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
Tag: down to earth
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?
Climate crisis in Kerala: An integrated approach is needed to mitigate impact
News: Kerala has seen various instances of heavy rains, floods, landslides and droughts over the last few years. Contents1 What are the natural disasters that Kerala is prone to? 2 What factors make Kerala more vulnerable to the climate change induced disasters? 3 What are the reasons for these recurrent natural disasters in Kerala? 4 What is… Continue reading Climate crisis in Kerala: An integrated approach is needed to mitigate impact
Bioenergy crops create cooling effect on cultivated areas: Study
What is the news? According to a study, converting annual crops to perennial bioenergy crops can induce a cooling effect on the areas where they are cultivated. The study was undertaken to look at the biophysical climate effects of bioenergy crops to fully assess their role in climate mitigation. What are Bioenergy Crops? Bioenergy is… Continue reading Bioenergy crops create cooling effect on cultivated areas: Study
Food security policy formulation: What can India learn from other countries?
News: India has transformed itself from a food-deficient country characterised by the ship-to-mouth situation of the 1960s, to the present day, when vulnerable sections of the population have enhanced access to food. Many challenges still remain, and this is where India can learn from international experiences. Must Read: Food security in India and its challenges… Continue reading Food security policy formulation: What can India learn from other countries?
Half of global cropland expansion replaced natural vegetation and tree cover: Study
Contents1 What is the news?2 About the study3 What are the key findings of the study?4 What is the significance of this study? What is the news? According to a study, Cropland area across the world has increased by 9% between 2003-2019. About the study The study was conducted between the period 2003-2019. It defines… Continue reading Half of global cropland expansion replaced natural vegetation and tree cover: Study
Remembering Anil Agarwal — Forget Malthus: upside of population growth
News: Views of Anil Aggarwal, Down To Earth founder editor, on population density and community resource management. As per him, it’s not always necessary to mock an increasing population. It can be seen as an opportunity for moving towards real solutions, including an end to excessive population growth. What are the conditions in which natural… Continue reading Remembering Anil Agarwal — Forget Malthus: upside of population growth
