Wednesday, July 9News That Matters

Thoughts & Talks

Karnataka Governor Urges Collective Action on Sustainability at Bengaluru Summit

Karnataka Governor Urges Collective Action on Sustainability at Bengaluru Summit

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Thoughts & Talks
At the Bangalore Sustainability Summit held on Tuesday, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot called for urgent and unified efforts to protect the environment, stressing that the time for action is now. Speaking at the event themed “Advancing Sustainable Development Goals: Enhancing the Impact of Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships,” jointly organised by O.P. Jindal Global University and RV University, the Governor urged a lifestyle rooted in simplicity, nature, and reverence for forests. “We must awaken a renewed consciousness—rooted in love and respect for nature,” Gehlot said, highlighting the dangers posed by rising pollution and depleting natural resources. He noted that recent challenges, such as the oxygen crisis, have only underscored the pressing need for environmental preservation...
EU–India Launch €41 Million Green-Tech Drive: Focus on Ocean Health and Hydrogen Innovation

EU–India Launch €41 Million Green-Tech Drive: Focus on Ocean Health and Hydrogen Innovation

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Tech, Thoughts & Talks
In a significant step toward deepening bilateral cooperation and tackling global environmental challenges, the European Union and India have jointly announced two landmark initiatives under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC). With a combined investment of €41 million, the projects aim to address marine pollution and accelerate development in hydrogen-based clean energy technologies, showcasing a shared commitment to sustainable innovation and geopolitical partnership. Research & Innovation: A New Chapter in EU–India Collaboration Backed by the EU's Horizon Europe programme and Indian ministries, the two projects mark a major milestone in international scientific cooperation. By uniting researchers, startups, and industries from both regions, the initiatives aim to de...
Will Climate Finance Taxonomy Help India Unlock $2.5 Trillion in Green Investment?

Will Climate Finance Taxonomy Help India Unlock $2.5 Trillion in Green Investment?

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
India has taken a major step towards aligning its financial system with climate goals by unveiling a draft Climate Finance Taxonomy on May 7, 2025. This move aims to direct both domestic and foreign investments into truly sustainable activities, improve investor confidence, and reduce the risk of greenwashing. With ambitious climate targets set—achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and ensuring that 50% of electricity comes from non-fossil sources by 2030 India needs to unlock $2.5 trillion in green investment by the end of this decade. The taxonomy is designed to facilitate this capital flow while providing clarity on what constitutes a climate-aligned economic activity. Why a Climate Finance Taxonomy? Despite an increasing number of financial institutions adopting green finance termi...
India’s Cooling Paradox: Toxic Air Slows Warming but Fuels a Public Health Crisis

India’s Cooling Paradox: Toxic Air Slows Warming but Fuels a Public Health Crisis

Breaking News, Environment, Fact Check, Thoughts & Talks
India has warmed at a slower rate than other parts of the Northern Hemisphere over the past several decades. While this might seem like good news amid the global climate crisis, scientists warn it's not a reason for comfort. The culprit behind this phenomenon is a thick blanket of aerosols tiny particles suspended in the air from industrial emissions, fossil fuel combustion, and crop burning. These aerosols reflect sunlight and create a temporary cooling effect, but they are also responsible for dangerous levels of air pollution, resulting in millions of deaths annually. The country now faces a dangerous trade-off between curbing toxic pollution and accelerating climate warming, with serious implications for public health, environmental sustainability, and economic development. A Climate ...
Heat, Hunger & Harm: How the Climate Crisis Deepens Gender Inequality and Violence

Heat, Hunger & Harm: How the Climate Crisis Deepens Gender Inequality and Violence

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is a present crisis that is widening gender gaps, increasing violence against women and girls, and reversing decades of progress in human rights and sustainable development. A UN Spotlight Initiative report reveals that rising global temperatures and related disasters are not just environmental concerns they are fueling gender-based violence, displacing communities, increasing food insecurity, and threatening the health and safety of millions of women worldwide. This article explores how climate change uniquely affects women and girls, why feminist climate justice is essential, and how women are leading transformative solutions. Climate Crisis: A Gendered Emergency The climate emergency is intensifying conditions that disproportionately h...
India Drafts Emission Intensity Rules for Industries to Power Carbon Trading and Meet 2030 Climate Goals

India Drafts Emission Intensity Rules for Industries to Power Carbon Trading and Meet 2030 Climate Goals

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
India has released a draft framework to set mandatory targets for reducing industrial emissions under the Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025. The draft, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is aimed at accelerating India’s commitment to cut emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. These rules will support the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023, creating a structured system for reducing and trading greenhouse gas emissions in energy-intensive industries. The draft rules are currently open for public comments and suggestions for a 60-day period from the date of notification. What is Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI)? Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI) refers to the amoun...
Can Climate Change Trigger Earthquakes? Scientists Explore the Link Between Water, Faults & Earthquakes

Can Climate Change Trigger Earthquakes? Scientists Explore the Link Between Water, Faults & Earthquakes

Fact Check, Thoughts & Talks
While earthquakes are primarily caused by tectonic movements scientists are now examining whether climate change and human activity might indirectly influence seismic activity. New studies suggest that changing water patterns  from rain, droughts, melting glaciers, and even reservoirs can alter stress on Earth's crust, potentially affecting earthquake behavior. Water Weight and Fault Stress: A Surprising Connection Earthquakes occur when stress along faults in the Earth’s crust surpasses a breaking point. This stress typically builds due to the movement of tectonic plates. But scientists are studying whether climate-induced surface water changes such as rainfall, snowmelt, or groundwater depletion can subtly shift the balance of stress and possibly influence earthquake timing or freq...
UN Highlights: Indigenous People Safeguard 80% Planet’s Biodiversity With 1% Climate Funding

UN Highlights: Indigenous People Safeguard 80% Planet’s Biodiversity With 1% Climate Funding

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
Indigenous people who protect 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity are being pushed to the margins of global climate efforts according to a new UN report. Despite their crucial role in safeguarding ecosystems they receive less than 1% of climate funding and are often excluded from decision-making. The report warns that without Indigenous leadership the world’s climate goals will remain out of reach and current "green" solutions could end up repeating the injustices of the past. Indigenous Peoples Left Out Despite Vital Role The United Nations launched The State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples this week, highlighting a troubling imbalance. Indigenous communities make up just 6% of the global population but are responsible for protecting most of the Earth's remaining biodive...
Earthquakes, Climate Change, and Rising Risks: What We Know and Why It Matters

Earthquakes, Climate Change, and Rising Risks: What We Know and Why It Matters

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
Earthquakes triggered by the shifting of tectonic plates, continue to cause widespread destruction and trauma across the globe. Although earthquakes themselves are not directly caused by climate change, emerging research shows that changing climate conditions may indirectly affect fault lines and earthquake risks. With worsening climate impacts, earthquake-prone areas could face greater vulnerabilities, adding pressure to infrastructure, insurance systems, and disaster response mechanisms worldwide. How Are Earthquakes Formed? Tectonic plates are always moving, though we usually don't notice it. Earthquakes form when Plates move apart (divergent boundaries), Plates collide into each other (convergent boundaries), or Plates slide past each other (transform boundaries). At these ...
Climate Change Increases Disaster Risks Across Globe: Know More

Climate Change Increases Disaster Risks Across Globe: Know More

Thoughts & Talks
2024 shattered global temperature records and with it came a surge in natural disasters across the United States. From blazing wildfires in California to catastrophic floods in North Carolina, the link between climate change and intensifying disasters is no longer hypothetical, it's painfully real. According to the latest IPCC report, the frequency and scale of extreme weather events have already exceeded previous predictions. Even if greenhouse gas emissions are curtailed now, disaster risks are locked in due to existing warming.  Climate Change: A Growing Disaster Engine Over the past year, America has experienced the brutal reality of climate-driven disasters. These aren’t isolated events; they are interconnected crises, fueled by rising global temperatures, erratic rainfall p...