Science & Environment round-up: Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, a failed carbon-offset programme, tips to recharge Bengaluru groundwater
Bangalore's water crisis should send alarm bells ringing; more Indian cities could be headed towards water shortages with heat wave predicted in many cities across India. Plus, more environmental news and science updates.
Asia's largest Tulip garden in Srinagar | Witness record breaking tourist attraction
The world-renowned and largest tulip garden in Asia, which opened its doors to tourists on March 23, welcomed over two hundred thousand visitors from across the globe in just two weeks. Last year, nearly three hundred seventy-two thousand tourists explored the tulip garden. Anticipations are high that this year's tourist influx will surpass previous records. Known as 'Siraj Bagh' in Urdu and 'Gulle Lala' in the local language, the Tulip Garden is nestled at the foothills of the 'Zabarwan' mountains, adding to its allure. Tourists often liken the beauty of Kashmir to that of Switzerland or the Netherlands.
UK faces flood and draught? Nature can fix Britain’s water woes
Britain’s water woes are tied to how we’ve exploited our natural resources. It’s time to let nature return to doing more of the work
Climate crisis a significant concern among first-time voters, finds survey
Among the first-time voters polled, 40 percent of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s efforts in tackling climate change issues, while 83 percent rated their formal environmental education as average to poor.
Climate Change: India’s path towards sustainability
While significant progress has been made, continued efforts and international cooperation are essential to address the complex challenges posed by climate change and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come
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.
