavy waters. Over a four-day period in April, eight states in the Mississippi River Valley experienced the heaviest spring rainfall on record in the region since 1950. Researchers found that rising global temperatures made the flooding even more intense. Human activities contribute to heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere that increase temperatures and trigger more frequent and powerful extreme weather events. Burning dirty fuels such as coal, gas, and oil affects the climate more than other human activities, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Due to the warming climate, a larger percentage of precipitation occurs during strong single-day events. Extreme weather events can lead to dangerous conditions for communities. In fact, the Climate Risk Index 2025 found that extreme weather has killed nearly 800,000 people and displaced millions over the last three decades. Do you think your home has good insulation? Definitely It's just all right It's good in some rooms Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Experts have issued warnings that extreme weather events will only become more destructive in the future. However, new technological advancements may help anticipate the storms and the aftermath. Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientists developed technology using artificial intelligence to predict flooding, and experts at Columbia University created an interactive tool to help governments prepare for natural disasters. While resources to mitigate extreme weather continue to be developed, people can take steps to protect their homes. Installing solar panels with battery storage can help make homes more resilient during weather-related grid outages and lower energy costs. Resources such as EnergySage allow homeowners to compare quotes from local installers and save up to $10,000 on solar installation. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
New report uncovers staggering global death toll linked to one factor: 'All countries are affected'
We've seen weather events like devastating floods and extreme temperatures more in the headlines lately, and a new report has revealed the staggering toll on human life over the past three decades. The findings, published by DW, underscore how rising global temperatures have supercharged weather events like storms and heat waves. According to the Climate Risk Index 2025 compiled by Germanwatch, extreme weather events like hurricanes, droughts, floods, and wildfires have caused massive destruction, killing nearly 800,000 people and displacing millions over the last 30 years. The index compiled data from 1993 to 2022, ranking the countries most affected by climate-related disasters. The rankings reflect not just the frequency of extreme weather events but also the scale of human and economic losses. At the top of the list were Dominica, China, and Honduras. However, the report emphasizes that no nation is immune to the effects of extreme weather. "The results show that all countries are affected worldwide. It does not differentiate between Global North and South," said Germanwatch's Lina Adil. "The main message there is that the Global North is not ready yet with disaster risk management and with adaptation." While extreme weather has always existed, scientists agree that human-generated pollution makes it more frequent and severe. Human behavior, especially relying on dirty energy by burning oil, coal, and gas, is a big contributor to overheating our planet. Changing climate trends are making storms and other natural disasters more destructive than ever before. Warmer ocean temperatures fuel stronger hurricanes, shifting rainfall patterns, worsening droughts and floods, and prolonging heat waves that pose dangers to human health. The growing intensity of storms, temperatures, and natural disasters is bad for both people and global economies. Vulnerable communities, especially in lower-income regions, are hit the hardest. These disasters take lives and lead to food and water shortages, infrastructure damage, and displacement, putting extra strain on governments and rescue organizations. It's clear that we need to take steps to slow global warming while also adapting to changing weather and climate patterns. We've seen innovative ways of adapting to changing climate patterns in farming, architecture, energy, and technology. Governments and organizations are investing in climate resilience, from strengthening infrastructure to expanding early warning systems. Companies and nations are also making moves away from dirty energy contributing to planet-heating pollution. People can also make a difference by reducing their carbon footprint and supporting proactive climate policies — consider making your next car an EV or voting for pro-climate candidates. Of course, being educated on critical climate issues is always a great place to start and learn where you can make an impact. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
