Environment

NEW DELHI: The Environment Ministry said on Monday a committee of experts would be formed to look into the technological advances, including application of satellite-based measurement, to improve air quality and reduce pollution. Every winter smog causes deterioration of air quality, raising the pollution to dangerous levels in the national capital. The ministry said a meeting with expert institutions was held to discuss the application of advanced technologies to deal with the rising air pollution and improve the overall air quality management framework. "An expert group will be constituted, which will provide its recommendation in a month's time on early warning system, including dissemination protocol and application of satellite-based measurement for improving air quality information and management," the ministry said in a statement. "The Department of Science and Technology will take lead on technology interventions for possible use before the onset of winter. They should … [Read more...] about Expert panel will be set up to use advanced technology to deal with air pollution: Environment Ministry

London: Nearly a fifth of Europe's wood-dependent beetles are at the risk of extinction due to the ongoing decline in large veteran trees, conservationists have warned. Saproxylic beetles depend on dead and decaying wood for at least part of their life-cycle and are involved in decomposition processes and the recycling of nutrients in natural ecosystems. They also provide an important food source for birds and mammals, and some species are even involved in pollination. The new European Red List of Saproxylic Beetles by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessed the conservation status of almost 700 species of saproxylic beetles. "The IUCN Red List gives us key intelligence for understanding the status of saproxylic beetles and highlighting conservation priorities to ensure their long-term survival," said Jane Smart, Director, IUCN Global Species Programme. "Some beetle species require old trees that need hundreds of years to grow, so conservation efforts need to … [Read more...] about Beetles face extinction due to loss of old trees: Report

Washington: Permafrost in the coldest northern Arctic -- formerly thought to be at least temporarily shielded from global warming by its extreme environment -- could thaw enough to become a permanent source of carbon to the atmosphere in a few decades, warns a NASA-led study. This will happen in this century, with the peak transition occurring in 40 to 60 years, said the study.  Permafrost is soil that has remained frozen for years or centuries under the topsoil. It contains carbon-rich organic material, such as leaves, that froze without decaying, NASA said in a statement on Tuesday. As rising Arctic air temperatures cause permafrost to thaw, the organic material decomposes and releases its carbon to the atmosphere in the form of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane. The researchers calculated that as thawing continues, by the year 2300, total carbon emissions from the coldest northern Arctic will be 10 times as much as all human-produced fossil fuel emissions in 2016. … [Read more...] about Arctic permafrost may unleash carbon within decades: NASA

New Delhi: Land is already under growing human pressure and climate change is adding to these pressures. At the same time, keeping global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius can be achieved only by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors, including land and food, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said in its latest report on Thursday. The IPCC, the world body for assessing the state of scientific knowledge related to climate change, its impacts and potential future risks and possible response options, saw the Summary for Policymakers of the Special Report on Climate Change and Land approved by the world's governments on Wednesday in Geneva, Switzerland. It will be a key scientific input into forthcoming climate and environment negotiations such as the Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (COP14) in New Delhi in September and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Santiago in Chile in … [Read more...] about Land under pressure from humans, climate change: IPCC report

Riot cops deployed tear gas and fans fought with police as those in the stands ripped seats out and threw them at players. The referee abandoned Cruzeiro’s clash against Palmeiras with five minutes to go shortly after the visitors’ second goal at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte. Stream live coverage of the Carabao Cup with beIN SPORTS on KAYO. Get your 14 day free trial & start streaming instantly > Some fans had already evacuated the ground as ugly skirmishes and fireworks broke out in the terraces. But shocking video footage showed a one man carrying what appeared to be his son to safety while others fiercely protected the most vulnerable from the violence. Others were carried out on bloody stretchers with clashes taking place on the street outside the stadium too. One journalist there said: “The environment outside of Mineirao is a war zone. “Even some broadcast booths have seen projectiles fly by them.” Fans of Brazil's Cruzeiro … [Read more...] about Incredible images of Brazilian football fans rioting after Cruzeiro was relegated