The National Green Tribunal has asked the Forest Survey of India to submit a detailed report on the substantial loss of 23 lakh hectares of forest cover since 2000. This reduction, particularly severe in northeastern states, significantly impacts India's carbon balance and ranks the nation second globally in deforestation rates.
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Cyclone Chido, having already caused fatalities in Mayotte, made landfall in Mozambique near Pemba with intense winds and heavy rainfall. Communication with Pemba has been lost, but reports indicate significant damage to homes, schools, and health facilities. Aid organizations are working with the government to provide essential services.
Rich nations' unfulfilled promises on climate finance might force developing countries to reconsider climate targets. The Economic Survey highlights India's vulnerability and advocates focusing on adaptation over emission mitigation. Key measures include climate-resilient seeds, urban resilience, early warning systems, mangroves, sea walls, and water management. Developed countries falling short of their commitments make low-carbon transition challenging.
More than a hundred baby tortoises, mostly dead, have been returned to Tanzania from Thailand as evidence in a wildlife smuggling case. The tortoises were found in a Ukrainian woman's luggage at Bangkok's airport. The smuggler was arrested in Bulgaria, leading to the capture of 14 other suspects.
IIT Indore has developed a solar-powered water purification system for remote and coastal areas. The system uses ISSG technology and photothermal materials to desalinate saline water efficiently. Metal oxide-based inks absorb solar radiation to produce steam from saltwater without external energy. This scalable, cost-effective method offers a low-energy alternative to traditional processes like reverse osmosis.
Finnish energy company Helen said Tuesday it had closed the country's last active coal-fired power plant, ushering in "the end of the era of coal" for the Nordic country. Meanwhile some companies in the Nordic country still use small amounts of coal for energy production.
January this year was the warmest on record globally since 1850, with surface air temperatures 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Despite La Nina conditions, January temperatures remained exceptionally high. Arctic sea ice reached its lowest extent for January, with Antarctic sea ice also significantly below average, highlighting alarming climate trends.
Japan has set new decarbonization targets, aiming to cut emissions by 60 per cent by 2035 and 73 per cent by 2040 from 2013 levels. The updated energy plan boosts renewables to 40-50 per cent by 2040 while reviving nuclear power, targeting 20 per cent of energy supply. However, nuclear expansion faces safety concerns and slow regulatory processes. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is monitoring plant restarts, including at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, amid local opposition.
Toni Boucher, a 70-year-old resident of Altadena, is concerned about the health risks of sifting through the toxic ashes of her wildfire-ravaged home. Experts warn that the ash contains harmful substances like asbestos, lead, and arsenic, posing significant health hazards to those exposed.
Japan's famed cherry trees are getting old, but a new AI tool that assesses photos of the delicate pink and white flowers could help preserve them for future generations. Hiroyuki Wada of the Japan Tree Doctors Association, who inspects cherry trees in major spots in Tokyo, helped supervise the AI tool.
India's central forest belt is undergoing a major conservation effort with the creation of new wildlife corridors linking key national parks in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. These corridors aim to enhance wildlife movement, improve gene flow for endangered species like tigers, and strengthen ecosystem resilience.