Inheritance of loss

The year 2012 set major records. A quick Google search reveals it was the hottest year in US history and second wettest one in the UK. Data from 2011 and 2010 show similar extremes. But not only is climate change getting worse, it is also getting costlier.

Climate studies, the Indian way

INDIA often finds itself in the midst of debates on climate change. But there is very little country-specific research available to guide climate-related policy. In 2010, researchers and policy advocates on climate change came together to form a network to promote quality climate research in the country. Three institutes, IIT-Delhi, IIT-Madras and Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), established the Indian Climate Research Network (ICRN). The network boasts over 150 members.

A bill for biodiversity

Science and Technology - Briefs

Climate Sciences Adaptive instinct

‘Ganga basin temperatures to rise by 1-2°C by 2050’

On the state of Himalayan glaciers Interviewee:  Eddy Moors

The inconvenient truth

Many years ago, in a desperately poor village in Rajasthan, people decided to plant trees on the land adjoining their pond so that its catchment would be protected. But this land belonged to the revenue department and people were fined for trespass. The issue hit national headlines. The stink made the local administration uncomfortable.

What Durban did not discuss

Debate on the rights and wrongs of intellectual property rights (IPRs) always gets stuck on a fundamental question. Would there be any incentive to invent and create without the incentive of IPRs such as patents and copyright? The conventional view is that without the reward of IPRs there would be no investment in researching and developing new technology. The counterview is that IPRs create a barrier to access and actually stifle innovation.

Cancun outcome at a glance

KYOTO PROTOCOL IN DANGER The Cancun Agreement on Long-Term Cooperative Action (LCA) has jeopardised the Kyoto Protocol. What’s more, key decisions on what should be the second commitment period (2017 or 2020), what should be the base period from which emissions reduction targets should be measured (1990, 2000 or 2005), what emission reduction targets should be set for countries individually and as a whole, and should the targets be mid-term, long-term or both, have been deferred till Durban summit next.

Mayors of the world unite

ABOUT 500 city mayors and climate experts from 53 countries around the globe met in Bonn over the last weekend of May with one agenda: forge their own roadmap for a low-carbon future. India was represented by Mayors of Chennai and Howrah.

India has climate targets for 2030

TWENTY years from now, India's per capita greenhouse gas emissions will be below the 2005 global average of 4.22 tonnes CO2-equivalent. The estimate is the result of five studies carried out by various research bodies including The Energy and Resources Institute, a Delhibased non-profit. The Union ministry of environment and forests released the report on September 2. Ministry officials said the report would be used in the climate change talks in Copenhagen in December. Minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh said the finding