The green cover in India has absorbed more carbon than it emitted annually in the last decade, but the rate of sequestration declines during extreme climate events such as drought, a study has revealed. The study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, also stressed the critical role of vegetation in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Green vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and releases it back into the air through respiration. "The overall balance between this uptake and release of CO2 is known as the net ecosystem exchange (NEE). When the NEE is positive, it means vegetation is releasing more carbon than it absorbs, and when it's negative, it indicates that the vegetation is effectively storing carbon," said Dhanyalekshmi Pillai, associate professor, head of the Max Planck Partner Group Germany, and of the Earth and Environmental Sciences, IISER Bhopal. "For the last decade, India's (green) ecosystem absorbed more carbon than they emitted annually, with annual NEE estimates ranging from 380 to 530 million tonnes of carbon per year," she said. Researcher and co-author of the paper, Aparnna Ravi, said this level of carbon sequestration is impressive but tends to decline in response to climate extremes, emphasising the critical role of vegetation in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Scientists also studied how different types of vegetation across India help absorb CO2 each year. Pillai said evergreen forests in India are highly efficient in capturing CO2 through photosynthesis. However, the deciduous forests in central India released more carbon into the atmosphere as plant respiration surpassed primary productivity. "They (green vegetation) released 210 million tonnes of carbon annually, acting as carbon sources. Although croplands are less effective at absorbing carbon per unit area than forests, their extensive coverage across the country benefits significant CO2 removal from the atmosphere," she said. Pillai said the sequestration rate is not constant but shows a decreasing trend, especially in response to drought. She said drought is an example of climate extremes, and these conditions are increasing due to climate change. "Green vegetation is favouring us (reducing global warming), but the sequestration potential cannot be limitless...under climate extremes, it shows decreasing sequestration. This is concerning," Pillai said. She said the study reflects on creating and implementing effective climate policies and ecosystem management in consonance with nationally prioritised action plans. IISER scientists, in collaboration with international experts, led and established an innovative technology-driven approach using highly resolved observations of plants' fluorescence ("glow") and advanced physics-based computer models to quantify vegetation's carbon sequestration potential across India for the first time. In this novel approach, IISER-Bhopal researchers led long-term analyses across India by tracking several thousands of observational records of the last 10 years (2012-22), together with research experts from the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry (Germany), University of Exeter (United Kingdom) and National Remote Sensing Centre (India). Pillai said this newly demonstrated system also benefits from the recently available radiance observations from multiple satellite instruments, including the TROPOMI instrument onboard the Sentinel-2 satellite. She said the method is more sensitive to detecting changes in ecosystem responses widely across the country than the commonly employed global methods that lack sufficient in-situ carbon measurements. "By integrating interdisciplinary national and international expertise, IISER-B research focuses on uncovering the complex ecosystem processes that govern carbon sequestration and their resilience to climate extremes," Pillai said. Also Read: Here's how microbes help detoxify the atmosphere, according to a study This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 February,2025 11:09 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIThe Nehru Zoological Park here has halted the supply of chicken and eggs for carnivores as a precautionary measure amid reports of chicken deaths in neighbouring states due to suspected avian influenza. The zoo authorities used to feed 35 kgs of chicken and about 140 eggs to carnivores, including tigers, lions, panther and jaguars, zoo sources said on Friday. The meat-eating animals are now fed mutton, beef and pork in place of chicken and eggs, they said. Spread over an area of 380 acres, the zoo is home to a wide variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Following the rise in chicken deaths in neighbouring states due to suspected avian influenza, Telangana has intensified checking at inter-state border check posts to prevent transportation of sick birds into the state and strengthened bio-security measures, a senior official of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry said two days ago. Reports indicate the culling of large numbers of chickens in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra in recent days. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
14 February,2025 06:39 PM IST | Hyderabad | PTIIn a groundbreaking achievement, 300 sanitation workers at the Maha Kumbh 2025 have made history by securing a Guinness World Record for the first-ever coordinated river cleaning effort. This unprecedented feat took place at multiple Ganga sectors during the Maha Kumbh festival. According to the CEO of the Maha Kumbh Mela, Akanksha Rana, this is the world’s first Guinness record for a large-scale river cleaning event involving 300 workers. She also hinted that more such records will follow as part of the ongoing cleanliness campaign. In total, 15,000 sanitation workers are expected to join the effort in the coming days. Speaking with IANS, Akanksha Rana said, "Today marks a historic first in the world, where 300 sanitation workers have come together to clean the Ganga at various locations. This initiative aims to send a powerful message to the nation and the world: Keep our rivers and water bodies clean for the safety of all. "This is just the beginning — further records will be set by the Mela Administration, including the cleaning of the Ganga by 15,000 workers, and street sweeping activities will also be carried out simultaneously at multiple spots." Anand Kumar Singh, another prominent figure at the Maha Kumbh Mela, added, "This historic record was made today at Ram Ghat, where sanitation workers and volunteers came together to clean the river. With over 500 million people expected to visit the Mela, cleanliness becomes a paramount issue. "We launched a large-scale cleanliness campaign, and our workers are diligently cleaning each ghat. Tomorrow, 15,000 workers will join in the effort to ensure cleanliness across the entire event. My message is clear: Contribute to cleanliness wherever you are and pass on the importance of this to future generations." Manoj, one of the sanitation workers, expressed his pride, saying, "It feels great to be part of this historic event. We are working hard to clean all three Sangam Ghats, and we hope this initiative inspires everyone to keep their areas clean. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited in 2019, a record was also set, and it was a memorable experience. Today, the energy and enthusiasm are just as strong, and we are all motivated to keep our environment clean." Sonu Kumar, another sanitation worker, shared his thoughts, saying, "It was wonderful to be part of this effort. Seeing 300 people working together is inspiring. This reminds me of the 2019 event when sanitation workers were honoured in the presence of PM Modi. Today, it feels just as special, and we all understand the importance of keeping our ghats and rivers clean. It was an amazing experience, and I’m still filled with joy." The ongoing Maha Kumbh 2025 has witnessed a record-breaking turnout, with an estimated 46 to 47 crore devotees participating in the sacred event so far. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
14 February,2025 01:58 PM IST | Prayagraj | IANSScientists have successfully produced the first kangaroo embryos through in vitro fertilisation (IVF), a development that they said could be critical for saving the species from extinction. In a study published in the journal Reproductive, Fertility and Development, researchers, led by those at the University of Queensland in Australia, documented the potential of assisted reproduction for native marsupial conservation. "Our ultimate goal is to support the preservation of endangered marsupial species like koalas, Tasmanian devils, northern hairy-nosed wombats and Leadbeater's possums," said lead researcher Andres Gambini, a senior lecturer in animal science at the University of Queensland. "By developing preservation methods, we aim to safeguard the genetic material of these unique and precious animals for future use to ensure their conservation," Gambini said. IVF is being explored around the world for conserving endangered species. In January 2024, scientists in Germany transferred a rhino embryo, the world's first produced through IVF, into a surrogate. In this study, the researchers tracked how lab cultures of kangaroo eggs and sperm developed over time. "Because eastern grey kangaroos are overabundant, we collected their eggs and sperm for use as a model to adapt the embryo technologies already applied to domestic animals and humans," Gambini explained. The authors wrote, "A total of 32 ovarian follicles (sacs in ovaries containing immature eggs) were cultured from one female, 78 per cent exhibited some degree of growth and 12 per cent of these doubled in size." Embryos were then formed by the technique 'intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)', in which a sperm is directly injected into a mature egg. "While it's difficult to provide an exact timeline, with sustained collaboration, funding and continued technical advancements, we are hopeful the birth of a marsupial through IVF could become a reality within a decade," Gambini said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 February,2025 02:56 PM IST | Mumbai | PTILast month was the hottest January on record, blitzing the previous high and stunning climate scientists who expected cooler La Nina conditions to finally start quelling a long running heat streak. The Copernicus Climate Change Service said January was 1.75C hotter than pre-industrial times, extending a persistent run of historic highs over 2023 and 2024, as human-caused greenhouse gas emissions heat the planet. Climate scientists had expected this exceptional spell to subside after a warming El Nino event peaked in January 2024 and conditions gradually shifted to a cooling La Nina phase. But the heat has lingered at record or near-record levels ever since, sparking debate among scientists about what other factors could be driving warming to the top end of expectations. Scientists warn that every fraction of a degree of warming increases the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events like heatwaves, heavy rainfall and droughts. January was 0.09C hotter than the previous high of January 2024 -- a "sizeable margin" in global temperature terms, said Julien Nicolas, a climate scientist from Copernicus. "This is what makes it a bit of a surprise... you're not seeing this cooling effect, or temporary brake at least, on the global temperature that we were expecting to see," he told AFP. Stefan Rahmstorf, from the University of Potsdam, said it was the first time that temperatures recorded during a La Nina period were above those of a preceding El Nino. "This is of serious concern -- over the past sixty years, all twenty five La Nina January's have been cooler than surrounding years," he said. - Weak La Nina – This year La Nina is expected to be weak and Copernicus said prevailing temperatures in parts of the equatorial Pacific Ocean suggested "a slowing or stalling of the move towards" the cooling phenomenon. Nicolas said it could disappear completely by March. Last month, Copernicus said that global temperatures averaged across 2023 and 2024 had exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius for the first time. This did not constitute a permanent breach of the long-term 1.5C warming target under the Paris climate accord -- but was a clear sign that the limit was being tested. Overall, 2025 is not expected to follow 2023 and 2024 into the history books: scientists predict it will rank as the third hottest year yet. Copernicus said it would be closely monitoring ocean temperatures throughout 2025 for hints about how the climate might behave. Oceans are a vital climate regulator and carbon sink, and cooler waters can absorb greater amounts of heat from the atmosphere, helping to lower air temperatures. They also store 90 percent of the excess heat trapped by humanity's release of greenhouse gases. "This heat is bound to resurface periodically," said Nicolas. "I think that's also one of the questions -- is this what has been happening over the past couple of years?" Sea surface temperatures have been exceptionally warm over 2023 and 2024, and Copernicus said readings in January were the second highest on record. "That is the thing that is a little puzzling -- why they remain so warm," Nicolas said. - Open questions – Bill McGuire, a climate scientist from University College London, said it was "astonishing and frankly terrifying" that January remained at record highs despite La Nina emerging. Joel Hirschi, from the UK's National Oceanography Centre, cautioned against reading too much into a single month's data, saying record warmth had been observed following El Nino phases even after the onset of La Nina. Scientists are unanimous that burning fossil fuels has largely driven long-term global warming, and that natural climate variability can also influence temperatures from one year to the next. But natural warming cycles like El Nino could not alone explain what had taken place in the atmosphere and seas, and answers were being sought elsewhere. One theory is that a global shift to cleaner shipping fuels in 2020 accelerated warming by reducing sulphur emissions that make clouds more mirror-like and reflective of sunlight. In December, a peer-reviewed paper looked at whether a reduction in low-lying clouds had let more heat reach Earth's surface. "These are avenues that must be taken seriously, and remain open," Robert Vautard, a leading scientist with the UN's climate expert panel IPCC, told AFP. The EU monitor uses billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircrafts and weather stations to aid its climate calculations. Its records go back to 1940, but other sources of climate data -- such as ice cores, tree rings and coral skeletons -- allow scientists to expand their conclusions using evidence from much further in the past. Scientists say the current period is likely the warmest the Earth has been for the last 125,000 years. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 February,2025 09:50 AM IST | Mumbai | AFPA team of Australian researchers has found key understanding of how microbes consume huge amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) and help reduce levels of this deadly gas. According to a recent study published in the Science Direct journal, more than two billion tonnes of CO is released into the atmosphere globally each year. However, microbes consume about 250 million tonnes of this, reducing CO to safer levels. The latest study led by Monash University researchers showed that microbes consume CO present in the atmosphere by using a special enzyme, called the CO dehydrogenase. This enzyme helps them to extract energy from this universally present but highly toxic gas. The study, published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, reveals how this enzyme extracted atmospheric CO and powered cells. “This enzyme is used by trillions of microbes in our soils and waters. These microbes consume CO for their own survival, but in the process inadvertently help us,” said Ashleigh Kropp, from the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute’s (BDI). Dr David Gillett, from the varsity showed that the microbes help clean our atmosphere as well as counteracts air pollution -- a known killer. The microbes also help reduce global warming given CO is indirectly a greenhouse gas. The findings highlight the essential role played by microbes in both human and planetary health. “Yet, because they’re invisible and often misunderstood, their contributions frequently go unnoticed,” said the researchers. They noted that microbes were a big reason why air was breathable. “They make half the oxygen we breathe and detoxify various pollutants like CO. It’s crucial we better understand and appreciate how they support our own survival”. Another recent study by Finnish researchers showed microbes deep within Arctic Sea yield promising prospects for antibiotics. Also Read: World Economic Forum: 25 countries join the fight against plastic pollution, climate change This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 January,2025 02:19 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSThe rate of ocean warming has more than quadrupled over the past four decades, according to a new study on Tuesday, explaining why 2023 and early 2024 saw unprecedentedly high sea temperatures. The study, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, showed that ocean temperatures were rising at about 0.06 degrees Celsius per decade in the late 1980s. However, they are currently increasing at 0.27 degrees Celsius per decade. “If the oceans were a bathtub of water, then in the 1980s, the hot tap was running slowly, warming up the water by just a fraction of a degree each decade. But now the hot tap is running much faster, and the warming has picked up speed,” said lead author Professor Chris Merchant, at the University of Reading, UK. Merchant said that cutting global carbon emissions and moving towards net zero is the only way to slow down warming. In 2023 and early 2024, global ocean temperatures hit record highs for straight 450 days. Besides El Nino, a natural warming event in the Pacific, the team found that the sea surface warming went up faster in the past 10 years than in earlier decades. The study noted that about 44 per cent of the record warmth was attributable to the oceans absorbing heat at an accelerating rate. The findings show that the overall rate of global ocean warming observed over recent decades is not an accurate guide to what happens next: it is plausible that the ocean temperature increase seen over the past 40 years will be exceeded in just the next 20 years. Because the surface oceans set the pace for global warming, this matters for the climate as a whole, the team explained. This accelerating warming underscores the urgency of reducing fossil fuel burning to prevent even more rapid temperature increases in the future and to begin to stabilise the climate. Warming ocean temperatures can increase the spread of diseases in marine species. This in turn can affect humans, when consuming marine species, or from infections of wounds exposed in marine environments. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 January,2025 04:07 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSEven as plastic waste continues to pose an urgent global challenge, seven more countries have joined the fight against plastic pollution, taking the total to 25 at the recently concluded World Economic Forum’s annual meeting here. The seven new countries -- Angola, Bangladesh, Gabon, Guatemala, Kenya, Senegal, and Tanzania -- will contribute to WEF’s Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) by scaling up systemic plastic waste management solutions and fostering greater sustainability and climate resilience worldwide. These will also drive systemic solutions to key challenges such as advancing sustainable materials, strengthening recycling systems, tackling greenhouse gas emissions, and more. “Reaching this 25-nation milestone is not just a celebration of numbers, it’s a testament to the growing global determination to tackle one of the world’s most pressing challenges,” said Clemence Schmid, Director of GPAP, World Economic Forum. “These partnerships are not just symbolic, they represent concrete commitments to rethinking how plastics are produced, managed, and reused. Together we are charting a path towards a circular plastics economy that benefits people and the planet,” Schmid added. The GPAP has already mobilised $3.1 billion in investments, created safer jobs for informal waste workers, and supported countries in achieving measurable progress on sustainability and climate resilience. About 6 million tonnes of plastic waste enters oceans each year and over twice that amount pollutes land, mismanaged plastic waste is severely disrupting ecosystems, harming biodiversity, and threatening human health and livelihoods across the world. Besides curbing plastic pollution, GPAP also contributes significantly to climate change. Plastic pollution is responsible for an estimated 1.8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually. GPAP’s systemic approach to waste management can drastically reduce landfill emissions such as methane -- over 80 times more potent than CO2 in the short term. It aims to promote circular systems and to contribute to cutting emissions from the plastics sector while fostering economic growth through green jobs. It also aims for creating circular solutions that could lead to 6 million jobs globally by 2030, with the plastics sector driving much of this transformation. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 January,2025 11:47 AM IST | Davos | IANSThree in every four animal bites are due to dogs, with over 5,700 deaths in humans estimated to occur each year due to rabies in India, according to a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-study conducted a nationwide community-based survey from March, 2022 to August, 2023, covering 60 districts in 15 states. Over 78,800 households involving 3,37,808 individuals were interviewed about animal bites in the family, anti-rabies vaccination and deaths due to animal bite. Researchers, including those from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, found that three in every four animal bites was a dog bite. Over 2,000 of those surveyed reported a history of animal bite -- 76.8 per cent of which (1,576) were dog bites. Further, over six per thousand people might be experiencing an animal bite, "translating into 9.1 million bites nationally", the authors said. "We estimated 5,726 human rabies deaths occurring annually in India," they wrote. The estimates can help understand whether the country is on track to meeting the global target of eliminating dog-mediated cases of rabies among humans by 2030, the authors said. "Zero by 30" was launched in 2018 by the World Health Organization and collaborators. However, reliable and recent estimates of deaths in humans due to rabies are not available in India, where a third of global cases occur, the researchers said. They added that while cases of rabies deaths have declined over the past two decades, "India needs to fast-track its actions by adopting a focused one-health approach". "Integrating human and animal surveillance, ensuring timely administration of full course of post-exposure prophylaxis, and accelerating dog vaccination across the country are crucial steps towards this goal," the authors wrote. The authors also found that among the people who had been bitten by a dog (1,576), over a fifth did not receive an anti-rabies vaccination, while two-thirds (1,043) received at least three doses. Nearly half of the 1,253 individuals who received one dose did not complete their full course of vaccination, the team said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 January,2025 11:21 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIApart from infrastructural development, and cultural and spiritual highlights, sustainability and environmental conservation have also come into focus at Mahakumbh 2025. In addition to several cleanliness and waste management measures employed at different sites, a unique pavilion has been set up to draw visitors’ attention to environmental protection. The Namami Gange Pavilion, set up by the Namami Gange Mission in Prayagraj, is spreading awareness about the cleanliness and conservation efforts undertaken by the government for river Ganga. Raising awareness about the Ganga The pavilion begins with an interactive biodiversity tunnel that gives a glimpse of the river's biodiversity and natural beauty. “Equipped with modern projection technology, this tunnel showcases the chirping of birds living on the banks of the Ganga,” a statement said. The pavilion also features a digital exhibition, which presents efforts for the cleanliness and conservation of the Ganga in an engaging and educational manner. Another highlight is the Prayag Platform, which displays real-time data on the Ganga-Yamuna rivers and their tributaries, including information on water levels, cleanliness and pollution-related statistics. One can see the riverfront development and the functioning of sewage treatment plants along the banks of the river. “This exhibition helps visitors understand how the government and organisations are making technical and structural efforts to maintain the cleanliness of the Ganga,” the statement further said. The pavilion also features replicas of creatures found in the river, such as the Ganga dolphin, turtles, crocodiles and fish. Additionally, institutions like the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Ganga Task Force and IIT Delhi are sharing information on the conservation of endangered species of the Ganga, public awareness and waste management. Reading corner The exhibition features a special Reading Corner set up by the National Book Trust (NBT), where a collection of books related to the Ganga, Mahakumbh, social policies and national pride is available. Ganpati statue The pavilion is also home to a statue of Lord Ganesh, symbolising the purity and cleanliness of the Ganga. This statue aims to strengthen cultural and emotional connections.
24 January,2025 12:51 PM IST | Prayagraj | mid-day online correspondentA 10-member team of retired military officers on Tuesday left for the Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on bicycles as part of an awareness campaign on plastic-free Ganga. Under the Atulya Ganga Abhiyan, the Army veterans will cover 1,150 km in 11 days by bicycle via Devprayag, Rishikesh, Narora and Kanpur. The team was flagged off from Ujeli in Uttarkashi by Col Anshuman Bhadauria, Principal of Nehru Mountaineering Institute. Vishnu Semwal, coordinator of the campaign, said their campaign will run till January 31. Lieutenant Colonel Hem Lohumi, founder-member of Atulya Ganga Abhiyan, said that retired military officers have been running this campaign for the last several years. They have walked 5,525 km and covered 3,000 km by cycling to raise awareness on clean Ganga, he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
22 January,2025 10:35 AM IST | UttarkashiADVERTISEMENT
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