Category: Environment, Ecology and Biodiversity
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प्लास्टिक प्रदूषण
संदर्भ: प्यू चैरिटेबल ट्रस्ट्स और अंतरराष्ट्रीय शोध साझेदारों द्वारा तैयार की गई नई वैश्विक आकलन रिपोर्ट “ब्रेकिंग द प्लास्टिक वेव 2025 – एन असेसमेंट ऑफ द ग्लोबल सिस्टम एंड स्ट्रैटेजीज फ़ॉर ट्रांसफॉर्मेटिव चेंज” चेतावनी देती है कि यदि वैश्विक स्तर पर महत्वाकांक्षी कदम नहीं उठाए गए, तो प्लास्टिक प्रदूषण 2025 के 130 मिलियन मीट्रिक टन…
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महाराष्ट्र के ताप विद्युत संयंत्रों में बांस आधारित बायोमास अनिवार्य
महाराष्ट्र के ताप विद्युत संयंत्रों में बांस आधारित बायोमास अनिवार्य संदर्भ: महाराष्ट्र ने दिसंबर 2025 में सभी सरकारी और निजी ताप विद्युत संयंत्रों के लिए कोयले के साथ 5–7% बांस-आधारित बायोमास या चारकोल का मिश्रण को अनिवार्य कर दिया । यह पहली बार है जब बांस को औपचारिक रूप से राज्य की ऊर्जा संरचना में…
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Maharashtra’s Solar Pump Record: Decarbonising Agriculture and Easing the Subsidy Burden
Context : Maharashtra has reportedly set a world record by installing over 45,000 Solar Agricultural Pumps (SAPs) in a single month. This massive roll-out highlights the state’s aggressive strategy to leverage decentralised renewable energy to transform the agriculture sector, reduce the massive power subsidy burden, and promote sustainable water use. I. Significance of Solar Agricultural…
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Maharashtra’s Bamboo Biomass Mandate: Green Gold for Thermal Power Plants
Context : In a first-of-its-kind move, Maharashtra has mandated that all public and private thermal power plants blend 5–7% bamboo-based biomass or charcoal with coal. This policy strategically integrates a local, fast-growing resource into the energy mix, backed by significant financial incentives, to achieve decarbonisation goals and bolster rural livelihoods. I. Understanding Biomass Energy and…
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Planetary Limits and Urban Resilience: The Role of Healthy Soil
Context : The article uses the global concept of Ecological Overshoot—symbolized by Earth Overshoot Day (EOD)—as a framework to highlight the necessity of rethinking resource consumption. It specifically focuses on the untapped potential of healthy soils in mitigating urban climate risks and ensuring sustainable city planning. I. The Crisis of Ecological Overshoot: Why Healthy Urban…
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Farm Fire Underreporting: ISRO Flags Shift in Stubble Burning Time
Context : An ISRO study has flagged a potential underestimation of farm fire incidents in Punjab and Haryana. This is attributed to a gradual shift in the peak burning time by farmers—from the early afternoon to late afternoon/early evening—specifically to evade detection by the traditional Polar Satellite Monitoring system used for official data collection I.…
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Rooftop Solar on Government Buildings
Rooftop Solar on Government Buildings Context: MNRE data (presented to Parliament in November 2025) shows that Tamil Nadu (~14 MW) and Karnataka (~34 MW) — despite being renewable-energy leaders — are among the weakest performers in rooftop solar installation on government buildings under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Why is there a need…
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Antarctic Ozone Hole Closes Early in 2025
Antarctic Ozone Hole Closes Early in 2025 Context: The Antarctic ozone hole, which forms annually between August and November, closed unusually early on December 1, 2025, according to Copernicus (EU Earth Observation Agency). This year’s hole was the smallest in five years and showed higher ozone concentrations, signalling accelerating recovery under the global ban on…
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Species in News: Walrus
Species in News: Walrus Context: In a significant development for Arctic ecology, scientists have identified a previously unknown walrus gathering site, or “haul-out,” on the remote shores of Svalbard, Norway. About Walrus Species and Habitat: The walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is a large flippered marine mammal found in the cold, icy waters of the Arctic Ocean…
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Vehicular Emissions: Rising Early-Winter Pollution and Policy Response
Vehicular Emissions: Rising Early-Winter Pollution and Policy Response Context: A new Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) analysis has flagged a sharp early-winter spike in vehicular pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) across Delhi–NCR, despite a reduced contribution from farm fires. What are the major components of vehicular emissions? Vehicular emissions…
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Southern Ocean ‘Thermal Burp’
Southern Ocean ‘Thermal Burp’ What is a thermal burp? A thermal burp refers to the sudden release of long-stored heat from the deep ocean back into the atmosphere and surface waters. It is a climatic feedback mechanism where the ocean, after centuries of absorbing excess heat, overturns and expels this energy in a rapid pulse.…
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Northern India’s Persistent Air Crisis
Northern India Air Pollution Crisis: Key Causes & Impacts Context: A new study, “Air Quality Assessment of Major Indian Cities (2015–2025)” by Climate Trends, reveals that no major Indian city recorded safe air quality levels in the last decade, with Delhi being the most polluted among 11 analysed cities. Why do northern cities in India…
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Self-Reliance in India’s Green Transition
Introduction India stands at a pivotal moment in its developmental journey. As the world grapples with the escalating threat of climate change, the nation must balance rapid economic growth with environmental sustainability. In their article “For Green Transition, India Can Fall Back on Itself” (The Indian Express, 3 December 2025), Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Utkarsh…
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Meat Tax Explained: COP30 Demand, Need, Impact & Global Examples
Meat Tax : COP30 Demand, Need, Impact & Global Examples Context: At COP30 in Belém, 28 low-income African and Pacific nations demanded that wealthy countries introduce a GHG-emissions pricing mechanism (a meat tax) on industrial livestock production to compensate for climate damage. What is a meat tax? A meat tax is a fiscal measure that…
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Green Hydrogen: Global Slowdown, China’s Dominance & India’s Roadmap Explained
Green Hydrogen: Global Slowdown, China’s Dominance & India’s Roadmap Explained Context: Green hydrogen, once projected as the fuel of the future, is struggling in Europe and North America due to high costs and stalled projects. In contrast, China is rapidly expanding its capacity and infrastructure, dominating over 50% of global green hydrogen production. This shift…
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Hayli Gubbi Volcano Eruption: Causes, Global Impact & Why Ash Reached India
Learn about the Hayli Gubbi volcano eruption in Ethiopia, its geological causes, how volcanic ash travelled to India through high-altitude winds and jet streams, and key facts about Ethiopia’s geography and tectonic activity. Hayli Gubbi Volcano Eruption: Causes, Ash Spread to India & Key Facts The Hayli Gubbi volcano eruption in Ethiopia’s Afar Rift has…
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COP30 (Belém, Brazil): Key Initiatives and Major Issues
Explore the major initiatives and critical issues of COP30 in Belém, Brazil—Indigenous protests, US absence, diluted Belém Package, fossil fuel lobbying, forest funds, Congo Basin support, Belém Pledge, and challenges to global climate action. COP30 Belém Brazil: Key Initiatives, Indigenous Protests, Fossil Fuel Issues & Climate Negotiation Outcomes COP30, held in Belém, Brazil, arrived at…
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हीट पावर ट्रैप: भारत में गर्मी और ऊर्जा संकट
भारत 2024 के रिकॉर्ड तापमान और बढ़ती बिजली मांग के कारण एक खतरनाक हीट-पावर ट्रैप में फंस रहा है। जानें—हीटवेव की परिभाषा, इसके वैज्ञानिक कारण, कृषि-ऊर्जा-स्वास्थ्य पर प्रभाव, और भारत कैसे नीतिगत, शहरी, कृषि व ऊर्जा समाधान अपनाकर इस संकट से बाहर निकल सकता है। भारत में हीट पावर ट्रैप भारत ने 2024 में चरम…
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Heatwaves in India 2025: Causes, Impacts and Strategies to Break the Heat–Power Trap
Learn how India’s rising heatwaves are intensifying the dangerous heat–power trap. Explore causes, sectoral impacts, electricity demand trends, health risks, and the urgent policy, energy, agricultural, and urban interventions needed to strengthen India’s heat resilience. Heatwaves and India’s Heat–Power Trap: Causes, Impacts, Risks and Mitigation Measures India experienced unprecedented heat extremes in 2024, driving a…
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Pollution Tax in India: Meaning, Importance, Global Models & Why India Needs It
Learn what a pollution tax is, why India urgently needs it, and how over 70 countries use carbon taxes and ETS systems. Explore benefits for revenue, environment, and climate commitments in this detailed analysis. Pollution Tax in India: Definition, Need, Benefits & Global Practices As India navigates a phase of declining nominal GDP growth, rising…
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Global Carbon Budget 2025: A Reality Check for the Paris Climate Goals
The Global Carbon Budget 2025 warns that global CO₂ emissions are at record highs, putting the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target at risk. Learn about emissions trends, India’s role, climate risks, and the urgent mitigation measures needed worldwide. Global Carbon Budget 2025 The Global Carbon Budget 2025, released in November 2025 at COP30 in Belém, Brazil,…