https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/as-told-to-parliament-july-22-2026-no-unusually-severe-heatwaves-in-2026-despite-temperatures-crossing-45c https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-23/2gtbwtpw/Parliament.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-23T10:59:46.528Z As told to Parliament (July 22, 2026): No unusually severe heatwaves in 2026 despite temperatures crossing 45°C Climate Change, Environment, Governance, Electric vehicles, Heatwaves, lok sabha, rajya sabha, Parliament, India Meteorological Department (IMD), monsoon deficit, solar capacity, EV charging, El Niño https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/epr-in-asia-pacific-japan-sorts-its-plastic-better-than-any-country-it-still-recycles-very-little-of-it https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-23/4ywmp0o5/Japan-Plastic-Waste.jpg A pile of waste in Kyoto, Japan. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-23/lzfuztkx/Japan-EPR.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-23T10:34:59.402Z EPR in Asia Pacific: Japan sorts its plastic better than any country. It still recycles very little of it Waste, Asia, PLASTIC WASTE, Plastic Packaging, Waste Incineration, Extended producer responsibility (EPR), Japan, EPR, EPR in Asia, EPR in Asia Pacific https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/thousands-of-stranded-vessels-in-the-persian-gulf-may-unintentionally-spread-invasive-marine-life-worldwide-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-23/fogjgvc3/Persian-Gulf-Map.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-23T09:20:43.574Z Thousands of stranded vessels in the Persian Gulf may unintentionally spread invasive marine life worldwide: Study Health, Wildlife & Biodiversity, Invasive species, Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Iran-Israel War 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/climate-change-leaves-kashmirs-beekeepers-with-empty-hives-and-uncertain-futures https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-23/mu7gwsav/Honey-2.JPG Honeybees gather outside the entrance of a hive to regulate the colony's temperature during hot weather at a bee farm in Khonmoh Hills, Srinagar. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-23/ht9varcw/Honey-3.jpg An employee inspects beehives at the lavender research apiary of the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) field station in Bonoora, Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir. downtoearth en 2026-07-23T08:30:16.174Z Climate change leaves Kashmir’s beekeepers with empty hives and uncertain futures Climate Change, Pollination, Honeybees, erratic weather, Kashmir, rural livelihoods, Apple orchards, honey production, beekeeping, acacia honey https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/global-road-deaths-fall-21-but-south-east-asia-sees-just-2-decline-who https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-23/bxdixx3a/Road-deaths downtoearth en 2026-07-23T07:44:41.521Z Global road deaths fall 21%, but South-East Asia sees just 2% decline: WHO Governance, India, World, road deaths, WHO, Traffic, Road accidents, Road accident deaths, TWO-WHEELERS, South-East Asian Region, road traffic, motoverhicles https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/us-court-backs-nuclear-regulatory-commission-on-aging-reactors https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-23/mjqjnh5x/Three-Mile-Island.jpg Aerial view of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania. downtoearth en 2026-07-23T07:06:40.558Z US court backs Nuclear Regulatory Commission on aging reactors Energy, Climate Change, Storms, Accidents, US Court Of Appeals in the District of Columbia, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/global-goods-trade-rises-48-in-q1-2026-despite-geopolitical-tensions-ai-and-ev-sectors-drive-demand-unctad https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-23/9vnqs0s4/iStock-671117338.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-23/1bvfkgnx/Screenshot_2026_07_23_at_11_09_33_AM.png In Q1 2026, global goods trade growth has been uneven across economies. Imports and exports growth: percentage-point difference from global average. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-23/0apktkwz/Screenshot_2026_07_23_at_11_09_33_AM.png East Asian economies outperformed in goods trade in Q1-2026. downtoearth en 2026-07-23T06:36:52.523Z Global goods trade rises 4.8% in Q1 2026 despite geopolitical tensions; AI and EV sectors drive demand: UNCTAD Economy, artificial intelligence, global trade, united nations conference on trade and development unctad, East Asia, Electric vehicles (EV), Goods trade, Services trade, China trade, South Korea exports, India exports https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/india-us-trade-deal-explained-why-farmers-protested https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-23/myrqu0fy/Farmers.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-23T06:10:55.796Z India-US trade deal explained: Why farmers protested Agriculture, Farmers, Subsidies, Tariffs, India-US trade deal, Agriculture subsidies https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/great-apes-were-using-touch-to-reassure-and-keep-the-peace-six-million-years-before-humans-evolved-new-research https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-23/gyeckaqg/Great-apes downtoearth en 2026-07-23T05:59:16.147Z Great apes were using touch to reassure and keep the peace six million years before humans evolved — new research Wildlife & Biodiversity, evolution, humans, apes, bonobos, touch, reassuring https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-assam-floods-submerge-872-villages-landslides-worsen-himalayan-crisis-several-states-under-red-orange-and-yellow-rain-alerts https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-23/rc07nt76/Assam-Floods.jpg Flood affected people in Assam. downtoearth en 2026-07-23T05:46:13.457Z Daily weather tracker: Assam floods submerge 872 villages, landslides worsen Himalayan crisis; several states under Red, Orange and Yellow rain alerts Climate Change, Floods, Assam, Landslides, Daily Weather Tracker, Assam Floods 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/more-than-half-of-earths-migratory-bird-species-are-declining-heres-how-we-can-still-save-them https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-23/c2qy8mdm/file-20260722-57-hp1ze9.jpg The spoon-billed sandpiper, a small wading bird, flies nearly 5,000 miles (8,000 km) on its annual migration. downtoearth en 2026-07-23T04:41:34.088Z More than half of Earth’s migratory bird species are declining — here’s how we can still save them Wildlife & Biodiversity, Migration, conservation, Habitat, wildlife, Endangered Species, species, Birds, Migratory Birds https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/global-hunger-falls-in-2025-but-world-remains-off-track-for-zero-hunger-goal-africa-overtakes-asia-as-worlds-largest-hunger-hotspot-un-sofi-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/vervumba/iStock-182869913.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-22T15:49:11.913Z Global hunger falls in 2025 but world remains off track for zero hunger goal; Africa overtakes Asia as world’s largest hunger hotspot: UN SOFI report Food, Food Security, Malnutrition, United Nations, Africa hunger crisis, zero hunger, FAO, Global Hunger, SOFI 2026, Healthy diets, Climate and food systems https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/hunger-declines-but-still-100-million-go-hungry-in-india-shows-un-data https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/sq86fs1m/Hunger-India downtoearth en 2026-07-22T13:05:44.474Z Hunger declines, but still 100 million go hungry in India, shows UN data Governance, india malnutrition, Nutrition in India, India obesity, hungry, hunger declines https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/india-needs-to-recycle-its-construction-demolition-waste-effectively https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/6qspzsmq/Delhi-Demolition-Waste-1.jpg Construction and demolition (C&D) waste litters a road in the national capital. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/l5n4hfy6/Delhi-Demolition-Waste-2.jpg Rapid urban development in India is generating huge amounts of C&D waste. Lack of proper disposal can lead to pollution and obstruction of public places. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/01h76oqz/Delhi-Demolition-Waste-3.jpg Most of this waste can be repurposed and recycled but is not, according to data from the government itself. downtoearth en 2026-07-22T11:59:18.403Z India needs to recycle its construction & demolition waste effectively Waste, Recycling, Construction & Demolition Waste, circular economy https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/madhya-pradeshs-dindori-seeks-centres-permission-to-cut-150000-sal-trees-affected-by-borer-infestation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/po7wwgao/sal-borer-cover.png Sal borer insects collected in Madhya Pradesh’s Dindori district. Local tribal residents are stringing the insects into garlands of 100 each before selling them to the Forest Department, which is paying Rs 2 per insect as part of a control campaign. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/all2wwre/sal-borer-1.jpeg The forest department in Dindori deploys the trap tree method to control the spread of sal borer insects. downtoearth en 2026-07-22T11:53:20.806Z Madhya Pradesh’s Dindori seeks Centre’s permission to cut 150,000 sal trees affected by borer infestation Forests, Wildlife & Biodiversity, Forest Conservation, Madhya Pradesh, forest department, Dindori (D), sal borer, Amarkantak, tribal livelihoods, Sal trees, Forest pests, Climate and forests https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/rabdi-is-an-earthy-mixture-that-is-all-about-memories-and-values https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/55nard5w/Rabdi.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-22T11:14:06.525Z ‘Rabdi’ is an earthy mixture that is all about memories and values Food, My Food Story, jowar, Sorghum, buttermilk, Rabdi https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/tunnel-accident-at-under-construction-project-on-the-teesta-in-sikkim-kills-12-13-still-trapped https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/hvu57mk7/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-22-at-15.11.26-2.jpeg The tunnel where the accident took place. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/e1zluvt1/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-22-at-15.11.26-1.jpeg downtoearth en 2026-07-22T10:18:51.051Z Tunnel accident at under construction project on the Teesta in Sikkim kills 12, 13 still trapped Governance, Natural Disasters, Sikkim, Tunnel, Teesta, NHPC, hydel project https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-humanitys-identity https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/q0fcmn7q/SIR-voters https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/jfunob0r/voter downtoearth en 2026-07-22T09:38:01.108Z Simply Put: Humanity's identity Governance, Democracy, voters, humanity, SIR https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/super-el-nino-the-next-inflation-shock-may-begin-in-indias-fodder-fields https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/lr3f2ax4/Buffalo-Hay.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-22T09:33:22.355Z Super El Nino: The next inflation shock may begin in India’s fodder fields Climate Change, Agriculture, Inflation, Fodder, fodder crisis, Super El Nino, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/indigenous-knowledge-key-to-building-healthier-and-more-sustainable-food-systems-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/xj4saq5m/Mapuche.jpg An indigenous Mapuche woman in Argentina prepares food for a religious ritual downtoearth en 2026-07-22T07:43:24.621Z Indigenous knowledge key to building healthier and more sustainable food systems: Study Food, indigenous knowledge, indigenous people, Sustainable Food Systems, indigenous food systems https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/industrial-development-is-fragmenting-canadas-boreal-forest-governments-should-think-carefully-about-future-approvals https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/zc459hs0/canada-boreal-forest downtoearth en 2026-07-22T07:11:12.903Z Industrial development is fragmenting Canada’s boreal forest. Governments should think carefully about future approvals Forests, forest, Canada, Environmental impact, boreal forest, Industrial development, Seismic lines https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-july-21-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/k4lahxzq/court.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-22T07:01:45.851Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (July 21, 2026) Environment, Water Pollution, Groundwater Extraction, National Green Tribunal (NGT), Narmada river, Delhi Jal Board (DJB), waterbody encroachment, Paharganj, Piezometers, Religious gatherings, Ashoknagar https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/rapidly-thawing-permafrost-is-acidifying-streams-across-north-america https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/9k00v29t/file-20260706-57-6tmpl4.jpeg An acidifying body of water in Yukon. Acidification is driven by the weathering of rocks, which release acid, sulphate and toxic metals into groundwater and streams. downtoearth en 2026-07-22T05:31:12.353Z Rapidly thawing permafrost is acidifying streams across North America Climate Change, Rivers, Arctic, Alaska, rock weathering, Streams, Yukon, Northern Canada https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-monsoon-fury-grips-india-heavy-rain-alert-issued-for-more-than-18-states-as-hills-face-severe-disruptions https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/x54r3g0v/Floods.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-22T05:12:02.184Z Daily weather tracker: Monsoon fury grips India: heavy rain alert issued for more than 18 states as hills face severe disruptions Climate Change, Floods, Rainfall, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/the-gate-of-tears-why-closure-of-the-strait-of-bab-el-mandeb-could-make-the-world-weep-financially https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/piv4e7dp/Bab-El-Mandeb.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-22T04:54:58.912Z The Gate of Tears: Why closure of the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb could make the world weep financially Economy, Europe, Asia, Mediterranean Sea, Shipping, Indian Ocean, houthis, Yemen, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, suez canal, Strait of Hormuz, Iran-Israel-US, Strait of Bab El Mandeb, Gulf of Aden, Cape of Good Hope https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/consultations-on-for-reform-in-cop-negotiation-methods-simon-stiell-in-delhi https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-21/21xbk9pq/Simon-Stiell-Executive-Secretary-UNFCCC-Image-2.jpg Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC. downtoearth en 2026-07-21T13:39:28.237Z Consultations on for reform in COP negotiation methods: Simon Stiell in Delhi Climate Change, UNFCCC, COP30 Belem, COP31 Antalya, Simon Stiell, COP negotiations https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/farmers-protest-against-india-us-trade-talks-as-convoys-stopped-near-delhi https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-21/o6odun70/downtoearth-hindi2026-07-2118ughpuyWhatsApp-Image-2026-07-21-at-8.23.25-AM.jpg Farmers travelling to Delhi to protest against the India-US trade agreement were stopped at the Punjab-Haryana border. downtoearth en 2026-07-21T13:14:46.153Z Farmers protest against India-US trade talks as convoys stopped near Delhi Agriculture, Food, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Punjab farmers, Free Trade Agreement (FTA, samyukta kisan morcha, Agricultural Imports, seed rights, Farmers’ protests, India-US FTA, Kisan Ghat, Haryana farmers https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/as-told-to-parliament-july-21-2026-women-constitute-over-half-of-indias-agri-workforce-centre-says https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-21/ngmbs34o/Parliament.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-21T12:40:40.433Z As told to Parliament (July 21, 2026): Women constitute over half of India’s agri workforce, Centre says Environment, Governance, Climate Change, lok sabha, flooding, river erosion, solar power, Crop Diversification, rajya sabha, women farmers, parliament digest, ev charging stations, sustainable ship recycling, National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), National Heatwave Health Preparedness Framework https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/the-zero-waste-forum-and-the-road-to-cop31-at-antalya-can-india-embrace-zero-waste-as-climate-action https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-21/e8gw1jhe/iStock-1307840868.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-21T12:28:47.310Z The Zero Waste Forum and the road to COP31 at Antalya: Can India embrace zero waste as climate action? Waste, Pollution, Climate Change, Plastic pollution, climate action, Zero Waste, petrochemicals, circular economy, Global Plastics Treaty, COP31, COP31 Antalya, UNFCCC COP31, Antalya, Resource security, India waste policy https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-fossil-fuel https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-21/7syk4uld/Fossil-fuels https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-21/aebaly9n/Fossil downtoearth en 2026-07-21T12:11:57.608Z Simply Put: Fossil fuel Governance, fossil fuel, Ethanol, ethanol blending https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/africas-wildfire-season-is-getting-shorter-study-suggests https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-21/yyndq8oc/iStock-1200067049.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-21T11:58:57.144Z Africa’s wildfire season is getting shorter, study suggests Climate Change, Forests, Ecosystems, RAINFALL PATTERNS, Africa wildfires, Wildfire season, Dry season, Burned area, Fire prediction, African climate https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/sonepat-transplants-paddy-in-earnest-as-monsoon-returns https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-21/4dg5xsp4/Sonepat-Paddy-1.jpg Paddy transplantation has begun in earnest in Sonepat, part of the National Capital Region. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-21/imn972xj/Sonepat-Paddy-2.jpg Paddy is the main Kharif crop in Sonepat and neighbouring Panipat districts of Haryana. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-21/j1w52b4w/Sonepat-Paddy-3.jpg While paddy sowing has been hit this season across India, it remains to be seen what the actual picture will be like at the end of the monsoon. downtoearth en 2026-07-21T11:15:27.315Z Sonepat transplants paddy in earnest, as monsoon returns Agriculture, Haryana, Paddy cultivation, paddy transplantation, Panipat, Monsoon 2026, Sonepat