Author: Bapon Fakhruddin
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Climate Change Impacts on the Third Pole and Himalayan Glaciers
It’s been a pleasure to come to Bhutan and talk about the rapid melting of glaciers in the Third Pole region. This area, containing Earth’s third-largest storage of frozen water after Antarctica and the Arctic, is experiencing unprecedented changes that threaten the lives and livelihoods of billions. – The Third Pole’s glaciers cover approximately 100,000…
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The Silent Reordering of the Worlds’ Rivers
Recent research has revealed a startling trend: the flow of our global rivers is shifting. From 1984 to 2018, mapped daily streamflow in nearly 2.9 million rivers worldwide. The findings show river outlets are experiencing significant decreases in flow, while headwaters are seeing increases. This upstream shift in streamflow now affects 29% of the global…
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Why Data, Not AI Alone, Is the Real Competitive Advantage
In today’s competitive landscape, deploying #AI is no longer sufficient to secure a market advantage. The true differentiator lies in accessing and leveraging diverse, extensive, and high-quality data that can significantly enhance AI performance compared to competitors. However, data privacy concerns often hinder the utilization of unique and relevant datasets necessary for robust AI training.…
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Leadership & Workplace Culture
Character matters more than we often acknowledge in the workplace. While we typically focus on skills and experience during hiring, a person’s character ultimately determines their actual value to an organization. Think about it – we’ve all worked with highly skilled people who were difficult to trust or collaborate with. Their technical abilities couldn’t compensate…
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Cascading Hazards and What They Mean for Infrastructure and Safety
Natural hazards rarely occur in isolation. A single event, such as an earthquake, can trigger secondary hazards like landslides or tsunamis, creating a cascading effect. Similarly, hazards like heatwaves and wildfires often compound, amplifying their impacts. Ignoring these interconnections can lead to underestimating risks, jeopardizing infrastructure, and endangering lives. This project has meticulously analyzed seven…
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The Silent Crisis Beneath the Waves: Why Marine Heatwaves Matter to Us All
When we think about climate change, we often picture melting glaciers, rising sea levels, or extreme weather events like hurricanes and wildfires. But there’s another silent yet devastating consequence of our warming planet that doesn’t get enough attention: marine heatwaves (MHWs). These events, defined as prolonged periods of unusually high ocean temperatures, are becoming more…
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Transforming Food Systems for Climate, Livelihoods and Resilience
Our food systems aren’t just about putting meals on the table – they’re deeply woven into who we are as societies, providing jobs and keeping our cultural traditions alive. When we tackle climate issues in our food systems, we solve multiple problems simultaneously. Think about it – when farmers adopt climate-smart practices, they’re not just…
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Podcasts as a Catalyst for Climate Education and Action
The explosive growth of podcasts has revolutionized how we share and consume information, creating an unprecedented opportunity for climate education. What started as simple audio shows has evolved into dynamic video content reaching millions worldwide, transforming how we connect with complex issues like climate change. I’ve seen firsthand how podcasts break down barriers between experts…
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G20 Climate Accountability: Closing the Gap Between Commitments and Action
A recent report by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) highlights the mixed progress of #G20 countries in fulfilling their climate commitments. While some nations have made significant advances in renewable energy and emissions reduction, others must catch up due to political inertia and inadequate financial mechanisms. The report calls for greater accountability…
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COP29: Unlocking Adaptation Finance and Political Will for Urgent Climate Action
The urgency to tackle climate change is more pressing than ever and let’s ACT now at #COP29. This #COP29 is pivotal for addressing the political and financial obstacles that have stalled meaningful climate action. The world is watching, and the stakes are incredibly high. Adaptation finance is crucial to the #NCQG on climate finance, a…
Bapon (SHM) Fakhruddin, PhD 