IAS officer Ms. Supriya Sahu shared a rare and stunning video of two snow leopards playing in the snow in Ladakh's Zanskar region. Captured by Tashi Tsewang, the 28-second clip highlights the majestic and elusive nature of these animals. Snow leopards, or 'ghosts of the mountains,' are rarely seen, making this footage a remarkable find.
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Jordan, one of the world's driest countries, signed an agreement on Sunday with French-led investors to build one of the world's largest desalination plants. In 2013, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians signed a memorandum of understanding on that project, which included plans to build a desalination plant at the Red Sea.
Amrit Suryavanshi started 'Save Birds Mission' in Jammu and Kashmir. He set up bird nests for sparrows. The Dawoodi Bohra community relaunched its 'Save Our Sparrows' campaign. Volunteers distributed bird feeders across India. They used software to track feeder distribution. The project encourages community involvement. It aims to protect sparrows and promote ecological balance.
Between January and October 2024, the World Health Organization recorded roughly 7.3 million malaria cases and 1,157 deaths in Ethiopia.
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.
Ecologist Madhav Gadgil warns Western Ghats deterioration has reached a critical point, with landslides increasing tenfold. He blames continued mining and construction, despite his 2011 report recommending stronger ecological protections. Gadgil criticizes the subsequent Kasturirangan report for ignoring local communities and urges the government to implement his original recommendations.
An oil spill in northwestern Ecuador has turned a river black, prompting authorities to declare an environmental emergency amid "unprecedented" damage and to order residents to ration drinking water, officials said. The spill, believed caused when a landslide ruptured a major oil pipeline, has turned waters black in a section of the Esmeraldas River, in the province of the same name.
Earth experienced its hottest year ever in 2024, surpassing previous records and briefly exceeding the critical 1.5°C warming limit, according to multiple weather agencies. The rise is attributed to greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. Scientists warn of severe climate impacts, including increased disasters and long-term environmental damage, urging continued commitment to the Paris Agreement.
Six critically endangered Mekong giant catfish, weighing up to 287 pounds each, were recently discovered and released back into the Mekong River Basin. This unprecedented event offers hope for the species' revival, as conservationists gain crucial information about their ecology and migrations through tagging.
France on Thursday urged the United Nations top court to "clarify" international law relating to the fight against climate change, saying judges had a "unique opportunity" to provide a clear legal framework. "France is convinced that these advisory proceedings provide a unique opportunity for the court to contribute to identifying and clarifying international law in regard to the fight against climate change," said Diego Colas, the country's representative.
Earth's average temperature in 2024 reached a record high, surpassing the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit set by the Paris Agreement. This increase, linked to fossil fuel emissions and El Nino impacts, is the first full-year breach of this benchmark. Experts warn about the long-term implications, emphasizing urgent action against climate change.