PARK IN JEOPARDY
Nine environmental organisations in Pakistan have filed a petition in the Sindh high court against the multinational oil giant, Shell, to stop the construction of a pipeline for mineral and gas exploration in the Kirthar National Park. The park, located in the Sindh province, is Pakistan's oldest and biggest national …
In search of famine
the film title Harvesting Hunger chills one to the bones and the film itself is a despondent tale of the agricultural scenario in the country. "It is apprehended that millions may go hungry in this decade. Harvesting Hunger is a journey into this world of hunger, famine and food insecurity,' …
Capturing nature
from the largest land animal to the tiniest insect, from the lazing tiger to warring antelopes, from the floating clouds to the rippling waters nature in its tremendous diversity has been captured on film by 32 photographers, who have come together to set up an exhibition titled
Science of sinks
The science governing the complex issue of sinks is quite simple. Any system that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is a sink. The oceans and terrestrial ecosystems like vegetation and soils form two different types of natural sinks. The processes of photosynthesisrespiration and decomposition control the carbon cycle in …
Sinks turn sources
The rising temperature and carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere may turn sinks into sources in a few decades. The future carbon cycle model by UK-based Hadley Centre predicts that by 2050forests will release much of the absorbed carbon dioxide.
As carbon dioxide levels increaseplants soak more of it through …
As carbon dioxide levels increaseplants soak more of it through …
Killing them softly
as the long, sleek-bodied dolphins break the surface of water to rise ten metres in air and swoop down again to its depths, children break into squeals of joy while adults gasp at the swiftness of their motion. But how many dwell on the painful and rigorous training that …
Republic quaked
There cannot be a bigger irony. As the nation was preparing to smugly display its military might and scientific prowess on Republic Day, a mighty earthquake flattened a large part of Gujarat. The quake, however, did not quite shake the ruling elite, who till afternoon participated in the long …
Articles of contention
The Kyoto Protocol obliges industrialised countries to cut their overall greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5 per cent below 1990 levels in the period 2008-2012. Several provisions are laid out to achieve these reductions.
Article 3.3 of the protocol allows countries to get credits for reducing carbon dioxide concentrations …
Testing for endosulfan
SENEGAL
The use of old cars imported from industrialised countries is increasing the air pollution levels in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal. These cars