https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/climate-disasters-dont-just-destroy-homes-they-change-lives-forever-we-spoke-with-cyclone-survivors-in-zimbabwe https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-06/2zejxyy8/FindingavictimfromthelandslidesafterIdai.png A family in Chimanimani digs on March 22, 2019, without protective clothing for their missing family member after Cyclone Idai struck the area. downtoearth en 2026-05-06T04:33:59.806Z Climate disasters don’t just destroy homes, they change lives forever. We spoke with cyclone survivors in Zimbabwe Climate Change, Global Warming, climate crisis, Disaster recovery, Displacement, Relocation, Zimbabwe, Humanitarian aid, Malawi, RESETTLEMENT, Mozambique, Extreme weather, trauma, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Bereavement, Tropical cyclone Idai, Non-economic loss and damage https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/dry-taps-and-vanishing-springs-kashmir-faces-water-stress-as-himalayan-snowpack-shrinks https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/vmcyuei8/IMG1555.jpg Recent spring rain has temporarily stabilised river flows, but scientists warn against misreading this as recovery. downtoearth en 2026-05-05T12:57:25.448Z Dry taps and vanishing springs: Kashmir faces water stress as Himalayan snowpack shrinks Climate Change, Drought, Groundwater, himalayas, water crisis, climate crisis, SNOW, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Jhelum, Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmir, hindu kush himalayas, Apple farming, Snow melt https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/india-must-balance-ai-innovation-with-environmental-integrity https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/p9zbp0h1/Data-Centre.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-05T12:12:07.665Z India must balance AI innovation with environmental integrity Science & Technology, Environment, India, artificial intelligence, AI data centres, India AI Impact Summit 2026, Applied AI, Power guzzlers, Water guzzlers https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/private-hospitals-cost-up-to-10-times-more-than-government-facilities-for-same-illnesses-nso-survey-finds https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/djv2j4cr/down-to-earthimportlibrarylarge2019-11-250.028651001574658681ukd.avif People queue for treatment at the largest government hospital in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand. downtoearth en 2026-05-05T11:40:26.159Z Private hospitals cost up to 10 times more than government facilities for same illnesses, NSO survey finds Health, India, public health, Poverty, Affordable healthcare, Healthcare, social justice, Out-of-pocket expenditure on health, Hospitals, private healthcare, childbirth, healthcare costs, health inequality, National Statistical Office (NSO) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-homeless-voters https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/ed8f72g9/Homeless-voters-of-Bengal https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/76ikbjmr/Homeless-Bengal-voters downtoearth en 2026-05-05T11:37:17.141Z Simply Put: Homeless voters Governance, West Bengal, SIR, Election, Homeless voters https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/plastic-in-paradise-researchers-discover-microplastics-in-odishas-bhitarkanika https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/cy34x4rb/Bhitarkanika.jpg The Bhitarkanika Ecosystem. downtoearth en 2026-05-05T10:44:38.866Z Plastic in Paradise: Researchers discover microplastics in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika Waste, microplastics, Odisha, Plastics, Bhitarkanika https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/how-can-a-city-reuse-its-organic-waste-5-indian-cities-show-the-way https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/dtdxxhmq/organic-waste-urban downtoearth en 2026-05-05T10:41:03.504Z How can a city reuse its organic waste? 5 Indian cities show the way Waste, Urban Local Bodies, Indore, Organic Waste, Pune, Bhubaneshwar, Thiruvananathapuram (T), waste reuse, Panjim, corporation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/ecological-wisdom-governance-must-come-together-to-conserve-odishas-rich-freshwater-faunal-diversity https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/6savxvbd/Odisha-freshwater Odisha’s coastline and its adjoining river systems host a rich assemblage of freshwater fish that are important for food, livelihoods, culture and ecosystem functioning. downtoearth en 2026-05-05T10:27:24.748Z Ecological wisdom & governance must come together to conserve Odisha’s rich freshwater faunal diversity Wildlife & Biodiversity, Odisha, aquatic ecosystem, Fish, Freshwater fish, Freshwater https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/un-methane-alert-system-expanded-to-coal-and-waste-sectors-after-indian-landfill-named-among-worlds-top-emitters https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/9h33wz8t/iStock-1287907252.jpg Among the top 50 methane emitters identified by UNEP, 22 were coal mines and 11 were waste facilities or landfills. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/glzzogil/Screenshot_2026_05_05_at_3_32_59_PM.png Top 5 methane sources. downtoearth en 2026-05-05T10:05:25.832Z UN methane alert system expanded to coal and waste sectors after Indian landfill named among world’s top emitters Climate Change, Waste, India, Waste, climate crisis, Fossil Fuels, Coal, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Air Pollution, United Nations, Landfills, Methane emissions https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/southeast-asia-bets-on-deepwater-20-gas-push-amid-tight-economics https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/0lsx5mvi/Deepwater-gas-South-Asia Photo for represenation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/k0kmf01w/Southeast-Asia-Deepwater-gas downtoearth en 2026-05-05T08:57:55.774Z Southeast Asia bets on Deepwater 2.0 gas push amid tight economics Energy, World, Energy, Natural Gas, Southeast Asia, Deepwater, Deepwater gas https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/methane-leaks-wasting-gas-equal-to-twice-losses-from-strait-of-hormuz-crisis-says-iea https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/ld66f0c0/iStock-2182180782.jpg Fossil fuel production is the highest source of methane emissions. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/53er8o45/Screenshot_2026_05_05_at_12_45_50_PM.png https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/6mi5b1zo/Screenshot_2026_05_05_at_12_47_50_PM.png downtoearth en 2026-05-05T08:35:05.757Z Methane leaks wasting gas equal to twice losses from Strait of Hormuz crisis, says IEA Energy, Climate Change, Emissions reduction, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, Energy security, International Energy Agency (IEA), Methane emissions, oil and gas, Strait of Hormuz, global energy crisis https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/mining-growth-and-inequality-after-25-years-jharkhands-development-story-is-still-unfinished https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/216b7bfp/Jharkhand.jpg Nearly 30 per cent of Jharkhand’s population lives in severe poverty despite the state supporting much of India’s steel, power, and growth. downtoearth en 2026-05-05T07:11:11.366Z Mining, growth and inequality: After 25 years, Jharkhand’s development story is still unfinished Governance, Jharkhand, Mining, adivasis, Development, inequality, growth https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/80-of-africas-fertiliser-is-imported-how-food-systems-can-adapt-to-iran-shock https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/xqd9s9u0/Africa-fetiliser Fertiliser disruptions and the damage to agrifood systems in Africa have happened before. downtoearth en 2026-05-05T06:14:58.228Z 80% of Africa’s fertiliser is imported: How food systems can adapt to Iran shock Africa, Africa, Fertiliser, Food systems, Iran, hormuz https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/what-is-hantavirus-the-disease-that-has-killed-3-cruise-ship-passengers https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-05/tj3hd1r2/iStock-1351237472.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-05T04:57:40.016Z What is hantavirus, the disease that has killed 3 cruise ship passengers? Health, Respiratory Diseases, Disease, Mortality, hantavirus, viruses, travel, Cruise ships, Contagiousness https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/west-bengal-tea-workers-invoke-ilo-article-24-allege-systemic-labour-rights-violations https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/vldrj3vc/TEa-workers-ILO downtoearth en 2026-05-04T12:50:30.620Z West Bengal tea workers invoke ILO Article 24, allege systemic labour rights violations Governance, Labour Rights, West Bengal, ILO, tea workers https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/a-wetland-in-delhi-with-a-difference https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/j1stula4/Delhi-Wetland-1.jpg Here is a wetland with a difference. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/2201p3tp/Delhi-Wetland-2.jpg Let water drain poorly and viola! stagnant, algae-covered water and accumulated garbage give the appearance of a wetland. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/jcwrocl8/Delhi-Wetland-3.jpg In the process though, residents to persistent sanitation and health risks. downtoearth en 2026-05-04T12:25:39.497Z A ‘wetland’ in Delhi with a difference Waste, Water, Delhi, Algae, Garbage, stagnant water, poor drainage https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/rs-51000-crore-worth-of-materials-in-indias-e-wastemost-slips-through-the-system https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/feb4myk6/NIti-Aayog NITI Aayog Paryavaran NITI Manthan conference in Delhi, May 4, 2026. downtoearth en 2026-05-04T11:45:06.936Z Rs 51,000 crore worth of materials in India’s e-waste, most slips through the system Waste, Waste, Pollution, niti aayog, Extended Producer Responsibility, e-waste, cpcb, NITI manthan https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/an-urban-water-emergency-warrants-that-the-jharkhand-rain-water-harvesting-regulation-2017-must-now-become-a-civic-movement https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/cnhbyr2u/Scraping-water.jpeg Scarping for water in a well. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/s2ow49os/Dangerous-acccessibility-to-groundwater.jpeg Accessing groundwater is often a hard task. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/mb02xwxa/In-search-of-water.jpeg Two men looking for potable drinking water. downtoearth en 2026-05-04T11:38:34.856Z An urban water emergency warrants that the Jharkhand Rain Water Harvesting Regulation, 2017 must now become a civic movement Water, Jharkhand, Dhanbad, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, urban water emergency, Jharkhand Rain Water Harvesting Regulation, 2017 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/simply-put-heat-unemployment https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/l1livxj5/Unemployment https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/srfwhqox/Unemployment downtoearth en 2026-05-04T11:24:36.842Z Simply Put: Heat & unemployment Climate Change, Employment, Unemployment, MGNREGA, india unemployment https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/scientists-use-edna-method-to-reveal-information-about-new-york-citys-human-diets-wildlife-and-ecology https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/gq5wtjvj/EastRiver59jeh.jpg The East River flows past the Upper East Side in New York City. downtoearth en 2026-05-04T11:10:26.515Z Scientists use eDNA method to reveal information about New York City’s human diets, wildlife and ecology Wildlife & Biodiversity, United States, New York City, eDNA method, East River, Hudson River https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/common-epr-portal-to-anchor-indias-recycling-push-as-industry-niti-aayog-call-for-stronger-implementation-framework https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/2x5b5mxi/Dharavi-Waste.jpg A man in a Dharavi slum sorting recyclable materials. downtoearth en 2026-05-04T10:19:02.299Z Common EPR portal to anchor India’s recycling push as industry, NITI Aayog call for stronger implementation framework Waste, Environment, niti aayog, CSE, cpcb, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), EPR Portal https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/beyond-numbers-mass-tree-plantation-for-a-greener-maharashtra-needs-a-rethink https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/utibnat6/Maharashtra-greening downtoearth en 2026-05-04T09:44:42.430Z Beyond numbers: Mass tree plantation for a greener Maharashtra needs a rethink Wildlife & Biodiversity, Maharashtra, tree plantation, Afforestation, greenery https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/reservoir-levels-have-fallen-in-eight-states-with-water-storage-falling-below-40-three-river-basins-also-in-crisis https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/9yi75psg/Reservoirs.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-04T09:04:57.630Z Reservoir levels have fallen in eight states, with water storage falling below 40%; three river basins also in crisis Water, Central Water Commission (CWC), Reservoirs, reservoirs capacity, Storage https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/uae-leaves-opec-what-uaes-exit-means-for-oil-prices-and-india https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/sku95v8a/UAE-OPEC.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-04T07:21:54.145Z UAE leaves OPEC: What UAE’s exit means for oil prices and India Energy, India, OPEC, oil prices, UAE https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/the-bias-in-medical-research-africa-carries-a-huge-disease-burden-but-is-missing-from-clinical-trials https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-04/cbc4guaw/Africa-research-medical downtoearth en 2026-05-04T06:44:16.744Z The bias in medical research: Africa carries a huge disease burden but is missing from clinical trials Africa, World, Health, Africa, Disease, Medical Research, Science https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/highlights-from-the-issue-41 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-01/sjyqmlat/01-Highlights-from-the-issue.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-01/wc19mxfb/p03illu-DTE-35years-logo.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-01/28fhamyx/41.jpg Sangu Ram, resident of Kauhabahra village in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari district, has lived in poverty and hunger all his life. His children are also officially classified as extremely poor and are deemed at risk from hunger https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-01/zp99lxhp/27.jpg Lakmu Salam, from the Abujhmad area of Chhattisgarh, says poverty will not leave him or his next generation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-01/fl3uycuu/31.jpg Residents of Chinddi village in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district show the container they use to collect grain in exchange for labour https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-01/ohyjcn77/30.jpg Over half of India’s population has no significant wealth at all. There are clear signs that those left behind in the “great wealth rush” may struggle to catch up, and remain stuck in the cycle of poverty https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-01/ddobogjw/29.jpg In Dangabanji village in Odisha’s Balangir district, most residents have mortgaged themselves for years. The village keeps a unique register (inset) recording details of the migrant residents and advances taken from labour contractors https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-27/6w8818jf/12.jpg Police detain a man in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, on April 14 while patrolling a neighbourhood after protests by factory workers for higher wages https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/cdp85skr/LPG.jpg Photo for representation. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-03-30/tin51sfa/24.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-01/2ucilil5/20.jpg The most immediate impacts of a super El Niño could be land and marine heatwaves, droughts, wildfires in some regions; and extreme rainfall, storms and floods in others https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-01/3kwk8gge/Rainfall.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-01/35umlp2t/50.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-03-03/r1xzlqzv/blood-CO2 We may have already entered a period where there is permanent and developing physiological compensation for CO2 in our bodies. Photo for representation. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-01/k25he0bj/46.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-01/yps631tj/56.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-04T05:17:18.007Z Highlights from the issue Environment, gene, Odisha, Poverty, gender, Carbon, Sports, WARMING, anniversary, industrial strike, kashmiri food