• Water Programme

Report filed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on sewerage networks in India cited Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down to Earth.

he report, November 22, 2025 said that the Namami Gange Programme succeeded the Ganga Action Plan of 1985. In the interim, several national frameworks — including those of Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Central Pollution Control Board, NITI Aayog and the World Bank — as well as technical organisations such as the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and the International Water Association (IWA), have recognised the tapping and diversion of drains to STPs as an unavoidable interim measure to address urban sanitation issues. The NMCG report noted that several reputed journals and studies, including a March 2025 CSE report published in Down to Earth, demonstrate field evidence that intercepting drains, temporarily diverting flow, and capturing solids and floatable matter can significantly reduce river pollution during sewerage system build-out. https://shorturl.at/gvmSD

• Down To Earth

Climate-Change-Driven Inflation, Modern Money Theory, and Degrowth

Recent heatwaves in India have been linked to climate change. For example, it has been estimated that human-induced climate change made the April 2023 heatwaves across India thirty times more likely. The June 2023 heatwave across twelve Indian states has been linked to climate change as well. The higher temperatures that plagued eleven Indian states in June–August 2023 were made at least three times more likely by climate change (Sengupta and Pandey Citation2023).

• Down To Earth

From zero heatwave days in 2023 to 25 last yr, extreme weather triggers rise in power demand in Himalayan states

Dehradun: Extreme heat has expanded into the Indian Himalayas, with states like Uttarakhand and the Union Territory of Ladakh recording steep spikes in summer temperatures in 2024. A joint study by Climate Compatible Futures and Climate Trends revealed that Uttarakhand went from recording zero heatwave days in 2023 to 25 in 2024, while Ladakh saw its average summer temperature rise by 9.1%. The report noted that this shift signals the movement of heat into previously cooler, high-altitude zones, pushing these regions into the same climate stress category as the plains of north and central India. The study, which analysed India's heat and power systems, found that Uttarakhand experienced an 11.2% rise in average summer temperatures — the highest among Himalayan states — suggesting a worrying breakdown of the long-assumed natural buffer offered by these mountain regions. The authors warned that the trend is not only reshaping the climate profile of the Himalayas but also exposing these ecologically fragile zones to cascading consequences for energy systems, public health and climate equity. Nationally, India's average annual temperature in 2024 rose 0.65°C above the 1991–2020 baseline, closely matching the global increase of 0.62°C. The temperature spike was directly linked to a surge in electricity consumption, with April–June 2024 heatwaves alone adding nearly 9% to the country's power demand. This surge resulted in 327 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil power consumption during those three months. The report highlighted that over the past decade, summer fossil-based energy demand alone led to nearly 2.5 gigatonnes of emissions. The report also contextualised these findings against broader climate data from the India Meteorological Department and the Centre for Science and Environment, both of which confirmed 2024 as one of the hottest years on record. The country reported over 200 heatwave days between March and June this year, including in states where such phenomena were previously rare. The National Disaster Management Authority had earlier urged states to revise their Heat Action Plans, stressing that the Himalayan belt was no longer shielded from heat stress. Manish Ram, CEO at Climate Compatible Futures, said, "Our research shows that rising temperatures are steadily increasing power demand for cooling, deepening dependence on fossil fuels and worsening emissions and air pollution. Breaking this cycle is essential to avoid further burdening vulnerable and low-income communities who face the harshest impacts of extreme heat." The report described this as a reinforcing "heat–power trap": higher temperatures trigger greater cooling demand, which increases fossil-based electricity generation, in turn worsening overall heat levels. Although India has made significant strides in renewables — more than doubling its capacity from 84 gigawatts in 2015 to 209 gigawatts in 2024 — fossil fuel use has continued rising, keeping the country locked in a carbon-heavy energy response cycle. Researchers pointed to the situation in the Himalayan states as a critical turning point. Regions like Uttarakhand and Ladakh, which once had minimal exposure to extreme heat, are now experiencing multiple heatwave days, putting strain on public health infrastructure, energy supply systems and water resources. Yet, despite growing risks, only four states, three cities and one district in India currently incorporate renewable-powered cooling systems into their Heat Action Plans. The report flagged the absence of robust grid backup, battery storage, and weather-responsive forecasting as major gaps in most state-level strategies. Aarti Khosla, director at Climate Trends, said, "India's heatwaves and power shortages are now converging crises. We urgently need stronger grids, storage, and flexible, climate-resilient systems, or each summer will push us deeper into fossil dependence and worsening health impacts. This is not just a climate issue but an equity challenge for millions most vulnerable to extreme heat." The report concluded that without immediate national investments in battery storage, flexible electricity grids and demand-side management, India's clean energy transition could slow under mounting temperature pressures. For the Indian Himalayas, once considered resilient to such extremes, the challenge is no longer just environmental but humanitarian — one that demands urgent response to break the heat–power cycle before it becomes irreversible.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Early GRAP triggers, late response: Forecast failures keep capital in red

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a set of emergency measures implemented to prevent an unchecked spike in air pollution, is set for its fourth modification since 2022. On Wednesday, Supreme Court asked the Commission for Air Quality Management to bring stricter measures in the earlier stages. Some Stage IV actions — triggered when AQI exceeds 450 — are now proposed for Stage III, and some Stage III directives for II. Although Stage II-IV measures are supposed to come into force three days in advance based on AQI forecasts, this no longer happens. CAQM, in a note to Supreme Court, proposed that two measures — allowing public, municipal and private offices to work at 50% in-office strength and the rest from home in Delhi-NCR, and work from home for central govt offices — may be shifted from Stage IV to III. Staggered timings in public offices and civic bodies in Delhi-NCR may be enforced in Stage II. These are part of Stage III now. CAQM also proposed uninterrupted power supply to discourage the use of power-generating sets in Stage I. It is now part of Stage II. A CAQM official said, "The commission is reviewing the measures and will take action accordingly." When GRAP was modified in 2022, a new clause was added that restrictive actions under Stages II, III, and IV will be invoked at least three days in advance of the AQI reaching the projected levels of that stage based on the forecast of IITM and India Meteorological Department. The move was aimed at ensuring that air quality does not reach hazardous pollution levels. However, GRAP measures are now mostly invoked when the AQI crosses such a stage. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director for research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, said: "It is necessary to support GRAP measures with an improved forecasting system to make it more predictable. At the same time, this needs to be implemented with planning to minimise disruptions, including safeguards against earning losses." She added that it was more important to leverage GRAP to catalyse action for sustained and long-term improvement in air quality, which would minimise the requirement of such restrictions in winter. Activist Bhavreen Kandhari, who is the founder of Warrior Moms, said Supreme Court's push for an earlier and stricter GRAP was welcome, but it has also exposed how the current framework has remained largely reactive, rather than preventive. "GRAP has waited for pollution to spike before acting, with thresholds set so high that interventions came only after public health damage was already under way. What we need now is a year-round, data-driven system with lower trigger points, stronger monitoring infrastructure, clearer accountability for states, and genuine stakeholder participation, from citizens to industry," Kandhari said. Dipankar Saha, former head of the Central Pollution Control Board's air laboratory, said the entire Indo-Gangetic Plain needs common measures for preventing and controlling emissions, such as stopping solid-waste burning, regulating construction, repairing roads before winter, conducting pollution checks for vehicles, setting predefined industrial emission limits for winter months, and bringing the entire NCR under a single regulatory framework. "These common practices should remain in place throughout winter. Stricter measures under GRAP Stages I to IV should then be enforced with appropriate penalties and punitive action," said Saha.

• Down To Earth

तप रहे हिमालयी राज्य... 2023 में शून्य तो 2024 में 25 दिन हीटवेव, रिसर्च में बिजली खपत पर भी चौंकाने वाला खुलासा

भारत के हिमालयी राज्य उत्तराखंड और लद्दाख जैसे राज्यों में 2024 के तापमान में वृद्धि दर्ज की गई है, जिससे भीषण गर्मी का प्रभाव हिमालयी क्षेत्रों में बढ़ता जा रहा है। क्लाइमेट कम्पैटिबल फ्यूचर्स और क्लाइमेट ट्रेंड्स की एक रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, उत्तराखंड में जहां 2023 में हीटवेव का एक भी दिन नहीं था, वहीं 2024 में ऐसे 25 दिन दर्ज किए गए। वहीं, लद्दाख में गर्मी के मौसम का औसत तापमान 9.1 प्रतिशत बढ़ गया है। मौसम में आया यह परिवर्तन दिखाता है कि गर्मी अब ठंडे और ऊंचाई वाले इलाकों में भी पहुंच गई है, जो पहले उत्तर और मध्य भारत के मैदानी इलाकों की तक ही सीमित थी। इस स्टडी में भारत के गर्मी और बिजली सिस्टम पर विश्लेषण किया गया। इसमें पाया गया कि उत्तराखंड में गर्मी के मौसम का औसत तापमान 11.2 प्रतिशत बढ़ा है, जो हिमालयी राज्यों में सबसे ज्यादा है। यह इस बात का संकेत है कि पहाड़ों का वो प्राकृतिक सुरक्षा कवच जो हम मानते आए थे, अब कमजोर पड़ रहा है। जलवायु और स्वास्थ्य पर भी हो रहा असर रिपोर्ट के लेखकों ने चेतावनी दी है कि यह बदलाव सिर्फ हिमालय के मौसम को ही नहीं बदल रहा, बल्कि इन नाजुक इलाकों को ऊर्जा सिस्टम, लोगों के स्वास्थ्य और जलवायु समानता पर भी बुरा असर डाल रहा है। यह रिपोर्ट भारत मौसम विज्ञान विभाग और सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट के बड़े जलवायु आंकड़ों के साथ मेल खाती है। दोनों ने 2024 को रिकॉर्ड पर सबसे गर्म सालों में से एक बताया है। इस साल मार्च से जून के बीच देश में 200 से ज्यादा दिन हीटवेव वाले रहे, जिनमें ऐसे राज्य भी शामिल थे जहां पहले ऐसी गर्मी कभी नहीं देखी गई थी।

• Down To Earth

तप रहे हिमालयी राज्य... 2023 में शून्य तो 2024 में 25 दिन हीटवेव, रिसर्च में बिजली खपत पर भी चौंकाने वाला खुलासा

हिमालयी राज्यों में गर्मी का प्रकोप बढ़ रहा है। उत्तराखंड और लद्दाख में 2024 में तापमान में भारी वृद्धि दर्ज की गई है। हीटवेव अब ठंडे इलाकों में भी पहुंच गई है। यह बदलाव ऊर्जा सिस्टम, स्वास्थ्य और जलवायु समानता को प्रभावित कर रहा है। देहरादून: भारत के हिमालयी राज्य उत्तराखंड और लद्दाख जैसे राज्यों में 2024 के तापमान में वृद्धि दर्ज की गई है, जिससे भीषण गर्मी का प्रभाव हिमालयी क्षेत्रों में बढ़ता जा रहा है। क्लाइमेट कम्पैटिबल फ्यूचर्स और क्लाइमेट ट्रेंड्स की एक रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, उत्तराखंड में जहां 2023 में हीटवेव का एक भी दिन नहीं था, वहीं 2024 में ऐसे 25 दिन दर्ज किए गए। वहीं, लद्दाख में गर्मी के मौसम का औसत तापमान 9. 1 प्रतिशत बढ़ गया है। मौसम में आया यह परिवर्तन दिखाता है कि गर्मी अब ठंडे और ऊंचाई वाले इलाकों में भी पहुंच गई है, जो पहले उत्तर और मध्य भारत के मैदानी इलाकों की तक ही सीमित थी।इस स्टडी में भारत के गर्मी और बिजली सिस्टम पर विश्लेषण किया गया। इसमें पाया गया कि उत्तराखंड में गर्मी के मौसम का औसत तापमान 11.2 प्रतिशत बढ़ा है, जो हिमालयी राज्यों में सबसे ज्यादा है। यह इस बात का संकेत है कि पहाड़ों का वो प्राकृतिक सुरक्षा कवच जो हम मानते आए थे, अब कमजोर पड़ रहा है।जलवायु और स्वास्थ्य पर भी हो रहा असररिपोर्ट के लेखकों ने चेतावनी दी है कि यह बदलाव सिर्फ हिमालय के मौसम को ही नहीं बदल रहा, बल्कि इन नाजुक इलाकों को ऊर्जा सिस्टम, लोगों के स्वास्थ्य और जलवायु समानता पर भी बुरा असर डाल रहा है।यह रिपोर्ट भारत मौसम विज्ञान विभाग और सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट के बड़े जलवायु आंकड़ों के साथ मेल खाती है। दोनों ने 2024 को रिकॉर्ड पर सबसे गर्म सालों में से एक बताया है। इस साल मार्च से जून के बीच देश में 200 से ज्यादा दिन हीटवेव वाले रहे, जिनमें ऐसे राज्य भी शामिल थे जहां पहले ऐसी गर्मी कभी नहीं देखी गई थी।पब्लिक सेक्टर पर पड़ेगा दबावराष्ट्रीय आपदा प्रबंधन प्राधिकरण ने पहले ही राज्यों से अपने हीट एक्शन प्लान को अपडेट करने को कहा था। उन्होंने जोर देकर कहा कि हिमालयी क्षेत्र अब गर्मी के तनाव से सुरक्षित नहीं है। शोधकर्ताओं का कहना है कि हिमालयी राज्यों की यह स्थिति एक अहम मोड़ है। उत्तराखंड और लद्दाख जैसे इलाके, जहां पहले कभी इतनी गर्मी नहीं पड़ती थी, अब कई दिनों तक हीटवेव का सामना कर रहे हैं। इससे पब्लिक हेल्थ इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर, बिजली सप्लाई और पानी के स्रोतों पर भारी दबाव पड़ रहा है।

• Down To Earth

Extreme weather events claim 4,064 lives across India in nine months, CSE report

India recorded extreme weather events on 270 of the 273 days between January and September 2025, according to an assessment by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth. The analysis draws on data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Disaster Management Division of the Union Home Ministry, and media reports. Extreme weather events, as defined by IMD, include lightning and thunderstorms, heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, floods, landslips, heatwaves, cold waves, snowfall and cloudbursts. All 36 States and Union Territories reported such events during the period. The report, published on November 19, 2025, states that these events resulted in 4,064 deaths, damage to 99,533 houses, and the loss of 58,982 animals. Crop losses were extensive, with 9.47 million hectares affected. Maharashtra reported the largest agricultural impact at 8.4 million hectares, while Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of fatalities at 532, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 484 and Jharkhand with 478. Regionally, the northwest experienced the highest frequency of extreme weather, with 257 event days and 1,342 deaths. The east and northeast recorded 229 event days and 878 deaths, the central region had 200 days and 1,093 deaths, and the south peninsula reported 205 days and 745 deaths. Himachal Pradesh saw extreme weather on 217 days, the most for any State. Lightning and storms accounted for 1,456 deaths, while heavy rain, floods and landslips caused 2,440 deaths. Heatwaves were reported on 52 days across 19 States and Union Territories, and cloudbursts occurred on 19 days, resulting in 135 deaths. Snowfall was recorded on two days, causing 12 deaths. Seasonal analysis shows that winter months of January and February saw extreme weather on 57 of 59 days, with 64 deaths and 0.02 million hectares of crop loss. The pre-monsoon period from March to May recorded extreme weather on 91 of 92 days, claiming 993 lives and affecting 0.006 million hectares of crops. The monsoon season from June to September witnessed extreme weather on all 122 days, resulting in 3,007 deaths and crop damage across 9.44 million hectares. The report notes that January was India’s fifth driest since 1901, while February was the warmest in 124 years. March recorded a mean maximum temperature of 1.02°C above normal, and September registered its seventh-highest mean temperature on record. Rainfall anomalies were significant, with January recording a 71% deficit and February 30% below the long-period average, while May saw a surplus of 106%. July and August brought widespread heavy rainfall, including extremely heavy downpours in several States. The number of extreme weather days has risen from 241 in 2022 to 270 in 2025. Fatalities have increased by 48% over the same period, from 2,755 in 2022 to 4,064 this year. Crop losses have grown more than fourfold since 2022, from 1.84 million hectares to 9.47 million hectares. State-level data shows Uttar Pradesh reported 321 deaths and crop damage across 2,10,528 hectares, while Punjab lost 2,62,831 hectares of crops. Himachal Pradesh recorded 380 deaths and damage to 1,67,000 hectares. Gujarat saw 110 extreme weather days but the data for cropped area affected was not available.

• Down To Earth

Climate Crisis in India – Collective Action Needed

The environmental challenges arising from climate change today threaten not just ecosystems but the very existence of human civilization. Climate change is no longer a distant scientific hypothesis; it has become an immediate, lived reality. Its severity is starkly revealed in the Climate India 2025 report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth. From January to September 2025, India faced some form of extreme weather—floods, droughts, heavy rainfall, storms, cold waves, or deadly heat—on 99 percent of the days. In the same period, 4,064 lives were lost, 9.47 million hectares of crops destroyed, 58,982 livestock perished, and 99,533 houses collapsed. Agriculture has suffered the deepest wounds, as rising temperatures and erratic rainfall directly disrupt crops, soil moisture, and farming cycles. Rural economies are reeling under unprecedented stress. In Himachal Pradesh alone, extreme weather struck on 257 days, while Madhya Pradesh recorded 532 deaths and Maharashtra saw 8.4 million hectares of crops damaged. Clearly, this is not merely an environmental concern—it is a grave crisis impacting human life, health, economic stability, and national prosperity. At least 18 states and Union Territories recorded their highest number of extreme-weather days since 2022. From February to September 2025, for eight consecutive months, 30 or more states witnessed uninterrupted extreme weather events. What India is facing today mirrors the global situation. The years 2023, 2024, and 2025 have been among the hottest ever recorded. Europe’s unending heatwaves, famine in Africa’s Sahel region, wildfires in the Amazon and Australia, violent cyclones across the Pacific and Atlantic, and rapidly melting glaciers—all point to a planet hurtling toward a dangerous tipping point. Disrupted weather cycles, rising sea levels, sudden temperature spikes, and unpredictable rainfall are not only intensifying natural disasters but also rendering human life increasingly unsafe. The core cause behind this planetary disturbance is human behaviour: unchecked industrialization, dependence on fossil fuels, deforestation, pollution, unplanned cities, and reckless consumption. These actions have pushed greenhouse gas concentrations to perilous levels, overheating the Earth and destabilizing its climate system. The consequences now touch every sphere of life. Health risks are rising sharply; heatwaves are claiming more lives, pollution-induced diseases are increasing, and new viruses are emerging. Water resources are depleting as rivers and groundwater dry up. Food security is under threat as crop failures grow, pushing up prices of essential grains and vegetables. Economies are staggering under the weight of repeated natural disasters, millions are being displaced, and inequality is widening. If the world fails to limit global warming to 1.5°C, the next three decades could see erratic Himalayan rivers, sinking coastal cities, and widespread human distress. Another alarming warning comes from The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change 2025. According to its findings, climate-related factors caused a 66% decline in agricultural productivity and a 20% loss in the construction sector last year. Excessive heat alone resulted in an estimated $194 billion loss in potential earnings. The report, prepared by 128 international experts from 71 academic institutions and UN agencies, offers the most comprehensive assessment yet of the links between climate change and human health. It highlights that between 2020 and 2024; India recorded an average of 10,000 deaths annually linked to wildfire-generated PM2.5 pollution—a 28% increase compared to 2003–2012. These figures should shake our collective conscience. Yet, in spite of such alarming warnings, the global response remains inadequate. Developed nations continue to evade their historical responsibility. In recent years, the irresponsible stance of leaders like U.S.A. President Donald Trump—who repeatedly undermined global climate commitments—has further weakened international efforts. Many rich countries are openly disregarding the Paris Agreement and its essential recommendations. Sunita Narain, Director General of CSE, rightly observed that India must now focus not merely on counting disasters but on understanding the scale at which climate change is unfolding. She stressed the urgent need for global emission reductions, emphasizing that no amount of adaptation can match the magnitude of these rapidly multiplying disasters. CSE Programme Director Kiran Pandey warned that rising temperatures during the monsoon could trigger even more intense and unpredictable weather events. Richard Mahapatra, Managing Editor of Down To Earth, cautioned that without decisive mitigation, today’s disasters will soon become “the new normal.” In such times, responsibility cannot be left to governments and international bodies alone. Every citizen must become a participant in environmental protection. We must reshape our lifestyles to align with nature. Simple, everyday actions—saving energy, using water responsibly, reducing plastic use, planting trees, segregating waste, and recycling—can create transformative results. Rainwater harvesting, solar power, composting, and minimizing unnecessary consumption strengthen environmental resilience. Choosing public transport, reducing vehicle use, walking, and cycling are powerful steps toward combating climate change. However, technological solutions alone are not enough. A deeper environmental consciousness must take root—respect for nature, restrained use of resources, and a commitment to safeguarding the Earth for future generations. If society embraces this mindset—that protecting nature is the foundation of life, prosperity, and peace—change will naturally follow. Education, awareness, and community participation are our strongest tools. Teaching children’s environmental values at home and in school will secure the planet’s future. The climate crisis will not resolve itself—it demands determination, collective effort, and a commitment to sustainable living. We have only one Earth, and there is no substitute. The message of our times is clear: ignoring nature’s warnings will make tomorrow far more perilous for humanity. But if each individual shoulders their share of responsibility, we can still alter the course of climate change and restore balance, peace, and stability to our planet.

• Down To Earth

Climate Crisis in India – Collective Action Needed

The environmental challenges arising from climate change today threaten not just ecosystems but the very existence of human civilization. Climate change is no longer a distant scientific hypothesis; it has become an immediate, lived reality. Its severity is starkly revealed in the Climate India 2025 report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth. From January to September 2025, India faced some form of extreme weather—floods, droughts, heavy rainfall, storms, cold waves, or deadly heat—on 99 percent of the days. In the same period, 4,064 lives were lost, 9.47 million hectares of crops destroyed, 58,982 livestock perished, and 99,533 houses collapsed. Agriculture has suffered the deepest wounds, as rising temperatures and erratic rainfall directly disrupt crops, soil moisture, and farming cycles. Rural economies are reeling under unprecedented stress. In Himachal Pradesh alone, extreme weather struck on 257 days, while Madhya Pradesh recorded 532 deaths and Maharashtra saw 8.4 million hectares of crops damaged. Clearly, this is not merely an environmental concern—it is a grave crisis impacting human life, health, economic stability, and national prosperity.

• Down To Earth

K’taka sees sharp surge in extreme weather incidents

Hubballi: Karnataka has recorded 120 extreme weather incidents between Jan and Sept 2025 — a period of 273 days —the highest the state has seen in the last four years. The assessment, part of ‘Climate India 2025: An Assessment of Extreme Weather Events' by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), places Karnataka among the worst-affected states in the country. While Odisha experienced such events on 19 days and West Bengal on 18, Karnataka followed closely with 17 extreme-weather days in April alone. The study further notes that Karnataka was the third worst-hit in July as well, witnessing extreme weather on 29 days. The state reported 117 deaths linked to bad weather conditions. With 62,586 hectares of crop land affected —the largest in the South Peninsular Region — Karnataka also stood out as the only southern state to report animal fatalities, totalling 944. Lightning and storms struck on 28 days, claiming 54 lives. Heavy rain, floods, and landslides battered the state on 106 days, leading to 63 deaths and damaging 3,849 houses either fully or partially. The state experienced just one heatwave day during this period. Environmentalists view the sharp surge of such events as a warning for Karnataka to take measures to conserve the ecosystem. The report sourced data from the India meteorological department (IMD) and the Disaster Management Division (DMD) of the Union ministry of home affairs, supplemented by media reports — especially for the pre-monsoon period when official data was inadequate. These sources helped capture the extent of destruction and losses more comprehensively. PV Hiremath, an environmental entrepreneur from Dharwad, said the report exposes a lack of environmental awareness among policymakers. "They are destroying the environment in the name of development work. Illiteracy about environmental issues among decision-makers threatens all of humanity. Because of this neglect, we have lost 400 rich rivers in the last 50 years. Karnataka's govt and its people must treat this report as a wake-up call, recognising nature's mounting backlash and the urgent need for meaningful climate action," he remarked. The South Peninsular Region saw extreme weather on 205 out of 273 days. These events claimed 745 lives and damaged 67,321 hectares of crops.

• Down To Earth

इस साल के 99% दिन भारतीयों ने झेली चरम मौसम की मार... इस हाल के जिम्मेदार भी हम

भारत में मौसम अब पहले जैसा नहीं रहा. साल 2025 के पहले 9 महीनों (जनवरी से सितंबर) में कुल 273 दिनों में से 270 दिन देश के किसी न किसी हिस्से में चरम मौसम (Extreme Weather) की घटनाएं हुईं. यानी करीब 99% दिन भारत ने लू, शीत लहर, आंधी-तूफान, भारी बारिश, बाढ़, भूस्खलन या बिजली गिरने जैसी आपदाएं झेलीं. यह खुलासा सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) और डाउन टू अर्थ की नई रिपोर्ट क्लाइमेट इंडिया 2025 में हुआ है. रिपोर्ट कहती है कि अब चरम मौसम पूरे देश में फैल गया है. सभी 36 राज्य और केंद्र शासित प्रदेश प्रभावित हुए – यह पिछले 4 साल में पहली बार हुआ है. इससे मौतें भी 48% बढ़ गईं – 2025 में 4064 लोग मारे गए.

• Renewable Energy

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• Down To Earth

TG saw one extreme weather event every five days in first nine months

• Climate Change and Green Economy

China Offers Panda Totes, but No New Commitments, at Climate Talks

“The largest historic polluter has exited the Paris Agreement,” said Avantika Goswami, who leads the climate program at the Centre for Science and Environment, a research group based in New Delhi. “We are seeing China be a leader.”

• Down To Earth

Climate Crisis in India – Collective Action Needed

The environmental challenges arising from climate change today threaten not just ecosystems but the very existence of human civilization. Climate change is no longer a distant scientific hypothesis; it has become an immediate, lived reality. Its severity is starkly revealed in the Climate India 2025 report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth. From January to September 2025, India faced some form of extreme weather—floods, droughts, heavy rainfall, storms, cold waves, or deadly heat—on 99 percent of the days. In the same period, 4,064 lives were lost, 9.47 million hectares of crops destroyed, 58,982 livestock perished, and 99,533 houses collapsed. Agriculture has suffered the deepest wounds, as rising temperatures and erratic rainfall directly disrupt crops, soil moisture, and farming cycles. Rural economies are reeling under unprecedented stress. In Himachal Pradesh alone, extreme weather struck on 257 days, while Madhya Pradesh recorded 532 deaths and Maharashtra saw 8.4 million hectares of crops damaged. Clearly, this is not merely an environmental concern—it is a grave crisis impacting human life, health, economic stability, and national prosperity. At least 18 states and Union Territories recorded their highest number of extreme-weather days since 2022. From February to September 2025, for eight consecutive months, 30 or more states witnessed uninterrupted extreme weather events. What India is facing today mirrors the global situation. The years 2023, 2024, and 2025 have been among the hottest ever recorded. Europe’s unending heatwaves, famine in Africa’s Sahel region, wildfires in the Amazon and Australia, violent cyclones across the Pacific and Atlantic, and rapidly melting glaciers—all point to a planet hurtling toward a dangerous tipping point. Disrupted weather cycles, rising sea levels, sudden temperature spikes, and unpredictable rainfall are not only intensifying natural disasters but also rendering human life increasingly unsafe. The core cause behind this planetary disturbance is human behaviour: unchecked industrialization, dependence on fossil fuels, deforestation, pollution, unplanned cities, and reckless consumption. These actions have pushed greenhouse gas concentrations to perilous levels, overheating the Earth and destabilizing its climate system. The consequences now touch every sphere of life. Health risks are rising sharply; heatwaves are claiming more lives, pollution-induced diseases are increasing, and new viruses are emerging. Water resources are depleting as rivers and groundwater dry up. Food security is under threat as crop failures grow, pushing up prices of essential grains and vegetables. Economies are staggering under the weight of repeated natural disasters, millions are being displaced, and inequality is widening. If the world fails to limit global warming to 1.5°C, the next three decades could see erratic Himalayan rivers, sinking coastal cities, and widespread human distress. Another alarming warning comes from The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change 2025. According to its findings, climate-related factors caused a 66% decline in agricultural productivity and a 20% loss in the construction sector last year. Excessive heat alone resulted in an estimated $194 billion loss in potential earnings. The report, prepared by 128 international experts from 71 academic institutions and UN agencies, offers the most comprehensive assessment yet of the links between climate change and human health. It highlights that between 2020 and 2024; India recorded an average of 10,000 deaths annually linked to wildfire-generated PM2.5 pollution—a 28% increase compared to 2003–2012. These figures should shake our collective conscience. Yet, in spite of such alarming warnings, the global response remains inadequate. Developed nations continue to evade their historical responsibility. In recent years, the irresponsible stance of leaders like U.S.A. President Donald Trump—who repeatedly undermined global climate commitments—has further weakened international efforts. Many rich countries are openly disregarding the Paris Agreement and its essential recommendations. Sunita Narain, Director General of CSE, rightly observed that India must now focus not merely on counting disasters but on understanding the scale at which climate change is unfolding. She stressed the urgent need for global emission reductions, emphasizing that no amount of adaptation can match the magnitude of these rapidly multiplying disasters. CSE Programme Director Kiran Pandey warned that rising temperatures during the monsoon could trigger even more intense and unpredictable weather events. Richard Mahapatra, Managing Editor of Down To Earth, cautioned that without decisive mitigation, today’s disasters will soon become “the new normal.” In such times, responsibility cannot be left to governments and international bodies alone. Every citizen must become a participant in environmental protection. We must reshape our lifestyles to align with nature. Simple, everyday actions—saving energy, using water responsibly, reducing plastic use, planting trees, segregating waste, and recycling—can create transformative results. Rainwater harvesting, solar power, composting, and minimizing unnecessary consumption strengthen environmental resilience. Choosing public transport, reducing vehicle use, walking, and cycling are powerful steps toward combating climate change. However, technological solutions alone are not enough. A deeper environmental consciousness must take root—respect for nature, restrained use of resources, and a commitment to safeguarding the Earth for future generations. If society embraces this mindset—that protecting nature is the foundation of life, prosperity, and peace—change will naturally follow. Education, awareness, and community participation are our strongest tools. Teaching children’s environmental values at home and in school will secure the planet’s future. The climate crisis will not resolve itself—it demands determination, collective effort, and a commitment to sustainable living. We have only one Earth, and there is no substitute. The message of our times is clear: ignoring nature’s warnings will make tomorrow far more perilous for humanity. But if each individual shoulders their share of responsibility, we can still alter the course of climate change and restore balance, peace, and stability to our planet.

• Down To Earth

India sees 40% increase in extreme weather-related deaths, reveals alarming report

Only 40 days remain before the year ends. However, at least 4,064 people have already fallen victim to extreme weather in 2025. The number of weather-related deaths has increased by nearly 40% compared to the previous year, 2024. Such alarming information has been revealed in a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), an organisation working on environment and climate issues. In October, devastating rains swept away vast areas of North Bengal. The extent of damage has not yet been fully calculated. It is estimated that the disaster caused losses of at least 1,200 to 1,400 crore rupees. However, it's not just Bengal – other states in the country have also witnessed the fury of this year's weather. According to CSE's report, Maharashtra has suffered the most agricultural damage due to the weather in 2025 so far. In that state, 84 lakh hectares of crops have been destroyed due to drought or excessive rainfall. From March this year, severe heatwaves began in various areas of Maharashtra. When the monsoon finally came later, different areas of the entire state repeatedly faced unprecedented rainfall. On one hand, intense heat and lack of rain, and on the other hand, excessive rainfall – crops on agricultural land could not cope with both these challenges. Based on reports from the disaster management departments of various states, it has been found that Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of deaths due to extreme weather in the country this year, at least two and a half thousand. Also Read | Tejas fighter jet crashes during Dubai air show demo, IAF confirms pilot's death The meteorologists and environmental scientists who prepared the report have stated that this report has been compiled based on information received from various non-governmental organisations working on weather and climate, and the disaster management departments of states. Experts believe the actual picture is much more grim than what the report shows. They report that at least three thousand people lost their lives to extreme weather in 2024. At least 32 lakh hectares of crops were damaged. This year, the death toll has increased to 4,064. A total of 94 lakh hectares of crops have been destroyed. This report, prepared based on data collected from every state in the country from January 1 to October 31, shows that out of the first 273 days of the year, 270 days – that is, 99% of the days – experienced extreme weather somewhere. During this time period, 2,414 people lost their lives in weather-related disasters in the country during just the four months of the monsoon. At least 1,456 people died due to lightning and storms.