Page 225 - Environment
Subaru restarts production at Japan car factory
TOKYO (Reuters) - Subaru Corp said it restarted its sole car factory in Japan on Monday after halting the plant for almost two weeks due to a suspected defect in a power-steering component.
Emissions angst fuels new tensions in loveless German coalition
BERLIN (Reuters) - Tensions in Germany's loveless ruling coalition flared on Sunday after Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer, a conservative from the car-making state of Bavaria, called for a reassessment of limits on vehicle emissions.
New Delhi 'superbug' gene found 12K km away in 'pristine' Arctic
In a significant find in the global spread of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, scientists have found a "superbug" gene -- first detected in New Delhi over a decade back -- in one of the last "pristine" places on Earth that is some 12,870 km away.
Faster CO2 rise expected this year: Study
The Earth this year may witness one of the largest increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide in over six decades of record keeping, scientists say. The forecast by researchers from the UK Met Office and University of Exeter is based on a combination of factors including rising anthropogenic emissions and a relative reduction in the uptake of carbon-dioxide by ecosystems due to tropical climate variability. "Since 1958, monitoring at the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii has registered around a 30 per cent increase in the concentration of carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere," said Richard Betts, a professor at University of Exeter. "This is caused by emissions from fossil fuels, deforestation and cement production, and the increase would have been even larger if it were not for natural carbon sinks which soak up some of the excess CO2," Betts said. "This year we expect these carbon sinks to be relatively weak, so the impact of record high human-caused emissions will be larger than last year," .
Need for urgent action to tackle obesity, climate change: Lancet
The pandemics of obesity, undernutrition, and climate change are interlinked and represent the paramount challenge for humans, the environment and our planet, says a Lancet report, that presses the need for urgent action.
Antibiotic-Resistant Genes found in one of the most remote places on Earth
A new study has found Antibiotic-Resistant Genes (ARGs) that were first detected in urban India, around 8,000 miles away in one of the last 'pristine' places on earth.Researchers who took soil samples in the region of Svalbard have now confirmed the spread of blaNDM-1 into the High Arctic - an ARG originally found in Indian clinical settings, which conditionally provides multidrug resistance (MDR) in microorganisms.Published in the academic journal Environmental International, the research was carried out by an international team of experts from the Universities of Newcastle, York and Kansas and the Chinese Academy of Science in Xiamen, and was funded by the UK Natural Environmental Research Council and other agencies.The rapid spread of blaNDM-1 and other MDR genes across the world is a growing concern because they often target "last resort" classes of antibiotics, including Carbapenems.The research team, led by Newcastle University's Professor David Graham said that blaNDM-1 and ...
'Bug bombs' not effective in killing cockroaches indoors
A new study from North Carolina State University finds that 'bug bombs' are ineffective at removing cockroaches from indoor environments.The study found that bug-bomb chemicals fail to reach places where there are a high number of cockroaches present -- like the underside of surfaces and inside cabinets.Besides leaving behind numerous cockroaches, bug bombs also leave behind nasty toxic residue in the middle of floors and countertops, which are heavily used by humans and pets.Speaking about the study, Zachary DeVries, the lead author said, "There's been a general assumption that bug bombs work to eliminate cockroaches indoors, but no one had conducted a formal assessment of their efficacy and any exposure risks."The study saw the researchers testing four different commercially available bug bombs with various insecticide active ingredients in five different apartment complexes with moderate to severe infestations of German cockroaches.Senior author of the paper Coby Schal said, "All ..
S Korea's first airborne fight against 'Chinese' pollution fails
An attempt by South Korea to create artificial rain to tackle air pollution many blame on neighbouring China has failed, the government said Monday, as it struggles to address what has become an urgent public concern. Many South Koreans blamed China when pollution surged for three days earlier this month, and on Friday the Korea Meterological Administration (KMA) sent an aircraft to seed clouds with silver iodide in the hope of promoting rain. The intention was for the rain to douse airborne particles and pollutants known as "fine dust" in South Korea. However, an initial analysis of the experiment has been disappointing, KMA said in a preliminary report issued Monday. While a weak, misty rain was detected for several minutes, the agency said, "there was no observation of significant precipitation". "Aside from its success or failure, the test was an opportunity to accumulate the necessary technology for a faster commercialisation of cloud seeding," it added. A full report is expected
70,000 participate in Brussels climate march
At least 70,000 people participated in the second "Rise for Climate" march in Brussels aimed at pressuring the Belgian government and the European Union (EU) to increase their efforts to fight climate change.
Some 70,000 Brussels protesters demand action on climate
At least 70,000 people braved cold and rain in Brussels on Sunday to demand the Belgian government and the European Union increase their efforts to fight climate change, the Belgian capital's fourth climate rally in two months to attract at least 10,000 participants. The event was described as Belgium's biggest climate march ever, with police estimating slightly bigger crowds than a similar demonstration last month. Trains from across the nation were so clogged that thousands of people didn't make the march in time. Some 35,000 students in Belgium skipped classes Thursday to take their demands for urgent action to prevent global warming to the streets. "Young people have set a good example," protester Henny Claassen said amid raised banners urging better renewable energy use and improved air quality. "This is for our children, for our grandchildren, and to send a message to politicians." Even though the direct impact on Belgian politics was likely to be small since the country ...
Two home guards killed by poachers in Bihar forest
Two home guards were hacked to death by suspected poachers in Valmiki Nagar Tiger Reserve sanctuary area close to the Indo-Nepal border in Bihar's West Champaran district, an official said on Sunday. District Forest Officer, West Champaran, Gaurav Ojha said Arjun Yadav and Hira Lal Kushwaha were attacked in Narangiya Don forest area in the early hours of Sunday by about a dozen people. The two home guards were part of a patrol party which had caught hold of a poacher and was taking him along, but was ambushed by his associates en route, Ojha said. Yadav and Kushwaha were attacked with sharp-edged weapons while the other home guards ran for their safety. The attackers escaped upon securing the release of their associate, he said, adding a search was on for the killers.
Bodies of Australian scientist and sister found in Argentina
Argentine authorities say they've found the remains of two missing sisters and have arrested the son of one of them. The bodies of 63-year-old Pirhya Sarussi of Israel and 54-year-old Australian scientist Lily Pereg were found Saturday on a lot beside the home of Gilad Pereg near the city of Mendoza. Prosecutor Claudia Rios confirmed the 36-year-old son of Sarussi was arrested, and said an autopsy would determine the cause of death. The two women vanished about two weeks ago, and colleagues of Dr Pereg opened a GoFundMe page to raise money for a search. The Sydney-based University of New England said Pereg was a microbial ecologist with a 25-year research experience in plant and soil microbiology. She chaired the soil, microbiology and biodiversity subdivision of the European Geosciences Union.
UPA govt ignored Swaminathan Commission's recommendation to
Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh Sunday alleged that the previous UPA government ignored the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission for setting up of a second Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI). "But when the Narendra Modi government came to power it paid immediate attention to the recommendations of the famous agricultural scientists recommendations and without further delay and sanctioned the setting up of the country's second IARI after New Delhi," Singh said Modi believed in performance and not announcements, he said after inaugurating the Indian Agriculture Research Institutes Administrative Block at Gouriakarma, 49 km from Hazaribagh town. Modi laid the foundation stone of the second IARI in June 2015. The IARI project here will change the fortunes of young agriculturists and scientists as they will receive improved quality teachings and research in agriculture science, Singh said. The Union minister said the functioning of this Rs 200
Singareni Collieries eyeing 100-million tonne output
: Coal mining firm Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) is targeting production of 100 million tonnes, its chairman and managing director N Sridhar has said. Speaking after unfurling the national flag during the 70th Republic Day celebrations held at the office of Singareni Collieries here on Saturday, he said the company was also working towards acquiring coal mines in other states. He said the company, a public sector undertaking has mines across the northern parts of Telangana and acquired the Naini block and the Patrapura (new)block in Odisha. Singareni would achieve the target of producing 100 million tonnes shortly after the acquisition of more blocks in other states, a press release issued by the company on Sunday quoted Sridhar as saying. The company has taken to thermal and solar power generation apart from coal production, the release said.
Identify and develop 36 stations as eco-smart stations': NGT to Railways
The National Green Tribunal has directed the Railways to identify and develop at least 36 stations as "eco-smart stations" within two weeks. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel asked the public transporter that Polluter Pays' principle may be invoked by regulatory authorities, including the Railways, for compliance of Solid Waste and Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. The tribunal also asked the railway administration to get water and energy audits conducted within three months, initially at the 36 identified major stations, to reduce the use of energy and water. After the 36 stations are identified, an action plan may be prepared within a month and furnished to the tribunal via e-mail, the NGT said. "The 36 stations may be developed as model stations, can be replicated in phases and may be called eco-smart stations'. Such stations may be identified within two weeks and notified on the website. "For the said 36 stations, nodal officers may be identified and .
2nd National Chilika Bird Festival kicks-off
The 2nd National Chilika Bird Festival began at Mangalajodi, about 70 km from here, on Sunday with the aim to promote eco-tourism and preservation of birds in Odisha.
90 per cent people in West Bengal getting rice at Rs 2 per kg:
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Sunday said that at least 90 per cent people in the state are getting rice at Rs 2 per kg. On Khadya Sathi Divas, Banerjee said said that her government has been providing special assistance to those in Jangalmahal and the Hills and Aila-affected areas including farmers of Singur along with tea garden workers as well as the Toto tribe. "Today is #KhadyaSathiDibas. We have ensured food security of 8.5 crore+ people of #Bangla who get rice at Rs 2/kg. We provide special assistance to those in Jangalmahal & Hill & Aila-affected areas, farmers of Singur, tea garden workers & the Toto tribe," Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle. The Khadya Sathi scheme was inaugurated by the West Bengal chief minister on January 27, 2016. As per this scheme, almost 90 per cent of the states population, would get rice and wheat at Rs 2 per kg. Around 50 lakh more would get the same at half the market price.
Nepal-India oil pipeline moving ahead with forest clearance okayed
The stalled Nepal-India petroleum pipeline has been expedited with the Nepal government okaying forest clearance for the project, which is now expected to be completed by April-end, said a Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) official.The state-owned NOC received the Cabinet's go-ahead to cut trees that lie along the nine kilometre Pathlaiya-Amlekhgunj section of the project.A Cabinet meeting on January 17 decided to allow the project to cut down around 80,000 trees in the section of Pathlaiya-Amlekhgunj forest route. Of the trees set to be cut down, 6,533 are big trees, an official of the corporation told Kathmandu Post.The Timber Corporation of Nepal, which has been assigned the task of cutting the trees, was issued a 30-day notice last Tuesday.The 69 km-long pipeline stretches from Amlekhgunj in Nepal to Motihari in India. Pipe laying works on a nine-km stretch in Nepal had stalled due to the forest clearance issue."If the project is expedited, it can be completed within two months," said ..
Telangana to get rain for three days, say weathermen
: A day after unseasonal rain lashed parts of Telangana, the Indian Meteorological Department Sunday forecast light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers in a few places of the state in the next three days. The rainfall was expected from Sunday till 8.30 am on January 30, according to the website of the department. On Saturday, the rain had lashed parts of the city. Meanwhile, the commissioner of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Dana Kishore, in a press release, ordered the officials concerned and their teams to be ready for the downpour likely in the next 48 hours. Also, the commissioner asked the officials concerned to make all the necessary arrangements to deal with emergencies, the release said here. "Everyone (officials) should be available, prepared to monitor the situation. Any lapse will be viewed seriously," the release quoted Kishore as saying. Instructions were given also to clear the debris clogging the manholes and the silt that has accumulated in ..
Record breaking floods hit north Australia
Communities were cut off, farmers stranded and cows washed offshore as heavy rain pelted northeast Australia Sunday, with one major river breaking 118-year-old floodwater records. The Bureau of Meteorology said Queensland's Daintree River rose to 12.60 metres -- a level not seen in over a century -- and local authorities warned that some residents in remote areas could be cut off for days. The heritage listed Daintree Rainforest received more than 300 millimetres of rain in just 24 hours and Northern Queensland is bracing for monsoonal conditions for the rest of the week. Residents in this tropical region of Australia are used to a heavy wet season, but the recent deluge has cut off a ferry line that is the only means of accessing some areas. Port Douglas Shire Council Mayor, Julia Leu, told AFP those who are still in their homes could be cut off for two days, with no power or phone service. Meanwhile the conditions have caused havoc for farmers and livestock. One family of four were .