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Newsweek
a day ago
- Science
- Newsweek
Time-Lapse Shows Iran's Largest Lake Shrinking in Drought Crisis
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Lake Urmia, once the world's second-largest saltwater lake, has shrunk drastically, leaving salt-encrusted marshes and barren flats in its southern region. Its decline reflects deeper challenges facing Iran. Iran is enduring a historic drought, crippling energy shortages, and relentless heat waves with temperatures regularly surpassing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Offices and schools in Tehran close intermittently to conserve power, while residents suffer without air conditioning. Rising frustration over these hardships has sparked protests, showing how environmental collapse and infrastructure failures are driving public unrest. Newsweek reached out to Iran's Foreign Ministry for comment. Why It Matters Frustration is mounting across Iran as drought, power shortages, and scorching heat push citizens to the brink. The collapse of Lake Urmia, once a symbol of national pride, underscores the consequences of environmental neglect and policy failures. Its decline highlights how climate pressures and governance shortcomings can destabilize both ecosystems and communities, turning ecological loss into a broader crisis of public trust and political legitimacy. Images captured by the ESA's Sentinel-2 satellites on in May 2020, left, and August 2025 show the declining water levels of Iran's Lake Urmia. Images captured by the ESA's Sentinel-2 satellites on in May 2020, left, and August 2025 show the declining water levels of Iran's Lake Urmia. Copernicus What To Know The scale of Urmia's collapse is visible from above. A time-lapse of satellite images, captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites, part of its Copernicus Earth observation program, taken between 2020 and 2025, shows the southern portion shrinking year after year, leaving behind desolate salt crusts where vibrant waters once drew tourists. Once a thriving ecosystem supporting wildlife and local commerce, the area now stands as a testament to the combined impact of drought, overuse, and poor management. Tehran Suffers The human consequences are immediate. In Tehran, government offices close on some days to conserve energy, leaving workers sweltering in uncooled rooms. Hospitals face blackouts so severe that medics fan chemotherapy patients in pitch darkness. These scenes have fueled small but vocal protests. In Rasht, demonstrators chanted demands for water and electricity as police stood by, while in Babolsar, residents gathered outside a power station to denounce the relentless outages. An image of the Babolsar protest, shared by X user Nassem Aslam, purports to show crowds assembled outside the facility. IRAN PROTESTS ERUPT OVER BLACKOUTS AND WATER TRANSFERS In Babolsar, angry residents surrounded the city's governmental building after enduring daily power cuts of 6–8 hours, leaving them without water, internet, or mobile service. The unrest reflects mounting frustration over… — Naeem Aslam (@NaeemAslam23) August 16, 2025 Post-War Crisis The crisis is unfolding against the backdrop of war. In June, Israel and the United States launched a wave of airstrikes against Iran's nuclear program, targeting facilities tied to enrichment and missile development. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel, and later struck a U.S. air base in Qatar, further heightening regional tensions and marking one of the most dangerous escalations between the countries in years. Amid this heightened turmoil, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned his attention to Iran's domestic challenges. Last week, he issued a message directed at the Iranian people, urging them to rise against their government over the power outages and water shortages and promising that Israeli technicians would come to restore electricity and water systems if the regime was overthrown. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian dismissed the appeal, calling it nothing more than a mirage. An Iranian girl drinks water during a heat wave in the capital Tehran on August 9, 2025. An Iranian girl drinks water during a heat wave in the capital Tehran on August 9, People Are Saying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "Once you are free from the tyrannical regime that oppresses you, we in Israel will be happy to help the people of Iran solve the water problem, among other things, and bring back water to your lives." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian: "A regime that deprives people of Gaza of water and food says it will bring water to Iran? A mirage, nothing more." What Happens Next Lake Urmia's southern basin is now almost entirely desiccated, its disappearance reflecting both environmental collapse and institutional failure. For many Iranians, the drying lake has become a symbol of the daily struggles tied to water, power, and governance.
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Climate
- Qatar Tribune
Record area of land burnt as Spain battles worst forest fires in decades
dpa Madrid Spain is seeing its most devastating forest fires in over 20 years, with 3,440 square kilometres of land destroyed by more than 220 fires so far this year, according to new EU estimates. The previous record registered by the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) was 3,060 square kilometres of land ravaged by fires in 2022. However, the service only began recording relevant data in 2006. According to records by the Spanish government, this year's fires are the most devastating since 1994. The worst damage has been caused by the current fires, which have raged for two weeks in the north and west of the country, claiming at least four lives. Until August 5, only 450 square kilometres of land had been destroyed by forest fires, accounting for only 13% of the total area ravaged this year, according to the EU's Copernicus Earth observation programme. Fourth person killed A fourth person has died in the severe wildfires sweeping the north and west of Spain, authorities said on Monday. A firefighter was killed when the truck he was travelling in overturned in León province overnight. The cause of the accident remains unknown, regional emergency services told local media Three other men, including two volunteer firefighters, had previously died from severe burns sustained while battling blazes. Currently, there are 23 major fires at the second-highest regional emergency level, Civil Protection Director Virginia Barcones told state TV channel RTVE. Beyond this, only a national emergency declaration by the central government could raise the alert. So far, sparsely populated areas have been hardest hit, but thousands of residents have already been evacuated. The flames have also damaged parts of nature reserves. On Monday, 15 mainly minor rural roads were closed across the autonomous regions of Castile and León, Galicia, Asturias and Extremadura. Some high-speed train service remained suspended for a fifth consecutive day. Authorities say persistent drought, strong winds, difficult terrain and a prolonged heatwave with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius are complicating firefighting efforts. Temperatures are expected to drop in many areas by Tuesday. Wildfires have also been burning in neighbouring Portugal, where a firefighter was killed there on Sunday during operations.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Ukraine gains access to EU's Copernicus space programme
Ukraine has gained almost complete access to the European Union's Copernicus Earth observation space programme, which provides satellite data for environmental monitoring, climate change and emergency management. Source: Mezha Media, a technology and IT news platform within Ukrainska Pravda's holding company, citing the Ukrinform news agency Details: The agreement on Ukraine's participation in components of the Copernicus programme, signed with the EU in Brussels as part of the EU-Ukraine Association Council, will grant Ukraine access to the space programme on equal terms with EU member states, except for specific security-related components. The space agreement also includes Ukraine's association with several other components of the programme, such as Space Weather Events (SWE), which enables the monitoring and analysis of phenomena in the space environment that could impact satellites, energy systems and communications. Another component, Near-Earth Objects (NEO), focuses on tracking asteroids and other objects that pose a threat to Earth. Ukrainian representatives will have the right to become observers in the committees responsible for decision-making on these programmes, although they will not have voting rights. This cooperation is expected to foster the development of space technologies in Ukraine. European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, referred to the agreement as a "first step" towards Ukraine's full integration into EU space programmes. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
