Month: August 2025

Efforts to tackle plastic pollution have hit a major roadblock after global negotiations in Geneva failed to produce a binding treaty. Despite the setback, scientists and innovators remain optimistic that biodegradable plastics and biotechnology could pave the way to a cleaner, more sustainable future. Innovations in Biotech Plastics Biodegradable plastics, designed to safely decompose into harmless substances, are emerging as one of the most promising solutions to the plastic waste crisis. Alongside them, researchers are exploring microorganisms and enzymes capable of breaking down existing plastic waste. Though these technologies are still in their early stages, experts believe they could reach large-scale implementation within the next 5–10 years, provided there is significant inv...

What villagers in Padlya once worshipped as sacred “kuldevta” stones have now been revealed as something far more ancient 70-million-year-old fossilised dinosaur eggs. The discovery, confirmed by scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow has placed central India on the global map as one of the largest dinosaur hatcheries ever found. For generations families like the Mandaloi clan revered the smooth, palm-sized stones as “Kakar Bhairav,” believed to protect farmland and cattle. Rituals involved offerings of coconuts and even goats. But the tradition took a scientific turn when researchers identified the objects as titanosaur eggs – relics of long-necked sauropod dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous period. Ancient Valley Reveals Prehistoric Life The Narmad...

Bengaluru – A new study by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) has revealed that heavy commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses, though accounting for only 2 percent of India’s total vehicles, contribute to a staggering 70 percent of vehicular pollution. The report, launched at the India Clean Air Summit (ICAS) 2025 in Bengaluru, warns that ageing “super emitters” will continue to undermine India’s clean air efforts unless scrappage is made mandatory. The report notes that while the number of heavy commercial vehicles is projected to grow by 27 percent by 2035, emissions per vehicle will reduce with Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) standards. However, the real challenge lies with older trucks and buses that continue to release disproportionately high levels of poll...

The World Health Organization (WHO) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have issued a stark warning on the growing dangers of extreme heat for workers worldwide. Their new joint report Climate Change and Workplace Heat Stress, reveals how rising global temperatures are reshaping work environments, threatening health, and undermining economic stability. Extreme Heat Already Impacting Billions The findings highlight a sharp increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, with daytime temperatures exceeding 40°C and in some regions, even 50°C becoming more common. The year 2024 was the hottest ever recorded, according to WMO. Health consequences of prolonged heat exposure include heatstroke, dehydration, kidney damage, neurological issues, and a steep decline in product...

Once celebrated as the Jungle Road for its Aravalli greenery and wildlife the Gurugram-Faridabad road now bears a grim identity ‘Malba Lane’. Hillocks of construction and demolition (C&D) waste have replaced the natural landscape turning what was once a scenic corridor into a dumping ground. According to estimates, Gurugram is currently burdened with nearly six lakh metric tonnes of legacy debris, with an additional 2,000 tonnes generated daily. Barely 15% of this is treated. The absence of a regulated pickup system and the rise of an organised ‘malba mafia’ have worsened the crisis, earning the city the mocking tag of ‘Malba Gram’. Aravallis under threat Activists warn that unchecked dumping is choking the fragile Aravalli ecosystem. “We have been raising alarms for years, bu...

The monsoon continues to tighten its grip across the country, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing fresh alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms in multiple states over the next five days. In Uttarakhand Chamoli district a cloudburst triggered widespread destruction, leaving several homes and shops buried under debris. Meanwhile Delhi and surrounding regions are expected to witness spells of heavy rain through August 28, disrupting normal life. Alerts Across North and East India According to IMD Jharkhand and Odisha are likely to experience heavy showers on August 23, while parts of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will face continuous downpours for nearly a week. Bihar and West Bengal are also bracing for intense rainfall between Augu...

Despite spending nearly ₹250 crore annually on sanitation since 2023, Gurugram continues to be buried under mounting waste. The city, often nicknamed “Kudagram,” now has 230 vulnerable garbage points (VGPs) where trash is dumped daily, according to a fresh survey by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG). Officials say the problem is worsened by residents, private contractors, and what they call a “waste mafia.” Waste Collection Breakdowns Add to Crisis Residents argue that the collapse of door-to-door waste collection is the main reason behind overflowing dumps. “Owning a house in Gurugram was my dream. But now every morning, my wife and I argue over who will take the trash out. No one comes to collect it regularly, so we are forced to dump it at a nearby khatta,” said Pragyay ...

Planting trees is widely seen as one of the most effective ways to fight climate change but new research shows that the benefits vary greatly depending on where they grow. A study published in the journal npj Climate Action has found that tropical regions deliver the strongest cooling effect when trees are planted. In contrast, in higher latitudes such as parts of Europe or North America trees may sometimes contribute slightly to warming rather than cooling. Why Tropics Matter More Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air, helping reduce greenhouse gases. But the new study highlights another key factor trees also release water vapour, which absorbs solar energy and reduces the sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface. This strengthens the cooling effect, particularly in humid, tropic...