Antarctic ozone hole now larger, thinner & may take longer to recover. Mesosphere has a role to play: Study Subject: Environment Section: International convention Context: The ozone hole over the Antarctic has not only grown larger but also thinner throughout most of the spring, according to a new study. Ozone Hole: The ozone […]

    CoP28 turns attention to potent methane emissions Subject: Environment Section: Climate change Context: The powerful heat-trapping emissions, namely methane, are likely to be discussed at the crucial CoP28 meeting in Dubai. About Methane: It is the second largest contributor to climate change, accounting for around 16% of the warming effect. Methane remains in […]

    International Tropical Timber Council concludes with major decisions, including its extension Subject :Environment Section: International Conventions Context: The 59th International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC), a group that meets at least once a year to discuss a wide-ranging agenda aimed at promoting sustainable tropical forest management and the trade of sustainably produced tropical timber, […]

    Emissions Gap Report: Only 14% chance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C even in most optimistic scenarios Subject :Environment Section: International Organisation Context: UNEP has published the 14th Emission Gap Report 2023. Findings of the report: There is only a 14 per cent chance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius over […]

    The OECD report on climate finance Subject :Environment Section: Climate change Context: A new report, published by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), showed that economically developed countries fell short of their promise to jointly mobilise $100 billion a year, towards the climate mitigation and adaptation needs of developing countries, in […]

    Saving India’s only ape, the hoolock gibbon Subject :Environment Section: Species in news In the news: The Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary (HGS),  a habitat of the endangered Western hoolock gibbon in Assam, is fragmented by a railway track that goes through the sanctuary. At HGS, the gibbon population comprising 125 individuals (in 26 groups) […]

    One-day temperatures breach 2°C warming point for first time: Report Subject : Environment Section: Climate change Context: The world breached 2 degrees Celsius of warming on November 17, 2023, according to preliminary analysis from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Details: The temperatures were 2.06°C warmer than the pre-industrial era, the […]

    WCA rebrands as FutureCoal, bats for sustainable coal usage Subject :Environment Section: Climate change Context: The World Coal Association (WCA) has rebranded itself as FutureCoal – The Global Alliance for Sustainable Coal. The change was in response to a call from coal and allied sectors to modernise and unite under a common purpose. […]

    Horseshoe crab decline sparks urgent conservation plea Subject :Environment Section: Species in news About Horseshoe crab: Horseshoe crabs are marine and brackish water arthropods of the family Limulidae and the only living members of the order Xiphosura. Despite their name, they are not true crabs or crustaceans: they are chelicerates, most closely related […]