News: Cryptocurrency has expanded rapidly. With its increased popularity, problems of environmental sustainability have emerged. These are related to the digital mining of Cryptocurrency, esp Bitcoin, as it creates a massive carbon footprint due to the staggering amount of energy it requires. Note: In 2019, the global cryptocurrency market was approximately $793 million. It’s now… Continue reading As cryptocurrency becomes mainstream, its carbon footprint can’t be ignored
Tag: down to earth
Environmental crises pose biggest threats to global population over next decade: WEF Global Risks Report 2022
What is the news? The Global Risks Report 2022 has been released. What is the Global Risks Report? Global Risks Report is an annual report released by the World Economic Forum. The report was based on a survey that tracks global risk perceptions among risk experts and world leaders in business, government and civil society. … Continue reading Environmental crises pose biggest threats to global population over next decade: WEF Global Risks Report 2022
Time’s Running out-Is India ready to handle 34,600 tonnes of solar waste?
News: India plans to generate about 280 GW of energy through solar power by 2030. While this may seem a climate smart move but it also leads to generation of huge amount of solar waste. A holistic approach to solar energy includes not only a green and clean perspective, but also resource and material management. Why India needs a solar waste… Continue reading Time’s Running out-Is India ready to handle 34,600 tonnes of solar waste?
Rooftop solar: Why India is now considered to be a laggard globally
News: Rooftop solar installation in India is lagging behind the target. As a part of nationwide revamped target in 2014 for renewable energy installations, at least 40 gigawatt was earmarked for rooftop solar by 2022. However, only 6.11 GW (15 per cent of the target) was achieved as of November 2021. Even the urbanized, high-income cities like Delhi could achieve only… Continue reading Rooftop solar: Why India is now considered to be a laggard globally
What a waste: Reviving India’s sanitation systems
News: India often confuse toilets with sanitation; but they are mere repositories to receive waste. Poor sanitation and water-related issues resulted in 1.04 million under-five child deaths in India. Also, poor sanitation costs India 5.2 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) annually. In this regard, in the last decade, a massive push for sanitation, provided millions of the population with access to… Continue reading What a waste: Reviving India’s sanitation systems
Red Sanders falls back in IUCN’s ‘endangered’ category
What is the News? Red Sanders (Red Sandalwood) has again been listed in the ‘endangered’ category in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List. What is Red Sanders? Red Sanders(Pterocarpus santalinus) is an Indian endemic tree species with a restricted geographical range in the Eastern Ghats. Conservation Status: IUCN Status: Endangered (Earlier… Continue reading Red Sanders falls back in IUCN’s ‘endangered’ category
Why did the Maya civilization collapse? We don’t know yet, but drought was likely not the cause: Study
Contents1 What is the news?2 What is Maya Civilisation?3 Why was this study conducted?4 How was the study conducted, and what are the findings? What is the news? A recent study reveals that drought was likely not the sole reason for the collapse of the ancient Mayan civilization. What is Maya Civilisation? Maya civilization was… Continue reading Why did the Maya civilization collapse? We don’t know yet, but drought was likely not the cause: Study
DNA from air may help identify, track animals in the wild: Studies
What is the news? Researchers have found that environmental DNA (e-DNA) can boost biodiversity conservation efforts across the world. What is Environmental DNA (e-DNA)? Environmental DNA or eDNA is DNA that is collected from a variety of environmental samples such as soil, seawater, snow or air rather than directly sampled from an individual organism. Example… Continue reading DNA from air may help identify, track animals in the wild: Studies
Don’t raise legal age of girls’ marriage to 21: Odisha body to parliamentary panel
What is the news? The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) has urged the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Youth and Sports to consider not raising the legal age of marriage of girls to 21. It instead urged the Committee to keep 18 as the minimum legal age for both boys… Continue reading Don’t raise legal age of girls’ marriage to 21: Odisha body to parliamentary panel
Why can’t we throw all our trash into a volcano and burn it up?
What is the news? Throwing all our waste into the volcano and burning is not feasible. The article explains the reasons. Why can’t we throw all our rubbish into a volcano and burn it up? Firstly, although lava at 1100oC can melt many materials in the trash — including food scraps, paper, plastics, glass and… Continue reading Why can’t we throw all our trash into a volcano and burn it up?
