Unlike previous UN climate meets, the 16th Conference of Parties (CoP) held in Cancun in Mexico witnessed very few strong words being tossed between developed and developing countries till this magazine went to press. After Japan’s initial belligerence against any extension of Kyoto Protocol, China has shown surprising malleability for …
As I write this, some 24 hours are left to finalise the agreement at the 16th Conference of Parties to the climate change convention being held in Cancun. At this moment it seems the predictable deadlock in talks will continue. Like all other global climate meetings, the world remains deeply …
CALL it the fear of technology not proven yet or being plain cautious, but delegates from 193 countries voted to ban geoengineering. The technology aims to change the planet’s climate through manipulation. One example is to install mirrors in space to reflect solar radiation away from earth to reduce global …
MAJOR volcanic eruptions can disrupt rainfall patterns over the Asian monsoon region. A study has shown that big eruptions tend to dry up much of central Asia, but bring more rain to southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar—the opposite of what many climate models predict. Researchers at …
It is increasingly becoming evident that the world may not be ready for a binding international climate treaty at the ongoing climate summit in Cancun, Mexico. Global attention is now shifting towards domestic policies in the major economies. Japan and South Korea plan to launch their own versions of national …
Jharkhand has the reputation of being India’s biggest producer of lac, a scarlet-coloured resin secreted by an insect on trees. The state accounts for more than 50 per cent of the country’s lac produce. In 2004-05, Jharkhand produced 10,780 tonnes of lac. This season, from March to October, traders were …
There is no doubt US President Barack Obama was in India on a business trip. His recent electoral losses weighed heavily with him when he stitched up deals, reportedly worth US $10 billion, that would create about 50,000 jobs back home. His visit and the sweetener of support for India’s …
Towards earth system modelling for improving monsoon projections under changing climate by R. Krishnan, Centre for Climate Change Research, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune presented at the South Asian Media Briefing on Climate Change, CSE, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, 24
GROUNDWATER is becoming important to sustain agriculture, industry and drinking water. But as we exploit aquifers, more water becomes part of the hydrological cycle. A recent study shows evaporation and precipitation of groundwater is responsible for a fourth of the annual sea level rise of 3.1 mm. The study, to …
ORCHIDS that the Victorian era naturalists plucked and carefully pressed onto vellum sheets confine climate secrets. A recent study of these orchids revealed over the years global warming has changed their blooming pattern: the spring flower now blooms prematurely in the UK. Researchers from University of East Anglia, University of …
Sri Lanka is becoming a power hungry nation. Several coal power plants with a total generation capacity of 3,200 MW are on the anvil. The country’s new energy minister, Champika Ranawaka, wants a nuclear power plant by 2025. That’s a sure sign of change: Ranawaka started his career as an …
ABBC memo was leaked out recently; an e-mail written by Jon Williams, BBC world news editor, to his staff. According to the contents of the e-mail, BBC’s coverage of the Chile miners rescue operation has gone way over the agreed budget. The costs of newsgathering in Chile are likely to …
On a brief visit to Pakistan this week I noted that the recent floods have left deep impressions on the country’s policy and political leadership. They spoke about the scale of devastation, human suffering and the massive challenge of rehabilitation. They also noted, interestingly, that in their view there was …
