Video: “O’zapft is!” in Matrei
Study with Swiss participation | August 25, 2024
Hunter-gatherers faced extinction in western Europe during the coldest period of the Ice Age. In Ice Age Europe, the number of people declined sharply during the cold periods, researchers have found.
Volcanic eruptions – here Mount Etna in Sicily – can lead to massive global warming.Photo: Keystone
Large volcanic eruptions have led to massive global warming several times in the course of Earth’s history. An international study with Swiss participation shows how such events have had long-term effects on the ability of ecosystems to regenerate and on the climate.
The Earth has experienced several periods of intense volcanism during which large amounts of greenhouse gases were released into the atmosphere. This led to rapid global warming, which in extreme cases resulted in mass extinctions of species, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich) announced on Friday.
For the study published in the journal Science, the Zurich scientists worked with colleagues from the universities of Arizona, Leeds, Toulouse and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL). The research team used isotope analyses of sediments and compared this data with a computer model that depicts vegetation and its role in regulating the geological climate system.
Largest extinction of species in history
The researchers examined three major climate changes in Earth’s history, including the Siberian Trapp event about 252 million years ago. “The Siberian Trapp event released about 40,000 gigatons of carbon over a period of 200,000 years, which led to an increase in the global average temperature of five to ten degrees Celsius. This climate shock led to the largest extinction of species in Earth’s history,” Taras Gerya, Professor of Geophysics at ETH Zurich, is quoted as saying.
“It took several million years for vegetation to recover from this event. During this phase, the Earth’s carbon-climate regulatory system was probably weak and inefficient, leading to long-term global warming,” says Julian Rogger, doctoral student and lead author of the study.
“Our study shows how important functioning vegetation systems are for the Earth to recover from climate change,” emphasizes Loïc Pellissier, professor at ETH Zurich and WSL, who led the research.
“We humans are also the main cause of global deforestation, which severely limits the ability of natural ecosystems to regulate the climate. The global community should see our study as a wake-up call.”
Heavy rainfall has caused flooding in Vienna. Images show the weather chaos.
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Rainy weather is causing chaos in Vienna: Yesterday, Saturday, record summer rain fell in the Austrian capital. This led to flooded streets – and chaotic images.
On the outskirts of Vienna, more than 110 liters of rain per square meter fell. This is the highest value for a summer month in the 152-year history of measurements, as the broadcaster ORF reports.
Videos and pictures show flooded underpasses and cars stuck in the water.
The floodwaters also led to rescue operations. A pedestrian fell on a sloping street near a bus stop.





According to the fire department, she was carried away by the water and pushed under a stationary bus.
Firefighters lifted the vehicle and freed the woman, a fire department spokesman told the German Press Agency. She was taken to hospital in life-threatening condition.
Recently, rainy weather has also caused damage in Switzerland. The Bernese Oberland was particularly affected.
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Fire DepartmentWaterORFWeatherStorm
2023-09-17 12:05:04
Vienna (OTS) – The heaviest rains in decades have caused catastrophic damage in Libya and killed thousands of people. A week following the devastating floods, the death toll has risen to more than 11,000. At least 10,100 people are still missing in the particularly affected port city of Darna alone. International, person-to-person assistance is now the order of the day. “Medical supplies, temporary accommodation for the survivors, supplies of water and food are now urgently needed there,” explains Reinhard Hundsmüller, federal managing director of the Austrian Workers’ Samaritan Association.
International help from person to person
Storm “Daniel”, which had already caused severe destruction in Greece, reached the North African country last Sunday. Images from the affected region show broken dams, huge mudslides, collapsed houses and entire parts of the city under water.
“The people in the disaster area now need concrete and substantial help: The Austrian Workers’ Samaritan Association is working here in coordination with the BM.I’s crisis and disaster management. Our operations department with the volunteer members of the SA-RRT (Samaritan Austria – Rapid Response Team) – the international disaster relief unit of the Samaritan Association – prepares the requested relief supplies, such as camp beds, for transport to Libya by plane. Many thanks to all the people in Austria who support our relief campaign with a donation,” concluded Reinhard Hundsmüller.
Online: samariterbund.net/libyen-hilfe
Donation account:
Austrian Workers’ Samaritan Association
IBAN: AT04 1200 0513 8891 4144
BIC: BKAUATWW (Bank Austria)
Keyword: Flood disaster in Libya
The Austrian Workers’ Samaritan Association is the holder of the official Austrian donation quality seal.
Franziska Springer
Press and public relations
Austrian Workers’ Samaritan Association
Hollergasse 2-6, 1150 Wien
Mobil +43 664 88 94 88 35
Email franziska.springer@samariterbund.net
1694995690
#Samaritan #Association #donate #victims #Libya
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