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The first step to taking action is being informed. On this platform, join the watch on the climate crisis, learn from people who practice sustainability and ethical conscious living, and start understanding how we as a community can do better.

Conservation happens when you fall in love

The Oscar for documentary short The Elephant Whisperers has brought a lot of joy and has also brought home the deadly impact of human-elephant conflict that’s playing out with alarming frequency in India.

Borewells on the banks of Narmada are drying up, indicating concerning groundwater situation

Borewells around the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh are drying up which indicate groundwater depletion in the river basin. The natural flow of the river has also been affected due to rampant…

Golden langur threatened by lack of suitable habitat

A habitat suitability study of the golden langur, that’s found in Assam, India and Bhutan, projects that by 2031, only 13% of its current habitat will be liveable for the species. The…

[Commentary] Reorienting environmental concerns under CSR in India

Indian corporates need to make a prioritised shift from the social sector to the environmental sector, with a focus on carbon-sequestering channels such as afforestation and restoration, for their Corporate Social Responsibility…

Transparency and Traceability Must Drive Sustainable Fashion

Traceability is the foundation upon which we can truly revolutionize the fashion industry, revealing the actual costs of products and ensuring that the wealth generated from production gets redistributed more fairly.

Sri Lanka growing as smuggling hub for star tortoises mainly collected in India

he Indian star tortoise is the most smuggled tortoise species in the world, with thousands trafficked annually smuggled out from India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan despite a 2019 total ban on the…

India’s place in the new hydrogen world order

Higher fossil fuel prices are making green hydrogen comparatively cheaper, which could accelerate India’s transition to the clean fuel

Reduce air pollution to avoid land conflicts due to solar projects, recommends study

Due to high air pollution, India is witnessing an estimated loss of US$ 245-835 million every year. Improvement in air quality will in turn improve the performance of the solar power projects,…

[Illustration] The journey of plastic pollution in the Ganges

The Ganges river network forms the second-largest plastic polluting catchment in the world and is among 14 continental rivers into which over a quarter of global waste is discarded. Some proposed solutions…

Opinion: Time is running out for climate adaptation in the Himalayas

Author of the mountains chapter in latest IPCC report highlights how global warming, unplanned urbanisation, and gender insensitive practices are threatening the Hindu Kush Himalayan region

Opinion: How do we adapt to an intensified water cycle?

Crucial messages from coordinating lead author of the water chapter in the just-released IPCC report explain how we adapt to an intensified water cycle

‘Greenwashing Is Dangerous’: Lessons for Purpose-Driven Brands from Innocent’s Recent Lashing

Brands now understand the immense benefits of touting their sustainability and purpose credentials; but those with sustainability ‘halos’ aren’t immune to scrutiny over their claims. As Innocent drinks was recently reminded, the stakes have never been higher for getting it wrong.

Indian grasslands hold a treasure trove of endemic plants

Indian savannahs contain 206 endemic plant species, of which 43% were described in the last two decades. More endemic species are waiting to be discovered, underscores a new study. The grasslands of…

World’s nations commit to ending plastic waste

The UN’s draft resolution on ending plastic pollution has been described as the most important international environmental deal since the Paris Agreement

Aerosol pollution is a health hazard that also destabilises Earth’s climate

Aerosols are fine particulates that float in the atmosphere. While there has not been significant change in presence of natural aerosols, human-caused aerosols have increased rapidly. An immense aerosol cloud regularly swirls…

Scientists raise caution as mangroves erode faster along the Bengal coastline

Mangroves along the West Bengal coast, especially the Sundarbans, are beginning to erode fast. Climate change, sea-level rise and land-use change are major contributors to the mangrove disappearance. Scientists suggest restoration measures…

Fears for farming as groundwater plummets in northern India

Across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, there has been an alarming rise in the number of districts categorised as ‘overexploited’

New IPCC report connects the dots on climate change, biodiversity and human society

Climate change is imperiling human well-being and planetary health, says a United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, focusing strongly on interactions between climate, biodiversity and human society. Mental health…

Snow leopard conservation handicapped by lack of research

As climate change exacerbates the threats faced by the species, researchers say study of snow leopards must be ramped up and diversified to secure the health of Asia’s mountain ecosystems

Assam to destroy nearly 2500 seized rhino horns in anti-poaching message

Assam government is considering burning the stockpile of rhino horns, along with other body parts of animals, primarily seized from illegal trade and stored in treasuries across the state. The probable burning…

Droughts and late monsoon floods batter South Asia

Radical new approach could slash global carbon emissions while increasing fish catch, but experts flag implementation challenges in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

For net-zero by 2050, India needs 2.5 percent of its land for clean energy installation

To achieve the net-zero target by 2050 through large-scale adoption of renewable energy projects, India needs at least 65,000 square kilometres of land for installing solar and wind power projects across the…

Don’t be a trashy tourist, clean up after yourself

A good traveller is a mindful traveller. Do you follow these simple green travel tips?

With poor regulation of floodplains, India is more vulnerable to flood damage

Floodplains play a key role in nutrient replenishment and naturally controlling overflowing rivers from causing damaging floods. India has poor regulation of its river floodplains. As flood risk increases in India, experts…

The invisible farmers of Mumbai

As the urban farming discourse in India has been expanding over the past few years, the limelight is often on upwardly-mobile urban citizens who take up farming for recreational, environmental, spiritual or…

The nine boundaries humanity must respect to keep the planet habitable

All life on Earth, and human civilization, are sustained by vital biogeochemical systems, which are in delicate balance. However, our species — due largely to rapid population growth and explosive consumption —…

Trending: Beverage Giants Ensuring Their Libations Are Sustainable, Down to the Roots

Bombay Sapphire and Starbucks are working with farmers to ensure complete supply chain sustainability for their gin and coffee, respectively.

Protect populous coastlines to fight climate change, scientists say

Radical new approach could slash global carbon emissions while increasing fish catch, but experts flag implementation challenges in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

Why Agra’s metro rail may wreck its historical heritage and environment

Records obtained under the RTI Act show the project is being built without prior approvals from the National Monument Authority and the environment ministry.

Why a Weakening Gulf Stream Could Bring Extreme Weather Conditions

‘If the Gulf Stream crosses its tipping point, it will continue to weaken even if we have managed to stop global warming.’

As India breaks the taboo over sanitary pads, an environmental crisis mounts

More young Indians are adopting safer menstrual practices, but polluting materials pose an environmental hazard that remains unaddressed.

We must make peace with nature to protect earth

The United Nations has warned that immediate action is needed to face the triple environmental emergency of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

Pay heed to indigenous peoples to tackle climate change

Policymakers need to take into account resilient practices of indigenous peoples and the wisdom they have honed over generations to conserve biodiversity and combat climate change.

Chamoli Disaster, a Reminder of Vulnerability of Himalayan Glaciers, Glacial Lakes

Since a long time, scientists have been pointing out at climate change posing a big threat to these glaciers and the populations that rely on them.

New Plastic Credit Market Calls for Brands to Play a Key Role — Here’s How

Plastic credits are poised to generate the momentum necessary to launch a circular plastic economy and give brands the opportunity to act. In order for brands to take action, they will need to follow these four priorities …

500+ experts call on world’s nations to not burn forests to make energy

Last week, more than 500 top scientists and economists issued a letter to leaders in the US, EU, Japan, South Korea, and the UK, urging them to stop harvesting and burning forests…

This Mediterranean seagrass filters plastic waste — but it’s also under threat

Posidonia oceanica, a species of seagrass that grows in meadows in the Mediterranean Sea, has been found to trap plastic waste particles at much higher concentrations than previously thought. Researchers in Spain…

Climate change, border tensions, destroy the habitat of the Pashmina goat

Already suffering from the impacts of climate change, the habitat for Ladakhi shepherds to graze their flocks is further reduced as tensions escalate between India and China.

New Definition of Forest Foreshadows End of Forests in Uttarkhand

The first state to define ‘forest’ has already lost 50,000 hectares to ‘development’, 10,649 ha to encroachment and 44,518 ha to fires.

Bandhwari Waste-to Energy Plant Triggers Protests in Gurugram

As Haryana government shrinks conservation zone, paving way for the plant, protests by residents mount over the ‘ecological damage’ and against corporate interest in the region.

Ambitious return to carbon markets to conserve Africa’s forests

Growth of voluntary carbon market and new investor interest in natural climate solutions in Africa prompts The Nature Conservancy to launch effort to raise $300 million for forest conservation. The Africa Forest…

US return to Paris pact raises hopes for global climate action

The United States under President Joe Biden has re-entered the Paris climate agreement, providing a renewed impetus to act on the world’s deepening climate crisis.

Climate Change: Tropical Rain Belt of Earth May Alter Position, Says New Research

The northward shift of the rain belt will result in an increase in droughts in southeastern Africa and Madagascar along with intensified floods in Southern parts of India.

Virtual reselling takes centre stage

Leveraging small-scale closed social networks to provide pre-owned products a new lease of life is a simple, effective solution to our consumption problem.

Tree planting pushes out pastoralists in the Himalayas

Poorly planned tree planting programmes in Himachal Pradesh have squeezed pastoralists and put greater pressure on fragile ecosystems.

Ghosts of the gulf: Marine debris a threat to corals in the Gulf of Mannar

Marine debris such as abandoned nets, plastic fish traps, ropes and lines are becoming far more common on the coral reefs of the Gulf of Mannar, along the coast of southern Tamil…

Electric cars to remain in slow lane in India

Weak consumer appetite, lack of charging infrastructure and a high payback period is holding back adoption of electric cars for personal use in India.

Uttarakhand Wildlife Reserves: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?

Uttarakhand’s Shivalik Reserve is not the only threatened habitat. Rajaji and parts of Corbett are under attack from “development” too.

Global Warming Emergency: 2020 Hottest Year Ever Recorded Along with 2016

The rise in temperature in 2020 was recorded despite a fall in global emissions due to the pandemic-induced lockdown and the absence of El Niño, which leads to a rise in temperature, that occurred in 2016.

Companies must account for quality, not just quantity, when it comes to forests (commentary)

With the explosion of net-zero commitments as a part of corporate sustainability plans, forests are having a moment in the spotlight. More and more companies are beginning to recognize the value of…

Ropeways’ green image masks potential damage in Himalayas

Ropeways are being touted by the Indian government as an environment-friendly form of transport in the Himalayas, but experts and locals say they risk disturbing fragile mountain ecosystems and disrupting livelihoods.

Central Asian countries fail to boost climate ambitions

With the exception of Kazakhstan, Central Asian countries did not take the opportunity to ramp up their emissions reduction targets at the Climate Ambition Summit in December 2020. An environmental campaigner says realisation of the climate crisis is dawning in the region, and that this must be matched with increased ambition.

Study warns of ‘biotic annihilation’ driven by hunting, habitat destruction

Humans are driving wildlife to extinction 1,000 times faster than the natural rate, robbing the planet not just of species but also of functional and phylogenetic diversity, the authors of a new…

Go green with these New Year resolutions

It’s that time of the year again, when you sit and make a checklist of everything you’re going to achieve this year. How about making sustainability a priority in 2021?

You Don’t Want to Imagine an Ocean Without Coral Reefs – But you Might Have to

Coral reefs across the world may disappear by the 2040s, according to a new report. While it’s tempting to blame ‘humanity’ for this crisis, the truth is that it is the social formation called capitalism that is central to global warming.

Uttarakhand: India’s First Pollinator Park Comes up at Haldwani

The park with over 40 species of butterflies, honeybees, birds and insects has been developed over four acres by the research wing of the Uttarakhand Forest Department.

How India’s third longest road tunnel project could destabilise a crucial portion of Western Ghats

The proposed 6.8 kilometres road tunnel project between Kozhikode and Wayanad districts in Kerala is facing widespread criticism as it could impact a crucial portion of the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats. One…

Sustainable financing is pivotal for marine conservation beyond 2030 pledges (commentary)

In this commentary, Simon Cripps, the Executive Director for the Global Marine Program at WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), argues that one of the biggest challenges in getting political will for protecting 30…

Best of 2020: Covid-19 pandemic: lessons for climate crisis

We have to invest in resilience-building measures, especially in health infrastructure, and weather and disease forecast systems, addressing training and adaptive capacity needs.

World’s Largest Iceberg Fractures into Two Pieces, Sends Alarms Ringing for Penguin Island

If the iceberg collides with the South Georgian landmass it will create havoc for the biodiversity of the island, according to the European Space Agency, which recorded the fracture of the iceberg.

Switch to a chemical-free home

Home care products permeate our lives like never before. In the first part of this four-part series, we talk about how these chemical-filled products harm the environment, and how you can start transitioning to natural solutions.

Biodiversity threats from ghost fishing gear in the Ganga

Higher levels of waste fishing gear were reported in sampling sites near the sea. It is likely due to the high prevalence of fishing activity at these sites combined with the downstream accumulation of waste gear from further up the river.

Climate crisis set to treble migration in South Asia by 2050

The number of people displaced by climate change impacts is projected to rise exponentially in South Asia unless stronger action is taken to reduce distress migration.

Path of destruction: Road to Anjaneri hilltop could threaten fragile rocky outcrop ecosystem

The Maharashtra government has proposed a 14-kilometre road from Mulegaon to Anjaneri hilltop (near Nashik) through forest land to provide an alternate way to access the temple on the hilltop. The hilltop…

“Our future is on the line” say Goa Residents as Commercial Projects Gain Momentum

Three projects, which include four laning of the highways, along with the double tracking of railway and a 400-kilovolt (kV) power transmission corridor are threatening the cultural identity and the pristine green cover of Goa.

Concerns Rise over Use of ‘Legal Loopholes’ for Coal Transport through Western Ghats

Goans are protesting against infrastructure projects that will cut through protected areas in the Western Ghats and impact both the environment and lives of people.

Rich nations break promise, little climate finance for South Asia

Developed countries are taking action to reduce their own carbon emissions, but they are not coughing up enough money to help vulnerable poorer countries do the same, or adapt to the intensifying impacts of climate change.

India pushes back against strengthening climate pledge

The country is meeting its current unambitious pledge, but it is still pushing coal and failing to protect natural resources needed to protect people from the worst impacts of climate change.

Telangana’s greening drive aims at mitigating climate change

The green garland scheme of Telangana is expected to raise forest cover in the southern Indian state to 33% of its total area to mitigate the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions.

Dreaming of a green Christmas

From baking edible gifts to having ornament swaps with friends, we have plenty of ideas on how you can make this festive season a sustainable one.

Make a choice, shape the future

Plasticity asks its players to choose small acts of kindness in an attempt to make a difference to an apocalyptic world filled with plastic debris.

Here are the 5 must-watch films at IKFF 2020

Among the 150+ films airing at this edition of the International Kids Film Festival, these films expose children to the environmental problems and solutions facing humanity today.

For the love of Earth

A virtual film festival celebrating our planet aims to create a fresh experience for viewers interested in the social and environmental issues of our time.

Survey Begins for Potential Habitat for African Cheetahs in India

A sum of Rs 2.5 crore has been sanctioned by the government for the cheetah relocation project.

‘Pandemic a chance to correct course on climate and health’

The latest Lancet Countdown report identifies how Covid-19 has created an opportunity for policymakers to work on health and climate change issues together to minimise diseases and deaths.

Ethico Bookshelf – December reads

Here’s what our reading list looks like this month. Pick a title of your choice and join us!

Climate Change Impacts Arid Regions of Wealthier and Poorer Countries Differently: Study

A new research shows that economically-challenged countries in arid regions are at the receiving end of the impact of climate change.

Shooting for change

Can something as simple as using a camera help draw attention to environmental problems? And can children find solutions to the climate crisis? All this and more was laid on the table at a panel discussion held as part of the International Kids Film Festival.

Amazon deforestation tops 11,000 sq km in Brazil, reaching 12-year high

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon topped 11,000 square kilometers for the first time since 2008, according to data released today by Brazil’s national space research institute INPE. The loss represents a 9.5…

Decentralised renewables can build resilient rural India

India’s decentralised renewable energy sector has become an enabler of economic growth, especially in rural areas, with a focus on livelihoods and income generation.

Fragmented Kaziranga corridors lead to unusual concentration of animals

Fragmentation of forested corridor complexes around Kaziranga National Park is causing wildlife to be concentrated in only secure areas of the protected area, a satellite-data based study has said. These concentrations may…

5 must-try apps and games for every nature lover

Whether you want to help researchers document plant and animal species, or simply try your hand at being a wildlife DJ, this list appeals to a wide range of ages and interests.

India’s challenge: getting ESG right

Companies are investing more in environmental, social and governance initiatives than ever before, but a new study shows that commitments are matched by flouting environmental and other norms.

Pitfalls of Tree Planting Without Understanding Ecosystem and People-centred Natural Climate Solutions

A new paper, authored by eminent environmentalists from across the world, urges the policy makers to shift their focus to the needs of the rural and indigenous people who manage ecosystems for their livelihoods and can render climate solutions effective.

Joe Biden’s presidency offers a return to climate change dialogue between India and the U.S.

With Joe Biden elected as the next president of the United States, there is new hope for cooperation on climate change and energy, as climate-related issues and rejoining the Paris Agreement were…

What is happening to our urban wetlands?

A recent WWF India webinar brought together panelists to answer questions about why water bodies in our cities are vanishing, and what the government is doing about it.

Petal power: Turning floral discards into incense sticks

Meet the entrepreneur duo collecting flowers from across Hyderabad to make eco-friendly products that also empower local women.

#IfTreesCouldTalk: Everything That Is Happening With The Infrastructure Projects In Goa

#IfTreesCouldTalk is a blog series that aims to highlight one aspect of environmental impact, wildlife conservation and other issues that need to be spoken about from the natural world and our impact on it. The idea was simple. We just believe that if Mother Nature had a voice, there would be a lot she would have to say about the state of the world today and what we can do to help. This is just our effort to give her a voice.

A comprehensive guide to sustainable packaging

How does one navigate their purchasing decisions around packaging to ensure sustainability? The terms and options available only serve to further confuse us. Here’s the packaging guide you didn’t know you needed.

Indian government misleads Parliament on wildlife decline

India is one of the countries most threatened by biodiversity losses, yet its government denies and obfuscates its own data, and opens environmentally sensitive areas to exploitation.

Frustration as Antarctic conservation summit fails to declare marine sanctuaries

A proposition to establish three new marine protected areas (MPAs) in East Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula and the Weddell Sea was not approved at a recent meeting of the Commission for the…

Could the Himalayas harbour the next pandemic?

In most places, the annual Hindu festival caused serious water pollution this year as well

Two Indian banks linked to ecosystem destruction

Although top global banks are bankrolling biodiversity loss and ecosystem destruction at an unprecedented scale, the finance sector has largely evaded scrutiny till now

Rare green immersion stands out after Durga Puja

In most places, the annual Hindu festival caused serious water pollution this year as well

Ethico Bookshelf – November reads

Here’s what our reading list looks like this month. Pick a title of your choice and join us!

Goa: Activists, Politicians Block Rail Track, Oppose Line Expansion

The protesters alleged that double-tracking, which involves cutting of trees in the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, would benefit coal companies.

What’s in my trash?

A week-long analysis of this correspondent’s trash can reveals the gap between how sustainable he thinks his household is and how sustainable it actually is.

Discarded single-use plastic masks and gloves are choking ocean beds

Consumption of single-use plastic products like masks and gloves have surged in the pandemic. With inadequate biomedical waste treatment plants and an ineffective waste disposal system, the litter is making its way to the ocean.…

Sustainable economic recovery roadmap after Covid-19 in the offing

It is in our common interest to achieve a sustainable and inclusive recovery from the Covid-19 disruption that is aligned with the principles of building back better.

Restoring Degraded Natural Landscape Could be Highly Effective in Mitigating Climate Change

Students are rallying en masse to ‘save Thano’ in a bid to recreate the Chipko movement to save trees.

Opinion: Government proposal will worsen India’s creaky EIA system

Land use on floodplains needs better regulation so that rivers have space to flood and contribute ecosystem services

From drones to mobile apps, how tech is conserving nature

A webinar by WWF India puts the spotlight on latest technological innovations that can help protect wildlife, track climate change and make the planet more sustainable.

Uttarakhand Govt Cancels 5-Year Climate Change Centre Project Midway

Students are rallying en masse to ‘save Thano’ in a bid to recreate the Chipko movement to save trees.

Uttarakhand May See 2nd Chipko Movement as Hundreds Protests against Axing of 10,000 Trees

Students are rallying en masse to ‘save Thano’ in a bid to recreate the Chipko movement to save trees.

‘Sustainability is not altruism, it’s common sense’

Meet Mehndi Shivdasani, a low-waste crusader who has been educating people on sustainable living through her Instagram account, where she goes by the moniker Conscious Chokri.

In Guatemala, refugees find new calling as park rangers

In recent years, the number of migrants and refugees entering Guatemala after fleeing violence at home has grown. FUNDAECO, a local conservation NGO, has partnered with UNHCR and other groups to find…

Wildlife emergency in Bolivia as fires threaten animal sanctuaries

More than 120 major fires have been detected in Bolivia’s Amazon rainforest and dry forests of Chiquitano since March, according to the nonprofit Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Project (MAAP). One of…

Yoga for the earth

Want to do some good for the planet while performing your asanas? Here’s your guide to sustainable, eco-friendly, and socially conscious yoga clothing and gear.

All you need to know about the CAMPA Act

A legislation meant to ensure that India’s forests aren’t completely destroyed in the name of development has environmentalists and Adivasi activists up in arms against it. Here’s why.

The way we grow food is an increasing climate threat

Rising use of nitrogen-based fertilisers in agriculture is releasing copious amounts of nitrous oxide (N20), an international consortium of scientists has warned. While carbon dioxide excess in the atmosphere is the chief…

Huge Victory for ‘Save Aarey’ Movement as Metro Car Shed to be Shifted to Kanjurmarg in Mumbai

This has opened an easy way for corporates to procure prior environmental clearances, but the chances of non-compliance to the environmental commitments are now high.

Room for the river: Mitigating flood risk in South and Southeast Asia

Land use on floodplains needs better regulation so that rivers have space to flood and contribute ecosystem services

Modi Govt Scraps Corporate Environment Responsibility Fund

This has opened an easy way for corporates to procure prior environmental clearances, but the chances of non-compliance to the environmental commitments are now high.

Is bamboo really sustainable?

In a time where the durable plant is being hailed for being resourceful and sustainable, it would be wise to stop and question whether this is yet another example of greenwashing.

Raising the roof

Would the environment prefer that you drink your soda out of a can or a bottle? Turns out, it actually would rather you make lemonade from the many lemons it gives you.

Clean energy jobs can drive post-Covid recovery

The global renewables sector added half a million jobs in 2019, according to the latest annual jobs report by the International Renewable energy Agency (IRENA), taking total employment in clean energy to…

Cans vs Bottles: A beverage container saga

Would the environment prefer that you drink your soda out of a can or a bottle? Turns out, it actually would rather you make lemonade from the many lemons it gives you.

Facilitating Identification of Private Forests in Goa Through National Green Tribunal

The NGT declared 46.11 sq km of land as a private forest and directed the State Government to enter the details in the revenue records.

New Report Reveals a Planet Overwhelmed by Tidal Wave of Plastic

Coca-Cola is the biggest plastic polluter, but on the whole there’s so much plastic waste that recycling will not make a dent in it.

The Good Death Eaters: How Scavengers Keep the Ecosystem Clean

Vultures and other scavengers not only clear decaying animal corpses, protecting us from disease, but their absence could also destabilise entire ecosystems

Ethico Bookshelf – October reads

Here’s what our reading list looks like this month. Pick a title of your choice and join us!

Giving back to the community and the planet

As the annual Daan Utsav kicks off, Ethico chats with one of its volunteers, Bharati Dasgupta, about how sustainability is closely tied to the joy of giving.

Of ants and antelopes – the ecological history of Chennai was not what one would imagine

A proper understanding of the ecological history of an urban landscape is critical to limiting development to its carrying capacity. The biodiversity of Chennai points to the fact that the city evolved…

Scientists use Indian Ocean Earthquake Sound to Tell How Fast it is Warming

Scientists assessed a 3,000-km-long section in equatorial East Indian Ocean and found temperature fluctuations between 2005 and 2016, with a decadal warming trend that “substantially exceeds previous estimates.” By one estimate, the ocean could be warming by nearly 70% more than had been believed.

5 ways to be an eco-conscious pet parent

We love our pets, but we can’t ignore the fact that the way we choose to nurture them has a sizeable impact on the environment. Here’s how you can give your pet the best life while also caring for the planet.

Why are landslides so deadly in Nepal?

A pilot project in Assam’s largest city could start a new trend for the rest of India.

Punjab’s Mattewara forest and Sutlej river under threat from upcoming industrial park

The Punjab government plans to set up an industrial park in the close vicinity of a protected forest range. A part of the industrial park also touches the Sutlej River, which has…

Ecology is economy

We need an integrated approach between lives and livelihoods.

Peninsular India close to losing its last remaining great Indian bustards

India has the only population of the Great Indian Bustard in the world. There are two breeding grounds in the country, one in Rajasthan and the second in the Ballari district of…

Make your #LockdownArt more sustainable

A lot of us have taken to making art during the Covid-19 pandemic, but we don’t realise that art materials have a negative environmental impact. Here’s how you can make it a more eco-friendly activity.

COVID-19 Lockdown Didn’t Help Much in Reducing Carbon Emission: UN Report

The report found that due to lockdowns, the daily level emissions of greenhouse gases went down by 17% in comparison to 2019 in the month of April. But, as the world came back to work, emissions rose by June and that was 5% of the previous year.

47 Potentially Dangerous Glacial Lakes Identified in 3 River Basins That Run Through Bihar

The disappearance of the glaciers will affect river channel flow dynamics in downstream areas and impact human settlements, including Bihar, in the long run, say experts.

In Indonesia’s coastal villages, the plastic crisis is both homegrown and invasive

roper management of plastic waste is lacking in Indonesia’s coastal communities, where the use of plastics is outpacing mitigation efforts, according to a newly published study. The paper found that nearly 6,700…

Sustainability lessons we can learn from our grandparents

You don’t have to go the extra mile to find eco-friendly solutions. Just use some of these life hacks that served our older generations well.

Global wildlife being decimated by human actions, WWF report warns

Between 1970 and 2016, wild populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish shrank by 68% on average, according to a new report by WWF and the Zoological Society of London. The…

Tamil Nadu probes mysterious elephant deaths

As mystery shrouds sixty-four elephant deaths, Tamil Nadu Forest Department constitutes an expert panel to investigate conservation threats and human-elephant conflicts. Poisoning and disease emerge as prime suspects. Pushed out from degrading…

A forest a day keeps climate change away

Urban forests are suddenly springing up around the world, many of them grown using the now-popular Miyawaki method.

Guwahati gets an experimental flood warning system

A pilot project in Assam’s largest city could start a new trend for the rest of India.

Human Construction Activity has Modified 30,000 Square Kms of the Oceans

The extent of modification of the oceans by human construction is said to be comparable to the extent of urbanised land. It goes beyond the global area covered by some natural marine systems.

Check out these online stores for pre-owned treasures

Kinder to the pocket and the environment, these online spaces for pre-loved goods are shedding the taboo of second-hand buys to emerge as preferred shopping alternatives

‘Aarey’ to be Declared a Forest but No Clarity on Remaining Land

While activists have celebrated the move, there is a need for greater clarity about the exact forest zone.

Putting pollution to paper

Air pollution destroys the environment and annually kills millions of people worldwide. But Graviky Labs has found a way to capture carbon emissions and convert it into commercially viable ink.

Draft EIA Notification: Over 500 Academics and Researchers Ask for Immediate Revocation

The notification, which experts say gives easy clearances to developmental projects, is being seen as a grave violation of environmental norms and has triggered protests across India.

“Be the alarm, not just the alarmist”

A food and agriculture consultant, Subham Kar Chaudhuri of Extinction Rebellion, Mumbai, tells us why we should no longer keep calm over the climate crisis.

How altitude will decide Himalayan communities’ survival

Three new studies show that people in the middle ranges of the Indian Himalayas are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Wider roads for pilgrims mean more landslides in Himalayas

As a massive road-widening project continues to roll through the Indian state of Uttarakhand, residents battle landslides and the future of the environment is unclear.

Ethico Bookshelf – September reads

Here’s what our reading list looks like this month. Pick a title of your choice and join us!

[Commentary] Onam is a day to remember the environment to economics connect in Kerala

Onam, a traditional harvest festival in Kerala and a day celebrating happiness, peace and prosperity, has been marred by natural disasters and economic crises in the past few years. The COVID-19 pandemic…

Slow is sustainable

The climate crisis is accelerating like never before. Our only hope is if we all slow down.

With depleting fish catch, Sundarbans fishers migrate to other coastal states

About 500 traditional fishermen from the Sankizahan village in the Sundarbans region migrate to other coastal states in India for the better part of the year. This migration, that seems to have…

Is it time to change your toothbrush?

Every year, millions of toothbrushes end up in our landfills and wash up on our shores, most of them made of plastic. What can we do to improve this situation?

Half of the World’s Oceans Are Already Affected by Man-Made Climate Change

The study estimates that 20-55% of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans have shown an emergent man-made signal and it is likely to increase to 40-65% and up to 80% by 2080.

How to wildschool your child – in the city!

Out of our confines and into the open environs of green spaces, Wildschooling is a great way to let your children connect with nature.

Public Hearings on Zoom App: Farmers’ Rights Trampled Down

While the NGT has directed the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to conduct public hearings in compliance with the norms, farmers’ rights stand to be compromised.

Water is the Problem

Continuing our azaadi series: Freedom from water-based personal and home care products can help make Earth a greener place.

Opinion: Without communities, conservation fails in eastern Himalayas

Red pandas and pangolins are being trafficked into extinction – and exclusionary conservation policies are making this worse in India’s Singalila National Park, argues a researcher.

Meet India’s young climate warriors

In recent years, young people from across the globe have been leading the fight against the climate crisis. Here are five such Indians who have brought about transformational change.

What will it take to prioritise climate change?

From engaging new champions, to promoting local narratives, here’s how we can strengthen action on climate change mitigation.

Bidding Ganpati a green goodbye

From ponds-on-wheels to the recycling of PoP idols, Ganesh visarjan is all set to be a more environmentally friendly affair for Mumbai this year.

Climate Change: Depletion of Greenland’s Ice-Sheet Reaches the Point of No Return

Since 2000, Greenland has been losing more than 500 gigatons of ice each year on an average. In the 1980s and the 1990s, lost ice hovered around the 450 gigaton mark every year.

Harvard’s half-billion land stake in Brazil marred by conflict and abuse

Harvard University has plowed $450 million of its $40 billion endowment in Brazil, most of it to buying up at least 405,000 hectares (1 million acres) of land in the Cerrado. This…

Making Dehing Patkai a household name

One of India’s last existing rainforests is under threat. From creating art to joining Twitter storms, an activist tells you how you can save it from destruction from the comfort of your home.

A Flood and a Forest: When Brahma’s Son Engulfs Kaziranga

As Kaziranga National Park goes through another cycle of its annual floods, here’s a look at what it means for those on the frontlines.

Revisit your neighborhood trees with this delightful book

A charming retelling of the history of our trees, Cities and Canopies offers precious insights into our social and cultural past.

Spark joy the green way with Gayatri Gandhi

The Gurugram-based tidying consultant talks about how decluttering our living spaces using the KonMari Method is a great first step towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

Floods across the country highlight need for a robust flood management structure

Floods in India are turning more severe, unpredictable and rather intractable. In 2018 alone, India suffered damages worth over Rs. 950 billion due to floods. Number of urban floods is on the…

Ethico picks: 10 products that grant you freedom from unsustainability

Freedom from colonial rule allowed India to develop into a prosperous and self-sufficient country, albeit at a cost primarily borne by the environment. In the spirit of independence, it’s now time to take stock and make sustainable choices for our future.

[Commentary] Tigers, tourists and pilgrims: The ecological impact of pilgrimage sites in protected areas

There is strict control on tourists visiting national parks or tiger reserves but pilgrimage inside a protected area is one easy way to enter such areas. Over the years, pilgrimage tourism inside…

The carbon footprint of email

Your inbox can have a shockingly large carbon footprint; it’s time to hit those unsubscribe buttons.

Mumbai flood breaches new frontiers

Monsoon flooding in Mumbai has become an annual phenomenon. This year though the floods reached areas that have never witnessed flooding. The activists and some experts blamed ongoing infrastructure projects like the…

Deadly landslides are becoming Kerala’s new reality every monsoon

The August 7 landslide at Pettimudi in Kerala’s Idukki district in which 49 plantation workers were buried alive necessitates a micro-level landslide hazard mapping for the state apart from relocation and rehabilitation…

Two-wheelers are leading India’s clean mobility race…for now

Longer battery life, leaner and stronger built, and lesser registration hassle has touted low-speed e-scooters as a popular transport choice for conscious riders.

Mauritius grapples with worst environmental crisis in a generation

A ship that ran aground on a coral reef has leaked about 900 tons of fuel oil into the waters off the southeastern coast of Mauritius. The incident occurred on July 25,…

Fires in Argentina’s Paraná Delta are burning ‘out of control’

‘Experts say most of the fires have been deliberately lit by people, but they are now raging due to drought, lack of rainfall and low river levels.’

Tribal activist Archana Soreng is India’s new hope for a greener world

The 24-year-old from Odisha, who has just been appointed to a new UN youth advisory panel, talks about how Adivasi and forest-dwelling communities are in the best position to lead the fight against climate change.

Mining industry releases first standard to improve safety of waste storage

On Aug. 5, spurred by a deadly Brazilian dam disaster in early 2019, a partnership between the U.N. and industry leaders released new guidance for companies to manage their mining waste safely.…

Would our yogis approve of athleisure?

Laced with plastic and spun out of synthetic fibers, the fast-fashion favorite is a huge faux pas for the environment .

Plastic waste from post Amphan relief material could add to pollution in Sundarbans

Distribution of relief material in the Sundarbans, post cyclone Amphan that hit the east coast in May, has brought in tonnes of plastic packaging, which is banned in the region. Environmentalists fear…

How sustainability is driving my parenting decisions

Are you a to-be or new parent confused about how to raise your baby sustainably? Read on to find out how you can make some easy changes without breaking the bank.

Why the plane could, yet the country can’t, run on biofuel?

India targets to reduce carbon emissions by 20,000 tonnes by blending 10 million litres of ethanol in the fuel. However, the availability of biomass for ethanol production is far less than the…

Your (e)waste is your responsibility

From a respectful farewell for your once-loved iPad to guidelines that must govern your next headphones purchase, here’s what you must know about your electronic waste, according to Dr. Uttam Doraswami, Founder & Director at Elxion Private Limited.

Trends don’t last, cultures do

Join Ethico as we celebrate our independence month with curated articles which urge you to choose better. Our first article in the azaadi series is to look within our own cultures.

Uttarakhand: How Miyawaki and ANR Methods Worked Wonders for Plantation

A comparative study by the research wing of the state’s forest department showed a success rate of Miyawaki and ANR at 100% while that of traditional method from 30-40% in the hills and 50-60% in the plains.

Low fish catch along India’s western coast hints at impacts of climate change

Maharashtra witnessed lowest fish catch in 45 years in 2019. Fishers have also reported a 50% decline in their annual fish catch, attributing recurring cyclones for reducing their fishing window. Nationally, the…

Ethico Bookshelf – August reads

Here’s what our reading list looks like this month. Pick a title of your choice and join us!

Sustainable gifts your sibling will love this Raksha Bandhan

On the day celebrating the bond between siblings, look beyond chocolates or mithai and consider one of these environmentally friendly gifting options.

Decline in Tiger Population in Odisha Linked to Poaching?

Odisha has excellent habitat and vast forests for tigers to live and flourish. However, rampant poaching of prey base and tigers is taking a toll on their population.

Assam reels under flood as pandemic wears on

Floods which are a recurring phenomenon in the northeast Indian state of Assam have hit the state heavily this year but healthcare workers have risen to the occasion serving the people by battling both flood and novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Say goodbye the sustainable way

While it is easy to defer to tradition when it comes to planning a funeral, here is how we can change our approach to death and take a more eco-friendly route.

All aboard the Tiger Express – Ethico special feature on International Tiger Day

On International Tiger Day, Ethico salutes Govardhan Meena, who has been using a decked out minibus to introduce thousands of children to not just the majestic cats, but also to the forest in their backyard.

Wildernest, a sustainable getaway

An ecotel wedged between the tri-state boundaries of Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra in the lush Mahdei Bioregion, Wildernest is based on the sound principle of minimal interference.

Delhi police invoke anti-terror law against green NGO. Their crime? Helping send emails to Prakash Javadekar

The police issued a notice under the UAPA to block Fridays For Future India’s website because their ‘unlawful activities may disturb peace, sovereignty of India’, only to later claim that it had been sent mistakenly.

Back to basics – Almitra’s (sustainable) story

Anamika Sengupta, social entrepreneur and founder of Almitra Sustainables talks about how she set up two successful businesses while perfecting the art of slow living.

Central Vista Redevelopment Project: Greening or Greenwashing?

HCP’s plan to reorder the tree “palette” on the Central Vista according to Lutyens’ colonial plan is not only proof of the project’s blindness to today’s climate change and environmental realities that many Delhiites already experience.

Why Stronger Efforts are Needed During this Flood Season

Only those who have faced a flood can understand the pain and suffering it brings.

India censors three environmental advocacy groups for criticising draft EIA rules

The draft EIA Notification 2020, activists say, is a major setback for environmental justice as it weakens public consultation and dilutes compliance norms for corporates.

Brazil’s past finance ministers defend environment against Bolsonaro

Seventeen authorities from the higher economic sector released a letter in opposition to the environmental policies of President Jair Bolsonaro’s government.

As assembly election nears, Kerala government announces environmentally controversial projects

Though there have been community protests against these projects, the state government is using the prevailing lockdown as an excuse to move forward all these projects, which would create long term impacts on the state’s environmental and social equilibria.

The rustic love of DIY hair care

Our kitchens are repositories of natural hair care goodness. And if we get past the initial apprehension of going chemical-free, it’s a beautifully organic journey

For India to build sustainable cities post-lockdown, re-cycling roads is key

Instead of moving vehicles, cities should focus on moving people. What does this mean?

No child’s play!

12-year-old climate activist Ridhima Pandey talks about her journey, signing a petition at the UN alongside Greta Thunberg, and climate activism in times of Coronavirus.

Forest Rights Have Been Crushed During Lockdown, Say Activists

An analysis has revealed that approximately 120 projects were recommended, 90 were deferred, 30 projects returned and only two projects were rejected during the Expert Appraisal Committee and Forest Advisory Committee meetings held during the lockdown.

It’s never too late (or early) to start sustainable menstrual hygiene

Roughly 6,000+ plastic menstrual pads can be replaced with sustainable products if one of us makes the switch. Have you started yet?

Today’s readers, tomorrow’s climate leaders

Fun and fascinating, these books about the environment are engaging and drive home a strong message.

World’s biggest trade deal in trouble over EU anger at Brazil deforestation

The EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, finalized a year ago has been facing opposition from the EU after Brazil’s destructive environmental policies and its failure to respect the Paris Climate Agreement.

That coconut oil you love? Species have gone extinct over it. True story

As per recent study, palm oil may not be the only consumable oil that causes destruction to biodiversity. We know little about the environmental footprint of other consumable oil crops.

Opinion: To rebuild the Sundarbans, India needs to rethink its laws

India should rewrite outdated, colonial laws and empower local people so that embankments work for communities and nature.

Will you join the Plastic Free July campaign?

If you haven’t already begun your journey towards sustainability, here’s some inspiration for you to get started and take up the plastic-free challenge.

Securing India’s tiger habitats and natural assets for preventing future pandemics

Tigers are a keystone species at the top of the ecological pyramid, and their survival is pivotal to the well-being of several animals, including humans.

“Good design is good business”

…says Hemmant Jha of Honest Structures, as he talks about how good design is empathetic, mindful and ‘good for everyone’

COVID-19 has exacerbated climate concerns

COVID-19 has heightened existing climate vulnerabilities and caused climate action to take a backseat. Here’s how the government can think ‘green’ for the recovery of the economy.

Ethico Bookshelf – July reads

Here’s what our reading list looks like this month. Pick a title of your choice and join us!

Himalayan Quake and a High-Risk Project

While many projects with huge environmental and social costs have been opposed, the TDP is different, for even government-nominated experts had wanted it scrapped.

How does the new draft EIA affect the environment and me?

The draft EIA 2020, which was unveiled in March has raised objections from environmentalists, who consider it as a serious dilution to the earlier version.

#IfTreesCouldTalk: 3 Projects Inside One Of Goa’s Wildlife Sanctuaries—Here’s Why That’s A Problem

#IfTreesCouldTalk is a blog series that aims to highlight one aspect of environmental impact, wildlife conservation and other issues that need to be spoken about from the natural world and our impact…

Fighting green crisis with Green Humour

Armed with words and wit, illustrator Rohan Chakravarty is sketching a unique dialogue around wildlife and conservation.

Goa: Environmental Clearances to Projects in Forest Lands Raise Concerns Among Activists

The three proposed projects would require cutting down over 50,000 trees and diversion of 216 hectares of forest and private land.

Elephants become collateral damage in the fight against crop-raiding boars

The recent incident of a female wild elephant in Kerala falling prey to crude bait meant for wild boar sheds light on the widespread issue of human-wildlife conflict in the state.

Clean Beauty = Amazing YOU

Follow these amazing global influencers to get your daily dose of green, sustainable beauty recommendations.

Environment ministry unlocked many protected areas during the lockdown

A safe haven for biodiversity and wildlife, India’s protected areas are losing to the environment ministry’s clearance spree where coal mining, road construction, and other projects are being approved within ecologically sensitive areas.

Compostable, eco-friendly, biodegradable – don’t let the wordplay get to you

Information is the first step towards adapting a sustainable lifestyle. Poonam Bir Kasturi helps us understand the implication of some of the buzzwords in the space

The amazing benefits of going plant-based

My journey to a plant-based diet began on a whim three years ago and I feel stronger and healthier than ever before.

Kashmir’s retreating glaciers could also be influenced by local land use change

Scientists said that rapid retreating of Kolahoi and other glaciers in the region is largely attributable to global factors and climate driven by the local land-use changes.

Climate change, disasters, and what philanthropy can do

If we don’t invest in building community resilience, climate change and natural disasters will undo what development work has achieved so far.

Ethico Bookshelf – June reads

Here’s what our reading list looks like this month. Pick a title of your choice and join us!

India’s Worst Locust Attack in 26 Yrs: What Does This Threat Mean?

Swarms of these ‘deadly’ desert locusts have now made their way to India, threatening our agricultural economy.

Climate change in deep oceans could be seven times faster by middle of century, report says

Uneven heating could have major impact on marine wildlife, as species that rely on each other for survival are forced to move.

Microsoft’s ambitious climate goal forgets about its oil contracts

Microsoft’s business with the oil industry could inflate its climate impact and undermine its efforts to achieve carbon negativity.

COVID-19 could permanently transform transportation

Hidden in the fallout from the virus are lessons to make the world a better place. Reducing pollution and re-imagining transportation are strong places to start.

The Snowball Effects of Climate Change on Snow Leopards

Researchers emphasize the need to tackle various threats to reduce the burden on the species due to climate change.

Disaster interrupted: How you can help save the insects

In a new paper, a group of 30 scientists offers suggestions for industry, land managers, governments and individuals to protect insects in the face of a global decline.

The EIA Draft 2020 needs to be restructured

Here are four things that need to be done to bring the current environmental impact assessment regime in line with the basic principles of environmental management.

Amazonian indigenous community wins 24-year lawsuit against illegal loggers

Brazil’s Cameli family, who owns the timber companies, was ordered to pay the Ashaninka tribe a $3 million settlement, which will be used to protect the Ashaninka tribe and the Amazon.

Maharashtra: Central pollution board bans use of plaster of paris in making idols for all festivals

Environmentalists are pleased at the positive impact this will have on India’s oceans.

Climate explained: what caused major climate change in the past?

On time scales of hundreds of thousands to millions of years, carbon dioxide concentrations in the air have varied hugely, and so has global climate.

Lack of Pakistan govt’s intervention can spur migration, ecological imbalances in once-flourishing Indus delta

Cited by environmentalists as one of the worst human interventions in nature, building damns on the Indus delta has led to adverse ecological consequences.

New high seas treaty could be a gamechanger for the ocean

The new treaty focuses on conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the waters beyond national jurisdiction.

The bee whisperers of Slovenia have a plan to save colonies from climate change

As the climate crisis threatens bee populations around the world, Slovenian beekeepers see an opportunity to be more than just stewards of a beloved tradition.

Beyond Meat results beat, suspends 2020 forecast on COVID-19 concerns

Beyond Meat Inc reported better-than-expected quarterly results on Tuesday as it sold more of its plant-based meat products.

Climate explained: how the climate impact of beef compares with plant-based alternatives

Everyday food choices can make a difference to the overall climate impact of our diet.

Why we must think like the Japanese

A modern society that is rooted in traditional philosophies, Japan looks into the future while borrowing generously from its past. We must too.

One billion people will live in insufferable heat within 50 years – study

In a worst-case scenario of accelerating emissions, areas currently home to a third of the world’s population will be as hot as the hottest parts of the Sahara within 50 years.

24 Creative Green Projects to Tackle Now

We’ve rounded up a list of two dozen environmental projects that can make your time indoors, or right outside, a little brighter.

The world is on lockdown. So where are all the carbon emissions coming from?

Even with the global economy at a near-standstill, the best analysis suggests that the world is still on track to release 95 percent of the carbon dioxide emitted in a typical year.

Smart tech’s carbon footprint

With data centres set to have a bigger carbon footprint than the whole aviation industry, smart technology’s benefits need urgent re-examination.

Ethico Bookshelf – May reads

Here’s what our reading list looks like this month. Pick a title of your choice and join us!

Can’t go outside? Even seeing nature on a screen can improve your mood

Embracing the notion of “biophilia”- the innate human affinity with nature- while locked down inside may improve your productivity and even your health.

Eco-documentaries for lockdown viewing

From ocean pollution to animal cruelty and global warming, here are our picks for some gut-wrenching, eye-opening and sometimes, heart warming films.

Through biomimicry, Brazil seeks tech innovations inspired by nature

From spiderweb-inspired shampoo to a hotel whose architecture is based on the thermal properties of toucan beaks, scientists and companies in Brazil are betting on nature’s intelligence to create innovative solutions that reduce impacts on the planet.

‘The bliss of a quiet period’: lockdown is a unique chance to study the nature of cities

Coronavirus-induced lockdown is changing the daily rhythm of urban life, shining a light on emboldened animals that usually prefer to remain hidden.

India’s very first climate action fellowship gives you a chance to work with top climate pioneers in the world

If you are working towards climate change solutions, you can use this opportunity to work with top climate pioneers in the field!

Satellites can identify ocean plastic pollution

“This method will hopefully provide a stepping stone for satellites and drones to be used to tackle the marine plastics problem at the end of the product life cycle.”

Could Microsoft’s climate crisis ‘moonshot’ plan really work?

The tech giant’s pledge to go carbon negative by 2030 leans heavily on nascent technology such as machines that suck carbon out of the air.

Microplastics Have Been Found In Antarctic Ice For First Time

While the levels of microplastics are relatively low, it suggests that even Earth’s most remote continent is not immune from the perils of plastic pollution and human-made trash.

On 50th Earth Day, a look at what is causing the Amazon rainforest to fast approach its tipping point

Scientists believe that at least 80 per cent of the Amazon’s trees need to stand in order to sustain the forests, and continue their hydrological water cycle.

Earth Day in the coronavirus era: Can resilience thinking provide a way forward? (commentary)

If we are to reorient the environmental movement’s goals and actions to avert crisis, we must reassess how we assign value to different ecosystems and human communities.

Wireless grids and towers of power: Engineering our way out of dirty energy

Discovering clean energy technologies has become the goal of companies and think tanks around the world, and it requires thinking outside of the box.

Why does cinema ignore climate change?

It’s also true that Hollywood can’t complain about our environmental unfriendliness without drawing attention to its own.

Confessions of a serial meditator

How Vipassana changed the way I engage with my thoughts

Debunking ‘overpopulation’

The consumption of the world’s wealthiest 10 percent produces up to 50 percent of the planet’s consumption-based CO₂ emissions, while the poorest half of humanity contributes only 10 percent.

Discover the virtue of ‘organic’ from the founder of a farmers’ store

The founder of Mumbai’s first 100% organic produce shop, Rahul Pabreja deconstructs the buzzword and explains why we must educate ourselves about it.

Addressing the Climate Crisis Strengthens Economies, New Research Finds

The research shows that the choice between climate action and economic growth is in fact a false dichotomy.

Amazon fires employees who spoke out about coronavirus and climate change

“Why is Amazon so scared of workers talking with each other? No company should punish their employees for showing concern for one another, especially during a pandemic!” Costa said in a statement.

Jane Fonda on Why Our Climate Crisis Demands Civil Disobedience

“The truth is, all the individual actions together can’t be scaled up in time to make the fundamental difference in fossil-fuel emissions that we need. That’s why governments are so important.”

Methane Levels Reach an All-Time High

New NOAA analysis highlights an alarming trend; experts call for curbing pollution from oil and gas wells.

Study: The tiniest bit of air pollution makes COVID-19 more deadly

Dirty air in the United States is linked to higher death rates from COVID-19, according to a new study from researchers at Harvard’s school of public health.

5 big environment stories you probably missed while you’ve been watching coronavirus

When we are faced with immediate, unambiguous threats, we all focus on what’s confronting us right now. The loss of winter snow in five or ten years looks trivial against images of hospitals pushed to breaking point now.

The Difference Between Global Warming And Climate Change

A simple Google search returns over one billion combined results, proving that phrases that, 30 years ago, were virtually unknown have now become ingrained into the English language.

5 lessons Covid-19 teaches us about fighting climate change

Global nature of the Covid-19 crisis is making us realise that we are connected to each other. This can help build momentum for strong climate action.

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5 simple munchies you can stir up at home

We love the crunch of a crisp as much as we hate the rustle of the plastic packet that it comes wrapped in. With these home-made recipes, you can skip the noise.

As Himalayas Warm, Nepal’s Climate Migrants Struggle to Survive

Pushed out of their village by a drought and lack of food, a group of Nepalis are fighting to amplify the voices of those forced to relocate by the planet’s warming.

Coronavirus Delays Key Global Climate Talks

This year’s United Nations-sponsored climate talks, widely regarded as the most important climate meeting of the past four years, were postponed on Wednesday because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Climate change: Warming clips the nightingale’s wings

Rising temperatures may be having a profound physical impact on one of the world’s favourite songbirds.

Ethico Bookshelf – April reads

Here’s what our reading list looks like this month. Pick a title of your choice and join us!

The coronavirus outbreak is part of the climate change crisis

Therefore, climate action should be central to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Is What Climate Change Looks Like in an Era of Covid-19

As the coronavirus pandemic continued to escalate around the world, a more localized emergency has unfolded in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

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Simple Steps for a Greener Home

It’s always the little things, isn’t it? Follow these simple steps to make your house more sustainable

See which cities will feel the brunt of climate change

The whole planet will feel climate change’s impacts over coming decades. But some cities will see more dramatic changes in temperature or precipitation than others.

Covid-19 economic rescue plans must be green, say environmentalists

Campaigners urge governments to tie any bailouts to aviation and cruise industries to requirements for climate action.

Three reasons why your child must grow up with wooden toys

From sparking imagination to making the child more mindful, wooden toys are so much more than their plastic counterparts

U.N. Shifts from Climate Change to Coronavirus

Secretary-General António Guterres still urged countries not to lose sight of the global warming challenge.

Coronavirus: 10 life lessons we learned from the COVID-19 outbreak

You should be willing to trade some your freedom for the greater good of the public.

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Exfoliate, naturally

Fix yourself a DIY face scrub that is good enough to eat

Coronavirus offers “a blank page for a new beginning” says Li Edelkoort

The coronavirus epidemic will lead to “a global recession of a magnitude that has not been experienced before” but will eventually allow humanity to reset its values, according to trend forecaster Li Edelkoort.

Social Distancing Is Also Helping the Climate

The practice of social distancing is having a collateral benefit — it’s slowing the climate crisis.

The Unexpected Impact Of A Pandemic On The Environment

It can be hard to imagine a silver lining to the all-consuming cloud that is the current and ongoing spread of SARS-CoV-2 across the planet, but, as cities and lives are pulled to a standstill by communicable disease, our skies and rivers are revealing an unexpected positive to the pandemic.

Recycle guide for the lazy Good Samaritan

If you have the heart to donate but not the time for it, here are a few good ideas to turn to.

Why Scientists Should Shape Environmental Policy

The case of fracking in Pennsylvania shows that if experts and fossil fuel industry leaders can cooperate, innovation is possible.

Plastics explained: What you need to learn and unlearn about the problem polymer

The first step to solving a problem is understanding it. Here, we break down the complex world of plastics so you can navigate your way through it better.

Attenborough urges halt to deep sea mining plans

‘The rush to mine this pristine and unexplored environment risks creating terrible impacts that cannot be reversed.’

How Coronavirus Could Set Back the Fight Against Climate Change

Leaders’ efforts to rein in global greenhouse gas emissions this year may face additional challenges.

‘I swapped my gun for binoculars’: India’s hunters turn to conservation

Villagers are downing their weapons and protecting swathes of ancient forest and its wildlife in Nagaland state.

Pioneer in plastic fight, Sikkim town is set to introduce bamboo bottles

The bamboo water bottles have been ordered from Assam through Sikkim Rajya Sabha MP Hishey Lachungpa. Sikkim was the first state in the country to take steps against the use of plastic, bringing in restrictive measures as far back as 1998.

Here’s what we took away from Dysco’s very woke Y3K

A shared space for anyone and everyone working towards a better planet, Y3K – Planet Lost and Found, garnered pertinent environmental voices and conversation.

The Incredibly Simple Way To Get People To Care About The Environment

Better access to nature, even just your local park, helps people and the planet.

Urban Himalaya running dry, 5 Indian towns in the grip of increased water insecurity: Study

Thirteen towns across four countries, including five from India (Mussoorie, Devprayag, Singtam, Kalimpong and Darjeeling), in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, are facing increased water insecurity, said a study, published in the journal Water on Sunday.

Ethico Bookshelf – March reads

Here’s what our reading list looks like this month. Pick a title of your choice and join us!

Can you really negate your carbon emissions? Carbon offsets, explained.

Offsets have become a wildly popular — and controversial — way to fight climate change.

The Coronavirus and Carbon Emissions

In the past month, the world has seen a remarkably large drop in emissions of carbon dioxide, the main driver of global warming. The reason isn’t something to celebrate, though.

Avocado: the ‘green gold’ causing environment havoc

New research suggests ancient methane—like that trapped in an Alaskan lake—won’t flood the atmosphere as the climate warms in the coming decades.

Humans are a bigger source of climate-altering methane, new studies suggest

New research suggests ancient methane—like that trapped in an Alaskan lake—won’t flood the atmosphere as the climate warms in the coming decades.

Is a world without trash possible?

The vision of a “circular economy”—where we use resources sparingly and recycle endlessly—is inspiring businesses and environmentalists alike.

10 more Indian wetlands identified as crucial to global biodiversity. Here’s why it matters

According to India State of Forest Report, 2019, the country has 62,466 wetlands covering 3.83% of its recorded forest area.

Human compost funerals ‘better for environment’

A US firm has given scientific details of its “human composting” process for environmentally friendly funerals.

A huge iceberg just broke off West Antarctica’s most endangered glacier

Huge blocks of ice regularly shear away from Antarctica’s ice shelves, but the losses are speeding up.

Why the vegan diet is not always green

The vegan diet is widely regarded to be better for the planet than those that include animal products, but not all plant-based foodstuffs have a small environmental footprint.

India’s Textile City of Tiruppur is an Environmental Dark Spot

Residents and farmers have alleged that the dyeing and bleaching units in the city discharge dangerous chemical effluents directly into the river under cover of darkness or when it’s raining.

India’s ancient tribes battle to save their forest home from mining

A rash of newly approved mines could destroy swathes of the Hasdeo Arand forest – and with it the biodiversity local villagers depend on for survival.

Fires and floods: Australia already seesaws between climate extremes – and there’s more to come

Australians take pride in winning against the odds but we have to move quickly to slow global warming and the extreme weather it creates.

Humanity under threat from perfect storm of crises – study

Climate, extreme weather, biodiversity, food and water crises could lead to ‘systemic collapse’

All plastic ever produced still exists in the environment: Report

According to the report, “given the very low rates of recycling we see today, we believe that even with much tighter regulation, it’s unlikely that global recycling rates could reach 50% by 2030”

Airlines want you to think they’re serious about the climate crisis. They’re not

An offer to plant trees to offset carbon emissions isn’t a solution – it’s a licence to continue with business as usual.

The Finance Industry Groggily Awakens to Climate Change

Employees ‘needed to stand up for what’s right’ despite policy barring workers from speaking about business.

Hundreds of workers defy Amazon rules to protest company’s climate failures

Employees ‘needed to stand up for what’s right’ despite policy barring workers from speaking about business.

Is India’s national clean air plan on track?

Plant and animal species are disappearing faster than ever in recorded history. We are to blame, but solutions are possible.

Preserving ecological balance is crucial for us

Plant and animal species are disappearing faster than ever in recorded history. We are to blame, but solutions are possible.

Final call to save the world from ‘climate catastrophe’

It’s the final call, say scientists, in the most extensive warning yet on the risks of rising global temperatures.

Climate Change could blow up the economy. Banks aren’t ready

Like other central banks, the European Central Bank, which met on Thursday, is scrambling to prepare for what a report warns could be a coming economic upheaval.

UK citizens’ climate assembly to meet for first time

Randomly selected 110-strong panel will try to come up with a plan to tackle global heating.

What I took back from a clothes swap…apart from the clothes

…a brand new perspective on hand-me-downs and a closet space that no longer hosted items that didn’t serve a purpose

Only electric cars can drive sustainable change. Or can they?

Electric cars can stop global warming. Or can they? Girish Karkera clears the air around these haloed machines.

Finance to farming – why I moved off the grid

From braving flooded tents to feeling the love of your first homegrown harvest, the pursuit of farm life is as rewarding as the dream, Harsh Valechha tells us.

Treewear – Making the everyday organic

Made of organic ingredients that are often good enough to eat, TreeWear provides chemical-free alternatives for everyday articles

Here’s why you should start composting today

Humans are the only species to generate waste that can’t naturally decompose, making composting not just a crucial but also necessary part of urban living, says Rajeshwari Phadtare Mahadik.

This Mumbai couple is setting goals for an eco-friendly urban home

Having made a few conscious switches towards a sustainable home, Prashant and Vibhuti are always exploring ways to make their home an urban oasis.

To bee or not to bee – isn’t a question. Pollinators are begging for our attention!

Often dismissed as pests and now facing the threat of decline, it’s high time we recognize pollinators for what they are – life savers

Reinterpret jugaad with LataSita’s upcycled fashion

Team Ethico spoke to Fashion entrepreneur Meghna Nayak about her company LataSita, which upcycles one’s existing wardrobe to weave a brand new story – all while leaving no new trail

Why Fast Fashion must go out of style

The fashion industry is one of the biggest in the world, accounting for 2% of the global Gross Domestic Product. It is also one of the biggest polluters on Earth—second only to oil.

Arrested development – How Aarey protest landed me in jail

One of the largest citizen action movements protesting the felling of 2,000 trees to build a metro carshed, the Aarey protests have been a show of strength and spirit in Mumbai. And for some of us it has been a defining lesson in fight and forbearance.

The great Indian zero waste wedding

From dodging questions and comments to single-use plastic, Deepa and Prashin set a fine example of a sustainable wedding

Give your baby the comfort and hygiene of a cloth diaper

Disposable nappies are a nightmare for our landfills. While nothing beats the classic (albeit labor-intensive) ‘langot’, the cloth diaper is your next best bet

How many Earths would we need if we all lived like you?

The Footprint Calculator offers a reality check on the consequences of our actions – ecologically

The radical goodness of green volunteering and why you must try it

Enriching and enjoyable as any other holiday (if not more), this one comes without the guilty indulgences of one – at less than half its cost. And a whole other world joy!

Meet Karan – the music therapist you must lend an ear to

Therapeutic music practitioner, Karan Sajnani speaks of healing sounds as the mindful, holistic and perhaps more effective alternative to Western medicine.

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Meet the king of zero-waste cafes, Eat Raja!

A local eatery owner in Bengaluru’s Malleshwaram, Raja is a cheerful and much-loved ambassador of the zero-waste life

How to speak to a climate change skeptic

Despite the melting icebergs and plastic-laden fish bellies, there are those who diss the environmental talk. Talkback, smartly

How to be a conscious consumer

Mindful consumption is the first step to conscious living. Start now.

Our tryst with trash: The Ethico story

Ethico founders Indranil and Rabia, together also the founders of the #MahimBeachCleanUp, share their trials and triumphs of exposing one of Mumbai’s neglected beaches from under piles of trash.

Starting from scrap! Meet the upcycling entrepreneur

Made entirely from upcycled material, Hamsini’s creations are a riot of all things pretty

Climate Change Was a Huge Conversation at the Golden Globes – Just Not on the Red Carpet

The Australian fires were on everyone’s mind at the Golden Globe Awards last night. Several winners mentioned the disaster and its ties to climate change in their acceptance speech, while others made the bolder choice to skip the event entirely

Update to biodiversity treaty proposes protecting at least 30% of Earth

Global policymakers have proposed extending protections to at least 30% of terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems around the world.

Is climate change showing up in the daily weather forecast? It’s complicated.

Early this month, scientists announced a surprising discovery: The “fingerprint” of climate change is now detectable in everyday weather. In fact, evidence of global warming can be found in the planet’s weather every day, minute, and second since 2012.

The UN climate talks are over for another year – was anything achieved?

A conference marked by squabbling and deferral yielded little progress despite protests.

Climate change tops list of global worries for young people, says Amnesty

The Amnesty poll, released on Human Rights Day, asked more than 10,000 people aged 18-25, in 22 countries across six continents, to pick up to five major issues from a list of 23.

The Great Recycling Con

The greatest trick corporations ever played was making us think we could recycle their products.

9 ways the climate crisis is killing you (right now)

Wherever you live, the climate crisis is having an impact on your health. Here are nine charts that show how it is damaging the collective health of humanity.

Developing nations demand climate change payouts from “the rich world” at UN conference

Two of the worst storms ever recorded hit developing nations this year, supercharged by rising global temperatures. Now there’s an international push to link the billions of dollars in devastation to climate change and compel rich, industrial nations to pay.

With 2081 deaths last year, India 5th most vulnerable to climate change

Lower income countries are the hardest hit by climate change, but have lower coping capacity, the Germanwatch report said.

Climate change to steer all New Zealand government decisions from now on

Minister James Shaw says environmental factors will be ‘at the forefront of our minds’ when major decisions are made.

Even 50-year-old climate models correctly predicted global warming

Climate change doubters have a favourite target: climate models. But now, the most sweeping evaluation of these older models—some half a century old—shows most of them were indeed accurate.

H&M Tests Renting Clothes to Address Environment Concern

The Swedish retailer follows competitors Banana Republic and Urban Outfitters, which tapped into the billion-dollar rental market earlier this year.

Critical year for climate change starts in Madrid

A critical 12 months in the battle against rising temperatures begins in Madrid this week, as UN delegates gather for key talks.

The planet doesn’t need money, it needs behavioural change; Sonam Wangchuk

Ladakh doesn’t need the same kind of industrialisation as rest of India, he says

European parliament declares ‘climate emergency’ ahead of UN summit

The European Parliament voted on Thursday to declare a “climate and environment emergency” in a symbolic gesture just ahead of the latest UN global crisis summit.

Ikea to invest $220 million to make it a ‘climate positive business’

The Inter Ikea Group has said it will invest 200 million euros ($220 million) to accelerate its transition into what it describes as a “climate positive business.”

Milk and water no more in plastic covers. Kerala bans single-use plastic from New Year

The manufacture, sale and storage of one-time use plastic items will be banned in Kerala from January 1, 2020. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting here on Thursday

Coldplay will no longer tour until shows are environmentally sustainable

Coldplay will not go on a world tour to promote its latest album, citing environmental concerns. The British band said it won’t tour again until the shows can be done in a sustainable way.

Firms failing to tackle crisis will be delisted from stock exchange, Labour says

John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, pledged his government would ensure firms are “pulling their weight” to tackle the “existential threat” to the planet.

Attenborough: World ‘changing habits’ on plastic

The world is beginning to tackle the threat of plastic waste, according to the renowned broadcaster Sir David Attenborough.

Air emergency: Pollution in India claimed over 5 lakh lives in 2016, says Lancet report

More than five lakh people died in India in 2016 due to dangerous levels of outdoor air pollution, says Lancet report on health and climate change

School children take over Ireland’s parliament for climate crisis debate

In what has been described as a “major first,” Ireland’s parliament was taken over by 157 young people from across the country on Friday as they discussed the climate crisis in Ireland’s first Youth Assembly.

The climate crisis will profoundly affect the health of every child alive today, report says

The climate crisis is already hurting our health and it could burden generations to come with lifelong health problems by challenging already overwhelmed health systems and undermining much of the medical progress that has been made in the last century.

Adidas Sustainability Initiatives: Creating A More Circular Economy

From sustainable fashion to sustainable foods, Adidas sustainability initiatives have shown the company’s deliberate strides towards creating a more circular economy.

India needs to double rate of forest cover expansion to achieve Paris Agreement target

The world is not doing enough to limit the rise in global temperature, notes an analysis of 184 pledges made by countries in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

Prada is first in industry to sign sustainability-linked loan

The €50 million, 5-year loan comes with interest rates that are reduced when sustainability targets are met.

Coca-Cola is world’s biggest plastics polluter – again

Coca-Cola was named the world’s number one global plastic polluter for the second year in a row, followed by Nestlé and Pepsico, according to an audit conducted by Break Free From Plastic.

Ardern says New Zealand on ‘right side of history’ as MPs pass zero-carbon bill

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s landmark climate legislation has passed in Parliament, with historic cross-party support, committing the nation to reduce its carbon emissions to zero by 2050 and meet its commitments under the Paris climate accords.

What’s the Price of Ignoring Climate Change?

In a worst-case scenario, climate impacts could set off a feedback loop in which climate change leads to economic losses, which lead to social and political disruption, which undermines both democracy and our capacity to prevent further climate damage

Climate crisis: 11,000 scientists warn of ‘untold suffering’

The world’s people face “untold suffering due to the climate crisis” unless there are major transformations to global society, according to a stark warning from more than 11,000 scientists.

Who Will Save the Paris Agreement?

With the United States withdrawing from the climate pact, other big carbon emitters may have to step up their emission pledges.

Coca-Cola, Absolut And L’Oreal join Carlsberg In Paper Bottle Community

According to their 2018 sustainability report, Carlsberg’s current goals include aiming for zero carbon emissions at their breweries by 2030, hoping to already achieve a 50% reduction by 2022.

Does fast fashion have to die for the environment to live?

The U.N. says the clothing industry is responsible for about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and consumes more energy than aviation and shipping combined.

Dove is redesigning its packaging to use way more recycled plastic

Dove is aiming to cut its virgin plastic use by 20,000 tons a year by 2025

Indian Railways to become ‘net zero’ carbon emitter by 2030

Railways will be an integral part of the Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s path towards climate justice

Rising Seas Will Erase More Cities by 2050, New Research Shows

Rising seas could affect three times more people by 2050 than previously thought, according to new research, threatening to all but erase some of the world’s great coastal cities.

Climate Change Is Having Widespread Health Impacts

Children, pregnant people and the elderly are the most at risk from extreme weather and heat—but the impact is already felt across every specialty of medicine

Why does the Arctic have more plastic than most places on Earth?

Plastics travel on ocean currents and through the air to the far north and accumulate—sometimes inside the animals that live there.

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