
Pandemics tied to fragmented forests, biodiversity loss? What science says, and India's response
Experts warn loss of ecology will lead to more pandemics, India uses lockdown to dilute environmental laws.

Indigenous and local communities are key players in preventing the sixth mass extinction
Local communities are an important part of preserve the country’s natural, ecological diversity.

SC order on evicting forest dwellers: Protecting indigenous communities’ rights is key in fight against climate change
Several tribal communities in India protect forests, based on their self-perception of these areas being under their custodianship. Community-led movements across the country make it clear that lawmakers, bureaucrats or governments are not the ones who are saving forests.

COP24: Civil society groups term Katowice draft 'weak'; developing nations demand more funds to fight climate change
Civil society organisations from India as well as other countries have dubbed the draft rulebook released at COP24, UN Conference on Climate Change, in Katowice, Poland, as weak and inadequate to fight the challenges that the world faces

Climate change talks: COP24 fails to adopt key report as US pitches fossil fuels, India and Australia keep mum
The US, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Russia tried to downplay the landmark IPCC report

UN COP24 climate talks hit slump after clash between developed, developing nations
Developing nations insist burden of climate change mitigation can't be equally placed on all countries.

Coal on its way out as rising costs make production unviable; renewable energy sources much better, cheaper option
Nearly a hundred years after the first coal-fired thermal power plant was installed in India, the outdated mode of generating electricity now seems to be on its way out as renewable sources are gaining ground as the preferred option.

Countries need to raise ambitions, curb emissions to still meet 2030 goals: UNEP
India has promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 33 percent to 35 percent of GDP by 2030.

John Allen Chau killed by Sentinelese tribe: No pressure from US to retrieve body as calls to stop search for American grow shriller
Chau, a 27-year-old American citizen had gone to the North Sentinel Island in an attempt to make contact with the protected community.

Electric buses are crucial for fighting pollution, but transition from traditional vehicles in India won't be easy
In the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, several bureaucrats of Indian cities proudly announced the number of electric buses their cities had.

India bans 18 pesticides after reviewing 66 out of 104 used in country, leaves out monocrotophos, glyphosate
While there are 104 pesticides that are used in India but are banned in other countries, the Central government’s is reviewing only 66 pesticides of them.

Suicides due to pesticide poisoning: Activists slam 'delaying tactics' as UK study stresses need to ban toxic chemicals
Late last year, the issue of pesticides took centre stage in the national conversation as at least 40 people had died after accidentally inhaling them.

12.8% landholding, 90% work: Tamil Nadu women battle patriarchy while shouldering dual burden of housework, farming
When women come together, it is not just about cropping or cropping patterns. “It is also a social approach to farming."

International Women's Day: Patriarchy, market-driven economy undermine crucial role of women in Indian agriculture
While roles are now changing, women have always played a significant and critical role in agriculture.

In beleaguered Yavatmal, one farmer's organic practice could provide a way forward for district
At this farm in Yavatmal, there are a variety of crops to be grown all year round, thus ensuring long-term employment for labourers | #FirstCulture

Yavatmal pesticide poisoning: Centre's review panel head Anupam Verma puts onus of safety on farmers
Firstpost spoke to Anupam Verma about the recent pesticides poisoning deaths and his opinions on the unfolding tragedy in Yavatmal.

Yavatmal farmer deaths Part 3: Data scarcity on pesticide poisoning major hurdle in finding corrective measures
Data on pesticide poisoning needs to be collected more diligently to ensure that corrective measures are employed to prevent another Yavatmal.

Yavatmal cotton farmer deaths Part 2: Educating farmers, controlled use of pesticides only way out, say activists
It has been a good year for rain in Yavatmal, and the crops seem to have thrived. But, beneath the veneer of lush green, lurks the shadow of death.

Yavatmal cotton farmer deaths Part 1: Blame games galore as toxic pesticides continue to claim lives
It is mostly landless labourers who put their lives at risk to earn anywhere between Rs 250 to Rs 500 a day.