Summer School on Climate Change and Role of Ocean - Addressed Vital Issues on Climate Change

An online Summer School on Climate Change and Role of Ocean” was organized by the Global Science Academy GSA), Basti Uttar Pradesh), India on the occasions of World Environment Day on June 5, 2023 BeatPlasticPollution and World Ocean Day on June 8, 2023. In order to promote inclusivity and encourage wide participation, the summer school was made absolutely free of charge.

Kandhamal Turmeric Wins National Award

Organic turmeric of Kandhamal district won the National Intellectual Property NIP) Award for 2021-22, presented by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It was adjudged as the most popular geographical indications Gl) product under agriculture.

Food Processing: The Potential North Star in India's Sustainability Horizon

In this article, Rittika Barua and Sumit Roy highlight that food processing as an industry in India deserves major attention. It is vital to the nation in more ways than one. Food processing can transform surplus and by-products from agriculture, which would otherwise go to waste, into valuable marketable products. By tapping into these opportunities, food processing can improve the agricultural value chain and contribute to the sustainable development of India’s agriculture sector.

Flooding Tackled by Helping Citizens Take Action

Extreme weather caused by climate change-such as flooding-will be easier to prepare for after scientists developed a new method that empowers citizens to identify solutions to the threats their communities face.

Extinct Genome Sequenced from Museum Specimens

The Bachman's warbler, a songbird that was last seen in North America nearly 40 years ago, was a distinct species and not a hybrid of its two living sister species, according to a new study in which the full genomes of seven museum specimens of the bird were sequenced.

Robin Hood Army - Undertaking Crusade against Hunger

Did you know that you can actually help in eliminating hunger from this world without spending a single penny or raising any funds? During a two-day festival called We the People For Climate Action’ on April 28-29, 2023 at the American Center in New Delhi organized by the US Embassy in India, we found out the incredible work being done by Robin Hood Army in eliminating hunger from India and the world. Keep reading to know more...

The Avian World on Stamps

Book Review by N Kalyani

Europe Can Accelerate Fossil Gas Phase-Out: With Less Hydrogen than Planned

Through structural fossil gas demand reductions in the buildings, industry and power sectors, the EU can strengthen its energy security and cut emissions by 60 per cent by 2030 and 89 per cent by 2040. Such an approach, supported by a strong policy mix, would reduce renewable hydrogen demand until 2030 by 80 per cent compared to the REPowerEU target.

New Transport Technology - Same Old Problems?

In this article, Jochen Schaal and Michel Rosmolen assess the impact of urban air mobility on noise propagation.

Towards a Circular Plastics Economy: India's Actions to #BeatPlasticPollution

World Environment Day 2023 serves as an important reminder that the actions we take to mitigate plastic pollution have a significant impact. Now, more than ever, we must intensify these efforts and swiftly transition to a circular economy. Avanti Roy-Basu and Girija K Bharat say that as the world celebrates World Environment Day in 2023 focusing on \"solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign #BeatPlastic Pollution\", it is crucial to understand that each one of us has multiple roles to play to address this global crisis.

Largest Solar Concentrator: Boon for India's Healthcare Sector

With an experience of over 35 years in the solar sector, Chairman and MD of Sunrise CSP India, Deepak Gadhia, is a manufacturer of Scheffler concentrators, steam cooking systems and parabolic cookers. He is also credited with engineering and helping create large arrays of Scheffler concentrators for institutions, one of which at Tirupati, solar cooks 30,000 meals daily. A trustee of the Muni Seva Ashram, Mr Gadhia, who overlooks its sustainability aspects, speaks to Sapna Gopal about the biggest solar concentrator that was installed at the hospital in the ashram premises, in April this year.

The Intersection of Sustainability and Technology - How Technology Can Be Leveraged to Achieve Environmental Sustainability Goals

In this article, Kavya Hari and Jaya Jain say that an ecosystem approach entailing the key stakeholders, including enterprises, policymakers, and public and private investors, would accelerate the deployment of climate technologies, and enable climate resilient growth and achievement of environmental sustainability. This would facilitate the transition to a global net-zero economy by 2050 and bring us closer to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Shanghai Records Hottest May Day in 100 Years

Shanghai recorded its hottest May day in 100 years in May 2023, the city's meteorological service announced, shattering the previous high by a full degree.

Europe is World's Fastest Warming Continent: Climate Report

Europe should brace for more deadly heatwaves driven by climate change, said a sweeping report recently, noting the world's fastest-warming continent was some 2.3 degrees Celsius hotter last year than in preindustrial times.

Climate Change is Making Trees Bigger, But Also Weaker

As global temperatures rise, trees in colder areas are benefiting from an extended growing season.

New York Sees Worst Air Pollution in World

New York was the most polluted major city in the world recently, as smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed the city in haze, according to the IQAir website.

Mastercard Launches Global Plan to Recycle Credit Cards

Payments company Mastercard recently launched a global project to recycle credit and debit cards as part of a plan to save the billions of cards in circulation across the industry from landfill.

Chennai Airport Turns Green, Runs Fully on Renewable Energy

The entire power requirement of the Chennai city airport, which handles around 20 million passengers per year, is now met by renewable energy.

Sikkim to Plant 100 Trees for Every Newborn

Reinforcing the bond between nature and local communities, Himalayan state in India, Sikkim, has taken up a novel initiative to reinforce this timeless association.

India's First Hydrogen Train to Run from Jind

In a first in India, hydrogen-powered trains are expected to start from Haryana's Jind district by the end of this year and first hydrogen plant of the country is being set up in the district, said Shobhan Chaudhry, general manager (GM) of Northern Railway.

India Can Avoid 400k Deaths if JJM Meets Target: WHO Report

India can potentially prevent nearly 400,000 deaths from diarrhoea and save about 14 million DALYs (disability-adjusted life years) from water-related ailments if it manages to achieve universal rural coverage under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), said a World Health Organization report commissioned by the government.

India Only G20 Nation to Keep Paris Climate Deal Commitment

\"India is the only G20 country that has kept its commitments under the Paris climate pact,\" Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said recently.

Stop Food Waste Day: The Fight Against Food Waste Is More Important Than Ever

With food waste contributing to around 8–10 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions each year, and with global food inflation and cost of living pressures, the need for action to reduce food waste has never been more important,” says Compass Group PLC, the world’s largest food services company.

Manipur Black Rice: Nutritious And Exotic

In this article, Onam Vaid highlights that aromatic black rice is dense in nutrients and contains powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins. The nutrients present in the black rice help to flush out toxins from the body. It also aids in the functioning of the brain. Aromatic black rice helps in body metabolism. It also has low glycaemic index; hence it is beneficial for diabetic and heart patients. In comparison with other types of rice, black rice is the lowest in calories and highest in protein. It is expected that the GI tag and the renewed interest in the healthy properties of this rice variety will encourage commercial cultivation and marketing across the world.

Nature is Changing: As Land Abandonment Increases

When people leave their rural lives behind to seek their fortunes in the city or agriculture is no longer profitable, the lands they toiled on are often left unused. A new perspective piece in Science shows that these abandoned lands could be both an opportunity and a threat for biodiversity, and highlights why abandoned lands are critical in the assessment of global restoration and conservation targets.

Sustainability Version 2.0 - Revisiting ESG

In light of recent changes and AI-augmented awareness of society, the ESG-oriented approach has an indispensable role to play in its applied linkage to sustainability revisited in the contemporary version. As per India Finance Corporation's definition, sustainability is an approach that ensures long-term business success along with socioeconomic development and a healthy environment. Keep reading to know more...

Electrocution of Animals: Can We Reduce Domestic Power Supply Volts?

In this article, Nava Thakuria says that today electrocution has emerged as a major cause of death of wildlife such as elephants. Various government sources confirm that India lost over 470 elephants (along with more than 220 flamingos, 150 leopards, 45 tigers, etc.) to electrocution injuries during 2014 to 2020 fiscal years. To prevent such fatalities in the future, the decrease of domestic supply voltage will definitely be a major policy shift for the vast country with the high population as it would need a huge volume of resources with adequate preparedness and public awareness. A long-term plan will be needed with a strong political will from both the Centre and State governments.

Inspiring and Nurturing Young Minds Dr Kalam's Exceptional Story-Telling Skills

Children who visited Dr APJ Abdul Kalam witnessed the absolute power of his story-telling. His anecdotes caught them in rapt attention. Almost everything a child heard and saw in Rashtrapati Bhavan is preserved in their memories, waiting to resurface exactly as it was experienced—just as the heart desires. He was probably the only Indian President who really knew how to tell a story. The more they listened to him, the better they connected with him. Like the stories he told, his life too was filled with extraordinary twists and turns. An article by Dr Elsa Lycias Joel.

Hindustan Zinc Nurturing Biodiversity with Miyawaki Plantation

On this Biodiversity Day, Miyawaki Plantation delved into the ingenious technique that is transforming barren land into thriving green havens. Revolutionary reforestation technique restores nature's balance as Hindustan Zinc has planted 32,500 saplings of 65 diverse species in Debari, Dariba, and Chanderiya in Rajasthan.

Drought and Desertification in the Horn of Africa History Same as India

The Horn of Africa is one of the world's most conflict-prone and fragile regions. Countries such as Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Eritrea (along with some other countries) form the Horn of Africa. In this thought-provoking article, Faiza Mustafa says Africa contributes 3-4 per cent of global emissions and 17 per cent of the world's population. So, it is not responsible for the drastic climate events and yet faces the worst consequences of natural disasters such as droughts. She also addresses the vital question that how India after facing the same situation during the colonial era was able to overcome these challenges.