Scorched and burnt, Goa’s forests that have been ablaze for a week may have lost some of its biodiversity forever, while the evergreen Western Ghats may take years to regenerate.
“Nothing can be done now for restoration of the forest patches that have been burnt down. Nature has to be left on its own to take over,” said Padma Shri awardee A J T Johnsingh, conservationist and former dean of the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India.
Former Goa range forest officer Prakash Salelkar said though larger animals run to safer places and return when the forest is restored, smaller flora and fauna, which is burnt, is lost forever.
Read more at
Developed nations must shun the tendency of profiteering from a disaster, says environment minister Bhupender Yadav
India urged the global North (developed countries) to shun “the tendency of profiteering from a disaster”, reminding them that the climate change crisis is starkly different from other global crises of trade and finance and therefore they must stay away from traditional responses.
Articulating India’s point at the Raisina Dialogue here, environment minister Bhupender Yadav said greenwashing, abrogating historical responsibilities (of rich nations who emitted a lot in the past) and protectionism in the name of climate action need to be stopped.
Read more at
UN member states agreed on the first international treaty to protect the high seas
On March 4, 2023, United Nations member states agreed on the first international treaty to protect the high seas. This iconic treaty to conserve and ensure the sustainable use of ocean biodiversity was agreed upon by more than 190 countries after 15 years of intense UN-led negotiations.
So, what are the high seas and how does this treaty regulate them? The high seas are areas of oceans that lie beyond countries’ national waters (beyond 200 nautical miles). These are the largest habitat on Earth and are home to millions of species.
High seas comprise more than 60 per cent of the world’s oceans and nearly half the planet’s surface. But only about one per cent of the high seas are currently protected.
Read more at
Two retreating Ladakh glaciers alarm scientists
Durung-Drung and Pensilungpa, two glaciers in Ladakh, India, have retreated by 7.8 km2 and 1.5 km2 respectively from 1971 to 2019. Alarmed scientists hold climate change and several other factors responsible for the melting of glaciers that feed Zanskar river through two tributaries.
Scientists are also surprised by the fact that despite being at an aerial distance of just 1km, the glaciers are retreating at different paces. The findings, authored by scientists of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) Manish Metha, Vinit Kumar, Pankaj Kunmar and Kalachand Sain were recently published in the international, peer-reviewed journal ‘Sustainability’.
Read more at
World’s first 200-m long bamboo crash barrier installed on Vani-Warora Highway
An extraordinary accomplishment towards achieving “AtmanirbharBharat” has been made with the development of world’s first 200-m long bamboo crash barrier, which has been installed on the Vani-Warora Highway.
The bamboo crash barrier which has been christened Bahu Balli, underwent rigorous testing at various government-run institutions, such as National Automative Test Track in Pithampur, Indore and was rated as Class I during the fire rating test conducted at the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee. Additionally, it has been acrredited by the Indian Roads Congress. The recycling value of the bamboo barrier is 50-70% whereas that of steel barriers is 30-50%.
Read more at
Warmest February in 122 years
This February was the hottest in India since 1901, the earliest year for which data is available, with maximum temperatures touching 29.54 degrees Celsius (monthly national average). The five warmest February months in India have all been in the last 14 years, indicating the impact of the climate crisis.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the average maximum or day temperature was 1.73ºC above normal over the country and average minimum temperature, 0.81ºC above normal.
The national average was pushed up by northwest India (the region includes Delhi) which saw the warmest February in 122 years; central India saw the second warmest February.
Read more at
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/warmest-february-in-122-years-101677616755773.html
India’s potential in green energy no less than a goldmine, invest here: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought investments in India’s green economy and said the country’s solar, wind and biogas potential is no less than any gold mine or oil field.
Addressing the first webinar on green growth in the 12 post-budget webinars to be held till 11 March, PM Modi said, “This Budget will play a key role in establishing India as a lead player in the global green energy market. That is why, today, I invite every stakeholder of the energy world to invest in India.”
Read more at
Decarbonisation Key Focus of Ties with India: German Climate Envoy
Sustainability, climate change and transition to a low-carbon economy are key areas of the India-Germany bilateral relations, Germany’s special envoy for international climate and state secretary Jennifer Morgan has said.
Determining ways to deepen this partnership and working together with India to tackle climate change in a manner that is equitable, just and not antithetical to economic growth and development dominated Morgan’s agenda during her recent visit to India.
Read more at
Enough rare earth minerals to fuel green energy shift: Study
The world has enough rare earth minerals and other critical raw materials to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy to produce electricity and limit global warming, according to a new study that counters concerns about the supply of such minerals.
With a push to get more electricity from solar panels, wind turbines, hydroelectric, and nuclear power plants, some people have worried that there won’t be enough key minerals to make the decarbonisation switch.
Rare earth minerals, also called rare earth elements, actually aren’t that rare. The U.S. Geological Survey describes them as “relatively abundant.” They’re essential for the strong magnets necessary for wind turbines; they also show up in smartphones, computer displays, and LED light bulbs. This new study looks at not only those elements but 17 different raw materials required to make electricity that include some downright common resources such as steel, cement and glass…
“Decarbonisation is going to be big and messy, but at the same time we can do it,” said study co-author Zeke Hausfather, a climate scientist at the tech company Stripe and Berkeley Earth. “I’mnot worried we’re going to run out of these materials.”
Read more at
“All is not Well in Ladakh” Sonam Wangchuk
Hundreds of people from across the country will be observing a ‘climate fast’ for 24 hours on Thursday, January 26th, 2023, in solidarity with education reformist and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who begins his five-day fast to “Save Ladakh” on the Republic Day.
Wangchuk will be observing the fast at Khardung La, which has the world’s highest motorable road at 18,000 ft, with the current mercury levels at – 40 degree Celsius.
Concerned over the rapid melting of glaciers and other climate catastrophe, the innovator has decided to go on a fast to draw Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attention towards safeguarding the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh from uncontrolled development.
Read more at
Sundarbans has ‘lost 110 km2 of mangroves in two decades’
West Bengal has lost 110 square kilometres of mangroves in the Sundarbans in the past two decades due to climate change and global warming, according to experts. They said the “climate refugees”, who have been forced to migrate from various islands in the Sundarbans, are facing the rage of nature.
“Huge mangroves were lost in the British era as well. There is a 5.2 mm rise in sea levels in the Sunderbans. People have been affected by the sea as rising levels of sea water have inundated their lands,” Prof Sugata Hazra, director, School of Oceanographic Studies, Jadavpur University, told ET.
Read more at
PM Urges Public to Participate in Conservation of Water
Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi gave a call for public participation, along with state governments and civil society organisations, to make the campaign of water conservation a success. Sharing his vision of “whole of the government” and “whole of country”, he underlined that such efforts bear fruit only when people understand the seriousness of the issue while the government works in coordination and its accountability is enforced. Government is holding the first All-India Annual State Ministers’ conference on water in Bhopal in which Jal Shakti ministers from all states are taking part to discuss ways to ensure water conservation, Jal Jeevan Mission, Per Drop- More Crop, Namami Gange project, and related issues. The theme of the Meet is “Water Vision @2047” with a 25-year road map.
In his virtual address, Prime Minister Modi asserted that all state governments and the Centre should work in coordination, constant interaction for cooperation, and collaborate to make water conservation a success. He emphasised on his vision of “whole of government” and “whole of country” to drive home his point. He called for involvement of the people in this movement.
Read more at
Green Hydrogen Mission Cleared by Union Cabinet
The nearly ₹20,000 crore National Green Hydrogen Mission cleared by the Union Cabinet recently is yet another important step towards India’s transition to a net-zero economy. The goals set out for 2030 are ambitious. Now, GoI needs to develop a roadmap that will allow not to just make these goals achievable, but also create an ecosystem that will ramp up innovation and adapt to new developments. The announcement signals GoI’s seriousness of intent. It is critical for investments — the target is ₹8 lakh crore — to flow. The budgetary allocation of ₹19,744 crore is meant to leverage funds from all sources, including private funds. GoI has ensured that India has the wherewithal to take advantage of the global deployment of hydrogen when it happens at scale. Now, the difficult part: How does India leverage green hydrogen (GH) for its growth and development?