What is the News? The International Science Council has released a report titled “Unprecedented and Unfinished – COVID-19 and Implications for National and Global Policy”. According to the report, the COVID-19 pandemic may prevent the world from achieving net zero emissions by 2050. What is the International Science Council? Formed in: 2018 Purpose: It is… Continue reading World may miss net zero by 2050, courtesy COVID-19: International Science Council
Category: Factly: Environment
This category contains all Current Affairs Factly Articles for Prelims, related to the Environment. You can find all relevant Environment related updates on this page. This page is specifically useful for UPSC Prelims exam.
Lancet Planetary Health Report: ‘At 2.4 million in 2019, India led world in pollution deaths’
What is the News? The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health has published “The Lancet Planetary Health Report”. What are the key highlights from the report? Global findings Pollution was responsible for 9 million premature deaths in 2015 making it the world’s largest environmental risk factor for disease and premature death. Ambient air pollution accounted… Continue reading Lancet Planetary Health Report: ‘At 2.4 million in 2019, India led world in pollution deaths’
Explained: What are urban heat islands, and why are they worsening during summers?
What is the News? Several parts of India are reeling under heatwave conditions. Cities, especially, are a lot hotter than rural areas. This is due to a phenomenon called an “urban heat island”. What are Urban Heat Islands? An urban heat island is a local and temporary phenomenon experienced when certain pockets within a city… Continue reading Explained: What are urban heat islands, and why are they worsening during summers?
India’s 52nd tiger reserve, Ramgarh Vishdhari notified
What is the News? Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary was notified as a tiger reserve after a nod by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEF&CC). Note: Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary will be India’s 52nd tiger reserve and Rajasthan’s fourth after Ranthambore, Sariska and Mukundra. What is Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary? Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife… Continue reading India’s 52nd tiger reserve, Ramgarh Vishdhari notified
Scientists discover almost 35 million years old rare snake fossil from Ladakh Himalaya
What is the News? Scientists have reported spotting the fossil of a Madtsoiidae snake from the molasse deposits of Ladakh Himalaya for the first time indicating their prevalence in the subcontinent for a much longer time than previously thought. What is Madtsoiidae Snake? Madtsoiidae is an extinct group of medium-sized to gigantic snakes. These snakes… Continue reading Scientists discover almost 35 million years old rare snake fossil from Ladakh Himalaya
Shallow and deep ecologism
What is the News? As India continues to grapple with the unrelenting heat waves, it becomes relevant to unpack two strands of environmental philosophy that reinvent the relationship between nature and humans — Shallow and Deep Ecologism. Background The concepts of Shallow and Deep Ecologism emerged in the 1970s when Norwegian philosopher Arne Næss sought… Continue reading Shallow and deep ecologism
Drought In Numbers, 2022: Desertification: ‘Droughts reduced India’s GDP by up to 5% in 20 years’
What is the News? The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD) has released the Drought In Numbers, 2022 Report to mark Drought Day. What are the key findings of the report? Global findings Droughts represent 15% of natural disasters but took the largest human toll, approximately 650,000 deaths from 1970-2019. Since 2000, the number and… Continue reading Drought In Numbers, 2022: Desertification: ‘Droughts reduced India’s GDP by up to 5% in 20 years’
Union Environment Minister delivers the National Statement at the 15th Session of the Conference of Parties of UNCCD
What is the News? The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change addressed the fifteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Côte d’Ivoire. What is the UNCCD Conference of the Parties(COP)? The UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP) was established by the… Continue reading Union Environment Minister delivers the National Statement at the 15th Session of the Conference of Parties of UNCCD
Corals and sea anemones turn sunscreen into toxins – understanding how could help save coral reefs
What is the News? Researchers have identified a mechanism by which oxybenzone – a common sunscreen component – may be hastening the demise of reefs. What is Oxybenzone? Oxybenzone is the sun-blocking agent in many sun creams. Its chemical structure causes it to absorb UV rays, preventing damage to skin cells. But it has attracted… Continue reading Corals and sea anemones turn sunscreen into toxins – understanding how could help save coral reefs
State of India’s Birds(SoIB) report: Future looms dark for 48% of bird species
What is the News? The State of India’s Birds(SoIB) report has been released. What is the State of India’s Birds(SoIB) report? State of the World’s Birds is an annual review of environmental resources. Released by: Partnership of 10 Government and non-Governmental organizations. What are the key findings of the report? Findings related to the Global… Continue reading State of India’s Birds(SoIB) report: Future looms dark for 48% of bird species
