Can biofuels be the solution for the world’s carbon challenge?
Scaling up biofuel production to meet global demand while ensuring sustainability and preventing land degradation is a logistical and resource-intensive challenge
Sikkim flash flood | What melting Himalayan glaciers mean for India and the local ecology
The deadly flash flood in Sikkim on October 4, 2023, has brought back into focus the region’s extreme vulnerability to climate change.
'Ring of Fire' solar eclipse, meteor showers and 3 other big celestial events in October
From bright green meteors and a dazzling ‘ring of fire’ to a bright hued morning star, the clear October skies will witness fascinating astronomical events you wouldn’t want to miss. So grab a telescope, warm clothing and feast at the wonderful celestial marvels in the sky.
Exclusive | Mundra to be largest fully integrated renewable energy manufacturing hub: Adani Group
Among other things, it will build a 10GW polysilicon manufacturing unit and increase wind turbine production capacity to 5GW from 1.5GW, all at Mundra. The capex for the fully integrated solar manufacturing plan would be over Rs 300 crore, Adani officials said
Global water resources in crisis as river conditions deviate from normal: WMO report
The WMO points out significant changes in the Third Pole region, which supplies water to nearly 2 billion people, including the Tibetan Plateau, the Himalayas, and other mountain ranges.
MC Explains: How govt plans to safeguard hydroelectric projects in the aftermath of Sikkim floods
The CEA this week released guidelines for slope stability in hydropower projects, and had earlier set up a panel to look into the technical problems and resultant cost overruns in such projects.
India well placed to contribute towards strengthening and diversifying supply chains: FM
Finance Minister said the New Delhi Leaders Declaration calls for tripling renewable energy capacity globally by 2030.
Environment-development conundrum in the Himalayas
There is a need for a multi-disciplinary expert committee to review all projects before the implementation stage. The attempt should be to minimise damage to life and property
Climate Change: Europe’s palm oil fight is hazed and confused
If electric vehicles are incentivised, long-run demand for palm oil (and the incentive to clear more land) will shrink. Europe’s mistake in dealing with palm oil has been the same one that prohibitionists have always made: Attempting to limit supplies, when demand is the real source of the problem
Govt plans to reduce renewable generation obligation for new power plants to 6-10% from 40%
Coal-fired power plants have been significant in powering the country during non-solar hours when renewable energy is not available in the absence of energy storage systems
India's shift to green power may cost 73,800 jobs at Coal India by 2050: GEM report
If plans were implemented to phase down coal to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), only 250,000 miners - less than 10 percent of the current workforce - would be required worldwide, the GEM report stated.
MC Explains: India inches a step closer to its One Sun One World One Grid mission
A task force set up by the Ministry of Power is examining the feasibility of interconnecting the regional grids of south-east Asia, south Asia, the middle east, Africa, and Europe for sharing renewable energy.
Sikkim crisis underscores urgent need for climate mitigation efforts, says expert
Sikkim flash floods: The melting Himalayan glaciers will impact a vast region, affecting countries like India, China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan. They will also heighten the risk of natural disasters like floods and landslides and could lead to a huge water and energy crisis.
Sikkim disaster: A wake-up call to fix accountability for ecological damage
Should a Rs 13,000 crore hydroelectric power project which took two decades to build in an ecologically sensitive glacial region have been allowed to come up, critically without climate adaptation features?
How the love for trees in Bengaluru, home to a biodiversity heritage site, is fast waning
City planners don’t realise the value of the indigenous trees, says Harish Padmanabha, grandson of Rao Bahadur HC Javaraya, the first Indian superintendent of Lalbagh Botanical Gardens.
Sikkim Floods l Sikkim Urja Hydro Power Project l Damage Caused By Flash Floods
The recent flash flood in the Sikkim region and its neighboring areas caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure, including the Sikkim Urja, formerly known as Teesta Urja, which is the second-largest hydropower project. This project began generating profits as early as 2022, with its operations commencing in 2017.
For a comprehensive understanding of the situation and the substantial damage sustained by one of the largest hydropower plants due to the floods, please watch the provided video. Additionally, the video may provide insights into the estimated cost required to undertake the reconstruction of this vital structure and how many other projects are affected
Split Project Tiger and Elephant, experts make their case
Both species have distinct conservation needs and require singular focus.
Explainer: Why warming waters mean an uncertain future for fish populations
Global warming is raising ocean temperatures and stripping water bodies of oxygen, threatening the long-term survival of marine species and their ecosystem.
Top 10 botanical gardens in India that will help you reconnect with nature
This week an erstwhile jail-turned-botanical garden was inaugurated in Assam's Guwahati. If you are looking for one in your city, for restorative walks for the body and the soul, bookmark these green gardens.
Sikkim flash flood: A disaster that waited to strike
Sikkim flash floods: Multiple government agencies and scientific expeditions red-flagged the vulnerability of Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim to a glacial lake outburst flood for at least a decade
Sikkim Cloud Burst | Army Personnel Missing | Teesta Water Level Rises Over Danger Mark
A flash flood in the Teesta river in Lachen valley caused due to sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim. Release of water from the Chungthang dam led to a sudden increase in water level up to 15-20 feet high downstream. For years, multiple research studies have drawn attention to the increasing size of South Lhonak Lake, primarily caused by glacier melting, and have identified it as being at risk of a glacial lake outburst flood.
Watch the video to know more!
NIIF and JBIC launch $600 million India-Japan Fund to boost investments in environmental sustainability
NIIF Limited (NIIFL) and JBIC IG (a subsidiary of JBIC) will support NIIFL in promoting Japanese investments in India and manage the $600 million fund.
Delhi sees rise in nanoparticle emissions, researchers warn of serious health risks
Nanoparticles are highly hazardous because they are much smaller than PM 2.5 or PM 10 — 600 times smaller than human hair — and can penetrate deep into the lungs, bloodstream, and even the brain
ESG Ratings: whose interests do they serve?
Regulators and politicians are focusing on the accuracy, transparency and potential for conflicts of interest with sustainability scores
