Climate Changes

In the northeastern corner of South America, the Sinnamary River winds its way through the lush forests of French Guiana before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. Along this journey, the river’s flow is interrupted by the Petit Saut Dam, a hydroelectric project that has brought both energy benefits and environmental changes to the region. The reservoir created by the dam stands as a significant infrastructure achievement, but one that also highlights the environmental considerations of large-scale water projects in sensitive ecosystems.

In late October 2024, eastern Spain experienced severe flash flooding as intense rainfall battered the region, specifically the province of Valencia. The floods, caused by a weather phenomenon locally known as DANA, led to substantial loss of life, extensive damage to infrastructure, and significant environmental impacts. Satellite images from NASA’s Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 provide a striking visual account of the flood's impact, capturing the extensive inundation of both urban and agricultural landscapes.

In October 2024, the Río Negro, a crucial tributary of the Amazon River, recorded its lowest water levels in over a century. As the main source of water for Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon Basin, the Río Negro has been an essential lifeline for drinking water, food resources, and transportation. This historic drought—recorded by the European Union’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite—has alarmed scientists and local communities alike, marking an unprecedented crisis for the Amazon.

As summer in the Northern Hemisphere draws to a close, the Gulf of Mexico once again became a brewing ground for storms. This time, it was Hurricane Francine that captured the attention of meteorologists and coastal communities alike. After forming off the eastern coast of Mexico, Francine intensified rapidly over the Gulf’s warm waters, ultimately setting its sights on the Louisiana coastline, threatening to bring severe storm surges, heavy rainfall, and powerful winds