Can we learn to live with wildfires?
Europe faces escalating wildfire risks due to climate change, land use, and urbanization, with potential for severe events every two years. While the number of fires may decrease, they're projected to become larger and more devastating, particularly impacting Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece. Experts advocate for controlled burning, ecosystem restoration, and increased public awareness to mitigate the growing threat.
CMF Buds 2 & Buds 2 Plus Review | Budget options that look cool and sound great
CMF Buds 2 are priced at 2,699 while the Buds 2 Plus retail at 3,299, making them two of the most competitive wireless earbuds in their segment right now
Watch: Tornadoes rip through central US, causing power cuts and widespread damage
Powerful tornadoes ripped through Kansas, Missouri, and Colorado on Sunday, causing widespread damage. In Kansas, Grinnell was particularly hard hit, with a church roof torn off and multiple buildings destroyed. Power outages forced the closure of a section of Interstate 70. Near Denver, Colorado, several tornadoes damaged homes and buildings in Bennett and Elbert County, leaving many without electricity.
Xiaomi to launch 'Tesla-challenging' YU7 electric sports utility vehicle
China's Xiaomi will launch its highly-anticipated YU7 electric sports utility vehicle on Thursday, as well as other products
Qualcomm to make data centre processors that connect to Nvidia chips
Qualcomm said it will make custom data centre central processing units, or CPUs, that use technology from Nvidia to connect to Nvidia's AI chips
Dragons blood trees: Earths rarest trees under threat from climate change and goats
The US towns that took on 'forever chemical' giants - and won
Carbon capture startup Climeworks to cut staff
Swiss firm Climeworks, which has pioneered the direct capture of CO2 using huge industrial fans in Iceland, is holding talks with staff representatives to cut jobs, Swiss television said Friday. It has been operating a facility in Iceland for several years that uses huge industrial fans to suck CO2 from the air and bury it underground.
Intel spars with EU regulators over $421.4 million antitrust fine
U.S. chipmaker Intel on Friday sparred with EU antitrust regulators over a 376 million euro ($421.4 million) fine levied nearly two years ago for excluding rivals from the market
xAI says Groks posts on South Africa racial politics were due to unauthorised modification
The Elon Musk-led AI firm said on X that an unauthorised modification had been made to Groks system prompt on May 14 (Wednesday) which directed it to provide a specific response on a political topic, violating xAIs internal policies and core values
On musk deer poaching: Green Humour by Rohan Chakravarty
Zimbabwe is full of elephants and conflict with villagers is growing, a new approach hopes to help
In Zimbabwe, a GPS-triggered alert system is helping to mitigate human-elephant conflict near Hwange National Park. Local volunteers, like Capon Sibanda, use real-time tracking data to warn communities of approaching herds, reducing crop damage and potential harm. While the initiative shows promise, villagers express frustration over continued losses and advocate for elephant population control measures like culling to balance conservation with community needs.
CEEWs Arunabha Ghosh appointed South Asia Envoy to COP-30 in Brazil
As one of eight international envoys for strategic regions, Mr. Ghosh will play a key role in facilitating dialogue and ensuring that South Asian voices are strongly represented and supported at the global climate conference
China first-quarter emissions fell despite rising power demand
China's emissions fell in the first quarter of 2025 despite rapidly growing power demand thanks to soaring renewable and nuclear energy, a key milestone for world's top emitter, analysis showed Thursday. Renewable energy is now beginning to not only meet China's growing demand but also reduce emissions, said Li Shuo, head of the Asia Society Policy Institute's China Climate Hub.
Himalayan leap for yak genomic science
The first-ever chromosome-level genome of the Indian yak was assembled by specialists from four ICAR institutions
Why do Andhra Pradesh and Telangana get so hot during the summer?
A mix of geographical and climatic factors make Andhra Pradesh and Telangana extremely prone to heatwaves in summers.
Scientists have found a cricket evolving rapidly to beat a new threat
Pacific field crickets in Hawaii are evolving to escape parasitoid flies in a surprising way
The sky is always a beautiful sight, and when birds soar in their perfect V-shape, its hard not to stop and admire them. But did you know this formation isnt just random? Birds are actually using science to fly smarter!
Urban temps turning cities into 'ovens,' UN Chief Heat Officer warns
Whether in Miami, Athens, or Santiago, dedicated ambassadors are stepping up to tackle extreme urban heat around the world. In Athens, we worked on the categorization of extreme heat, so that there are specific thresholds that trigger different types of policies and actions during heatwaves to make sure that we protect the most vulnerable populations.
Mercury fuels gold mining in Senegal. And it's poisoning the people who use it
In Senegal's gold-rich Kedougou region, the widespread use of mercury in artisanal mining poses severe health and environmental risks, particularly for women and children. Despite government pledges to reduce mercury use, the lack of accessible, effective alternatives and weak enforcement perpetuate the dangerous practice. The lure of quick profits outweighs concerns about long-term health consequences, hindering efforts to implement safer gold processing methods.
Indias rising e-waste, the need to recast its management
A focus on floor price will help transform e-waste recycling and its management in India
Rare New Zealand snail filmed laying an egg from its neck for first time
The sight of a large, carnivorous New Zealand snail laying an egg from its neck has been captured on camera for the first time
Green Humour | Hat-tip to sloth bears on Mothers Day
Single-use food, beverage packaging 84% of Himalayan plastic waste: report
The Zero Waste Himalaya Alliance was formed to combat the crisis in the eco-sensitive region
It is time to protect Indias workers from the heat
Millions of urban informal workers in India continue to bear the brunt of flawed Heat Action Plans
The Hindu Huddle 2025: Multilateral regime remains relevant in fight against climate change
The planet is warming because of human activities, and it is warming much faster than our models have anticipated, says expert at The Hindu Huddle.
Wolf protection downgrade gets green light in EU
EU lawmakers on Thursday gave the green light to downgrading wolf protections in the bloc, which will allow hunting to resume under strict criteria. Downgrading wolf protection... panders to fear, not facts, he charged.
Column | Rosalind Pereiras quiet war against waste
From bags of Kurkure to a peculiar Indian swimming habit, she sees everything as a way to spark change
Curious and patient, chatterboxes and fitness freaks, lazy parents and troublemakers. Isnt it time to make a case for creating bird friendly cities?
Kodaikanal | It takes a village to protect the Western Ghats Sky Islands
A new digital platform aims to helping locals across the Western Ghats feel ownership and engage with conservation initiatives in their regions
Deadly April rainfall in US South, Midwest was intensified by climate change, scientists say
A recent analysis by the World Weather Attribution group reveals that human-caused climate change intensified the deadly rainfall in early April across states like Arkansas and Kentucky. The storms, which triggered tornadoes and floods, resulted in at least 24 fatalities. Researchers found that climate change increased rainfall intensity by 9 per cent and made such events 40 per cent more likely.
Climate change is disrupting the human gut in a new path to illness
Climate-induced changes in the yield and nutritional quality of various foods could tip the balance of gut microbiota towards strains associated with malnutrition
Successful urban birds sport different colours from unsuccessful ones
The findings of a new study challenge some long-held assumptions in urban ecology
Market forces have led to change and degradation of forest ecosystems in Goa: Study
The authors of the study attribute this to their value being poorly understood and not considered in the policy-making process
Assam villagers oppose transfer of wetland grazing field for logistics park
The Dorabeel Village Grazing Field Protection Convening Committee said the move to hand over the land in Kamrup district to a Kolkata-based company would affect more than 3,000 families
Spain's blackout highlights renewables' grid challenge
Grid operators must ensure that electricity is constantly balanced between demand and supply. A metric of this balance is the frequency of the electricity flowing through the grid
About 61% of Sikkims butterfly species are in the Dzongu region, study finds
The 10-year documentation is a gift to the world in celebration of Sikkims 50 years of Statehood, lead author Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha said
Ministry tells parliamentary panel of Namami Gange successes, gaps in waste management
The Namami Gange programme has significantly improved the Ganga's water quality, meeting bathing standards in most stretches except for two areas in Uttar Pradesh. The initiative has also eliminated fish mortality since 2017 and conserved groundwater. However, the report highlights a considerable gap in achieving Extended Producers Responsibility targets for battery and plastic waste management across the nation.
Elephant killers will be punished, says Assam tribal council chief
Carcasses of three elephants were found near the India-Bhutan border in Manas National Park on May 2
European Red Admiral butterfly sighted for first time in Himachals Dhauladhar mountain range
Rare migratory species recorded in Himachal Pradeshs Dhauladhar range; adds to States rich butterfly biodiversity
Australian State culls 700 starving koalas after bushfire, stoking controversy
Wildlife groups have expressed serious concern about how individual koalas had been chosen for culling, because the animals are assessed from a distance
High temperatures and mango production | Explained
Whats the quantum of growth in India? What are the challenges? How does mango production in India compare to that of China and Thailand? Does genetic diversity play a role in the hardiness and productivity of the fruit? How does it help it combat climate change?
New model finds locusts making complex decisions in deadly swarms
Understanding how locusts move has real-world consequences. Yet how these groups emerge or which exact factors determine the direction of their flight remains unclear
Scientists unlock genetic key to higher peanut yield
A team of 19 researchers from Australia and China assessed the genome-wide diversity of 269 peanut accessions, including wild species, landraces, and improved species
Urban spider found building soundproof webs to keep noise out
Indias urban centres are notorious for their noise pollution; the new study raises questions about what its findings mean for spiders living in such places
RNA-based antiviral offers strong defence against deadly agri virus
In India, CMV is responsible for 25-30% yield losses in banana plantations. In pumpkins, cucumbers, and melons, infection rates can soar up to 70%. Affected plants develop a mosaic discoloration, stunted growth, and commercially unviable fruits
Mercury crosses 40 degrees mark in most places in Punjab, Haryana
Centuries-old museum specimens unlock mysteries of South Asian treeshrews
Study redefines taxonomy of South Asian treeshrews using century-old specimens and modern morphometric analysis
City Nature Challenge 2025 in Visakhapatnam: Join the biodiversity hunt with iNaturalist
Clock in your observations from forest edges to backyard gardens on iNaturalist app during the City Nature Challenge from April 25 and 28
In photos: From classrooms to cabinets, how India came together for Earth Day 2025
If it can weather some challenges, AI can supercharge forecasting
Despite several challenges, scientists believe AI/ML models can be particularly useful to predict extreme weather events such as heat waves, droughts, torrential rainfall, and floods
Reschedule work hours to mitigate effect of extreme heatwaves, Centre tells States
Along with special attention for construction and brick kiln workers, the Labour Ministry has recommended adequate drinking water facilities, ventilation and cooling, rest areas, and health check-ups
With growing tiger population, Madhya Pradesh to develop buffer zones around tiger reserves
The tiger population in the buffer zones of the States nine tiger reserves has increased from 526 to 785 over the past four years, underlining the importance of continued conservation efforts, the State govt. said
Indians battle respiratory issues, skin rashes in worlds most polluted town
Is nitrogen, the building block of life, a latent time-bomb?
Nitrous oxide is the third most abundant of the greenhouse gases; it accentuates the greenhouse effect in the same way as carbon dioxide does by capturing re-radiated infrared radiation from the Earths surface and warming the troposphere; urgent action on it is critical to achieving climate goals
Climate experts seek 'right to cool', heat protection for informal sector workers during summer
In its seasonal outlook, the IMD warned that the number of heatwave days this summer might be significantly higher than usual, especially over Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and western Madhya Pradesh.
Rejosari Senik: rising above the water
The waters around this hamlet in Central Java, Indonesia, have risen due to global warming and have swallowed the land
Pupy elephant arrives at Brazil sanctuary after 30 years in Argentine zoo
Pupy, a 35-year-old African elephant, has been relocated from Buenos Aires' Ecopark to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil after a 2,700-kilometer journey. The move follows criticism of her previous living conditions.
Earthquake of magnitude 2.9 hits Assam's Nagaon
A 2.9 magnitude earthquake struck Assam's Nagaon district on Saturday morning at 7:38 am, as reported by the National Centre for Seismology. The tremor had a depth of 10 km, with coordinates of 26.50 latitude and 93.27 longitude. Further details about the impact and any potential damage are still pending.
Earth Day 2025 | Here are 10 essential reads
Reminders that the earth and what it sustains are not merely resources to exploit, barter, and conquer
Colossal squid caught on camera for first time in deep sea
The squid filmed was a juvenile about 1 foot in length. Adult colossal squids, which scientists have uncovered from the bellies of whales and seabirds, can reach lengths up to 23 feet
Germany sees 'worrying' record dry spell in early 2025
Germany's environment minister has issued a warning about the heightened risk of forest fires and potential harvest failures due to a significant lack of rainfall. The country experienced its driest period since 1931, with rainfall levels far below the average, particularly impacting northwest and southeast regions.
As Sterlite Copper shifts its machinery, questions arise over who gains or loses
How governmentality exacerbates the problem of farmers stubble burning
A new study by researchers Sujit Raghunathrao Jagadale and Javed M. Shaikh at the Indian Institute of Management, Amritsar analyses the problem of stubble burning from the lens of governmentality and market failure
A viable population of lions can easily be established in the space available at Kuno
It has been 12 years since the Supreme Court ordered the translocation of the Asiatic lions to Kuno in an attempt to provide them with a second home, but this never materialised, and the long-term survival of the big cats continues to be precarious. Bengaluru-based wildlife biologist and conservation scientist Ravi Chellam, who has been involved with the conservation of Asiatic lions since 1985, details some of the issues surrounding their conservation.
Greenlands melting ice, unstable fjords vex extraction of oil and minerals Trump covets
Greenland banned drilling for fossil fuels in 2021 yet Trump remains eager to have exploration resume off the island at exceptionally high cost
Zoo in Spain helps elderly elephantsagegracefully
Like older people, elderly animals require regular health checks, arthritis treatment, nutritional supplements, adapted living spaces, and monitoring of mental health
White House aims to eliminate NOAA climate research in budget plan
The moves are part of a plan to downsize NOAA dramatically, slashing agency funding by around $1.67 billion, or 27%
Ecological disruptions are a risk to national security
National security depends on the ability of a nation to maintain productive ecosystems, resilient biological communities, and sustainable access to natural resources
Veteran green warrior Vanjeevi Ramaiah dies of heart attack
Padma Shri awardee Daripalli Ramaiah leaves behind inspiring legacy of green crusade
Green Humour by Rohan Chakravarty on myths surrounding the red sand boa
Exotic snake on the loose in Sydney, coastal residents alerted
Video posted to social media showed a Boa constrictor slowly worming across a waterside footpath next to a beach.
Delhi HC declines PIL for protecting peacocks from electrocution
The court said the petitioner should approach the authorities concerned with its grievances as courts couldnt legislate or frame laws.
As the world burns more, the Arctic biome is refusing more carbon
As wildfires become more common and more intense, they are disrupting the earths carbon balance
Heatwaves drove 1/3rd of rise in India's power demand during 2024 summer: Report
During the peak heatwave months from April to June, the demand was 10.8% higher than the previous year
West Africa chimps are losing their culture, in another human legacy
Significant changes in a population, like due to human-driven habitat loss, can have a long-lasting impact on the preservation of cultural traditions
Citizens rally for wildlife with Walk for Bandipur campaign
The march intends to drum up support for the continuation of the night traffic ban through Bandipur consequent to apprehensions that the ban may be lifted due to political reasons and pressure from Kerala
Delhi government to control dust at construction sites, clean trees regularly to curb pollution
The Delhi government plans to implement micro-level interventions, such as strict dust control at construction sites, promoting electric vehicles, expanding the metro network, and cleaning inner roads with mechanized sweepers to combat air pollution. Experts emphasize sustainable urban mobility and data-driven strategies to improve air quality.
Climate envoys from EU discuss climate action with Indian officials
The evironmental high-level talks come on the margins of a meeting between the Prime Minister and the European Commission in February, and the upcoming COP30 in November
ZSI study on blackflies offers hope for river blindness control
Researchers worked on four species collected from eight locations in the central Himalayan region
UP: Rare long-snouted vine snake rediscovered in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
The discovery was made on March 28 during a rhino release operation in the Palia Kheri division, when a vibrant green snake emerged while officials were clearing a termite mound for safety, they said.
Kayaking on Kochis bioluminescent backwaters
Travel and adventure companies have curated bioluminesent kayaking packages as a sustainable and safe way to witness the stunning natural phenomenon in Kochi
Assam refinery discharging effluents in Brahmaputra tributary: Green activist
Refuting the allegation, the Numaligarh Refinery Limited said it will cooperate with the CPCB and other agencies for continued compliance with pollution norms
Why India needs to clean its air
Indias clean air future will be shaped not by dashboards but by people, partnerships, and purpose. Lasting solutions depend on those working on the ground: municipal officers, planners, engineers, and community leaders
Painted lady butterflies dont migrate like birds ask their genes
A boom in genomics and tracking technologies in miniature is allowing researchers to delve into insect migration with astounding precision
Forest areas encroached in 25 States, Union Territories; MP, Assam worst affected: Government report
Over 13,000 sq km of forest area under encroachment in India, with Madhya Pradesh having the highest encroachment.
All in a days work: making dead flowers bloom again, consistently
Sustainability is not just for the professionals in the environment space or for the diehard green enthusiasts. It is for everyone to pursue in their daily walk. Zero Waste Day was observed recently on March 30, and here are two residents of Chennai who have woven green thinking into their workaday lives, balancing a busy work schedule with composting of floral waste
El Nino ruled out during monsoon this year: IMD
Before the monsoons kick in, however, India will be reeling in above normal temperatures during the summer months; there could be more heatwave days this year, says the IMD
Around the world, plastics are finding their way into farm fields
Morocco 'water highway' averts crisis in cities amid doubts over sustainability
Morocco has long suffered from extreme disparities in rainfall between the Atlas mountain ranges and the semi-arid and desert regions farther south
