india Archives - Disasters News

Mar212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Biotech Revolution Bill Gates and Dr. Jitendra Singh Discuss Startup Growth and Global Impact

In a landmark discussion aimed at propelling India biotechnology sector to global prominence Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates met with Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh during his visit to India. The high-profile meeting focused on strengthening public-private partnerships fostering startup innovation, and leveraging India’s expanding biotech and biomanufacturing ecosystem. The meeting, attended by delegations from both sides, explored collaboration in key areas, including gene therapy, vaccine development, and biomanufacturing. Dr. Singh emphasized India’s unprecedented surge in biotech innovations under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, citing the Bio E3 Initiative a policy framework focusing on Biotechnology for Economy, Employment...

Mar212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global South Takes Lead in Climate Action as Developed Nations Falter

Breaking News, Climate Actions

The Global South with nations like India and Brazil at the forefront, is stepping up to take a leading role in global climate action as developed countries struggle to meet their commitments. COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago emphasized this shift in leadership during his visit to India, asserting that emerging economies possess the institutional strength and scientific expertise necessary to drive meaningful climate solutions. Correa do Lago pointed out that the United States' wavering commitment and Europe’s growing defense priorities have hindered the effectiveness of climate initiatives. He argued that while countries in the Global South have large vulnerable populations, their proactive climate policies and international cooperation are setting new standards for environmental le...

Mar122025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Air Pollution Crisis Damaging Despite Slight Improvement

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check

Despite a 7% drop in PM2.5 levels India remains the world's fifth most polluted country, with six of the ten most polluted cities globally. The 2024 IQAir World Air Quality Report reveals that India’s annual PM2.5 average fell to 50.6 µg/m³ from 54.4 µg/m³ in 2023, yet pollution levels remain alarmingly high. New Delhi, a pollution hotspot, recorded an annual PM2.5 average of 91.6 µg/m³, showing little change from the previous year. Northern states continue to suffer from severe pollution spikes, with Baddi in Himachal Pradesh reporting a shocking PM2.5 level of 165 µg/m³ in January. Stubble burning contributed to 60% of PM2.5 levels in Punjab, Haryana, and surrounding regions, worsening air quality in November. Air pollution remains a major public health crisis, reducing life expect...

Mar62025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Faces 24.7% GDP Loss by 2070 Due to Climate Change

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

India could lose 24.7% of its GDP by 2070 due to climate-related disruptions, warned Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav at the World Sustainable Summit organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) on Wednesday. Yadav emphasized that the Global South, led by India, is now driving the global climate agenda. He highlighted India’s efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, stating, “In 2020 alone, India cut emissions by 7.93%.” Despite facing severe climate challenges, India continues to push for sustainable solutions. He urged developed nations to fulfill their financial and technological commitments under the Paris Agreement, stressing the importance of global cooperation in strengthening climate action. He also called for reforms in global governance to ensure eq...

Feb252025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Vanishing Giants India Farmlands Lose Millions of Large Trees, Raising Environmental Concerns

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

India has witnessed a dramatic decline in large trees across its farmlands over the past decade, with nearly 5.6 million trees disappearing between 2018 and 2022 alone, a new study has revealed. Researchers using satellite imagery from 2010 to 2022 found that in some regions, up to 50% of large trees have been lost, raising serious concerns about the impact on biodiversity, soil health, and climate resilience. The study identified central Indian states like Maharashtra and Telangana as hotspots for tree loss, with nearly 2.5 million trees vanishing between 2011 and 2018. Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh recorded the highest densities of tree loss, with about 22 trees disappearing per hectare. India’s land-cover data shows that 56% of the country is under farmland, while forests cover only ...

Feb142025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Among Top 10 Nations Hit Hard by Extreme Weather: CRI 2025

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Opinions

India recorded over 400 extreme weather events between 1993 and 2022, leading to nearly USD 180 billion in inflation-adjusted losses and at least 80,000 fatalities, according to the Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2025 released by Germanwatch. The index, which ranks countries based on the economic and human toll of extreme weather, placed India among the top ten nations most affected during the 30-year period. The CRI used data from sources such as the EM-DAT international disaster database, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It analyzed 9,400 extreme weather events that resulted in over 7.65 lakh deaths globally and direct losses of USD 4.2 trillion. Dominica, China, and Honduras were the most affected, followed by Myanmar, Italy, India, Greece, Spain, Vanuatu, and the...

Feb42025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Needs Comprehensive Climate Justice Policy for Disaster Resilience

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

As climate change-driven disasters intensify across India, experts are calling for a comprehensive climate justice policy that integrates disaster risk reduction, resilience building, and adequate budgetary allocations. In 2024, extreme weather events impacted 255 out of 274 days, leading to 3,238 deaths, destruction of 2.35 lakh houses, and damage to 3.2 million hectares of land, according to the Centre for Science and Environment. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs reported a 24% rise in disaster-related fatalities compared to the previous year. Key Policy Gaps & Recent Amendments The 2024 amendments to the Disaster Management Act, 2005, now include "disaster risk reduction", but effective implementation and budget oversight remain crucial. Urban Disaster Management ...

Feb42025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Budget 2025 India Ambitious 100 GW Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a bold new ‘Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat’, setting an ambitious target of 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047 as part of India's clean energy transition. To accelerate growth, amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act will be introduced, enabling greater private sector participation. A major highlight of the initiative is a ₹20,000 crore R&D mission for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), with at least five indigenous SMRs expected to be operational by 2033. Former Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr. Anil Kakodkar welcomed the move, calling it a “clear realization” of nuclear energy’s role in achieving Net Zero emissions. India currently has an 8,180 MW installed nuclear capacity, with 24 ...

Feb32025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Warns Lack of Climate Funding May Force Global South to Revise Climate Targets

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

India has raised significant concerns over the insufficient climate funding from developed nations, warning that this may lead developing countries to revise their climate targets. At the heart of the issue is the 2024 UN climate conference's financial package, which has been criticized for offering little hope in addressing the climate crisis. The shortfall in funding has sparked tensions between the Global South and developed countries, potentially undermining global climate action efforts. Impact on India's Climate Actions and Sustainable Development India's Economic Survey for 2024-25, presented in Parliament, emphasized that without adequate financial support from richer nations, developing countries may have to reassess their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for the 2...

Jan202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Polar Vortex Sparks Arctic Freeze Across US: Could Its Effects Reach India?

Breaking News, Environment, Fact Check

As a formidable polar vortex sweeps across the United States, millions of Americans brace for dangerously low temperatures and life-threatening conditions, marking the coldest weather of the season so far. This Arctic blast is set to engulf much of the country, with nighttime lows plummeting to -23°F (-31°C) in northern states and sub-zero wind chills predicted as far south as Texas and the Gulf Coast. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued urgent warnings about hypothermia, frostbite, and hazardous travel conditions due to snow and ice. Understanding the Polar Vortex The polar vortex is a large, low-pressure system of frigid air that typically circulates near the Earth's poles. During winter, this system can weaken and expand, displacing Arctic air into lower latitudes. This ...