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
Tag: down to earth
Primate under threat: Why the slender loris needs a protected area in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul
What is the News? Scientists from the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History(SACON) in Coimbatore carried out a survey of Grey slender loris populations in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul forest division. What is Grey Slender Loris? The Grey slender loris belongs to the family Loridae. It is a species of primate. Conservation Status IUCN… Continue reading Primate under threat: Why the slender loris needs a protected area in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul
State of the World’s Forests 2022: 10% of total forest area on Earth lost in 30 years
What is the News? The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has released the State of the World’s Forests 2022 (SOFO 2022). What are the key highlights from the report? Loss of Forests: Forests cover 31% of the Earth’s land surface (4.06 billion ha) but the area is shrinking with 420 million ha of… Continue reading State of the World’s Forests 2022: 10% of total forest area on Earth lost in 30 years
NASA to shut down SOFIA telescope that found water on Moon
What is the News? The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has decided to shut down the SOFIA Telescope that confirmed the presence of water on the Moon. What is the SOFIA Telescope? SOFIA stands for Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, It is a 2.7-meter infrared telescope sitting inside a Boeing 747SP airplane… Continue reading NASA to shut down SOFIA telescope that found water on Moon
Net Zero by 2050 will hit a major timing problem technology can’t solve. We need to talk about cutting consumption
News: Many climate activists and scientists are reassuring that the climate crisis can be solved rapidly without any changes to lifestyle, society or the economy. They suggest paths such as a) Switching from fossil fuels to renewable power, electric vehicles and energy efficiency technologies, b) Adding seaweed to livestock feed to cut methane and c)… Continue reading Net Zero by 2050 will hit a major timing problem technology can’t solve. We need to talk about cutting consumption
Climate change is real: Strong cyclones to reduce in Bay of Bengal, rise in Arabian Sea by 2050, says study
Contents1 What is the News?2 What are the key findings of the study?2.1 Increase in Tropical Cyclones3 Opposite Impact on the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea What is the News? A study has been published in the Science Advances estimating the impact of Climate Change on Cyclones. What are the key findings of… Continue reading Climate change is real: Strong cyclones to reduce in Bay of Bengal, rise in Arabian Sea by 2050, says study
Denied & discouraged: Why youths not looking for jobs can be a crisis for India
Context: In March 2022, India’s labour participation rate (LPR) fell to 39.5% from 39.9% in February, according to a report by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). This is lower than the rate during the country’s second COVID-19 wave in June 2021, when it was 39.6%. Labour participation rate is a measure of the… Continue reading Denied & discouraged: Why youths not looking for jobs can be a crisis for India
Increase in disasters leads to spike in intentional homicides of women: UN Report
Contents1 What is the News?2 What are the key findings of the report?2.1 Disasters2.2 Impact of Disasters on Women and Children3 Shadow Pandemic What is the News? The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has released a report titled “Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2022: Our World at Risk: Transforming Governance for… Continue reading Increase in disasters leads to spike in intentional homicides of women: UN Report
Electric vehicles have a dark side too: Blood batteries and child labour
Context: EVs are being pitched as cleaner, greener and sustainable. But are they? Underlying the shiny exteriors of an electric vehicle lies a shocking story of blood batteries, extreme poverty and child labour. Contents1 What is the usage of Cobalt in production of EVs?2 What are the humanitarian problems associated with production of EVs?3 Is… Continue reading Electric vehicles have a dark side too: Blood batteries and child labour
Fulfilling CoP26 promises can limit global warming to 2°C: Study
What is the News? According to a study, Global warming can be limited to 2 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels if all the conditional and unconditional pledges to the Paris Agreement are implemented in full and on time. What is the study about? The study has analyzed 154 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and 76 long-term… Continue reading Fulfilling CoP26 promises can limit global warming to 2°C: Study
