black fortune: China's reliance on cheap coal to fuel its economy cost US $248 billion in 2007 through damage to the environment, strain on the healthcare system and manipulation of the commodity's price, said a report released by Greenpeace. Coal accounts for 70 per cent of the country's energy use but its supplies have been strained.
it's four times: A greenhouse gas, nitrogen trifluoride is four times more prevalent in the atmosphere than previously thought. Using new analytical techniques, scientists at the University of California in the US have found that about 5,400 tonnes of nitrogen trifluoride is present in the atmosphere and is increasing at the rate of 11 per cent a year. In 2006, its amount was estimated to be less than 1,200 tonnes. Regulating the emissions of the gas is important because it is 17,000 times more potent as a warming agent than CO2, said the scientists.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.