https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/can-parametric-insurance-really-put-a-price-on-extreme-heat-and-protect-indias-informal-workers-from-its-growing-economic-toll https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/cixq7ykj/iStock-1271444376.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-22T15:35:09.572Z Can parametric insurance really put a price on extreme heat — and protect India’s informal workers from its growing economic toll? Climate Change, Delhi, Heatwaves, Climate Adaptation, Labour Rights, Faridabad, extreme heat, informal workers, climate risk, Women workers, Parametric insurance, Mahila Housing Trust https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/heat-stress-disrupts-ventilation-system-in-corals-proves-fatal-at-37c-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/dxako2e7/Corals.jpg Coral polyps with eight arms. downtoearth en 2026-05-22T13:07:36.877Z Heat stress disrupts ventilation system in corals, proves fatal at 37°C: Study Wildlife & Biodiversity, heat stress, Corals, oceanic warming, Cilia, ventilation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/lpg-consumption-drops-13-in-april-as-supply-disruptions-fuel-switching-and-affordability-stress-amid-west-asia-crisis-reshape-demand https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/ndpfwjk7/LPG.jpg Representational photo. downtoearth en 2026-05-22T12:31:11.065Z LPG consumption drops 13% in April as supply disruptions, fuel switching and affordability stress amid West Asia crisis reshape demand Energy, LPG, Iran-Israel War 2026, LPG consumption, West Asia Crisis, fuel switching https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/indias-maize-led-ethanol-story-shows-how-quickly-policy-can-move-markets-but-course-correction-is-needed https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/2dn5koqn/Maize-Ethanol.jpg Representational photo. downtoearth en 2026-05-22T12:02:27.640Z India’s maize-led ethanol story shows how quickly policy can move markets; but course correction is needed Energy, Food, Maize, Ethanol, Fuel https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/simply-put-international-day-of-biological-diversity-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/0p44jbmv/Simply-Put-22-May-Tree-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/kbqhy0h6/Simply-Put-22-May-Tree1-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-22T11:24:51.825Z Simply Put: International Day of Biological Diversity 2026 Wildlife & Biodiversity, Biodiversity, Trees, Development, International Day of Biological Diversity 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/power-demand-tracker-india-meets-all-time-high-power-demand-of-2708-gw-renewable-energy-share-34 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/tgkgc0ru/May-21-Peak-Power-Demand.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-22T11:06:43.590Z Power Demand Tracker: India meets all-time high demand of 270.8 GW, renewable energy share 34% Energy, Renewable Energy, Electricity, Wind Energy, Hydropower, power, SOLAR, peak demand, coal-based thermal https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/poor-elderly-widows-and-disabled-people-spend-much-of-their-pension-on-food-and-treatment-study-finds https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/uf50tgu6/iStock-146807932.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-22T10:53:17.837Z Poor elderly, widows and disabled people spend much of their pension on food and treatment, study finds Governance, Poverty, Social welfare schemes, social security, Pension Scheme, elderly people, Anti-Poverty Programs, government schemes, widows, Social welfare benefits, Union rural development ministry, poverty in india, welfare schemes, Pensions, National Social Assistance Programme, Disability rights https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/indias-fossil-fuel-subsidy-bill-now-exceeds-its-health-budget-the-lancet-just-told-us-why-that-matters https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/ojtb6fny/Heat-Health.jpg A hot sunny day in old Jaipur. downtoearth en 2026-05-22T10:19:15.143Z India’s fossil-fuel subsidy bill now exceeds its health budget. The Lancet just told us why that matters Climate Change, Health, Fossil Fuels, The Lancet, health budget, fossil-fuel subsidy bill https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-may-21-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/d5fpi0i5/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-22T09:21:47.848Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (May 21, 2026) Environment, Waste Management, stormwater drain, Andhra Pradesh, Sewage, NGT, cpcb, Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Waste to energy plant, DUSIB, JJ clusters, Bhimavaram Municipality, West Godavari district https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/pm-modis-appeal-will-not-change-indians-gold-purchasing-behaviour-the-policy-window-it-has-opened-though-is-real https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/y17hlboq/Gold-Jewellery.jpg People buy gold ornaments at a jewellery showroom during Dhanteras. downtoearth en 2026-05-22T09:11:11.969Z PM Modi’s appeal will not change Indians’ gold purchasing behaviour. The policy window it has opened though, is real Governance, Gold, narendra modi, Ecological footprint, Gold jewellery https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/housing-affordability-crisis-worsens-worldwide-hits-sub-saharan-africa-hardest-un https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/axq3dk4a/Namibia-housing Informal settlement in Namibia. Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-22T07:32:46.459Z Housing affordability crisis worsens worldwide, hits sub-Saharan Africa hardest: UN Africa, sub-saharan africa, Housing, Inflation, Housing costs, hosuing crisis, rent https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/agroforestry-is-a-climate-resilient-solution-for-indias-cotton-farmers https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/tb55x76h/Cotton-Farming.jpg Representational photo. downtoearth en 2026-05-22T07:29:41.808Z Agroforestry is a climate-resilient solution for India’s cotton farmers Agriculture, Agroforestry, Cotton, climate-resilient solutions, cotton farming https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/agroforestry-offers-a-sustainable-pathway-for-small-and-marginal-farmers-in-indias-rain-fed-regions https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/rusp6e36/Agroforestry.jpg iStock photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-22T07:29:31.197Z Agroforestry offers a sustainable pathway for small and marginal farmers in India’s rain-fed regions Agriculture, Forests, Agroforestry, monocropping, Small and Marginal Farmers, VIDARBHA, western Odisha, rain-fed agriculture https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/on-international-biological-diversity-day-vidarbhas-last-seed-keepers-fight-to-save-indias-vanishing-crop-heritage https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/bpnnfpll/DSC1110.JPG Indigenous seeds showcased at Vidarbha Beej Samvardhan Samvad. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/6t7bjckw/DSC1389.JPG On May 4 and 5, 2026, weeks before the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026, which is recognised on May 22 every year, around 40 seed conservers and farmers gathered at Seminary Hills in Nagpur for the Vidarbha Beej Samvardhan Samvad. downtoearth en 2026-05-22T07:16:14.135Z On International Biological Diversity Day, Vidarbha’s last seed keepers fight to save India’s vanishing crop heritage Agriculture, Food, Wildlife & Biodiversity, climate resilience, Maharashtra, finger millets, VIDARBHA, Seed conservation, Traditional crops, International Biological Diversity Day 2026, Agricultural biodiversity https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/poor-pay-is-holding-back-africas-biodiversity-research-and-reducing-its-contribution-to-global-science https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/mpjxmj2u/Africa-research-biodiversity downtoearth en 2026-05-22T06:14:27.787Z Poor pay is holding back Africa’s biodiversity research and reducing its contribution to global science Africa, Biodiversity, Research, R&D, global science, biodiversity research, researchers, African researchers https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/international-biological-diversity-day-2026-how-odishas-tribal-seed-keepers-are-rebuilding-biodiversity-for-a-warmer-future https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/gvl8l8ec/A-Kutia-Kondh-farmer-in-her-finger-millet-millet-in-Kandhamal-district-OdishaPhoto-WASSAN.jpeg A Kutia Kondh farmer on her finger millet farm in Kandhamal district, Odisha. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/g8tfcbgz/Prabhasini-Pradhan-in-Sasigada-village-in-daringbadi-block-in-Kandhamal-district-OdishaPhoto-WASSAN.jpg Prabhasini Pradhan in Sasigada village of Daringbadi block in Kandhamal district, Odisha. downtoearth en 2026-05-22T06:10:34.294Z International Biological Diversity Day 2026: How Odisha’s tribal seed keepers are rebuilding biodiversity for a warmer future Wildlife & Biodiversity, Global Warming, Odisha, adivasis, Tribals, International Biological Diversity Day 2026, seed keepers https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/lake-karibas-rising-waters-bring-hope-to-communities-in-zambia-and-zimbabwe https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-22/zl1xtf6d/iStock-1565109746.jpg Lake Kariba’s levels are slowly rising after years of drought. downtoearth en 2026-05-22T04:57:40.288Z Lake Kariba’s rising waters bring hope to communities in Zambia and Zimbabwe Water, Energy, Hydropower, Zimbabwe, Dams, Zambia, lake kariba, Kariba Dam, El Nino drought https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/india-issues-ebola-advisory-for-travellers-from-affected-regions https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/cjyfpe3h/Ebola-advisory-airports-India downtoearth en 2026-05-21T12:52:57.167Z India issues Ebola advisory for travellers from affected regions Health, India, Health, west africa, Disease, ebola, surveillance, Icmr, Outbreak, Bat, Advisory https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/trouble-in-the-gharials-last-bastion https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/my0oxxb9/043A2728.jpg The Supreme Court recently rapped Rajasthan for its inability to prevent sand mining in the Gharial Sanctuary on the Chambal river. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/v1yeymx6/043A2018.jpg Rajasthan had proved to be an ‘utter failure’ in combating the mining mafia, the bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/53m2m0lo/043A1795.jpg The gharial is a unique crocodilian found only in the Indian subcontinent. Its population had declined dramatically in past decades but has since rebounded, due to conservation efforts. downtoearth en 2026-05-21T12:28:12.720Z Trouble in the gharial’s last bastion? Wildlife & Biodiversity, Mining, Mining, Rajasthan, Supreme Court, Chambal River, gharial, crocodilians, National Chambal Sanctuary https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/simply-put-let-our-forests-be https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/a9f6whx3/Let-our-forests-be https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/lj7zzuc6/Let-our-forests-be-2 downtoearth en 2026-05-21T11:06:51.840Z Simply Put: Let our forests be Forests, Forests, Trees, Mining, Animals, adivasis https://www.downtoearth.org.in/rivers/no-new-hydropower-projects-in-alaknanda-bhagirathi-basin-centre-tells-apex-court https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/r0gzsu6f/Alaknanda.jpg The Alaknanda river. downtoearth en 2026-05-21T11:02:43.630Z No new hydropower projects in Alaknanda-Bhagirathi basin, Centre tells apex court Rivers, Water, Hydropower, uttarakhand, Supreme Court, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), Alaknanda-Bhagirathi basin https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/us-opposes-india-and-27-nations-abstain-as-un-backs-icj-climate-ruling-by-141-8-vote https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/wxo8gaa7/Climate-justice Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-21T10:55:40.764Z US opposes, India and 27 nations abstain as UN backs ICJ climate ruling by 141-8 vote Climate Change, United States, International Court of Justice (ICJ), United Nations, ICJ, ICJ AO, ICJ advisory opinion, Climate liability, climate ruling https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/developed-economies-deliver-1367-billion-in-climate-finance-in-2024-but-low-income-nations-receive-only-7 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/js70mibz/iStock-1301933680.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/qd0mpt5g/Screenshot_2026_05_21_at_4_08_54_PM.png downtoearth en 2026-05-21T10:49:17.554Z Developed economies deliver $136.7 billion in climate finance in 2024, but low-income nations receive only 7% Climate Change, Developing Countries, climate justice, Climate finance, $100 billion climate finance goal, Developed Countries, OECD, new collective quantified goal (ncqg), new climate finance goal, adaptation finance, climate debt, Low-income countries, Mitigation finance, $1.3 trillion climate finance goal https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/climate-stress-hits-bihars-litchi-crop-as-muzaffarpur-farmers-report-losses-of-up-to-70 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/nxrrq5z3/iStock-1400614440.jpg Muzaffarpur alone has litchi orchards spread across around 12,000 hectares. downtoearth en 2026-05-21T10:03:31.851Z Climate stress hits Bihar’s litchi crop as Muzaffarpur farmers report losses of up to 70% Agriculture, Climate Change, Bihar, Crop loss, Muzaffarpur, Litchi, litchi farmers, litchi harvest, crop losses, Flower webber https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/kenyas-reptile-trade-expands-rapidly-with-exports-crossing-87000-animals-finds-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/dyrvylb8/Nile-Crocodile.jpg A young Nile crocodile. The species is found in Kenya and much of Africa. downtoearth en 2026-05-21T09:55:11.368Z Kenya’s reptile trade expands rapidly, with exports crossing 87,000 animals, finds study Africa, Wildlife & Biodiversity, Kenya, Reptiles, tortoises, Lizards, exotic pet trade https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/india-among-biggest-new-carbon-markets-as-global-carbon-pricing-covers-29-per-cent-of-emissions https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/dyvuz5m8/World-Bank.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-21T09:39:29.489Z India among biggest new carbon markets as global carbon pricing covers 29 per cent of emissions Climate Change, Carbon credits, World Bank, European Union, carbon markets, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/what-does-fuel-price-hike-mean-for-farmers-and-how-does-it-influence-inflation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/v52xu60a/War-and-pocket.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-21T09:15:54.451Z What does fuel price hike mean for farmers and how does it influence inflation? Agriculture, Energy, Food, Farmers, Inflation, Diesel, fuel price hike https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/tamil-nadus-emergency-healthcare-system-emerged-stronger-post-covid-driving-sharp-gains-in-maternal-newborn-outcomes-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/xxp81aok/TN-Pandemic.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-21T09:07:10.204Z Tamil Nadu’s emergency healthcare system emerged stronger post-COVID, driving sharp gains in maternal & newborn outcomes: Study Health, Tamil Nadu, covid-19, Maternal Health, newborn health, IIT Madras https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-may-20-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-02-23/215izw94/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-21T08:27:45.113Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (May 20, 2026) Environment, Waste, Waste Management, Pollution, bottling plant, cgwa https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/cag-report-raises-questions-over-rs-50072-crore-health-cess-not-reaching-designated-fund https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/2kzvyp5s/down-to-earthimportlibrarylarge2021-12-270.972649001640612028hospital.avif The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has flagged concerns over the health cess. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/wagw1k9r/downtoearth-hindi2026-05-20kxxci8hlChatGPT-Image-May-20-2026-035607-PM.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-21T08:24:04.106Z CAG report raises questions over Rs 50,072 crore health cess not reaching designated fund Health, Governance, public health, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, Health cess, Jan Swasthya Abhiyan India https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/newly-elected-bengal-mla-plans-to-conserve-kolkatas-key-environmental-landmarks https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/j23169il/Swapan-Dasgupta.jpg Swapan Dasgupta. downtoearth en 2026-05-21T07:24:35.389Z Newly elected Bengal MLA plans to conserve Kolkata’s key environmental landmarks  Environment, Governance, West Bengal, rabindra sarovar, Kolkata, adi ganga, Swapan Dasgupta, Tramways, Rasbehari Assembly Constituency https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/for-farmers-in-rural-delhi-struggling-with-rising-input-costs-and-declining-water-wastewater-dependence-is-a-no-brainer-despite-health-risks-involved https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/54apon87/Najafgarh-Drain-vegetables.jpg Drain water being used for watering crops in rural Delhi. downtoearth en 2026-05-21T06:38:44.596Z For farmers in rural Delhi struggling with rising input costs and declining water, wastewater dependence is a no-brainer despite health risks involved Agriculture, Rural Water and Sanitation, Water, Delhi, Vegetables, public health, Wastewater, rural areas, Najafgarh drain https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/what-womens-work-songs-reveal-about-the-changing-climate https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/4mrcar2q/Women-work-song-climate-change Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-21T06:21:35.622Z What women’s work songs reveal about the changing climate Climate Change, Climate Change, Environment, Women, culture, Agricultural labour, Labour https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/health-authorities-are-racing-to-contain-ebola-in-the-drc-and-uganda-heres-whats-making-it-so-challenging https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/oueym927/iStock-1351266625.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/k4rrvewj/file-20260520-57-wu4f6u.avif Early warning signals for Ebola in DRC, March to May 2026. downtoearth en 2026-05-21T04:50:31.178Z Health authorities are racing to contain Ebola in the DRC and Uganda. Here’s what’s making it so challenging Health, Health in Africa, Africa, Infectious Diseases, public health, ebola, Ebola outbreak, Ebola Africa, personal protective equipment, Africa ebola, Ebola death, Epidemics, contact tracing