Data on plant ‘sweat’ might help predict wildfire severity

NASA studies data from space station instrument; Water-stressed plants help identify areas with greater fire risk

Climate finance for Small Island Developing States slumped to 2017 levels in 2019: OECD

Small Island Developing States are vulnerable to increased risk of storm surges, sea-level rise and altered rainfall patterns

‘See Afghans as brothers and sisters with whom we have ties since Mahabharata, not some distant aliens’

The second and final part of DTE’s interview with former ambassador Gautam Mukhopadhaya, where he discusses the situation in Afghanistan, …

Biden’s climate summit: All eyes will be on the US, come April 22

An ambitious nationally determined contribution unveiled by the US at the Leaders Summit could help rebuild trust among sceptics

Amid protests over agri laws let's look at how some countries support farmers

Every day, 54, mostly developed countries give nearly $2 billion in support to their farmers

India can exert itself as one of the largest vaccine manufacturers during COVID-19: Vaccinologist Peter Hotez

Hotez talked to DTE on India’s role in global vaccination, its challenges on the home turf, anti-vax movement and vaccine diplomacy

Richest 1% emit twice as much carbon as poorest 50%: Oxfam report

The richest 10% accounted for 46% of emissions growth; the poorest 50% accounted for 6%  

Trump must confront climate challenge, but will he?

People in the US must turn up the heat on Donald Trump so that he doesn’t water down Obama's environmental agenda

Volkswagen to pay $14.7 billion to settle emissions-cheating cases

After violating environmental and consumer laws for years, Volkswagen makes the largest-ever automotive buyback offer in the US

US agency proposes more stringent rules to curb downwind air pollution

The proposal is expected to reduce emissions from power plants in 23 states, protecting neighbouring states from ozone pollution

The truth about US emissions

A close look at the inventory published by the US Environmental Protection Agency shows emissions rose and dipped due to market forces and …

Patently hollow claims of the US

Global organisations and academics defend India’s IP laws and call for US to back off

New index for measuring backwardness of states soon

Composite development index to include criteria such as health and literacy, which are not included in the present backwardness indicators

Menacing US diplomacy

Specialist attachés are strenuously pushing maximalist intellectual property rules worldwide

Myriad gains, we all lose

The US appeals court has upheld the patents for isolated human genes, ignoring scientists’ warning that it would obstruct vital research …

Bank’s first contest

Developing countries challenge US monopoly by putting up candidates for World Bank’s presidency

Science meets fiction

Down To Earth invites sci-fi buffs and writers to take its readers on a guided tour of the world of science fiction that throws a mirror to the …

Poisons we live with

Book>> What’s gotten into us? Staying healthy in a toxic world • by Mckay Jenkins, Random House • US $26

Turn on the tap

Why do Americans buy expensive bottled water when they have high quality tap water? That’s been an abiding enquiry for PETER GLEICK. …

Global Eco Watch: Arm forest guards with guns instead of lathis, suggests SC

Down To Earth brings you the top happenings in the world of global ecology

Study proposes tax on soft drinks

Tax likely to hike price of beverages, may help check obesity, Type-2 diabetes

Watch the clock

Understanding body clock can pave the way for better health

Old mandate, new law

Agricultural Biosecurity Bill 2013 does not offer much to save India from bio-terror

Ecological poverty

Arsenic linked to diabetes