In News Recently, a World Health Organisation (WHO) report has stated that over 18 million kids at e-waste dumpsites face the threat of health hazards. About the Report The report, titled Children and Digital Dumpsites: e-waste exposure and child health was published in June 2021. It underlined the risk children faced while working in the […]
In News Recently, a High-Level Segment Meeting of the 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), was held. Key Points of Meeting India reaffirmed its commitment to addressing all the three main concerns of the Rio Conventions: Climate change Biodiversity Land degradation India intends to raise […]
In News According to a recent United Nations-backed research, up to two billion people in southeast Asia can face food and water shortages even as the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) mountain ranges lose up to two-thirds of its ice by 2100. About Hindu Kush Himalayan Region It is often referred to as the ‘Third Pole’ […]
In News The Government of India has advanced the target for 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol (also called E20) to 2025 from 2030. Ethanol Blending Ethanol It is a biofuel, that is, a fuel produced by processing organic matter. Ethanol in India is obtained primarily from sugarcane via a fermentation process. Ethanol is […]
In News Recently, the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched an awareness campaign on Single-Use Plastics. Major Points UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) along with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change are organizing the two-month-long awareness campaign which will comprise of […]
In News Accurate estimation of black carbon (BC), the second most important global warming pollutant after CO2, will now be possible using optical instruments in the Himalayan region. Observations Scientists have estimated it with the help of a parameter called the mass absorption cross-section (MAC) specific to the Himalayan region. MAC is an essential parameter […]
In News Recently, Turkey’s Sea of Marmara has witnessed the largest outbreak of sea snot. The Sea of Marmara connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea, where too the sludge has been spotted. Turkey recorded its first outbreak in 2007, in the Aegean Sea near Greece. (Image Courtesy: BI) About Sea Snot It is […]
In News There has been a huge pile-up of biomedical waste generated in the aftermath of the second wave of the pandemic. About The quantity of biomedical waste generated during the second wave at its peak is definitely more than what was seen in the first wave. The second wave saw more face shields, masks, […]
In News Recently, the Prime Minister has launched the E-100 pilot project in Pune to mark the World Environment Day 2021. He also released the Report of the Expert Committee on Road Map for ethanol blending in India 2020-2025. About the Project It aims to set up a network for production and distribution of ethanol […]
In News Recently, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) warned that pollution will rebound if stronger action is not sustained and scaled up. Current Situation The rate at which urban air pollution has grown across India is alarming, the toxic web of air quality fails to meet health-based standards. Particulate matters, SoX, NoX and […]