India Inc is yet to take an active part in conserving biodiversity of the country even though it is engaged in climate change programme, said Braulio F de Souza Dias, the executive secretary, Convention on Biodiversity, Canada. He hoped that the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), scheduled to take place here between October 1 and 19, will help create more awareness among Indian corporate houses on biodiversity.

India Inc Needs to Concentrate on Biodiversity

 

 

 

 

Climate change is already contributing to the deaths of nearly 400,000 people a year and costing the world more than $1.2 trillion, wiping 1.6% annually from global GDP, according to a new study. The impacts are being felt most keenly in developing countries, according to the research, where damage to agricultural production from extreme weather linked to climate change is contributing to deaths from malnutrition, poverty and their associated diseases.

Climate change is already damaging global economy, Report Finds

 

 

Periodic changes in winds 15 to 30 miles high in the stratosphere influence the seas by striking a vulnerable “Achilles heel” in the North Atlantic and changing mile-deep ocean circulation patterns, which in turn affect Earth’s climate.

Changes in Stratosphere Can Alter Ocean Circulation and Affect Global Climate

 

 

With carbon markets at an all time low and prospects of international long-term finance dim, the Planning Commission has suggested reworking the Rs 23,000 crore National Action Plan on climate change. It has reduced the number of missions and refocused them in line with “priorities”.

Plan Panel for Revamping National Action Plan on Climate Change

 

 

The southwest monsoon, which accounts for more than 70 per cent of India’s annual rainfall, is set to withdraw from northern and some western parts of the country in the next 48 hours after bringing bountiful showers since August in a late rally that cheered millions of farmers.

Monsoon set to withdraw from northern parts of western India

 

 

 

Scientists have warned that there is little hope for the survival of coral reefs unless greenhouse gas emissions are curtailed. Global warming and ocean acidification, both driven by human-caused carbon dioxide emissions, pose a major threat to these ecosystems, they said.

Climate Change Casts Shadow Over Coral Reef Survival

 

 

Arctic sea ice has melted to its minimum extent for the year due to climate change, setting a record for the lowest summer cover since satellites began collecting data.
The 2012 extent has fallen to 3.41 million sq km, which is 50 per cent lower than the 1979-2000 average. Arctic sea ice has long been regarded as a sensitive indicator of changes in the climate, NSIDC said in a statement. 

Arctic Sea Ice Shrinks To Lowest Level on Record

The world’s Arctic ice cap has shrunk to a new low, surpassing a record set only five years ago, and is expected to keep retreating for a few more weeks, according to U.S. data released on Monday.

Arctic sea ice at record low, expected to keep on melting

When India was hit by huge power cuts at the end of July, the residents of Patragonda, a tribal village in the eastern state of Jharkhand, remained blissfully unaware.
The reason is simple – the village, nestled in a dense forest, has never been connected to the national grid. Instead it gets its electricity from the sun.

India Could Do Better On Renewable Energy, Experts Say

A faceoff has developed between low-key environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan and Planning Commission deputy commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Jayanthi Natarajan and Montek Singh Ahluwalia in Face Off