New health threat? Pathogens frozen in permafrost resurface as Earth heats up Subject: Environment Context: A warming planet is resulting in the loss of the Earth’s cryosphere — parts of the planet where water is permanently frozen such as glaciers and ice sheets, and this could be resurrecting trapped pathogens, giving rise to […]
Asian Giant Tortoises released into Nagaland protected area for rewilding Subject: Environment Context: Ten captive-bred Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouriaemys) juveniles were released into a protected area of Nagaland on December 19, 2022, according to T Aochuba, director, Intanki National Park. Soft release of the tortoise: The Nagaland Forest Department and non-profits Turtle Survival […]
New air filter technology found to deactivate over 99% of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant Subject: Environment Context: A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have developed air filters made of ingredients commonly found in green tea. Antimicrobial filters can destroy germs and remove them from their system. Details: The […]
Project Tiger, CAMPA funds used to finance cheetah project: Centre Subject: Environment In the news: Funds from Project Tiger as well as the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management & Planning Authority (CAMPA) were used to finance the project to bring African cheetahs to India, the Union government told Parliament December 19, 2022. Details: Under […]
Air quality turns ‘severe’; BJP requests L-G to intervene, call an all-party meeting Subject: Environment Context: For the second day in a row, dense fog hit Delhi Tuesday morning with visibility falling sharply in parts of the city. Experts attributed the increase in the city’s AQI to meteorological factors. Meteorological factors behind the […]
Lancet’s new commission aims to tackle potential public health threats for this century Subject: Environment Context: Leading general medical journal The Lancet announced a new commission December 15, 2022 to address public health threats. About the new commission: Name: The Lancet Commission on 21st-Century Global Health Threats Scope of work: It includes global […]
India not joining the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership is a missed opportunity Subject: Environment Context: The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) initiative was launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) at the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on November 11, 2022. […]
Non-fossil energy. Shopping for net-zero in carbon markets Subject :Environment Context: The Energy Conservation (Amendments) Bill, 2022, passed by the Rajya Sabha recently, mandates the use of non-fossil energy sources such as biomass, ethanol and green hydrogen to ensure faster decarbonisation of the Indian economy. Features of the act: The current trading schemes […]
Burp control: How can methane released in livestock belches be reduced? Scientists are trying various options Subject :Environment Context: Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes in Haryana, has prepared a feed supplement that can reduce a potent greenhouse gas (i.e. Methane) belched out by stock animals like cattle, goats and sheep. Diet check: […]
India’s coal production to surpass a billion tonnes by 2025: IEA annual report Subject :Environment Context: Its own coal production will surpass a billion tonnes by 2025, the annual report of the International Energy Agency (IEA), predicted on December 16, 2022. Report analysis: Report name: Coal 2022: Analysis and forecast to 2025 India, […]