In 2010-2019 average annual global greenhouse gas emissions were at their highest levels in human history, but the rate of growth has slowed. Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to 1.5°C is beyond reach. However, there is increasing evidence of climate action, said scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released today.
Since 2010, there have been sustained decreases of up to 85% in the costs of solar and wind energy, and batteries. An increasing range of policies and laws have enhanced energy efficiency, reduced rates of deforestation and accelerated the deployment of renewable energy.
“We are at a crossroads. The decisions we make now can secure a liveable future. We have the tools and know-how required to limit warming,” said IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee. “I am encouraged by climate action being taken in many countries. There are policies, regulations and market instruments that are proving effective. If these are scaled up and applied more widely and equitably, they can support deep emissions reductions and stimulate innovation.”
The Summary for Policymakers of the IPCC Working Group III report, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of climate change was approved on April 4 2022, by 195 member governments of the IPCC, through a virtual approval session that started on March 21. It is the third instalment of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which will be completed this year.We have options in all sectors to at least halve emissions by 2030
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https://www.ipcc.ch/2022/04/04/ipcc-ar6-wgiii-pressrelease/
IIT Bombay suggests creating holding ponds to avoid flooding
In a preliminary report, IIT Bombay has suggested creating ‘holding ponds’ in Kurla LTT and Dadar-Lower Parel areas to avoid flooding on the tracks.
”In its preliminary report, two ponds for holding rainwater — one of 6,000 sq metres and the other of 3000 sq metres, both with depth of 3 metres each, have been proposed for Dadar-Lower Parel area.
Similarly, two ponds – one of 16,000 m2 and the other of 36,000 m2 – have been proposed for the Kurla- LTT area of Central Railway, said officials.
Apart from this, for long-term solution, the creation of another holding pond of 17000 sq metres has been suggested in the Dadar-Lower Parel section.
All these ponds will be underground and the construction work will cause least disruption to railway operations.Confirming the development, a senior officer of CR said these ponds will able to hold rainwater for 4 to 5 hours (approximately 50 to 60 mm per hour).
The Dadar-Lower Parel area of WR and Kurla-LTT area of CR were most affected during the last monsoon. Hence both locations were selected as a pilot project for the study.
In June 2021, during a review meeting, then Railway Minister Piyush Goyal had advised the Railways to partner with institutions like IIT Bombay to study the efficiency of technical and civil work initiatives in handling monsoon rain.The Railways then assigned the task to Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation. The MRVC, in turn, roped in IIT Bombay to study location-wise causes of flooding and suggest solutions. For this study, IIT Bombay will be paid around Rs 40 lakhs by the Railways.
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India sees warmest March in 122 years: IMD
India recorded its warmest March in 122 years with a severe heat wave scorching large swathes of the country in the month, India’s Meteorological Department (IMD) said on April 2, 2022.
The weather department attributed the unusual heat to the lack of rainfall due to the absence of active western disturbances over north India and any major system over south India.
The country as a whole recorded a rainfall of 8.9 mm, which was 71 per cent less than its long period average rainfall of 30.4 mm. It was also the third-lowest precipitation in March since 1901 after 7.2 mm in 1909 and 8.7 mm in 1908.
“Over the country as a whole, the average maximum temperature (33.100C) recorded in March 2022 is the highest ever in the last 122 years,” the IMD said in a statement.
In March 2010, the country had recorded a maximum temperature of 33.090C.
The IMD said the country’s average mean temperature of 26.670C in March was the second highest after 26.6710C recorded in March 2010.
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Methane Emissions from the Energy Sector are 70% Higher than Official Figures
Global methane emissions from the energy sector are about 70% greater than the amount national governments have officially reported, according to new IEA analysis released today, underlining the urgent need for enhanced monitoring efforts and stronger policy action to drive down emissions of the potent greenhouse gas.
Methane is responsible for around 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution, and quick and sustained emission reductions are key to limiting near-term warming and improving air quality. Methane dissipates faster than carbon dioxide (CO2) but is a much more powerful greenhouse gas during its short lifespan, meaning that cutting methane emissions would have a rapid effect on limiting global warming…
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Melting Glaciers will cause Water Crisis for 700 Million People in Asia by 2100: Study
By the end of the century, melting glaciers around the world will result in less water downstream than they do today, especially in summer months, according to a study published in Nature Climate Change.
Indus, Brahmaputra and Ganges basins—fed by High Mountain Asia glaciers—are among the major basins projected to experience the largest reduction in glacial run-off and availability of water downstream in the Central Asia. The study projects rise in annual glacier run-off till until around 2050, followed by steadily declining glacier run-off thereafter.
It is also true for some rivers in the Andes, and–to a lesser extent–in the Alps. The situation could become precarious in future due to the increasing frequency of heat waves, warns the study….
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Deaths Linked to PM2.5 Pollution in India increased by 2.5 Times in 2 Decades: Report
Deaths attributable to PM2.5 pollution in India have increased by 2.5 times over the last two decades, according to a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment.
The report released by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav recently said India accounted for one out of every four deaths due to air pollution in 2019.
Data collated by green think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), and represented in its “State of India’s Environment Report”, showed that ..
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IPCC Report Affirms India’s call for Equity and Climate Justice: Govt. of India
Welcoming the UN body’s observations, India on Monday said the IPCC’s report reaffirmed the country’s call for equity, climate justice, and curbing unsustainable consumption, and asked developed nations to take lead in mitigation (emission reduction) and extend financial help to the developing countries for adaptation.
“The report is a call for action on adaptation, building resilience and reducing risks and vulnerability to impacts of climate change. Developed countries must take the lead in urgent mitigation and providing finance for adaptation, loss and damage. Loss and damage due to limits to adaptation are underway and will rise with further warming,” said Bhupender Yadav, environment minister, while articulating the country’s position.
Reacting on the report which called for urgent action and adequate adaptation measures to face the challenges of climate change, he said, “India is walking the path of climate resilient development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has shown clear resolve to move ahead along a sustainable, resource-efficient growth path.”
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More Heatwaves Likely in Northwest India: IMD
The Met department on Tuesday released its March-May summer season temperature outlook. In India, summer officially commences in March and can go up to mid-June.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said normal or below normal heat conditions and lesser heatwaves are likely during the upcoming summer season over large geographical areas covering the southern peninsula, central India, the northern plains, east and northeast India.
In its March-May summer season temperature outlook released Tuesday, the IMD said that above normal maximum temperatures would prevail over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and adjoining northern
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/summer-heatwave-weather-northwest-india-imd-7796034/
National Hydrogen Mission Launched
Hon’ble Prime Minister launched the National Hydrogen Mission on India’s 75th Independence Day (i.e. 15th August, 2021). The Mission aims to aid the government in meeting its climate targets and making India a green hydrogen hub. This will help in meeting the target of production of 5 million tonnes of Green hydrogen by 2030 and the related development of renewable energy capacity.
Hydrogen and Ammonia are envisaged to be the future fuels to replace fossil fuels. Production of these fuels by using power from renewable energy, termed as green hydrogen and green ammonia, is one of the major requirements towards environmentally sustainable energy security of the nation. Government of India is taking various measures to facilitate the transition from fossil fuel / fossil fuel based feed stocks to green hydrogen / green ammonia. The notification of this policy by the Ministry of Power, Government of India, is one of the major steps in this endeavour.
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https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1799067
India’s Coal Demand to Increase to 1.5 billion tonnes by 2030: Economic Survey 2021-22
The Economic Survey 2021-2022 reveals that the demand for coal in the country is expected to be in the range of 1.3-1.5 billion tonnes by 2030, despite the push for renewable energy. This is an increase of 63 per cent from the current (2019-2020) demand of 955.26 million tonnes.
The Economic Survey cites the Draft National Energy Policy of Niti Aayog as the source for this number. This clearly indicates the sluggishness in the shift to a cleaner economy.
Coal- and lignite-based thermal power plants on an annual basis emit 1.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent / year, which is a third of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the country. Switching to a cleaner economy would mean disinvestment from the sector.