https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/when-the-body-changes-quietly-menopause-at-the-intersection-of-climate-change-and-social-inequality https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-20/ussfocuk/iStock-1300343664.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-20T10:19:45.428Z When the body changes quietly: Menopause at the intersection of climate change and social inequality Climate Change, Health, Air, Heatwaves, public health, Air Pollution, Menopause, informal workers, Perimenopause, Women’s health, Social inequality, ASHA workers https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-electric-two-wheelers-leading-e-mobility-boom-in-tamil-nadu-data-shows https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-20/8rfmqxdx/EVs-Chennai.jpg There is a strong demand for EV scooters in Chennai. downtoearth en 2026-08-20T09:44:51.424Z India on e-wheels: Electric two-wheelers leading e-mobility boom in Tamil Nadu, data shows Air, Energy, Tamil Nadu, ev charging stations, electric two-wheelers, Electric vehicles (EV), e-mobility, India on e-wheels, electric three-wheelers https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/epr-in-asia-pacific-even-with-asias-strictest-recycling-system-south-korea-burns-more-plastic-than-it-recycles https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-20/2p4m89ln/South-Korea-plastic-waste downtoearth en 2026-08-20T09:18:40.732Z EPR in Asia Pacific: Even with Asia’s strictest recycling system, South Korea burns more plastic than it recycles Waste, Waste, Plastic, Recycling, South Korea, EPR in Asia Pacific https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/solar-and-storage-can-supply-round-the-clock-power-at-rs-515-per-unit-study-finds https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-20/oyg4zibj/iStock-2161498983.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-20T09:06:29.207Z Solar and storage can supply round-the-clock power at Rs 5.15 per unit, study finds Energy, Renewable Energy, Clean energy, Energy Storage, solar power, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), Rajasthan solar power, battery storage, power tariffs, round-the-clock renewable energy, India Energy and Climate Centre, Rajasthan solar https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/when-el-niño-hits-the-farm-inflation-follows-why-irrigation-matters-for-rural-resilience https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-20/elqymjqf/Irrigation.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-20T08:46:01.303Z When El Niño hits the farm, inflation follows: Why irrigation matters for rural resilience Agriculture, Climate Change, Water, Irrigation, Inflation, National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER), El Niño, El Niño 2026, rural resilience, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/rise-of-stunted-generation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-20/43f2h4zu/Children.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-20T06:51:15.527Z Rise of stunted generation Health, Climate Change, Climate Change, public health, Stunting, childhood stunting, child stunting https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/a-legacy-unravels https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/riuxo49j/47.jpg Gopal Dey and Lokkhi Rani Dey of Kuarpar village weave on average, 10 shitol patis (cool mats) a month, earning about R3,000. The couple says weaving items from strands of murta (Schumannianthus dichotomus) for a couple of hours every day is a part of their routine downtoearth en 2026-08-20T06:42:44.347Z A legacy unravels Environment, Assam, cachar district, shitol pati mats, murta plants https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/dangerous-gamble https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/fwrc20ce/42.jpg In Bihar’s Simri block, residents show acute symptoms of arsenicosis, including dermatological lesions on limbs downtoearth en 2026-08-20T06:34:37.203Z Dangerous gamble Water, Bihar, Groundwater, The World Health Organization (WHO), arsenic contamination, piped water, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB, Simri, hand pumps https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/coals-new-flex https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/yuwymfgb/29.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/15mz75nm/32.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-20T06:27:23.175Z Coal’s new flex Energy, energy transition, electricity generation, wind, SOLAR, National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/platinum-pinch https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/34xd1tnt/22.jpg Supplies of cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin, platinum-based chemotherapy drugs used to treat a range of cancers, are running short since May downtoearth en 2026-08-20T06:19:22.334Z Platinum pinch Health, Cancer, cancer drugs, Indian Council Of Medical Research (ICMR), All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/microfinance-was-supposed-to-save-asias-poor-why-has-it-failed-to-live-up-to-its-promise https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-20/ln196hzq/Asia-microfinance downtoearth en 2026-08-20T06:13:33.825Z Microfinance was supposed to save Asia’s poor. Why has it failed to live up to its promise? Economy, Asia, Farming, Economy, Poverty, microfinance, business, poor https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/beyond-the-lens https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-20/nyh5dmgl/agricl.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-20T06:09:28.907Z Beyond the lens Agriculture, Madhya Pradesh, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW), Mewada, Sehore district https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/a-weak-legal-foundation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/tf3kd7ke/14.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-20T06:05:45.325Z A weak legal foundation Environment, Supreme Court, environmental impact assessment (EIA), Justice Joymalya Bagchi, environmental law enforcement, Tarun Bharat Sangh v Union of India https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/floods-dont-move-governments https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/6qlkt05t/10.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-20T06:02:24.753Z Floods don’t move governments Natural Disasters, Floods, niti aayog, Central Water Commission (CWC), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-monsoon-activity-slows-in-maharashtra-while-heavy-rains-sweep-several-states-and-heighten-landslide-threats-across-hill-regions https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-20/b9a12ti3/Daily-Weather-Tracker.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-20T05:51:59.354Z Daily weather tracker: Monsoon activity slows in Maharashtra, while heavy rains sweep several states and heighten landslide threats across hill regions Climate Change, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Southwest monsoon, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/i-lived-through-the-first-taliban-girls-school-ban-watching-it-happen-again-is-heartbreaking https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-20/gg2k3uny/iStock-2223843756.jpg Two Afghan girls at a refugee camp in Pakistan. downtoearth en 2026-08-20T04:45:37.686Z I lived through the first Taliban girls’ school ban — watching it happen again is heartbreaking Taliban school ban, Afghan girls, girls education, Afghan women, education ban, underground schools, women rights, Afghanistan crisis, UN Doha talks, CEDAW case, ICJ action, gender apartheid, women protest, Bread Work Freedom, global inaction https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/the-delivery-room-divide-why-bihars-low-c-section-rate-is-a-public-health-emergency https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-18/koqbimj4/iStock-1500323507.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-19T14:06:45.329Z The delivery room divide: Why Bihar’s low C-section rate is a public health emergency Health, Bihar, public health, Maternal Health, health equity, neonatal mortality, c-section, Infant mortality, Caesarean section, Institutional deliveries, Emergency obstetric care https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/eighteen-years-after-kosi-breach-flood-victims-still-await-compensation-and-rehabilitation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/hvysfzfb/downtoearth-hindi2026-08-1809m3cktvMG5209.avif downtoearth en 2026-08-19T12:14:35.057Z Eighteen years after Kosi breach, flood victims still await compensation and rehabilitation Kosi floods, Kushaha breach, Kosi river, Bihar floods, flood victims, compensation, rehabilitation, World Bank, embankment failure, Kosi project, disaster relief, Supaul district, Madhepura floods, Kosi siltation, flood accountability https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/half-of-indias-women-farmers-recorded-as-unpaid-helpers-report-says https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/0qza9t79/dig066537.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-19T12:13:35.595Z Half of India’s women farmers recorded as unpaid helpers, report says Agriculture, women in agriculture, women in farming, india agriculture https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/himachal-forest-department-to-file-fir-over-alleged-glyphosate-use-on-forest-land-for-pea-cultivation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/lvqafaof/downtoearth-hindi2026-08-18cdx8tz4bhp1.jpg Forest department officials arrived at the site after receiving a complaint and destroyed the fields. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/lvn8w4hf/Picture-1.jpg Pea cultivation on forest land has become increasingly common in recent years. downtoearth en 2026-08-19T10:27:21.465Z Himachal forest department to file FIR over alleged glyphosate use on forest land for pea cultivation Agriculture, Forests, Biodiversity, Himachal Pradesh, forest land, glyphosate, water contamination, Mandi, forest department, Pesticide Action Network (PAN), Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, Pea cultivation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/brics-ministers-link-energy-access-to-climate-finance-as-india-pushes-storage-and-mineral-cooperation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/c6eohrke/BRICS downtoearth en 2026-08-19T09:14:32.759Z BRICS ministers link energy access to climate finance as India pushes storage and mineral cooperation Energy, Environment, Brics countries, brics summit, 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting, India Energy Storage Alliance, energy finance https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-democracys-strongest-pillar https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/7iv1eilx/democracy-india-gen-z https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/302a35c3/democracy-india-genzzz downtoearth en 2026-08-19T08:26:20.699Z Simply Put: Democracy’s strongest pillar Governance, youth, Democracy, protest, Gen Z https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-on-e-wheels-gujarat-green-mobility-policy-targets-evs-ethanol-and-hydrogen-vehicles https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/fc41up5k/downtoearth-hindi2026-08-18efeujlxu20260804155548.jpg Electric buses have been added to the bus fleet in Ahmedabad. downtoearth en 2026-08-19T08:11:21.479Z India on e-wheels: Gujarat green mobility policy targets EVs, ethanol and hydrogen vehicles Energy, Air, Gujarat, Biofuel, clean transport, vehicle scrappage, Electric vehicles (EV), India on e-wheels, hydrogen vehicles, Green Mobility Policy, Ethanol vehicles, EV incentives https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-on-e-wheels-exempted-tolls-residential-charging-aid-ev-transition-in-maharashtra https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/9xnqrl6a/EV-bus-Maharashtra downtoearth en 2026-08-19T08:11:01.595Z India on e-wheels: Exempted tolls, residential charging aid EV transition in Maharashtra Energy, Electric vehicles, electric cars, Decarbonisation, Emissions, Maharashtra, Transport, electric two-wheelers, EV charging, electric bus, India on e-wheels, state transport https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/governments-shouldnt-rely-on-ai-to-decide-who-gets-a-social-grant-inside-a-south-african-court-case https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/ykzhr1io/South-Africa-AI-governance-social downtoearth en 2026-08-19T06:33:02.739Z Governments shouldn’t rely on AI to decide who gets a social grant: Inside a South African court case Africa, Governance, Science & Technology, World, Africa, South Africa, machine learning, Court cases, AI governance, Social grants, automated digital decision-making https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/the-soils-early-warning-system-microbes-can-predict-desertification-before-plants-start-to-die https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-19/uu67h928/iStock-1428271673.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-19T04:18:28.643Z The soil’s early warning system: microbes can predict desertification before plants start to die Agriculture, Africa, Climate Change, Health, World, Antibiotics, gut microbiome, Bacteria, soil, Ecology, Desertification, Fungi, microbial life, Carbon storage, microbiome, gut, Microbiomes, carbon cycle, viruses, microbial communities, Nutrient cycle, Soil microbiome, Microbial ecosystems https://www.downtoearth.org.in/urbanisation/uttarakhand-tunnel-disaster-shows-why-himalayan-excavation-needs-a-hydrological-rethink https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-18/l8f268nr/cm-at-the-ground-zero.jpeg Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami at the tunnel collapse site. downtoearth en 2026-08-18T14:45:05.079Z Uttarakhand tunnel disaster shows why Himalayan excavation needs a hydrological rethink Urbanisation, Environment, himalayas, Hydropower, uttarakhand, Joshimath, flood risk, Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project, Tunnel disaster, Himalayan geology https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/most-countries-will-miss-2030-food-system-goal-emission-removal-among-biggest-gaps-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-18/bw58b1t9/food-systems-emissions-US downtoearth en 2026-08-18T12:26:06.828Z Most countries will miss 2030 food system goal, emission removal among biggest gaps: Study Environment, Food, Agriculture, Water, Emissions, Ultra-processed foods, United Nations, Pesticide, Food systems https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/what-actually-caused-the-tunnel-collapse-on-the-vishnugad-pipalkoti-hydroelectric-project https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-18/x07vekt6/Uttarakhand-Tunnel-Collapse.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-18T11:19:16.807Z What actually caused the tunnel collapse on the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project? Natural Disasters, uttarakhand, Chamoli, tunnel collapse, Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-poisoning-the-innocents https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-18/l9f2mqdz/Simply-Put-18-Aug-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-18/5flodhr2/Simply-Put-18-Aug-Demand-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-18T11:06:31.568Z Simply Put: Poisoning the innocents Governance, Education, schools, Students, Student protests https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-odishas-ev-policy-should-not-apply-a-uniform-approach-say-experts https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-18/lwc481lu/Odisha-Emobility-1.jpg An e-bus, operating between the Baramunda transit hub and the historic Lingaraj Temple, awaits passengers at the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bus Terminal in Bhubaneswar. This terminal supports a growing fleet of zero-emission e-buses to promote pollution-free public transport across the capital. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-18/ylp65089/GFX-EV-special.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-18/4mczgzr3/2-GFX-EV-special.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-18/rn9qo170/3-GFX-EV-special.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-18/z0dt1xgs/Odisha-Emobility-2-New.jpg Inaugurated in March 2024, the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bus Terminal in Baramunda, Bhubaneswar, is Odisha's largest state-of-the-art inter-state bus terminal, featuring striking contemporary architecture designed to handle thousands of daily passengers. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-18/ihtduyla/Odisha-Emobility-3.jpg Formed in 1974, the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation provides affordable bus services across over 1,900 routes, connecting cities and rural areas in Odisha and neighboring states. It now plans to add 100 e-buses each year until 2030. downtoearth en 2026-08-18T10:57:39.291Z India on e-wheels: Odisha’s EV policy should not apply a uniform approach, say experts Air, Energy, Pollution, Odisha, EVs, EV policy, India on e-wheels https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/a-safe-childhood-digital-too https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-18/fspg2cqe/Child-with-mobile.jpg Representative photo downtoearth en 2026-08-18T10:43:39.876Z A safe childhood, digital too!  Science & Technology, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), CRY, childhood, digital, Artificial intelligence (AI), child exploitation