Hot Planet Update: South Asian Heatwave, Worst-Ever Coral Bleaching Event, Indigenous Leaders Demand End to Oil & Gas Drilling, 1 in 2 Americans Breathe Unhealthy Air, & More
A roundup of what happened, why it matters, and key context for climate change news during the week of April 19-26.
Welcome to “Hot Planet Update,” a series on Reality Studies that recaps the biggest news in climate from the last week. Using a “smart brevity” format, Last Week in Climate recaps are designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest news and provide key context.
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1. Spring Heatwave Scorches South Asia
👉 An unprecedented April heatwave blanketed India and Pakistan, bringing summer-like extremes months early.
Temperatures soared to 49°C in Pakistan and well above 40°C across northern India during what is normally a mild spring. Cities like New Delhi saw highs 5°C above normal, overwhelming power grids, water supplies, and triggering a spike in heatstroke cases.
Climate scientists found human-induced climate change largely drove this heatwave, making it about 4°C hotter than similar events in the past. The region’s weather patterns haven’t changed in frequency, but they now unfold in a far hotter climate.
Authorities reported crop damage and health emergencies as millions struggled to cope. Daily life was disrupted by power outages and water shortages as demand spiked in the extreme heat. Schools and workplaces adjusted schedules, and hospitals treated waves of heat-related illness.
Why it matters: An early-season heatwave of this magnitude is a stark preview of climate impacts. Such “spring” heatwaves are unusually dangerous—hitting before people acclimate to summer—and signal the growing stress on infrastructure and public health in a warming world. It underscores urgent needs for heat action plans and emissions cuts to prevent even worse in the future.
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2. China Pledges Stronger Climate Targets as Others Stall
👉 In a show of climate leadership, President Xi Jinping committed China to new 2035 emissions goals covering all pollutants, even as U.S. climate policy retreats.
China will set updated climate targets for 2035 that span all economic sectors and greenhouse gases, Xi announced at a virtual leaders’ summit. This comprehensive plan—covering not just CO₂ but also potent gases like methane—is slated to be unveiled ahead of the COP30 climate conference in November.
Xi affirmed that China “will not slow down” its climate efforts “no matter how the international situation changes.” This was widely seen as an implicit contrast to the United States, where the new administration is rolling back climate measures. (Xi pointedly criticized “unilateralism and protectionism” hampering global progress).
The UN welcomed China’s move. Secretary-General António Guterres called Xi’s announcement “extremely important for climate action,” underscoring that tackling all greenhouse gases, not just CO₂, is crucial to meeting global goals. China’s current 2030 pledge covered only CO₂; the new one will broaden that ambit.
Why it matters: China is the world’s largest emitter, so its climate actions make a huge difference. By signaling stronger ambition and including all GHGs, China is filling some of the leadership void left by others. This pledge could pressure other major economies to enhance their own commitments, and it keeps alive hopes of capping warming well below 2 °C.
3. World’s Coral Reefs Suffer Worst Bleaching on Record
👉 An unprecedented marine heatwave has bleached the majority of the world’s coral reefs, imperiling fisheries and coastal protection.
84% of the world’s coral reefs have been affected by heat stress as ocean temperatures hit record highs. Scientists say this is the most severe global coral bleaching event ever observed, with reefs from the South Pacific to the Caribbean turning white.
This bleaching event began in early 2023 and has impacted corals in 82 countries and territories. Reefs in places like Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the Indian Ocean, and the Coral Triangle in Southeast Asia have all suffered widespread bleaching simultaneously—a truly global scope.
Coral reefs are often called the “rainforests of the sea” for their rich biodiversity. They provide food and income (through fishing and tourism) for hundreds of millions of people. Scientists warn that if ocean warming continues, many reefs could die off permanently, with ripple effects on coastal communities and marine life.
Why it matters: Healthy coral reefs serve as natural breakwaters and nurseries for marine species. Their mass die-off is a red flag for the broader impact of climate change on oceans. Bleached reefs can take decades to recover (if they recover at all). The severity of this event highlights that even an extra fraction of a degree in ocean temperature can trigger ecosystem collapse, underscoring the urgency of cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
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4. Gas vs. Renewables Rift at Global Energy Security Talks
👉 A high-profile summit on energy security exposed a deep divide: U.S. officials championed fossil fuels, while European leaders argued clean energy is the key to a safe future.
At an International Energy Agency (IEA) summit in London, the U.S. delegation criticized renewable energy, with a top envoy claiming that wind and solar “cause power cuts” and increase dependence on Chinese supply chains. This message echoed the Trump administration’s push to expand natural gas production.
European representatives forcefully disagreed, emphasizing that true energy security comes from reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. EU officials stressed linking clean energy with security, arguing that more renewables plus storage can stabilize grids without the geopolitical risks of oil and gas.
The split was on full display among the ~60 countries present. While Trump officials touted gas as reliable, others pointed out that extreme weather (worsened by climate change) is itself a threat to energy systems—and that diversifying into renewables can make nations more resilient in the long run.
Why it matters: This clash highlights a geopolitical tension in the climate fight. If the U.S.—the world’s largest economy—pivots back toward fossil fuels, it could slow global clean energy progress and weaken cooperative efforts. On the other hand, Europe’s stance shows a continued commitment to climate goals. The outcome of this debate may influence investment and policy directions far beyond the summit’s halls.
5. Amazon Indigenous Leaders Urge Fossil Fuel Phase-Out
👉 Dozens of Indigenous peoples from the Amazon united to demand an end to oil and gas drilling in their rainforest territories, setting the stage for a pivotal debate at COP30 in Brazil.
Indigenous leaders representing over 50 Amazonian ethnic groups signed a declaration calling for a fossil fuel phase-out plan at COP30 (the next UN climate summit, to be hosted in Belém, Brazil). They deem continued oil drilling in the Amazon “shameful” given its impacts on their lands and the global climate.
The coalition, spanning tribes from Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador, specifically urged a “roadmap to leave fossil fuels in the ground.” They want governments to commit to no new oil or gas expansion in the Amazon, greater protections for Indigenous territories, and investments in sustainable economic alternatives.
Brazil’s President Lula, who will preside over COP30, has restarted Amazon protection efforts and ended new deforestation. But his government also profits from oil. This Indigenous campaign will increase pressure on Brazil to align its climate leadership with keeping Amazon oil untapped, a contentious issue as the country considers licensing a major oil block at the mouth of the Amazon River.
Why it matters: Indigenous peoples are on the frontlines of both climate change and biodiversity loss, and they steward large swathes of intact rainforest. Their moral authority and firsthand knowledge bring urgency to the call for a fossil phase-out. As hosts of COP30, Brazil will face intense scrutiny—this declaration could galvanize a broader movement to finally confront fossil fuels head-on in global climate negotiations.
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6. US Marks Earth Day by Rolling Back Climate Efforts
👉 In a stark reversal of tone, the White House used Earth Day to promote fossil fuels. Meanwhile, environmental groups are bracing for political attacks under the new administration.
On April 22, the Trump White House issued an Earth Day statement celebrating moves like “pausing restrictive emissions rules for coal plants,” opening more federal lands to oil and gas drilling, and even halting certain wind energy projects. The administration touted these steps—which roll back climate regulations—as ways to “help” the environment by boosting “real” energy innovation.
Climate advocates reacted with outrage. The administration had also hinted at targeting environmental NGOs: President Trump questioned the tax-exempt status of some non-profit groups, raising fears he might use the IRS against climate organizations. In fact, U.S. climate campaign groups now expect a fight to defend themselves from financial intimidation by the government.
The policy reversals include attempts to weaken vehicle fuel economy standards, ease methane rules for oil and gas wells, and expand offshore drilling. Many of these changes directly overturn initiatives from the prior administration. Trump officials argue these rollbacks boost the economy, but critics say they sacrifice long-term planetary health for short-term gains.
Why it matters: The U.S. is the world’s second-largest emitter, and federal policy shifts reverberate globally. This about-face on climate action—with the government actively undermining decarbonization efforts—could hinder international progress and embolden other nations to delay their own cuts. Additionally, the prospect of the White House targeting climate advocacy groups is alarming for civil society and democratic debate on climate solutions.
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