Environmental Issues

A report released on March 20, that originates in the Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a U.N. expert body, states that not degrading existing ecosystems in the first place will do more to lower the impact of the climate crisis than restoring ecosystems that have been …

Total weight of humans is 10 times that of all wild mammals put together according to a report. Key findings of the report: The population of wild mammals is shrinking despite conservation efforts. Total mass of humans is 10 times that of all the world’s wild mammals combined. Wild mammals comprise some of the heaviest animals of the planet: the elephants, bears, bisons and …

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published its Synthesis Report (SYR). Key findings: It summarises the findings of six reports released during its Sixth Assessment Cycle. Excess emissions: Excess emissions from human activities have raised global temperature by 1.1°C above 1850-1900. Human activities have unequivocally caused global warming with global net anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions clocking in at 59 gigatonnes of …

Indian navy to conduct the ‘sam no varunah’ coastal car rally. To awaken the maritime nation and encourage Sea Consciousness. Celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Conduct awareness drives along the route about various career opportunities that the Navy offers. Showcase ‘Naari Shakti’ by participation of serving women officers and naval wives. Instill a sense of adventure and motivate young generation to join the Indian …

Key details: It is situated at the trijunction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It is known for its population of critically endangered gharials. National Chambal Sanctuary, also called the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, is a protected area in for the protection of: the Critically Endangered gharial, the red-crowned roof turtle and the Endangered Ganges river …

The findings of a recent report by Swiss technology company IQAir said 39 of the world’s top 50 most polluted cities were in India. IQAir is a Swiss air quality technology company that prepares annual world air quality reports based on data from monitoring stations operated by governments and other institutions and organisations across the …

Climate change is a threat to human well-being and planetary health and there is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said in a report on Monday. The UN panel does not itself undertake scientific …

Horseshoe crabs are disappearing off Odisha’s coast. Horseshoe crabs are marine and brackish water arthropods of the family. Despite their name, they are not true crabs or crustaceans, they are chelicerates, most closely related to arachnids such as spiders, ticks, and scorpions. Horseshoe crabs live primarily in and around shallow coastal waters on soft, sandy or muddy bottoms. They are generally found …

1,400-year religious protection of sika deer in Japan have made them genetically unique Key details: Nara has a long history and connection with sika deer, with classic Japanese poems about the deer being composed there 1,200 years ago. These deer are revered in this area as the messengers of the (Shinto) gods in Kasugataisha Shrine. Deer are still considered sacred creatures by …

The Kochi landfill site around Brahmapuram that caught fire is a stark reminder that Indian cities need to be prepared for more such incidents as summer approaches. What are landfills? A landfill is an area of land that is used to dump garbage, either directly on the ground (landraising) or filling an unwanted hole in …

Over the last decade, regulators and corporations around the world have embraced the idea of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance). What is ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)? ESG is a framework that helps stakeholders understand how an organization is managing risks and opportunities related to environmental, social, and governance criteria. ESG takes the holistic view that sustainability extends beyond just …

Two researchers from Tamil Nadu have spotted a rare moth species, Mimeusemia cylonica for the first time in India in the buffer zone of the Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) after it was last sighted 127 years ago — at Trincomalee in Sri Lanka in 1893. Mimeusemia ceylonica is a moth of the …

NASA announced that it is partnering with the Italian Space Agency ASI (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana) to build and launch MAIA, or the Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols missions. The joint mission will investigate the health impacts of air pollution in the world’s most populated cities. MAIA will make radiometric and polarimetric measurements needed to characterize the sizes, compositions and quantities of particulate matter in air …

Change in debris cover plays a critical role in the glacier surface lowering, shrinkage, retreat, and mass balance, according to a recent study. Therefore, these factors need to be accounted for in future studies for a complete understanding of the observed glacier changes and responses. Despite the importance of the …

Last week, the UN member states agreed on a historic treaty for protecting marine life in international waters that lie outside the jurisdiction of any country. The ‘breakthrough’ followed talks led by the UN during the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) where negotiations …

Nearly 6.37 lakh Olive Ridley turtles have arrived for mass nesting on the Rushikulya coast this year, setting a new record for the beach in Ganjam district of Odisha. The arrival of the turtles for laying eggs from February 23 to March 2 — which is treated as the mass …

Recent investigation by International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) revealed that India has become the second largest importer of “conflict wood” from Myanmar, after China. India hasn’t banned the import of teak from Myanmar, which is being exported to the US & EU. These supplies of teak not only chip away at the Myanmar’s …

World Wildlife Day (WWD) was commemorated recently. To draw attention to issues of conservation of flora and fauna. It marks the 50th anniversary of CITES’ establishment. CITES is considered a landmark agreement on conservation that focuses on ensuring the sustainability of endangered species. Theme: Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation. What is the CITES? CITES is an international agreement between governments. Its …

The report said 75 per cent of methane emissions from the energy sector can be reduced with the help of cheap and readily available technology. However, fossil fuel companies have failed to take any substantial action regarding the issue. According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) annual Methane Global Tracker …

Things aren’t looking too good for coral reefs. They’re suffering from bleaching, overfishing and are being cooked by warming oceans. Coral reefs are essentially just big limestone structures built by thousands of tiny coral creatures called polyps. They’re found in more than 100 countries, and just like pina coladas, they …