The electric vehicle boom is coming. What can we learn from early adopters?

From tiered electric rates to equitable taxes, experienced communities have a lot to teach when it comes to managing the anticipated influx of EVs

Whither freedom

Post independence, governments expanded squeezing village republics out of existence

78% MPs yet to identify villages for development under Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana

With just nine months to go, Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, a scheme that is low on priority of the Lok Sabha and Rajya MPs, is way off the target …

Murky science of comfort part 3: Industry defined standards make us feel uncomfortable without ACs

The Heat, Ventilation and Air Conditioning industry has made sure that we get used to heating and cooling appliances by setting arbitrary …

Gujarat is misusing forest laws under garb of ‘sustainable’ development

Forest lands, over which rights of adivasis have been recognised or are pending recognition, have been usurped for carrying out plantations under …

Forest rights activists campaign on Twitter to demand CAMPA repeal

Activsts took to Twitter raising issues about misuse of tribal lands, displacement of communities under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 

Here comes the megacities

By 2100, at least 10 cities are predicted to have population over 50 million. How can society keep pace?

Yes, humans are depleting Earth's resources, but 'footprint' estimates don't tell the full story

Although Earth Overshoot Day is a compelling concept, the methodology used to calculate it and the ecological footprint on which it is based is …

8 years and Rs 228 crore later, Maharashtra fails to make even one village sustainable

The state’s scheme, aimed at creating environmentally sustainable villages, saw only up to 6% funds being used for green projects

Green fund rules must be withdrawn, Ramesh tells Vardhan

The ex-environment minister writes to the current one saying the new rules make for a fit case to move a privilege motion against Vardhan

3 reasons Jakarta is the fastest sinking city in the world

Scientists say that by 2050, the capital of Indonesia will be entirely submerged

Green fund rules notified: Some hits, major misses

The rules of the Compensatory (Afforestation) Fund Act 2016 are better than the draft but not impactful

India is moving at jet speed, people should be able to move too

1 in 4 men and every second woman in India are physically inactive; can Indian construct cities which are creators of health, environment and equity?

Empowering women lies at the centre of controlling population growth in Africa

The goal of family planning programmes is not to hit population targets but to empower women so they can choose the number of children they will …

What India should look like in 2100

A new anthology touches upon most facets of Indian society, but leaves the reader feeling like the proverbial blind man who describes an elephant …

Aarey's Chipko moment

The plan to clear Mumbai's last green cover is facing stiff resistance from citizens and non-profits

Niti Aayog’s new strategy: A call for growth or acceptance of failure

Celebrating India's 75th year of Independence is a matter of pride, but achieving a "New India" needs more than a textual articulation

Court digest: Major environment hearings (Jan 25-Feb 1)

Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal

Despite flagship schemes, financial inclusion and skill development 'failed'

108 districts out of 112 show disappointing negative growth between July 2018 and Feb 2019; youth from marginalised districts ignored

Rare takes on the year just passing by

Being a Down To Earth reporter entails merging the personal with the professional. The magazine you so dearly own has a fascinating world hidden …

Uprooted for the sake of compensatory afforestation

To compensate for forest land diversion for Parsa coal block, Chhattisgarh government identifies 16 villages without approval from gram sabhas

Will Indian cities again drown this monsoon?

Even moderate rainfall can lead to major flooding in well-planned urban areas despite the presence of storm water drainage system

US anti-abortion policy spiked unwanted pregnancies in Africa: Study

The Mexico City Policy bans aids to NGOs for performing or promoting abortions as a method of family planning

Solan building collapse: Wake-up call to end illegal, unscientific construction

The fragile hilly terrain endures haphazard construction without proper clearance, land evaluation mechanism 

No buyers for e-cars in govt departments, Centre extends deadline

So far, only 652 vehicles have been deployed when the target was 10,000, said Union Minister of State for Power and Renewable Energy RK …