What is the News? The UN Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC) has released the World Drug Report 2022. What are the key findings of the report? Globally: Compared to the previous decade, the number of drug users has increased by 26% globally. Although women remain in the minority of drug users globally, their consumption rate… Continue reading India home to largest number of opiate users: UN report on drugs
Tag: down to earth
India’s ban on select single-use plastic items: A start but still a long way from blanket ban
News: India’s ban on select single-use plastic(SUPs) items comes into effect from July 1, 2022. Contents1 Does India impose a blanket ban on all single-use plastic items?2 What are the challenges associated with the present ban?3 What is the status of the plastic alternatives market in India?4 Do alternatives to plastics viable?5 What should be… Continue reading India’s ban on select single-use plastic items: A start but still a long way from blanket ban
Commonwealth adopts ‘Living Lands Charter’ for future generations
What is the News? The Commonwealth leaders have adopted the Living Lands Charter at the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kigali, Rwanda. What is the Living Lands Charter? It is a non-binding agreement adopted by the Commonwealth member countries. Purpose: The charter mandates member countries to safeguard global land resources and arrest land… Continue reading Commonwealth adopts ‘Living Lands Charter’ for future generations
Nigeria’s latest lithium find: some key questions answered
Contents1 What is the News?2 What is Lithium?3 What is High-Grade Lithium?4 What are the uses of Lithium? What is the News? Recently, High-grade Lithium has been discovered in Nigeria. What is Lithium? Click Here to read about it What is High-Grade Lithium? The Geological Agency described lithium as high grade because it is found… Continue reading Nigeria’s latest lithium find: some key questions answered
Internet shutdowns hurt much more than we realize: UN rights office
What is the News? The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has released a report titled “Internet shutdowns: Trends, causes, legal implications and impacts on a range of human rights.” What are the key findings of the report? Internet Shutdowns: Internet shutdowns are measures taken by a government or on… Continue reading Internet shutdowns hurt much more than we realize: UN rights office
Oceans Great Dying 2.0: Mass extinction haunts oceans
What is the News? Scientists warn of imminent mass extinction of marine species similar to one that happened 250 million years ago during the Permian Era. What is the Permian Era? The Permian era is a period spanning 298.9 million-252.2 million years ago. This was a time before the dinosaurs ruled the planet. Global ocean… Continue reading Oceans Great Dying 2.0: Mass extinction haunts oceans
Global Biodiversity Framework: What happened in Nairobi?
Contents1 What is the News?2 What is the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework?3 Four goals to achieve under the framework by 20503.1 2030 Action Targets What is the News? The meeting of the Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework failed to achieve as much as was expected. The objective of the meeting was to… Continue reading Global Biodiversity Framework: What happened in Nairobi?
EU Draft Nature Restoration Law: Halving pesticide use, dismantling dams: EU’s ambitious draft law to restore nature
What is the News? The European Commission(EC) has unveiled a draft “Nature Restoration Law” to restore nature and mitigate climate change on the European continent. What is the EU Draft Nature Restoration Law? Aim: To cover at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 with nature restoration measures, and eventually extend… Continue reading EU Draft Nature Restoration Law: Halving pesticide use, dismantling dams: EU’s ambitious draft law to restore nature
How can you make a westward-flowing river flow east: Activists on Bedti-Varada interlinking
What is the News? Environmental groups in Karnataka have criticized the Bedti-Varada Interlinking Project in Karnataka calling it unscientific and a waste of public money. What is the Bedti-Varda Interlinking Project? The Bedti-Varada project was envisaged in 1992 to supply drinking water. The plan aims to link the Bedti, a river flowing west into the Arabian… Continue reading How can you make a westward-flowing river flow east: Activists on Bedti-Varada interlinking
Biodiversity loss to raise India’s bankruptcy risk 29%
Contents1 What is the News?2 What are Sovereign credit ratings?3 What is the link between Sovereign credit rating and Biodiversity loss?4 How will this impact ordinary people? What is the News? According to a study by British economists, loss of biodiversity will downgrade the Sovereign credit ratings of several countries including India increasing their bankruptcy… Continue reading Biodiversity loss to raise India’s bankruptcy risk 29%
