Environment

Lok Sabha polls: Over 60 environmental groups demand ban on mega infrastructure projects in Himalayas

The organisations also demanded that state laws and regulations, such as the Van Panchayat Rules in Uttarakhand, which protect the private and community resource rights of nature-dependent communities

Study says since 1979 climate change has made heat waves last longer, spike hotter, hurt more people

The study found climate change’s fingerprint by simulating a world without greenhouse gas emissions and concluding it could not produce the worsening heat waves observed in the last 45 years

Planting trees in arid & semi-desert forests failed as carbon offset strategy in Australia: study

Australia’s carbon credits system has failed: A study found that the country’s primary carbon offset method has been ineffective in combating the climate crisis, offering minimal to no assistance.

Take a nap, or go nocturnal. How to beat the heat this summer

Avoiding the heat during peak day hours has long been a strategy for hot locations. Mediterranean countries have their siestas while Gulf nations have introduced summer bans on outdoor work

Climate Change: What's worse for the planet than planes? Drained bogs

Peatlands store twice as much carbon as the world’s forests. In a healthy bog, the waterlogged conditions prevent plant material from fully decomposing, so rather than releasing CO2, the greenhouse gas is trapped in the ground. About 11% of peatlands globally have been modified and drained. These degraded wetlands cover less than 0.4% of the Earth’s land area but are responsible for 5% of human-caused emissions — more than aviation

Was wildlife 'running free' during Covid lockdowns? Rural animals more sensitive to human activity, finds global study

The researchers noted that contrary to popular narratives, there wasn’t a uniform pattern of wildlife “running free” during lockdowns. Instead, animal responses varied significantly based on landscape conditions and their position in the food chain.

Bengaluru water crisis: 8 solutions to tackle water scarcity in Indian cities

Bengaluru water problem: From rainwater harvesting to nature-based solutions and wastewater treatment, examine various approaches to promote sustainable water management practices.

6 Indian cities that could face a water shortage in the near future

Water scarcity is a pressing issue affecting numerous cities across India, with projections indicating that the situation will only worsen in the coming years.

6 factors that have contributed to Bengaluru’s water crisis

Bangalore water crisis: The reasons why there's an acute shortage of water in Bangalore range from rapid urbanisation and climate change to environmental degradation and political inertia.

Added bonus: How rooftop solar could add to women's income, empowerment

Data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows that women constitute just 32 percent of the renewable energy workforce worldwide. Energy poverty has a disproportionate impact on women in rural areas. Gender quotas in renewable energy projects and targeted financing mechanisms tailored for women-led solar enterprises could help bring more women into the renewables space.

Bombay HC calls for preventive measures for air pollution, says situation in Mumbai 'emergent'

A division bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice G S Kulkarni said the law and rules on air pollution were in place, but now their implementation was required.

India’s coal mines emitted 2.8 million tonnes methane in 2023: International Energy Agency report

International Energy Agency (IEA) says that significant reduction in coal-mine methane emissions are achievable without major technological breakthroughs. India's 2.8 million tonnes of methane emissions from coal mines are more than triple the emissions reported to the UNFCCC in 2019.

The world needs a soundtrack for the climate crisis

Isn’t climate change a science issue? Shouldn’t musicians just shut up and sing? Scientists and their research have been, and will always be, crucial in raising the alarm on fossil fuels and humanity’s damage to the planet. But who’s more influential to the masses: an atmospheric physicist, or a pop star? Musicians are able to reach far more people — and an entirely different demographic — than scientists or politicians

AI can help us better understand global threats to wildlife

Artificial intelligence for wildlife conservation: In a remarkable discovery, the researchers identified 22 countries engaged in bat exploitation, including Bahrain, Spain, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Singapore—previously unnoticed by conventional academic research.

Study finds harmful invasive plants can stay dormant for centuries & come back stronger

Invasive plant species are those that are harmful to the local ecology because they usually grow rapidly and tend to crowd out local plant species. A study has found that an invasive species in the UK - the sycamore maple - can remain dormant for 320 years. This is a new record.

Exclusive: Plans afoot for 15 GW rooftop solar capacity in govt, commercial and industrial buildings

The government will soon start a pan-India survey to assess the final potential of solar panel installations in both state and central government buildings.

EVs worse for the environment than diesel and petrol cars, claims study

The research focuses on particle pollution originating from brakes and tires in both electric and gasoline-powered vehicles.

Climate action: Why ESG & blended finance are not enough

The business challenge of the 21st century is finding profitable solutions to existential threats. The US$4.2 trillion we need every year to reach net zero is a huge business opportunity that few have leveraged.

Govt aiming 150 MT of coal stock for thermal power needs by March-end: Pralhad Joshi

By March-end, coal stocks solely at thermal power plants will be increased to 45 MT from the current 43 MT, the Union minister for coal said.

‘Dune: Part 2’ is a climate story we can actually root for

If you write a news article or column about climate, the odds are strong it will be too depressing, too repetitive or too wonky to attract eyeballs. But there is more likelihood of people lining up to see a well-crafted movie with messages on climate change. It turns out the best route for delivering climate messages is often an indirect one

China’s growth ambitions will erase the world’s climate gains

If China held its carbon emissions reduction target steady — or brought it down further, in the manner of fellow high-income countries whose pollution is now at a 50-year low — then the world’s climate footprint would have shrunk by about 155 million metric tons, instead of growing by 410 million tons. China's greenhouse footprint boils down to three factors: its economic growth, energy intensity of that growth, and carbon intensity of that energy

Explained: The Coal Logistics Plan and Policy and why India needs it

The targets under the plan include ensuring mechanized loading/handling and evacuation of 90 percent of coal produced through first mile connectivity (FMC) by FY30.

Supreme Court ban on tiger safaris in Jim Corbett: Why balancing ecosystems and economics is critical

The success of Project Tiger and popularity of the striped cat in India means protected area managers will have to revisit management strategies to balance revenue generation while maintaining ecological integrity.

Capacity boost needs a rethink as RBI seeks to close gaps in climate-risk frameworks

The RBI has a two-fold regulatory burden: to develop knowledge transformation pathways for not only its regulated entities but also all the central bank officers engaged in regulation and supervision