https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/myth-and-reality-of-100-year-flood-keralas-recurring-deluges-expose-how-the-comforting-phrase-masks-a-harsh-annual-risk https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/9kmlgozu/iStock-1025232216.jpg Rescue operations in flooded area in Pathanamthitta, Kerala in August 2018. downtoearth en 2026-08-13T11:36:00.660Z Myth and reality of 100-year flood: Kerala’s recurring deluges expose how the comforting phrase masks a harsh, annual risk Climate Change, Water, Disaster Management, Western Ghats, kerala floods, kerala floods 2018, floodplains, flood risk, Kerala Floods 2026, 100-year flood, Flood mapping, Pamba river, Manimala river https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/simply-put-m-p-parameswaran-1935-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/w7begiof/Simply-Put-13-Aug-hero-image-copy-2.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/cifb57l6/Simply-Put-13-Aug-Parameswaran-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-13T10:44:35.982Z Simply Put: M P Parameswaran (1935-2026) Environment, Kerala, athirappilly, Silent Valley, M P Parameswaran, nuclear scientist https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/global-youth-jobs-in-jeopardy-as-unemployment-rises-and-middle-skilled-work-shrinks-ilo https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/omgl551m/Unemployment.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-13T09:31:44.515Z Global youth jobs in jeopardy as unemployment rises and middle-skilled work shrinks: ILO Economy, youth, Jobs, Unemployment, International Labour Organisation (ILO), Artificial intelligence (AI) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/human-brains-grew-fivefold-in-4-million-years-thanks-to-natural-plant-sugars https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/88v4rolx/HomoerectusTheNaturalHistoryMuseumVienna2021073012281282.jpg Model of Homo erectus man in The Natural History Museum, Vienna downtoearth en 2026-08-13T09:00:57.924Z Human brains grew fivefold in 4 million years, thanks to natural plant sugars Food, Human evolution, meat, homo erectus, plant food, homo habilis, Human brains, sugars https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/nairobi-meetings-2026-cbds-crucial-discussionsend-with-heavily-bracketed-recommendations-for-cop17 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/z0e5uumy/SBI7-UN-Biodiversity downtoearth en 2026-08-13T08:29:33.296Z Nairobi meetings 2026: CBD’s crucial discussions end with heavily bracketed recommendations for COP17 Wildlife & Biodiversity, Convention On Biological Diversity (CBD), global biodiversity framework, Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, CBD COP17, Nairobi meetings, SBI7, United Nations Biodiversity https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-august-12-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/3wt5zc4y/Gavel.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-13T07:36:34.910Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (August 12, 2026) Environment, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Mining, Punjab, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), National Green Tribunal (NGT), Tunnel, daily court digest, Roopnagar https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-august-11-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/yruwebfm/Gavel.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-13T07:10:49.594Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (August 11, 2026) Environment, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, National Green Tribunal (NGT), daily court digest, Muzaffarnagar https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/africans-migrate-for-jobs-mostly-within-the-continent-why-regional-skills-partnerships-are-needed https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/122n5i1e/Skills-partnership-Africa downtoearth en 2026-08-13T06:31:48.336Z Africans migrate for jobs mostly within the continent: Why regional skills partnerships are needed Africa, World, Migration, Africa, Jobs, migrant workers, skills, skills partnership https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/banks-provided-31-billion-in-sustainable-loans-to-palm-oil-firms-linked-to-deforestation-global-witness-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/sgfwhski/Palm-oil-plantation.jpg Oil palm plantation at edge of rainforest where trees are logged to clear land for agriculture in Southeast Asia. downtoearth en 2026-08-13T06:10:14.590Z Banks provided $31 billion in sustainable loans to palm oil firms linked to deforestation: Global Witness Report Forests, Food, Deforestation, Indonesia, Palm Oil, Palm oil plantations https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-bay-of-bengal-system-intensifies-red-alert-for-west-bengal-odisha-and-chhattisgarh https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/r6cbdlqm/Bay-of-Bengal.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-13T05:47:35.095Z Daily weather tracker: Bay of Bengal system intensifies; Red alert for West Bengal, Odisha and Chhattisgarh Climate Change, Odisha, West Bengal, Bay Of Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Daily Weather Tracker https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/marine-heatwaves-are-cooking-our-ocean-ecosystems-and-will-only-become-more-common https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/7xtnoqtu/iStock-1425382824.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-13T04:40:11.389Z Marine heatwaves are cooking our ocean ecosystems — and will only become more common Climate Change, Environment, marine heatwaves, conservation, Global Warming, Marine Life, coral bleaching, Fisheries, Ecosystems, ocean temperature, Coastal communities https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/global-coal-mine-pipeline-rises-11-to-2521-mtpa-despite-slowing-demand https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/ww7djd3a/Coal-mining-India.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-13T04:05:20.199Z Global coal mine pipeline rises 11% to 2,521 Mtpa despite slowing demand Energy, India, China, Jharkhand, Odisha, Coal, coal mining, coal mine, Coal demand, Global Energy Monitor (GEM), Global Coal Mine Tracker (GCMT) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/bnhs-sterilises-over-2950-dogs-to-save-black-necked-cranes-and-wildlife-in-ladakh https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/w2zm5ib4/BNCranes-Kishor-RitheBNHS.jpeg A pair of BNCs in Ladakh. downtoearth en 2026-08-13T03:51:06.211Z BNHS sterilises over 2,950 dogs to save Black-necked Cranes and wildlife in Ladakh Wildlife & Biodiversity, Ladakh, Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Black-necked Cranes (BNC), Free Ranging Dogs (FRD) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/when-pesticides-stop-working-crop-rotation-may-be-the-only-answer https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/97qe0ajy/IMG-20260807-WA0004.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-12T13:09:13.321Z When pesticides stop working, crop rotation may be the only answer Agriculture, Environment, Farming, Odisha, Crop loss, small farmers, crop rotation, hailstorm, climate risk, Vegetable cultivation, Sinapali, Wilting disease https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/we-had-set-camera-traps-for-yellow-throated-martens-near-ranikhet-instead-we-got-a-surprise-at-midday https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/pan6fcaf/Leopard-Cat.jpg A leopard cat. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/khlfsgtf/Leopard-Cat-2.jpg The leopard cat captured in the camera trap. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T12:21:29.811Z We had set camera traps for yellow-throated martens near Ranikhet; instead, we got a surprise at midday Wildlife & Biodiversity, uttarakhand, Ranikhet, camera traps, yellow-throated marten, small wild cats, leopard cats https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-on-e-wheels-odishas-ev-push-struggles-to-reach-rural-hilly-districts https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/p6p6hhke/1000395780.jpg The only petrol pump in Gunupur experiences shortage. Yet, locals cannot completely rely on electric vehicles because of powercuts lasting days. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/o4wgyyrg/Sahu Sushil Kumar Sahu (35) bought an electric two-wheeler to take her daughters to primary school 120 kms. But he cannot charge it regularly due to frequent and prolonged powercuts. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/7yjktia6/petrol-in-bottle-in-Odisha With petrol pumps far away, people sometimes buy petrol in bottles from local shops at higher prices. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/by4tjfk0/Diesel-bus-odisha OSRTC currently does not have e-buses operating in rural areas. However, a tender is under way to procure 100 e-buses. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T12:06:14.936Z India on e-wheels: Odisha’s EV push struggles to reach rural, hilly districts Energy, Odisha, mobility, bus, India on e-wheels, e-bus, OSRTC, rural odisha, hilly districts https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/it-is-raining-in-delhi-both-water-and-potholes https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/utsg8vsh/Delhi-Potholes-1.jpg Another monsoon and more potholes for Delhi. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/dbvj1vh1/Delhi-Potholes-2.jpg Asphalt has been scraped off roads in the national capital after heavy spells of rain in July and August. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/tglrh8rp/Delhi-Potholes-3.jpg The government’s own data admits that deaths due to potholes have increased in India over the past few years. Yet, citizens are currently having to deal with this menace in the absence of redressal by authorities. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T12:00:15.587Z It is raining in Delhi. Both water and potholes Governance, Delhi, monsoon, Roads, Water, Southwest monsoon, Rainfall, potholes, Southwest Monsoon 2026, asphalt https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/five-years-after-taliban-takeover-afghan-women-leave-home-only-twice-a-month-un-women-says https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/93oacckq/iStock-2204023157.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-12T11:32:43.396Z Five years after Taliban takeover, Afghan women leave home only twice a month, UN Women says Governance, Maternal Health, humanitarian crisis, TALIBAN, Afghanistan, UN Women, Women-led organisations, Girls’ education, Afghan women, women’s rights, Gender apartheid https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-what-indian-megacities-can-learn-from-bogotá-and-são-paulos-electric-bus-push https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/5e66hf4k/iStock-2250485456.jpg An electric city bus in Jardim São Paulo, Brazil. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T09:47:25.948Z India on e-wheels: What Indian megacities can learn from Bogotá and São Paulo’s electric bus push Air, Energy, Renewable Energy, Urbanisation, latin america, Public Transport, electric buses, Urban mobility, India on e-wheels, Bogotá, São Paulo, C40 Cities, Zero-emission transport https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/who-pays-the-cost-of-managing-plastic-packaging-waste-in-india-asks-new-cse-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/z0u46v8d/CSE-Report-Launch.jpg L-R: Atin Biswas, Swati Sambyal, Prachi Giria, Tribhuwan Singh Bisht, Siddharth G. Singh, Harshad Barde and Dinesh Bandella. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T09:33:59.360Z Who pays the cost of managing plastic packaging waste in India, asks new CSE study Waste, PLASTIC WASTE, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), EPR https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/black-rice-idli-with-raw-mango-and-ajwain-leaves-chutney-is-all-about-how-food-evolves-by-crossing-cultures-as-people-reimagine-old-ingredients-in-new-forms https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/9nfzogt3/food.jpg The author with the dish https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/kvlwzdf8/Black-rice-Idli-and-Raw-Mango-n-Ajwain-leaves-chutney-Chandrama-Majumdar.jpeg Black rice idli with raw mango and ‘ajwain’ leaves chutney downtoearth en 2026-08-12T08:59:17.970Z Black rice idli with raw mango and ‘ajwain’ leaves chutney is all about how food evolves by crossing cultures, as people reimagine old ingredients in new forms Food, My Food Story, black rice, idlis, chutney, Black rice idli with raw mango and ‘ajwain’ leaves chutney, cultures, raw mango, Ajwain https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/as-african-swine-fever-threatens-to-push-indonesian-babirusas-towards-extinction-uks-chester-zoo-welcomes-critically-important-piglet https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/6gnn3oek/BabirusaPiglet202616.jpg Matano and Rana at the Chester Zoo. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T08:23:41.540Z As African swine fever threatens to push Indonesian babirusas towards extinction, UK’s Chester Zoo welcomes critically important piglet Wildlife & Biodiversity, Indonesia, Pigs, African Swine Fever, UK, Wild pigs, Babirusa, Chester Zoo https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/indias-solar-power-cuts-coal-use-in-the-day-but-evening-demand-keeps-fossil-fuel-running https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/gelxudst/iStock-2202193788.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/898cg84k/Screenshot_2026_08_12_at_12_05_27_PM.png downtoearth en 2026-08-12T07:45:53.630Z India’s solar power cuts coal use in the day, but evening demand keeps fossil fuel running Energy, Renewable Energy, energy transition, solar power, electricity grid, power demand, battery storage, Solar curtailment, coal power, Ember, Fossil fuel generation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/simply-put-clearance-sale https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/bwoflz5v/Simply-Put-12Aug-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/z8ef1xhe/Simply-Put-12-Aug-env-performing-Index-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-12T07:44:43.094Z Simply Put: Clearance sale Environment, Environmental Clearance (EC), PROTECTED AREAS, Cost escalation in infrastructure projects, eco-sensitive areas https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/colombias-worst-earthquake-of-the-21st-century-kills-hundreds https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/n1fz3o12/Colombia-Earthquake.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-12T07:37:19.862Z Colombia’s “worst” earthquake of the 21st century kills hundreds Natural Disasters, latin america, South America, Earthquake, Colombia https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/wildfires-can-leave-surviving-homes-and-their-water-unsafe-safety-tips-for-residents-as-they-return https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/os9h0l76/Wildfire downtoearth en 2026-08-12T07:21:08.601Z Wildfires can leave surviving homes and their water unsafe — safety tips for residents as they return Natural Disasters, Health, wildfire, Air Pollution, SAFETY, water contamination, home, plumbing https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-there-are-hardly-any-electric-cars-on-srinagars-roads-here-is-why https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/mjopvxri/Srinagar.jpg Electric cars are rare on the streets of Srinagar. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/g5cx9jy7/EVpage-0001.jpg Transport Department data confirms low registration of electric cars. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T06:51:58.803Z India on e-wheels: There are hardly any electric cars on Srinagar’s roads; here is why Air, Energy, electric cars, SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir, EV charging, Electric vehicles (EV), India on e-wheels https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/world-elephant-day-should-be-less-a-ritual-of-admiration-than-a-reckoning-with-the-choices-we-make-about-development https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/8r0huju1/Mudumalai-Tusker.jpg A tusker in the forests of Mudumalai, Tamil Nadu. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T05:55:02.949Z World Elephant Day should be less a ritual of admiration than a reckoning with the choices we make about development Wildlife & Biodiversity, Forests, Governance, world elephant day, Development, Human-elephant conflict, Karnataka, Keralam, World Elephant Day 2026, Elephant Day https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-very-heavy-rain-in-rajasthan-west-bengal-maharashtra-and-odisha-rain-alert-issued-for-several-other-states https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/hdqmvat3/Rainfall.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-12T04:58:23.527Z Daily weather tracker: Very heavy rain in Rajasthan, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Odisha; rain alert issued for several other states Climate Change, Odisha, Southwest monsoon, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/520-million-people-in-south-asia-could-face-dangerous-heat-for-at-least-one-month-a-year-by-2070-says-world-bank-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/eep6bcih/Extreme-Heat-India.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-12T04:37:06.760Z 520 million people in South Asia could face dangerous heat for at least one month a year by 2070, says World Bank report Climate Change, south asia, World Bank, extreme heat, heat-related illnesses https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/flesheating-bacteria-are-devouring-limbs-in-warming-waters-worldwide-heres-how-to-protect-yourself https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/bztgvjpb/iStock-586165510.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-12T04:32:11.827Z Flesh‑eating bacteria are devouring limbs in warming waters worldwide — here’s how to protect yourself Health, Climate Change, Infectious Diseases, Bacterial Infections, Bacteria, microbiology, infections, Food Poisoning, rare diseases, necrotising fasciitis, Vibrio vulnificus, necrosis, TC global health https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/in-memoriam-m-p-parameswaran-was-the-scientist-who-taught-kerala-to-question-development https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/2zvizpfy/M-P-Parameswaran.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-11T12:53:19.322Z In memoriam: M P Parameswaran was the scientist who taught Kerala to question development Environment, Kerala, athirappilly, nuclear plants, Silent Valley, M P Parameswaran https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/tamak-nala-water-level-recedes-in-uttarakhands-chamoli-alternative-route-being-built-to-reconnect-17-villages https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/w986nrlz/cement-pipes-.jpeg An alternative route is being constructed using large concrete Hume pipes. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/awtxo56q/rescue-over-Tamak-Nala1.jpeg Rescue operations at the spot. downtoearth en 2026-08-11T12:27:16.575Z Tamak Nala water level recedes in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli; alternative route being built to reconnect 17 villages Natural Disasters, uttarakhand, Chamoli, Dhauliganga, Tamak Nala https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/sc-upholds-pepsicos-potato-variety-registration-says-sued-farmers-can-invoke-statutory-protection https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/q150u5qv/Potato-india downtoearth en 2026-08-11T12:08:33.141Z SC upholds PepsiCo’s potato variety registration, says sued farmers can invoke statutory protection  Agriculture, Gujarat, Farmers, Potato, PepsiCo, Lays, Lay’s potato chips