UN issues seven licences for deep sea mining
Licences have been awarded to mining companies from India, the UK, Germany, Brazil, Singapore and Russia
Kyoto in trouble
Russia may not ratify it. And even if it does, it's not going to do so anytime soon. That was the message, loud and clear, from the Russian …
South Africa topples Tunisia as most food secure — what are the lessons for sub–Saharan Africa
Governments must employ multi-pronged approach to ensure affordability, availability, quality and safety of food
South African president works with cabinet on nuclear matters, says official statement
Government denies opposition charge that the president negotiated the nuclear deal with Russia alone
Money rains
Pollutants discharged from Russian smelters, worth millions of dollars, can be profitably extracted
Germs of terror
As terrorists arm themselves with biological weapons, India wakes up to find how ill equipped it is to face this deadly reality
Warming Arctic may be responsible for world’s extreme weather
Melting of Arctic is triggering changes in global wind patterns and causing more frequent heatwaves and downpours in northern hemisphere, says …
Bank’s first contest
Developing countries challenge US monopoly by putting up candidates for World Bank’s presidency
Can India-EU strategic partnership focus on climate change, clean energy?
Trade and security was the focus of the recently concluded India-EU summit, but the two entities need to move beyond that?
Burying in empty space
An old plan to lug deadly radioactive wastes to the remote corners of the solar system is being revived by some Russian scientists
Russia ambiguous on Kyoto
With Russia blowing hot and cold on ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, the ninth conference of parties (COP-9) to the UN Framework Convention on …
Russia reneging on Kyoto?
The earth is hotter than it has been in the past 2000 years and the largest ice shelf in the Artic has broken into two after having existed for …
Silent epidemic: Superbugs killing India’s newborns
Each time we use antibiotics, we allow the few superbugs—bacteria that are able to survive the antibiotic—to thrive, says an expert
Bioprates in the dragnet
Illegal smuggling of insects from the Himalaya comes into focus with the arrest of two Russians in Sikkim
Global Eco Watch: How climate may have helped exacerbate Spanish Flu
Down To Earth brings you the top happenings in the world of global ecology
Out with asbestos!
September saw a slew of developments giving renewed impetus to the global movement against asbestos
India to be 'leading manufacturer' of Russia’s 'doubtful' trial vaccine
Experts caution Indian government against hastened response; Russia researchers claim their vaccine is the best
Lithuania, Latvia ranked as world’s top environmental democracies
The index evaluated the availability of information and public participation related to environment matters in 70 countries
Brickbats for compulsory licences
US criticises India and BRIC group for strengthening provisions on life-saving medicines
India's nuclear chimera
Going by the Kudankulan example, India’s nuclear power generation target is a pie in the sky
Dash for gas: 7 new countries enter African gas markets
84% new reserves to come up in the 7 countries that have no history of fossil gas exploitation, finds Global Energy Monitor
Green future
The present phase of climate change talks ends with consensus on ways to implement the Kyoto Protocol
G8 and tragedy of Africa
Rich nations are forcing African states to change laws to facilitate private investment in agriculture in a replay of colonial adventurism
Poor countries increase domestic funding for AIDS control programmes
Eighty-one countries increased their domestic investment for AIDS by over 50 per cent between 2006 and 2011
Maharashtra onion crisis: Farmers bearing the brunt of low demand, poor export
Produce rates may remain low until export-worthy summer harvest arrives in the market