https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/new-study-sheds-light-on-indoor-nighttime-heat-retention-in-indian-homes https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/51q96lux/Chennai-homes.jpg Homes in Chennai along Marina Beach. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/lziendov/Screenshot-2026-05-13-at-4.50.48-PM.png Diurnal Variation in Temperature across 50 Households downtoearth en 2026-05-13T13:06:35.359Z New study sheds light on indoor, nighttime heat retention in Indian homes Climate Change, heat, indoor heat, night time heat, heat retention https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/if-amr-is-to-be-addressed-effectively-communication-must-move-beyond-awareness-and-function-as-a-driver-of-behavioural-change https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/rzn4nqja/Pills.jpg Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T13:06:25.371Z If AMR is to be addressed effectively, communication must move beyond awareness and function as a driver of behavioural change Health, Communication, behavioural change, AMR https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/watermelons-summers-symbol-causes-scare https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/4l3ka8w8/Delhi-Watermelons-1.jpg Watermelons are coming in the hundreds to markets across Delhi as summer starts to peak. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/zlc69fkm/Delhi-Watermelons-2.jpg However, the recent incident of a family of four in Mumbai dying after consuming the fruit is still fresh in public memory. It was later found that there were traces of zinc phosphide in the fruit that the family consumed. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/75f5cpn2/Delhi-Watermelons-3.jpg The incident is a reminder that even an unassuming fruit can become a death trap in India owning to issues of hygiene and contamination. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T13:05:55.364Z Watermelons: Summer’s symbol causes scare Food, summer, Fruit, Mumbai, Watermelons, Pydhonie, zinc phosphide https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/heatwaves-rooftop-solar-and-data-centres-force-rethink-of-indias-power-sector-planning https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/zf2c4a8l/iStock-1368514998.jpg Cooling devices already account for 40% of household electricity use, while rising night-time temperatures and falling evening solar generation are making power demand harder to manage. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T12:58:24.370Z Heatwaves, rooftop solar and data centres force rethink of India’s power sector planning Energy, Renewable Energy, Heatwaves, energy transition, Energy Storage, decentralised renewable energy, rooftop solar, solar power, discom, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Power grid, electricity demand, transmission, battery storage, pumped hydro, data centres, India power sector, Cooling demand https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-will-need-rs-25-lakh-crore-sweeping-reforms-to-achieve-100-gw-nuclear-target-by-2047-teri-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/kfhr4lcb/India-nuclear-power https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/9nuq1xar/1000330375.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-13T12:11:52.901Z India will need Rs 25 lakh crore, sweeping reforms to achieve 100 GW nuclear target by 2047: TERI report Energy, Governance, Economy, Energy, Electricity, Nuclear energy, power, TERI, Nuclear Power Plant, small modular reactor https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/every-summer-indian-cities-run-dry-it-is-because-they-simply-cannot-afford-their-own-water https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/annhxpgf/Delhi-Tanker.jpg With no piped drinking water, residents rely on tanker supply in the Yamuna floodplains, where demand surges alongside soaring temperatures in Delhi. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T11:52:24.060Z Every summer, Indian cities run dry. It is because they simply cannot afford their own water Water, Cities, summer, urban areas, water tankers https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/after-months-without-rain-arunachal-pradesh-villages-count-losses-from-severe-forest-fires https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/61ikjiud/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-13-at-11.40.03.jpeg Authorities containing forest fire in Mebo, Arunachal Pradesh in March. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T11:33:23.947Z After months without rain, Arunachal Pradesh villages count losses from severe forest fires Climate Change, Natural Disasters, Agriculture, Drought, wildfire, Forest fire, Disaster Management, Forest Fires, Arunachal Pradesh, Shifting Cultivation, Indian Air Force, dry spell, Pasighat, Lower Dibang Valley, East Siang, orchard, Jhum cultivation, mebo, roing, Namsai, siluk village, bamboo plantation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/uttarakhands-van-panchayats-survived-the-british-they-may-not-survive-a-state-steadily-governing-communities-out-of-their-own-forests https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/5ueimmov/Uttarakhand-Forests.jpg Women collect fodder in villages near Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T11:00:18.292Z Uttarakhand’s van panchayats survived the British. They may not survive a state steadily governing communities out of their own forests Forests, uttarakhand, british india, Indian Forest Act, Van Panchayats https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/beyond-the-carbon-count-why-uttarakhands-indigenous-water-knowledge-must-enter-indias-national-adaptation-plan https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/z9q9hzf9/Uttarakhand-Spring.jpg A natural spring in Uttarakhand. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T11:00:08.198Z Beyond the carbon count: Why Uttarakhand’s indigenous water knowledge must enter India’s national adaptation plan Climate Change, Water, Governance, himalayan springs, himalayas, uttarakhand, National Adaptation Plan, Naula https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-vb-gram-g-transition https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/b9iju63c/VB-GRAM-G https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/y8i2pn15/VB-GRAM-G-transition downtoearth en 2026-05-13T10:50:36.153Z Simply Put: VB-GRAM-G transition Governance, rural employment, Employment, MGNREGA, VB-GRAMG https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/nearly-2000-hectares-of-rabi-paddy-affected-in-odishas-nuapada-as-reservoir-levels-fall-and-irrigation-systems-falter https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/toi7fhf3/IMG-20260513-WA0002.jpg Acute water shortage in the command area of the Upper Jonk Irrigation Project. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T10:43:44.694Z Nearly 2,000 hectares of Rabi paddy affected in Odisha’s Nuapada as reservoir levels fall and irrigation systems falter Agriculture, Water, Drought, Groundwater, Drinking Water, Odisha, Climate Adaptation, Irrigation, Farmers, Water shortage, Crop loss, Mahanadi Basin, Nuapada, sunabeda wildlife sanctuary, Pani Panchayat, Upper Jonk Irrigation Project, rabi paddy https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/rural-indias-energy-crisis-in-mohad-sursuli-high-lpg-refill-cost-keeps-rural-households-tied-to-biomass https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/nxozccel/Chhattisgarh-village-cooking-fuelwood Sebti Sahu from Mohad village in Rajnandgaon district has an LPG connection but cannot afford to get refills. In this photo, she is frying fritters on her woodfire chulha. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/kakwo74x/Chhattisgarh-villages-rural-cooking-fuelwood downtoearth en 2026-05-13T10:32:52.546Z Rural India’s energy crisis: In Mohad & Sursuli, high LPG refill cost keeps rural households tied to biomass Energy, Village, Chhattisgarh, LPG, LPG crisis, Mohad, Sursuli https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/indian-banks-climate-action-falling-short-driven-more-by-regulation-than-strategy-report-finds https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/8zdkl4z2/Indian-Banks.jpg Representational photo. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T08:39:50.041Z Indian banks’ climate action falling short, driven more by regulation than strategy, report finds Economy, Climate Change, climate action, Banks, banking, Indian banks https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/two-key-targets-reversing-forest-loss-and-eliminating-extreme-poverty-among-forest-dependent-populations-remain-off-track-finds-un-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/tyopahks/Forest.jpg Photo for representation downtoearth en 2026-05-13T08:06:04.204Z Two key targets — reversing forest loss and eliminating extreme poverty among forest-dependent populations remain off track, finds UN report Forests, United Nations, Forest loss, Global Forest Goals Report 2026, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 (UNSPF), Global Forest Goals, Forest dependent poor https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-may-12-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/d5fpi0i5/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-13T07:25:26.817Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (May 12, 2026) Environment, Assam, Groundwater Recharge, Mining, Industrial effluents, environmental clearance, Dibru Saikhowa National Park, cpcb, drilling, Oil India, Sukinda Valley, Bichhapuri coal mine, Dharamshala Nalla https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/fast-fashions-rewear-problem-why-millions-of-reusable-clothes-still-end-up-as-waste https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/ma3wz61w/iStock-1061807480.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-13T07:10:17.214Z Fast fashion’s rewear problem: Why millions of reusable clothes still end up as waste Waste, sustainability, global south, Recycling, textile waste, Extended producer responsibility (EPR), fast fashion, fashion industry, sustainable fashion, circular economy, Rewear, Second-hand clothing, Overproduction https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/370-billion-crickets-are-farmed-for-food-every-year-scientists-have-discovered-they-may-feel-pain https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/8a3anas0/Crickets downtoearth en 2026-05-13T06:49:14.975Z 370 billion crickets are farmed for food every year. Scientists have discovered they may feel pain Wildlife & Biodiversity, Biodiversity, Food, Pain, Insect, Pesticide, Crickets, insect biology https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/how-the-worlds-poorest-remain-insulated-from-their-15-trillion-annual-forest-economy https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/rwr67rby/Baka-Pygmy.jpg A woman from the Baka tribe of the Central African Republic. Sub-Saharan Africa, which is home to many forest-dependent poor, has seen little change, with extreme poverty still close to 46 per cent. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T06:40:25.080Z How the world’s poorest remain insulated from their $1.5 trillion annual forest economy Forests, Poverty, sustainable development goals (SDGs), Global Forest Goals Report 2026, Forest-dependent poor https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/mount-dukono-erupts-three-killed-17-rescued-from-indonesian-volcano https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/4h9deetk/NGU4woZOJL4-HD.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-13T04:37:55.961Z Mount Dukono erupts: Three killed, 17 rescued from Indonesian volcano Natural Disasters, Indonesia, volcano eruption, Mount Dukono https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/tourism-and-human-activity-are-stressing-indias-tigers-affecting-choice-of-breeding-sites-csir-ccmb-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/q228n1rm/Tigers.jpg A tigress on her morning stroll is gawked at by tourist hordes in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh. downtoearth en 2026-05-12T13:49:49.580Z Tourism and human activity are stressing India’s tigers, affecting choice of breeding sites: CSIR-CCMB study Wildlife & Biodiversity, Tourism, stress, Tigers, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), CCMB, anthropogenic activity, tiger breeding https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/fuelwood-demand-emerges-as-major-driver-of-global-forest-loss-un-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/6jz3v0ci/Forest-loss-due-to-fuelwood The world lost 16 million hectares of primary forests during 2015-2025, with South America accounting for the largest share of losses. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/v0ki72t8/1000329885.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-12T12:47:45.024Z Fuelwood demand emerges as major driver of global forest loss: UN report Forests, Energy, Energy, Agriculture, conservation, Deforestation, Forest cover, forest, Firewood, natural resources, Forest loss, Fuel, Fuelwood https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/over-82-million-people-displaced-within-their-own-countries-in-2025-as-conflict-and-violence-drive-global-crisis https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/83qcevbg/0c3ce3ee-3690-4eeb-b3c1-00dcf7d5475a.jpeg Internally displaced people are those who have been forced to flee their homes as a result of conflict, violence, or disasters and who have not crossed an internationally recognised State border. downtoearth en 2026-05-12T12:26:21.326Z Over 82 million people displaced within their own countries in 2025 as conflict and violence drive global crisis Governance, Climate Change, India, World, Migration, Manipur, south asia, Pakistan, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Conflict, Human Rights, Climate disasters, violence, humanitarian crisis, Palestine, Refugees, Extreme weather event, Iran, Gaza, internal displacement, Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, Norwegian Refugee Council https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/burning-planet https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/m80f6hya/Wildfires-1.jpg The planet is burning. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/eb7j1yps/Wildfires-2.jpg More land has been burned during the first four months of 2026, than during the same period in any other year. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/vyk2jjiw/Wildfires-3.jpg Things are only set to worsen with a Super El Nino on the way. downtoearth en 2026-05-12T11:57:42.518Z Burning planet Climate Change, wildfires, world weather attribution, Super El Nino https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/indias-heat-plans-are-growing-but-the-real-test-lies-beyond-policy-experts https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/7ncfh29c/Heat-Prayagraj.jpg A hot summer day in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. downtoearth en 2026-05-12T11:30:27.904Z India’s heat plans are growing, but the real test lies beyond policy: Experts Climate Change, SDRF, Indian states, Super El Nino, Heat action plans, Heat modelling plans https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/the-west-asia-conflict-and-indias-rising-heat-are-not-separate-files-in-the-lives-of-ordinary-people https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/srs5te6f/Heat.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-12T11:30:15.355Z The West Asia conflict and India’s rising heat are not separate files in the lives of ordinary people Health, Climate Change, War, West Asia, Iran-Israel War 2026, West Asia conflict, Super El Nino https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/cooling-appliances-now-drive-indias-household-electricity-use https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/w9nm8syw/Air-conditioners-electricity India’s overall electricity consumption nearly doubled from 874 terawatt-hours in 2013-14 to 1,623 twh in 2023-24. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/jktyrrpp/1000329838.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/6rsibkcp/thermal_comfort_appliances_electricity_consumption. downtoearth en 2026-05-12T11:17:37.984Z Cooling appliances now drive India’s household electricity use Energy, Energy, Climate Change, Global Warming, Electricity, Air Conditioner, power, Household, heat, cooling appliances, cooler https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/record-wildfires-burn-through-over-150-million-hectares-globally-in-2026-as-scientists-warn-el-niño-could-worsen-crisis https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/alxazvgf/iStock-1200452781-1.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-12T10:37:09.437Z Record wildfires burn through over 150 million hectares globally in 2026 as scientists warn El Niño could worsen crisis Climate Change, India, World, Africa, Asia, wildfires, El Nino, public health, Air Pollution, United Nations, Extreme weather, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), world weather attribution, Super El Nino https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/in-parts-of-kashmir-the-quiet-act-of-laying-the-dead-to-rest-extracts-an-unintended-cost-trees https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/1j3acsft/forest-in-kashmir-1.jpg A forest in Kashmir. downtoearth en 2026-05-12T09:35:12.057Z In parts of Kashmir, the quiet act of laying the dead to rest extracts an unintended cost: Trees Forests, himalayas, Jammu and Kashmir, kashmir valley, Deodar, Yew https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/sea-of-plastic-chennais-plastic-crisis-fight-to-stop-marine-litter https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/iiy7r6yu/Chennai-marine-plastics Should the responsibility of tackling plastic waste fall only on citizens, or must packaging companies and manufacturers be held accountable too? downtoearth en 2026-05-12T09:20:31.903Z Sea of plastic: Chennai’s plastic crisis & fight to stop marine litter Waste, Plastic, Bay Of Bengal, Chennai, bay of bengal cyclone, marine litter, plastic crisis https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/a-monsoon-shield-for-every-farmer-why-protective-irrigation-must-become-the-centrepiece-of-indias-water-strategy https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/uoh0cxtz/Irrigationthroughsprinkler.jpg What farmers need today is not water for maximising yield, but timely access to water to prevent crop failure during dry spells. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/fa3t8xio/Irrigation.jpg A sprinkler irrigation system in Raichur, Karnataka. downtoearth en 2026-05-12T08:50:24.723Z A monsoon shield for every farmer: Why protective irrigation must become the centrepiece of India’s water strategy Agriculture, Water, Food Security, Irrigation, protective irrigation, canal systems, rural incomes https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/solar-villages-no-electricity-for-decades-until-solar-mini-grid-reached-simdega-villages https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/sf2i7tx6/HIGLriMboAIkvcN.jpeg downtoearth en 2026-05-12T08:08:39.114Z Solar Villages: No electricity for decades until solar mini-grid reached Simdega villages Energy, Jharkhand, rural india, Simdega district, docuseries, solar villages, Solar mini-grids https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/debt-crisis-deepens-gender-inequality-puts-millions-of-womens-jobs-lives-at-risk-undp https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/wpwhe65z/Women-jobs Women’s per capita income is projected to decline by 17 per cent, while men’s incomes remain largely unchanged, further widening gender income disparities. downtoearth en 2026-05-12T07:37:50.667Z Debt crisis deepens gender inequality, puts millions of women’s jobs, lives at risk: UNDP Economy, Employment, Women, gender, Jobs, inequality, gender gap, Debt, debt servicing https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/fuelling-the-kitchen-burning-the-climate https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/ejhfn0c3/Firewood.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-12T07:37:17.429Z Fuelling the kitchen, burning the climate Energy, Coal, Petroleum, LPG, Iran-Israel War 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/the-missing-link-in-americas-critical-minerals-push-isnt-mining-its-processing-expertise https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/i5gmrlng/file-20260419-63-xjvxi7.jpg MP Materials’ Mountain Pass mine and processing facility in California was for years the only U.S. rare earth elements mine. downtoearth en 2026-05-12T07:24:55.023Z The missing link in America’s critical minerals push isn’t mining — it’s processing expertise Energy, Renewable Energy, Mining, Environment, engineering, Minerals, Technology, Environmental law, critical minerals, Rare earths, supply chains, engineering education, Mineralogy https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-may-8-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/wh30exvz/court.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-12T07:04:42.260Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (May 8, 2026) Environment, Delhi, Encroachment, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, solid waste management, Green Spaces, National Green Tribunal (NGT), Faridabad, forest land, kullu https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/birds-of-prey-in-south-africa-are-in-trouble-a-study-analyses-data-from-16-years-of-road-counts https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/zkpu9jxe/Secretarybird-birds-of-prey-threatened-in-South-Africa Secretarybird. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/fjyczonq/South-Africa Map of the study area showing the distribution of all road counts conducted between 2009 and 2025. The black polygon indicates the core survey area. downtoearth en 2026-05-12T06:32:49.969Z Birds of prey in South Africa are in trouble — a study analyses data from 16 years of road counts Africa, Biodiversity, conservation, South Africa, wildlife, Birds, raptors, Birds of Prey, Secretarybird https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-the-wfh-dilemma https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/myicwzt3/Simply-Put-11-May-2-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/i9oh90if/Simply-Put-11-May-Petrol-2-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-12T06:17:48.956Z Simply Put: The WFH dilemma Governance, narendra modi, fuel scarcity, WFH https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/simply-put-99-not-100 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/f6nmwgo9/Simply-Put-11-may-1-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/ap4ox2lf/Simply-Put-11-may-Petrol1-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-12T06:11:46.801Z Simply Put: 99, not 100 Energy, Energy security, Iran-Israel War 2026, global energy security https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/cascade-of-geopolitical-shocks-has-handed-agrifood-corporations-a-windfall-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-11/c49gkyvi/Agricorporate.jpg Photo for representation. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-11/thsvptai/Screenshot-2026-05-11-at-5.22.39-PM.png downtoearth en 2026-05-11T14:07:30.906Z Cascade of geopolitical shocks has handed agrifood corporations a windfall: Report Food, geopolitics, Tariff Wars, Iran war, Ukraine War