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As countries prepare for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, a group of UN human rights and environmental experts has called on governments to align their climate actions with the recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on states’ obligations to address climate change. In a statement from Geneva, the experts stressed that nations must act “urgently and effectively” to fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities under international law to protect the climate, prevent environmental degradation, and safeguard human rights. “States must urgently and effectively advance the implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, as interpreted by the International Court of Justice,” the experts said. ...

At the opening session of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, India emerged as a strong voice for developing nations, pushing for fairness, finance, and inclusivity in global climate action. Representing both the BASIC group comprising Brazil, South Africa, India, and China and the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) coalition, India laid out a detailed framework calling for equity, climate justice, and shared responsibilities. India emphasized that the progress of COP30 must rest on the core principle of “Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities,” asserting that developed countries must shoulder greater accountability for their historic role in driving climate change. It also reminded the global community that th...

A strong earthquake struck northern Japan on Sunday evening, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami advisory across coastal regions. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the quake, measuring a preliminary magnitude of 6.7, occurred off the coast of Iwate prefecture at a depth of 10 kilometres around 5 p.m. local time. Following the quake, officials warned of a possible tsunami of up to one metre along northern coastal areas. Public broadcaster NHK advised residents to move away from the shore and avoid low-lying coastal zones. Small tsunami waves of around 10 centimetres were observed at Ofunato city and Ominato port. The advisory remained in effect an hour after the initial tremor, and authorities cautioned that additional aftershocks could follow. Impact on transport and...

A proposed offshore wind research project in Dhanushkodi has triggered widespread concern among fishing communities and environmental groups, who warn that the initiative could harm marine habitats and disrupt local livelihoods. Representatives from coastal fishing associations said the installation of turbines and related infrastructure in the region could disturb breeding areas of fish, turtles and migratory birds. They also pointed to a pending case before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) map, urging authorities to delay any approval until the legal process is complete. SP Rayappan, a member of the District Coastal Zone Management Authority (DCZMA), cautioned that the project may threaten turtle nesting sites and migratory routes used b...

A new conservation strategy in Hawaii is using drones to release specially bred non-biting male mosquitoes in an effort to save the state’s endangered native birds. The drones, each carrying around 1,000 of the insects, have been flying over remote forest areas where native honeycreepers are struggling to survive due to avian malaria spread by invasive mosquito populations. These released mosquitoes carry a naturally occurring bacterium known as Wolbachia. When they mate with wild females, the resulting eggs fail to hatch. By flooding the environment with these males, scientists aim to dramatically reduce mosquito numbers over time. Hawaii once had more than 50 honeycreeper species, but only 17 remain today, and most are endangered. While deforestation has reduced their habitat, rese...

A new study in Nature Geoscience has revealed that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet experienced a major retreat around 9,000 years ago due to a chain reaction driven by shifting ocean conditions. The research shows that meltwater discharged from collapsing ice shelves altered ocean layers, enabling warm deep water to move closer to Antarctica’s coastline and accelerate further melting. The findings were led by Professor Yusuke Suganuma of the National Institute of Polar Research and SOKENDAI, with contributions from over 30 global research institutions. The study focused on marine sediment cores collected from Lützow-Holm Bay near Syowa Station, using data from decades of Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions. Geological evidence was combined with analysis of beryllium isotope ratios and ...

A six-year study by scientists of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has found that climate change and the unbalanced use of chemical fertilisers are significantly reducing soil organic carbon levels across India’s farmlands. The decline, researchers warn, threatens long-term soil fertility, crop productivity, and the country’s carbon balance. The study, coordinated by the Indian Institute of Soil Science in Bhopal, examined more than 2.5 lakh soil samples collected from 620 districts across 29 States. The findings have been published in the international journal Land Degradation & Development. According to the project coordinator, Arvind K. Shukla, organic carbon plays a central role in soil health because it affects its physical structure, chemical nutrient bala...

In Madhya Pradesh, the forest department has carried out a large-scale operation to relocate blackbuck and Nilgai from revenue lands in Shajapur district, aiming to reduce human-wildlife conflict affecting farmers. Over 11 operational days, a total of 913 animals were herded and shifted to protected forest areas. Operation and method An expert team from South Africa assisted the state forest department in carrying out the operation. Using a helicopter, the team steered herds of blackbuck and Nilgai into specially constructed boma enclosures made of grass and green netting walls. The process ensured that the animals were guided without direct human contact, reducing stress and injury. Once captured, the animals were translocated to Rani Durgavati Tiger Reserve, Nauradehi Wildlife S...

Gurugram has faced two major episodes of extreme rainfall this year 133 mm of rain in just 12 hours on July 9–10, and over 100 mm in four hours on September 1 both of which triggered severe waterlogging, prolonged traffic jams, and power outages across key stretches of the city. Following public criticism over the city’s flood preparedness and drainage systems, Union Minister M. L. Khattar directed the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and the Irrigation Department to plan a new stormwater drain from Gurugram to Palwal via Sohna and Nuh. The objective is to divert excess monsoon runoff to the Yamuna near Palwal. However, multiple hydrology and urban planning experts have questioned the viability of the plan, noting that Gurugram’s natural drainage system flows northw...

Scores of parents and environmental activists gathered near India Gate on Sunday to protest against the worsening air quality in Delhi. Many of the protesters, including mothers who brought their children along, said they had assembled to demand immediate action from the government to ensure clean air. Environmental activist Bhavreen Khandari said the group had attempted to meet the Chief Minister but did not receive an appointment. “Every third child already has damaged lungs. They will live almost 10 years less than those who grow up breathing cleaner air. Parents are here today because their children are suffering,” she said. Another protester, Abhishek, alleged that governments were failing to guarantee even the basic right to breathe clean air. He added that Delhi, once known fo...