Cary Fowler and Geoffrey Hawtin, instrumental in creating the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, will receive the 2024 World Food Prize for their crucial role in preserving global crop diversity and safeguarding against future food crises.
Results for: Climate Change
In an effort to promote environmental sustainability, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India’s leading research organization, has introduced ‘Wrinkles Acche Hai’ (WAH), an initiative that encourages employees to wear wrinkled clothes on Mondays. By avoiding ironing, CSIR aims to reduce energy consumption and cut down on carbon emissions, contributing to the fight against climate change.
In response to the growing effects of climate change on human health, every state in India is developing an action plan to address the challenges posed by rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and other climate-related health hazards. These action plans, once approved by the central government, will guide states in managing the impact of climate change on their populations over the next five years.
The Supreme Court of India has extended the constitutional rights to life and equality to include the right to be free from the negative effects of climate change. This landmark judgment has the potential to create positive change, but it also contains some flaws that could undermine its impact. The Court’s focus on mega-solar and wind energy projects without considering the negative impacts they can have on the environment and local communities is a major concern. Additionally, the Court’s failure to address the potential of alternative energy sources and demand management strategies is a missed opportunity. Despite these flaws, the judgment has the potential to be a positive step towards climate justice in India if the Court takes further steps to address these concerns.
Heavy rains have wreaked havoc in Brazil’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, claiming the lives of 37 people. The toll is expected to rise as dozens remain missing. The floods have also displaced over 23,000 individuals and affected nearly half of the state’s 497 cities. Streets have transformed into rivers, while roads and bridges have been destroyed. Landslides and the partial collapse of a dam have exacerbated the situation. A second dam is at risk of collapsing, prompting evacuations. The weather pattern, influenced by both tropical and polar atmospheres, has intensified due to climate change. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the state to assess the damage and coordinate rescue efforts.
Scientists have finally uncovered the mystery behind a perplexing Switzerland-sized hole that has been intermittently appearing in Antarctica’s sea ice for decades. This elusive phenomenon, known as the Maud Rise polynya, has puzzled researchers for years, but recent observations and data analysis have shed light on its formation.
Heavy rains in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul have taken a tragic turn, with the death toll rising to 29 as of Thursday night. Another 60 people remain missing. The devastation has also forced more than 10,000 residents to evacuate their homes, and electricity and water cuts have been reported across the state. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited the affected areas to express solidarity.
Capital Power’s decision to halt its Genesee carbon capture project highlights the financial and technological challenges facing such initiatives. The $2.4-billion project aimed to reduce carbon emissions, but uncertainty over carbon credit value and the fate of carbon pricing, along with the risks and costs associated with using the technology in a gas plant, contributed to the decision. While other carbon capture proposals may continue, analysts believe the risks are lower in industries with more established technologies.
A carbon capture and storage project in Saskatchewan, Canada, has fallen short of its emissions reduction targets, casting doubt on the technology’s cost-effectiveness. According to a report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, the Boundary Dam project, a coal-fired power plant that began capturing carbon dioxide in 2014, has not consistently met its goal of capturing 90% of emissions. The average capture rate has been approximately 57%, primarily due to technical issues and limited demand for carbon dioxide from the energy industry. While proponents argue that the project has provided valuable experience and lessons for future CCS projects, critics maintain that carbon capture is unlikely to be a cost-effective solution for reducing emissions on a large scale.
Amidst scorching heatwaves across India, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is closely monitoring the health impact on a national scale. The health ministry has trained district officials to identify and report health complications related to extreme heat. The NCDC has also advised states to establish task forces and implement heat-health action plans, which will be integrated into the State Action Plan for Climate Change and Human Health. The Union Health Minister has emphasized the significance of real-time data collection and timely action to minimize the adverse effects of heatwaves. The India Meteorological Department has conducted an analysis to assess vulnerability zones and forecast heatstroke patterns.