https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/think-beyond-gdp https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/xnfhaiy7/Antonio-Guterres-UN-Secretary-General-1.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/exp1hsxv/Antonio-Guterres-UN-Secretary-General.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-09T03:40:32.723Z Think beyond GDP Economy, Governance, GDP, economic progress, well-being https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/around-58-million-new-businesses-sprang-up-in-a-year-across-india-but-daily-earnings-did-not-even-reach-rs-600-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/drs8xaa8/Self-employed.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-08T13:17:09.229Z Around 5.8 million new businesses sprang up in a year across India, but daily earnings did not even reach Rs 600: Report Economy, Governance, self-employment, National Statistical Office (NSO), Union Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, Annual Survey of Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector (ASUSE) 2025 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/delhi-uses-processed-legacy-waste-to-reclaim-waterlogged-land https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/mkxpoh47/Delhi-Landfill-1.jpg This photo shows authorities in Delhi killing two birds with one stone. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/zd8ybrg9/Delhi-Landfill-2.jpg One the one hand, they are using processed legacy waste from the Bhalswa landfill in an effort to clear the site. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/glh323ay/Delhi-Landfill-3.jpg One the other, they are using the waste to make waterlogged areas in northwest Delhi more habitable. downtoearth en 2026-05-08T12:55:23.375Z Delhi uses processed legacy waste to reclaim waterlogged land Waste, Delhi, legacy waste, Bhalswa landfill, Northwest Delhi https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/eu-mercosur-trade-deal-enforced-amid-farmers-fears-of-unfair-competition https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/5xoribvd/EU-mercusor-deal France wants stronger protections for farmers. downtoearth en 2026-05-08T12:22:43.963Z EU-Mercosur trade deal enforced amid farmers’ fears of unfair competition Economy, Farmer, Trade, France, TRADE AGREEMENT, EU-Mercosur https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/maharashtra-state-compressed-biogas-cbg-policy-2026-is-expected-to-open-a-new-growth-path https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/99xqtuzp/Compressed-Biogas.jpg A compressed biogas plant. downtoearth en 2026-05-08T12:03:53.139Z Maharashtra State Compressed Biogas (CBG) Policy, 2026 is expected to open a new growth path Energy, compressed biogas, Maharashtra, compressed biogas (CBG), Maharashtra State Compressed Biogas (CBG) Policy, 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/indias-real-time-forest-monitoring-is-becoming-more-advanced-but-the-response-system-remains-dangerously-slow https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/9zznzl5k/Forests.jpg A thick forest in Kerala. downtoearth en 2026-05-08T11:33:48.213Z India’s real time forest monitoring is becoming more advanced. But the response system remains dangerously slow Forests, Africa, satellite data, satellite, Brazil, forest governance, Forest monitoring https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/simply-put-100-ethanol https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/rd2xfxi6/ethanol-fuel-for-car https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/0ijj7uu8/Ethanol-in-car downtoearth en 2026-05-08T10:46:32.864Z Simply Put: 100% ethanol Energy, Governance, Biofuel, Ethanol, ethanol blending, Fuel, Vehicle, car https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/fertiliser-fallout-a-war-its-impacts-on-what-we-produce-eat https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/zf2e06ah/Fertiliser-fallout downtoearth en 2026-05-08T10:38:13.088Z Fertiliser fallout: A war & its impacts on what we produce & eat Agriculture, Food, Economy, Fertiliser, Food systems, Iran, Strait of Hormuz, US-Israel, hormuz https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/delhis-next-ev-challenge-is-not-adoption https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/tcvo6y70/Delhi-EV.jpg The larger challenge in Delhi is no longer simply the number of chargers installed. downtoearth en 2026-05-08T10:36:12.538Z Delhi’s next EV challenge is not adoption Air, Delhi, EVs, Electricity subsidies, EV charging infrastructure, Delhi EV Policy 2.0 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/from-representation-to-real-power-what-panchayati-raj-teaches-us-about-womens-leadership https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/lmh6hjty/Women-leaders.jpg Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-08T10:35:07.865Z From representation to real power: What Panchayati Raj teaches us about women’s leadership Governance, panchayati raj, Panchayati Raj institutions, Panchayats, women in politics https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/april-2026-witnessed-second-highest-sea-surface-temperatures https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/ml8d66ft/Sea-surface-temperature Sea surface temperatures correspond to 'strong' marine heatwave conditions. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/wb5xiu1p/Sea_surface_temperature. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/5irfj6sv/1000326404.png https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/kmqlsl59/Global_daily_sea_surface_temperatures. downtoearth en 2026-05-08T09:53:19.728Z April 2026 witnessed second-highest sea surface temperatures Climate Change, Climate Change, Global Warming, El Nino, ocean warming, april, sea surface temperature, Marien heatwave https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-heat-tracker-7-cities-record-above-normal-maximum-temperatures-2 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/czm5f71k/Daily-Heat-Tracker.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-08T08:55:44.694Z Daily Heat Tracker: 7 cities record above-normal maximum temperatures Climate Change, heatwave, India Meteorological Department (IMD), heat, Daily Heat Tracker https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/weather-conditions-at-the-hajj-going-to-be-increasingly-dangerous-in-the-decades-ahead-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/rs3u79g1/Kaaba.jpg The Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. downtoearth en 2026-05-08T08:40:55.332Z Weather conditions at the Hajj going to be increasingly dangerous in the decades ahead: Study Climate Change, Saudi Arabia, Hajj, Pilgrimage, extreme heat https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/the-green-industrialisation-agenda-for-the-global-south-aconversation-with-ilias-alami https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/xlybor4y/Carbon-Politics.jpg CSE’s Avantika Goswami (Left) in conversation with Ilias Alami. downtoearth en 2026-05-08T08:03:03.114Z The green industrialisation agenda for the Global South: A conversation with Ilias Alami Climate Change, India, Developing Countries, China, United States, Developed Countries, Green industrialisation, Ilias Alami https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/every-degree-of-warming-erases-years-of-crop-productivity-gains-in-india https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/t5lie63n/Warming-an-dcrop-yield-reduction-india Rice, India’s most widely consumed staple, suffered a 9 per cent short-run decline. The long-run impact was higher. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/mb1sdslb/Climate-change-and-crop-yields Distribution of long-run all-crop yield impacts (percentage change in yields) across districts for 20% decrease in rainfall and 1°C increase in temperature. downtoearth en 2026-05-08T07:10:44.249Z Every degree of warming erases years of crop productivity gains in India Agriculture, Climate Change, Global Warming, Food Prices, Food Security, Farming, temperature, Farmer, farm income, Rainfall, productivity, Crops, yield loss, yield https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/as-david-attenborough-turns-100-today-chilean-wasp-named-in-his-honour https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/6sop5zdx/David-Attenborough.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-08T06:54:37.043Z As David Attenborough turns 100 today, Chilean wasp named in his honour Wildlife & Biodiversity, Chile, wasp, david attenborough, Natural History Museum in London https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/non-tariff-barriers-now-cost-more-than-tariffs-for-most-countries-unctad https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/3a7sknic/Tariff.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/nm6ipqcx/NTM.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/px6qfap9/NTM-1.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-08T06:08:26.583Z Non-tariff barriers now cost more than tariffs for most countries: UNCTAD Energy, Economy, World Trade Organization (WTO), united nations conference on trade and development unctad, LDCs, Tariffs, Non-tariff barriers https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/recreational-fishing-in-the-us-catches-far-more-fish-than-previously-estimated https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/xb6b6k8l/United-States-recreational-fishing The immensity of recreational fishing also likely has effects on freshwater ecosystems that have gone unrecognised by fisheries managers. downtoearth en 2026-05-08T06:01:13.919Z Recreational fishing in the US catches far more fish than previously estimated Wildlife & Biodiversity, Biodiversity, Food, United States, aquatic ecosystem, Fishing, Fish, food and agriculture organization https://www.downtoearth.org.in/urbanisation/un-habitat-releases-new-catalogue-in-response-to-mounting-global-challenges-related-to-housing-inequality-and-basic-urban-services https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-08/b28g44re/Slums-Dharavi.jpg Dharavi in Mumbai. downtoearth en 2026-05-08T05:00:14.870Z UN-Habitat releases new catalogue in response to mounting global challenges related to housing, inequality, and basic urban services Urbanisation, Governance, inequality, Housing, UN-Habitat, urban services https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/in-protecting-politically-sensitive-household-consumers-from-lpg-shock-economically-vulnerable-groups-being-exposed-to-war-driven-price-surge-experts https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/qesbgzt6/LPG-Cylinder.jpg Small red potable LPG cylinder. downtoearth en 2026-05-07T13:34:30.310Z In ‘protecting’ politically sensitive household consumers from LPG shock, economically vulnerable groups being exposed to war-driven price surge: Experts Energy, LPG, Iran-Israel War 2026, LPG Cylinders, economically marginalised groups https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/floating-medical-emergency-3-dead-in-hantavirus-outbreak-on-mv-hondius-passenger-cruise-ship https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/0v9aepr4/hantavirus-cruise-ship downtoearth en 2026-05-07T12:07:28.025Z Floating medical emergency: 3 dead in hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius passenger cruise ship Health, virus, hantavirus, cruise, Ship, viral outbreak https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/oak-trees-delay-leafing-to-outmanoeuvre-caterpillars https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/jvs9w9ix/Oak-tree-caterpillar downtoearth en 2026-05-07T11:50:14.496Z Oak trees delay leafing to outmanoeuvre caterpillars Wildlife & Biodiversity, Oak, oak trees, Leaf, caterpillar, oak forest, bud burst https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/largest-population-of-isolated-communities-in-the-amazon-under-imminent-threat https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/bz9gt5nz/Amazon-indigenous-people Logging concessions infringe upon 500,000 hectares of the Corridor in Peru with intact moist tropical forest. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/zvxp9mad/Tribal-people-mapping https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/g1j3w7sr/indigenous-people-Amazon downtoearth en 2026-05-07T11:14:40.246Z Largest population of isolated communities in the Amazon under imminent threat Governance, indigenous people, tribal, Amazon, Brazil, Peru, Matse, Yavarí-Tapiche Territorial Corridor https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/farm-suicides-dipped-marginally-in-2024-but-continue-at-rate-of-one-every-hour-in-india-ncrb https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/tz5p95sa/Farmers-India.jpg Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-07T10:53:36.154Z Farm suicides dipped marginally in 2024, but continue at rate of one every hour in India: NCRB Agriculture, Governance, Farmers, Agricultural Labourers, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), NCRB, Farm sector suicides https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/simply-put-at-402c-ahmedabad-records-highest-day-time-temperature https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/1bs1s3hz/Daily-Heat-Tracker.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-07T10:12:36.047Z Daily Heat Tracker: At 40.2°C, Ahmedabad records highest day-time temperature Climate Change, heatwave, India Meteorological Department (IMD), heat, Daily Heat Tracker https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/simply-put-great-nicobar https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/4lw4twzt/Hero-Image-7-May.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/2x36hi3h/Simply-Put-7-Th-May-Nicobar-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-07T10:08:06.607Z Simply Put: Great Nicobar Environment, Forests, Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, great nicobar mega project, Great Nicobar Island https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/around-47-globally-find-evs-appealing-india-among-strongest-supporters-of-public-transport-and-clean-mobility-ipsos-survey https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/gp2769vz/EV.jpg An electric vehicle. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/b86n362o/Ipsos-1.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/fjcyu4pl/Ipsos-2.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-07T09:53:12.295Z Around 47% globally find EVs appealing; India among strongest supporters of public transport and clean mobility: Ipsos survey Energy, Electric vehicles, geopolitics, Public Transport, ROAD SAFETY, ipsos, Self-driving car https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/story-of-bread-wheat-began-in-georgia-and-the-south-caucasus-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/ql115o5a/Bread-wheat.jpg A wheat field. downtoearth en 2026-05-07T09:13:27.630Z Story of bread wheat began in Georgia and the South Caucasus: Study Agriculture, Wheat, Caspian Sea, Georgia, south caucasus, Bread Wheat, Neolithic Period https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/the-migrant-as-an-asset-development-driver https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/ikzob5vr/Spain-Syrian-refugees.jpg "Refugees Welcome" placard placed on city hall building facade of Madrid in 2015, at the height of the Syrian Refugee Crisis. downtoearth en 2026-05-07T08:14:15.486Z Migrant workers are assets, development drivers Governance, Economy, Migration, Migrants, immigration, Immigrants https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/indias-growth-faces-energy-shock-as-sp-forecasts-66-gdp-growth-highlights-inflation-pressure https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/0oam2cjk/OIl-tanker-ship-fleet-trade-import-India-fuel-energy Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-07T07:30:50.377Z India’s growth faces energy shock as S&P forecasts 6.6% GDP growth; highlights inflation pressure Energy, Economy, Energy, Economy, Trade, Inflation, fuel prices, GDP, energy shock https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/nagaland-university-study-recommends-gis-based-approach-to-combat-soil-erosion-in-the-northeast https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/fdiqy99f/Soil-Erosion-Northeast.jpg Instance of soil erosion in the Northeast. downtoearth en 2026-05-07T07:16:22.647Z Nagaland University study recommends GIS-based approach to combat soil erosion in the Northeast Environment, Soil Erosion, Northeast, Eastern Himalayas, Nagaland University https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/delhis-green-transition-should-be-one-where-construction-transport-and-waste-lead https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/mrumxi56/Delhi-Metro.jpg The Delhi Metro. downtoearth en 2026-05-07T06:45:26.477Z ​​​​Delhi’s green transition should be one where construction, transport and waste lead Governance, Environment, Waste, Delhi, Delhi-NCR, Transport, Construction, green transition https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/significant-economic-and-conservation-opportunities-for-cambodia-if-it-reintroduces-tigers-in-its-cardamom-mountains-paper https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/fjp5vvdy/Tiger-Thailand.jpg The Indochinese tiger in a Thai forest. The tiger is extinct in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. downtoearth en 2026-05-07T06:04:56.203Z Significant economic and conservation opportunities for Cambodia if it reintroduces tigers in its Cardamom Mountains: Paper Wildlife & Biodiversity, India, Nepal, south asia, Southeast Asia, Tigers, Cambodia, tiger tourism https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/massive-marine-heatwave-caused-caribbean-coral-reefs-to-collapse-much-faster-than-predicted-new-research https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-07/apgi3owe/Caribbean-coral-reef Coral reefs feed hundreds of millions through small-scale fisheries, underpin tourism across the Caribbean and serve as natural breakwaters that protect the coast from storms and reduce flooding events. downtoearth en 2026-05-07T05:52:33.513Z Massive marine heatwave caused Caribbean coral reefs to collapse much faster than predicted — new research Wildlife & Biodiversity, coral bleaching, coral reef, marine heatwave, Caribbean coral, Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD)