When water is no longer limitless
Day Zeroes are inevitable unless cities innovate, diversify supply sources and emphasise on the judicious use of water
Scheduled for Day Zero
The cities with population above 1 million in 2016, which would face water scarcity in 2050
Over half of the 21st century irrigation expansion has been in water-stressed regions; India accounts for 36%
Over 90% of humanity’s consumptive water use is used for irrigated agricultural production
Cities are central to our future — they have the power to make, or break, society’s advances
Far from making the world flat, globalisation has made it spiky
Traditional weather forecasts: expert shares 5 ways Africa’s coastal residents predict floods
Local wisdom and expertise can enhance policies and mechanisms to protect people from the effects of frequent flooding in African coastal cities
Political vendetta? Minister, experts dispute findings of central survey on cleanliness in Bengal cities
The cities of the state, ranked at the bottom in the survey, were found to have slipped on multiple fronts
India’s first census of waterbodies is a much awaited one but experts question the methodology; here is why
There is confusion regarding the definition of waterbodies used; there are also discrepancies about whether waterbodies are in rural or …
Can India’s cities accommodate climate migrants?
Our urban areas need to have appropriate development policies and programmes to accommodate those displaced by climate change
Is the house sparrow out of the woods?
The house sparrow declined in urban India in the last two decades; however, conservation efforts might have just stopped its journey to extinction
Areas selected for smart city development are heat islands: study
The study has found that agriculture and irrigation are two dominant drivers of urban heat islands in India
Tourism provides an opportunity for rural areas to reposition themselves, stem depopulation: Sandra Carvao
Down To Earth speaks with Sandra Carvao from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), on its unique initiative
Why not all urban foxes deserve their ‘bin-raiding’ reputation
Foxes are ecologically important to urban green spaces, so people need to find ways of living amicably alongside them
Road to cool cities: Codes based on unique ‘urban form’ can be helpful
Urban India is a heat trap, but road orientation, building materials and zone-specific master plans can drastically enhance thermal comfort
Financial inclusion critical for building sustainable Indian cities
Financial inclusion not just a matter of economic growth, but also of social justice and ensuring sustainability
How to resolve Karnataka water crisis
At the peak of Karnataka’s water crisis, the state’s deputy chief minister, G Parameshwara, made a desperate suggestion. He said the …
How to deal with extreme heat: Move beyond emergency mode
In an era of global warming, if India’s cities are to continue as centres for economic opportunities, they will have to move away from …
After Cape Town, is Sydney heading for a date with Day Zero?
From June 1, 2019, the Australian megapolis will face water cuts again after nearly a decade as levels in its dams are just over 50 per cent
Schools need a roadmap for rainwater harvesting
Despite school rooftops and playgrounds being the best places for rainwater harvesting, many institutions are unable to implement the system …
Making cities climate-ready crucial to solving climate crisis: World Bank
Cities in rich countries high emitters, but poorer ones will face most severe climate-related hazards, finds report
COVID-19 has hit India’s urban poor more than those in villages: Report
Urban poor have seen a decline in income and have been left more hungry, though this was not the case earlier
World off-track to meet SDGs; global hunger back to 2005 levels, says UN secretary general
Halfway to 2030, a third of the goals have stalled or gone into reverse, emissions continue to rise & gender equality is 300 years away, says …
Remodelling stormwater infrastructure crucial for building sustainable cities
Unplanned real estate development in cities have led to increased flood risks and deteriorating infrastructure
COVID-19: We’re in a real-time laboratory of a more sustainable urban future
After coronavirus, a key question emerges: What in essence is a city for? There is a need to look at permanent urban policy choices to make …
Rankings of cleanest Indian cities released; Modi’s Varanasi misses Top 10
Two cities from Gujarat—Surat and Rajkot—have made it to the list of the 10 cleanest cities
Tea garden workers celebrate Dehradun’s failure to make it to smart cities list
City residents say the smart city is proposed in an area with tea gardens which are home to rich biodiversity