The jirgas of Afghanistan: Will local governance be on Taliban 2.0’s agenda

Down To Earth speaks to Austrian expert on Afghanistan, Christine Noelle-Karimi, about the role of jirgas post the Taliban’s takeover

Africa’s drylands are getting more support. How to make the most of this

The UN recently launched the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide

IEA’s push for climate ambition must start at home

International Energy Agency's latest carbon dioxide numbers try to greenwash biggest historic polluters

Second case of Coronavirus confirmed in the US

Individuals with no ailments infected more, say first set of clinical findings for Chinese patients

Capturing the promise of offshore wind

Emerging offshore markets can learn from Europe's success and use it in a domestic context 

Air pollution killing more Americans under Trump than Obama: Study

It found that 9,700 more people died in 2018 due to air pollution in the US than in 2016 because the Trump administration has made it easier to …

Only 38% UN members have laws for minimum lead concentration in paints

This is worrying as lead contamination can have adverse health impacts on humans

Another grim climate report on oceans: What will it take to address the compounding problems?

Rapid reduction of greenhouse gas emissions must be achieved across institutional boundaries

$6.4 billion spent to combat desertification in last 2 years: Report

The cost of combating land degradation and desertification has been estimated at $450 billion annually

NTPC gearing up to meet new emission norms

India’s largest generator is planning FGD installations and SCR pilot projects to meet the new norms

California finds huge groundwater reserves; experts urge caution

The study has led to a debate in the scientific community over the utilisation of these groundwater resources in the drought-hit state

Norway and the US agree to collaborate on forests and climate change

The statement recognises the importance of forests and land use in mitigating climate change

A new proposal for quantum entanglement between microorganisms

Tongcang Li from Purdue University, USA, and Zhang-qi Yin from Tsinghua University, China, have proposed a new method to teleport the internal …

People in Sundarbans most susceptible to climate change

The Indo-Bangladesh deltaic region has been experiencing storm surges and cyclones over the past seven years

US House moves to block labelling of genetically-modified food

The Bill comes in the wake of a movement across the country to enact laws that require the labelling of GMOs 

India and the new climate deal: walking the talk on equity

Known for its adamant advocacy in the climate negotiations, India now has a chance to put its best foot forward and lead talks towards …

A second too long

The world has been adding an extra second at regular intervals to keep pace with the slowing Earth. Will the practice be stopped as the US says …

Climate Change: three sobering milestones

World leaders at UN climate summit need to heed these grim markers if global warming has to stay within 2°C limit

Perfect model

Biologists use a variety of animal models for experiments. But a mouse or a fruitfly cannot truly represent a human being. Jessica Bolker, …

Mobile tester for crop diseases

Michigan State University scientists have developed a portable, effective device for testing plant diseases. Called Gene-Z, it was unveiled at …

Growing tendency

Compared to Europeans, South Asians need longer workouts

In Court

Topping the wrong chart: India has highest number of stillbirths

India recorded 0.34 million stillbirths in 2019; COVID-19 has disrupted health systems and added to the existing burden

Why Cuban doctors deserve the Nobel Peace Prize

Cuban medical workers are risking their health to break the chain of COVID-19 infection. They have also developed drugs to help fight the disease

UNEP launches coalition to promote renewable energy

Move aimed at developing policies that enable and encourage renewables and increased energy efficiency