science and technology

Coronavirus France: Court limits Amazon to essential deliveries

A French court has ordered Amazon to restrict all its deliveries in the country to essential goods during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as food, hygiene products, and medical supplies.




science and technology

Coronavirus UK: Amazon could deliver swab kits in pilot scheme

With just 13 days to go until Health Secretary Matt Hancock has promised the UK will test 100,000 people a day, but figures showed there has been no progress for a week.




science and technology

ECO:nomics: House Maj. Leader on Republican Race

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy predicts a brokered Republican Convention and says he will support the ultimate nominee. He speaks at the ECO:nomics conference in Santa Barbara, Calif.




science and technology

ECO:nomics: Rep. McCarthy: No Future for Clean Power Plan

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy argues for the EPA’s Clean Power Plan to be struck down in the courts. He speaks at the ECO:nomics conference in Santa Barbara, Calif.




science and technology

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Booed and Heckled

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, who has drawn deep criticism for his role in the Flint water crisis, was loudly booed and heckled as he spoke to about 1,000 students, teachers and residents at Northwestern High School Wednesday. Photo: Fox News




science and technology

Slow- vs. Fast-Growth Chickens — Weighing the Difference

Companies like Whole Foods are betting customers will pay more for chickens that are grown at a more leisurely pace — one that's considered more humane. Here's a look at fast- vs. slow-growth birds.




science and technology

China Aims for Gold in Brazil Power Deal

China’s State Grid, the world’s largest electricity provider by revenue, is planning a blockbuster $13 billion takeover of Brazilian power company CPFL Energia. Photo: State Grid Corp. of China




science and technology

Giant Panda No Longer on Endangered Species List

The giant panda is no longer a critically endangered species, but the eastern gorilla is now classified as one, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says in the latest update of its "Red List." Photo: AFP/Getty




science and technology

NASA’s Antarctic Flyover: Ice Sheet In Decline

Operation IceBridge is NASA’s airborne survey of how Antarctica’s ice is responding to a changing environment.




science and technology

Dakota Pipeline Standoff Erupts, Injuries Reported

Demonstrators protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline were injured on Sunday after increased tensions. Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas after a group of protesters moved into restricted areas. Authorities also doused protesters with water from fire hoses despite frigid temperatures. Photo: James MacPherson/AP Photo




science and technology

Carbon: From Pollutant to Product | Moving Upstream

Most scientists consider carbon dioxide the primary culprit in climate change. But what if CO2 in the atmosphere could be converted from an invisible gas into products like bricks and shoes? WSJ’s Jason Bellini investigates. Image: Ryno Eksteen and Adele Morgan




science and technology

Guardians of Sea Turtles


The destinies of the people of Kolavipalam village in North Kerala and the endangered Olive Ridley turtles are bound together. M P Basheer explores.




science and technology

Importing of Hazardous Waste


Kishore Wankhade peers into a 2002 inquiry report into the disappearance and fast-track clearance of hazardous wastes from India's Ports.




science and technology

Partnerships for a Cleaner "South"


Tackling the globalization of waste requires new partnerships that span national boundaries and different sectors of society, says Ravi Agrawal.




science and technology

Coping with the cruel summer


Careful planning, adequate budgeting and close cooperation of government and NGOs will be needed this summer in Barmer and nearby Thar desert areas of Rajasthan, says Bharat Dogra




science and technology

100 meters - the height of stealth


The Narmada Control Authority permits an increase in the dam's height while the SC is in recess, giving the court no opportunity to verify its directives.




science and technology

E-waste crisis : Around the corner


A recent report published by Toxics Link reviews the waste management situation that India has to deal with on the fast-widening information-technology highway.




science and technology

Mercury levels rising dangerously


Ravi Agrawal and Kishore Wankade say that the state of mercury pollution in India is alarming and needs the concern of all. They provide a factsheet with alternatives.




science and technology

Route map : Effective environment education


Summiya Yasmeen reports on the contours, content and debate about environment education in India.




science and technology

Environmental education - revised curricula


Textbooks for 800 schools in eight states were revised after a study on the teaching of environmental concepts. A Pune-based institute has recently begun an evaluation of the revisions, reports Rasika Dhavse.




science and technology

Coke case enters decisive phase


The litigation in Kerala over Coca Cola's activities and the over-exploitation of water resources has moved into a crucial phase. Sreedevi Jacob reports.




science and technology

Interlinking the Chief Ministers


Sudhirendar Sharma notes the reversal of positions on the mega-project is tied to political changes rather than environmental or social assessments.




science and technology

The doubtful science of interlinking


Why exactly do we need to link our rivers? Jayanta Bandyopadhyay and Shama Perveen of IIM Kolkata present a sweeping analysis of some important justifications on which the Interlinking project stands.




science and technology

The doubtful science of interlinking


Jayanta Bandyopadhyay and Shama Perveen
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science and technology

The doubtful science of interlinking


Why exactly do we need to link our rivers? Jayanta Bandyopadhyay and Shama Perveen of IIM Kolkata present a sweeping analysis of some important justifications on which the Interlinking project stands.




science and technology

The doubtful science of interlinking


Why exactly do we need to link our rivers? Jayanta Bandyopadhyay and Shama Perveen of IIM Kolkata present a sweeping analysis of some important justifications on which the Interlinking project stands.




science and technology

But where are the canals?


A vast network is needed to keep the Narmada promises, but funding for this vital element is mostly absent, says Himanshu Upadhyaya.




science and technology

Recognition for Bhopal campaigners


Rashida Bee and Champa Devi are the winners of the prestigious Goldman Prize this year. Tarun Jain reports on a definite filip for the campaign to hold Dow Chemicals accountable for the 1984 Union Carbide gas tragedy in Bhopal.




science and technology

Rethinking waste management


While holistic solutions are available, municipalities have struggled to implement them without proper planning and support from various ministries. Sanjay K Gupta reports.




science and technology

Cart before the horse


Videh Upadhyay reviews the predicament of the Interlinking Rivers project.




science and technology

Common people green the commons


Seva Mandir's experiment in organising the poor to protect their own village commons is now part of a book, The Waste Land: Making of Grass-roots Leaders. Deepti Priya Mehrotra reviews this chronicle of important work at the intersection of local governance and ecological issues.




science and technology

Biodiversity ruled out!


The rules notified in April to operationalise biodiversity legislation appear to exclude those opposed to treating public biological resources as private intellectual property. Kanchi Kohli reports.




science and technology

Municipalities overruling the SC


Except a standout municipality in AP, none of the other towns and cities in India are complying with a Supreme Court directive on waste management. Surekha Sule reports.




science and technology

Twists in a tale of planning


After years of public participation, the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan reached its final stage. And then, things began to unravel. Kanchi Kohli reports.




science and technology

Entering the environment


The Greening of the Left parties has probably been good for them, exposing them to aspects of social deprivation that they had previously ignored. Ramachandra Guha notes the infusion of environmental thought into socialist politics, as the material aspirations of the people have risen.




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Back: the long arm of the law


Pushed to wall by a Supreme Court monitoring committee, Kerala's industries as well the state's pollution watchdog are finally seeking ways to reverse a reckless approach to hazardous waste management. There is no time to waste, reports C Surendranath.




science and technology

As the world turns, ... and heats


Climate change is already affecting millions of people; many are forced to do the things that everyone else should be doing too - conserve forests, curtail excess use of water, and roll back pollution. Ramesh Menon reports.




science and technology

Destination Siroy


A conservation program to protect Manipur's state flower is limiting the loss of its habitat, but community-wide efforts are needed to sustain the efforts in the long run. Kanchi Kohli reports.




science and technology

Neutralising industrial waste with worms


Vermicomposting to convert household waste into manure is widely used worldwide, but using it to treat toxic waste is relatively recent and yet to gain acceptance. Surekha Sule reports on the work of Dr.Suneet Dabke.




science and technology

Pushing an environmental policy


The deadline for public comments from the draft National Environmental Policy expires on Oct 31. Sudhirendar Sharma reports on the context for the development of this policy and what it may portend.




science and technology

A road through the laws


A coastal tourism development project in Andhra Pradesh threatens the natural environment, puts livelihoods at risk, and quite possibly flouts the laws on several counts. Kanchi Kohli reports.




science and technology

When 'good practices' turn ugly


Aiming to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, the Ministry of Environment and Forests published a 'good practices in regulation' note earlier this year. Sunita Dubey finds that instead, the charter may further weaken environmental protection.




science and technology

Civil, but criminal


Laws to protect the environment cannot follow a simple prohibition model; what is needed instead is an elaborate scheme of regulation and licensing, following rules designed to promote fairness and efficiency. Sairam Bhat outlines the differences between the two legal approaches to protecting the natural environment.




science and technology

Cleaning up Bhopal cost-effectively


In addition to the aftermath of Bhopal's catastrophic gas leak of 1984, severe contamination of water and soil has taken its own toll on citizens. At a Greenpeace organized November 2004 symposium, experts put the cost of cleanup in the range of Rs.135 crores. K Rajani Priya looks at the possibilities.




science and technology

India's legal backing for conservation


Governments in India have been using key provisions in environmental regulations to create and protect 'Ecologically Sensitive Areas'. Recently, the Supreme Court also pressed a state government on an ESA commitment. Kanchi Kohli reports on the practice and challenges.




science and technology

The brave new city?


Increasingly, cities around the world are reshaping themselves to be centres of culture and commerce in ways that are more global than related to their home nations. As Indian cities too move in that direction, Darryl D'Monte catches up with a scholar of the evolution of cities, and finds much for Indian planners and city leaders to think about.




science and technology

High 'court' of appeals, 2004: no cases


The National Environmental Appellate Authority came into being in 1997 for citizens concerned with environmental impact to challenge central government clearances. But the Law Commission of India pointed out not long ago that this forum of final appeals "had very little work". Kanchi Kohli discovers more.




science and technology

Still waiting for the green light


The boom in construction has not been accompanied by a higher level of environmental awareness among builders, architects, developers and planners. But green buildings can be profitable and also demand less from the natural world, notes Ramesh Menon.




science and technology

The half-life of justice and common sense


After one round of public scrutiny and an adverse order from the Supreme court, UCIL's plans for uranium mining in Nalgonda seemed to be defeated. But the company now proposes to continue down the same path, apparently unmindful of local opposition or legal strictures. Sunita Dubey reports.




science and technology

Unguarded and awaiting protection


Declared 'protected' by the central government way back in 1984, the Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala has suffered from emboldened poachers who have met with little resistance from authorities. But with community involvement, a local development committee holds some hope of restoring protection, reports Deepa A.