CSE proposes mini-grids as solution to rural India's power woes
Jun 28, 2014, at 02:38 am
New Delhi, June 27 (IBNS): The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Friday proposed mini-grid or decentralised generation power as solution to rural India's power woes.
Widespread water shut-offs in US city of Detroit prompt outcry from UN
Jun 26, 2014, at 07:07 am
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Disconnecting water from people who cannot pay their bills is an affront to their human rights, a group of United Nations experts said on Wednesday, amid reports of widespread water shut-offs in the United States city of Detroit for non-payment.
UN officials call for restoration of ecosystems to reduce climate change disasters
Jun 19, 2014, at 05:56 am
New York, June 18 (IBNS) Marking the World Day to Combat Desertification, United Nations officials Wednesday emphasized the importance of restoring degrading lands to avoid or soften the potentially disastrous impacts of climate change.
"Energy policy must serve broader economic growth"
Jun 17, 2014, at 04:30 am
New Delhi, June 16 (IBNS): Union Minister of State of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan at the opening plenary session of the 21st World Petroleum Congress at Moscow on Monday stressed the Indian world-view of energy.
Norway: UN to launch research vessel to support endangered fisheries
Jun 10, 2014, at 05:14 pm
New York, Jun 10 (IBNS): The United Nations agricultural agency announced on Monday that it is partnering with Norway to build an advanced research vessel as part of efforts to avert the effects of climate change and other threats to the world's fish stocks, as calls were heard for urgent action to address those threats at an international forum in Rome.
Ban urges recommitment to treaty on use of world's oceans
Jun 10, 2014, at 05:03 pm
New York, Jun 10 (IBNS): Marking the upcoming 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the landmark treaty that has become known as the "Constitution for the Oceans", UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday encouraged Member States to recommit to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) at what he considers a crucial moment for climate change.
UN marks World Oceans Day, seeks protection for oceans
Jun 09, 2014, at 04:44 pm
New York, Jun 9 (IBNS): To commemorate World Oceans Day, the United Nations family is encouraging the international community to reflect on the multiple benefits of oceans and commit to keeping them healthy and productive for current and future generations.
UN spotlights climate-smart approach to spark rural renewal
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:01 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): As the global farming community continues to curb climate change and food insecurity, the United Nations agriculture agency on Friday spotlighted the best practices of its "climate-smart" approach to tackle those challenges and spark rural renewal.
ASSOCHAM submits its report on El Nino, drought to Mamata
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:26 am
Kolkata, June 6 (IBNS): Apex industry body ASSOCHAM on Friday said it has submitted a copy of its report titled ‘El Nino, Drought and Growth Concerns of Indian Economy,’ to the West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjee.
UN marks World Environment Day
Jun 06, 2014, at 06:54 pm
New York, Jun 6 (IBNS): Barbados, a small Caribbean island at the cutting edge of the fight against climate change, will be hosting this year's World Environment Day, leading United Nations-wide efforts to draw attention to the plight of the world's small islands potentially in peril of being lost to sea-level rise.
Tata Steel celebrates World Environment Day
Jun 06, 2014, at 04:52 am
New Delhi, June 5 (IBNS): In an attempt to celebrate World Environment Day 2014, steel giant Tata Steel Limited on Thursday organized a string of activities across its divisions to spread awareness about environment protection, sustenance and eco-conscious growth.
Sambhavna Trust launches a book on packaged snacks hazard
Jun 06, 2014, at 04:18 am
Bhopal, June 5 (IBNS) On the occasion of "World Environment Day" , Bhopal based NGO, Sambhavna Trust Clinic, launched "Ulat Palat", a book for children on the environmental and health hazards of packaged snacks.
GVK receives Carbon Accreditation Certificate
Jun 06, 2014, at 04:17 am
Kolkata, June 5 (IBNS): GVK has received the Carbon Accreditation Certificate for its GVK CSIA project in Mumbai.
TERI survey shows 90% people feel climate change is reality
Jun 04, 2014, at 08:24 pm
New Delhi, Jun 4 (IBNS): The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in its recently published Environmental Survey 2014, stated that overall, a large majority of people felt that air quality had worsened and the number of bird species in their cities had declined.
UN reports increase in nations supporting renewable energy
Jun 04, 2014, at 05:16 pm
New York, Jun 4 (IBNS): The number of developing countries with policies in place to support renewable energy has increased six-fold in just eight years, resulting in one-fifth of the world's power production now coming from renewable sources, according to a United Nations-backed report produced ahead of the UN Sustainable Energy for All Forum.
UN hails move by US to curb power plant emissions
Jun 03, 2014, at 04:54 pm
New York, Jun 3 (IBNS): United Nations officials on Monday welcomed the initiative announced by President Barack Obama to limit emissions from power plants in the United States, voicing their hope that it will spur other countries to take concrete action to combat climate change.
New York: Ban welcomes Mayor's pledge to flight climate threat
Jun 03, 2014, at 04:50 pm
New York, Jun 3 (IBNS): Big cities like New York are on the frontlines of the climate threat as well as engines of innovation, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday, welcoming Mayor Bill de Blasio's pledge to "green" the "city that never sleeps" and to pursue a framework for sustainable urban areas.
UN seeks global cooperation for battle against climate change
May 30, 2014, at 05:25 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations agency on human settlements on Thursday said he hoped thousands of cities around the world will join forces to sign a compact to strengthen cooperation in tackling climate challenges when the UN convenes a summit on the issue four months from now.
UN concerned over rising CO2 levels as average hits new high
May 27, 2014, at 05:01 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): Concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have crossed a new threshold, the United Nation's weather agency on Monday confirmed, warning that time is running out to curb rising greenhouse gas emissions.
Moderate earthquake hits Bay of Bengal
May 22, 2014, at 05:04 pm
New Delhi, May 22 (IBNS) A moderate earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter Scale hit the eastern coast of India on Wednesday, said reports on Thursday.
CSE calls for urgent action over WHO report on India pollution
May 08, 2014, at 11:37 pm
New Delhi, May 8 (IBNS): The latest urban air quality database released by the World Health Organization (WHO) reconfirms that most Indian cities are becoming death traps because of very high air pollution levels, said India's leading non-government green pressure group Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), urging for action.
Most cities fail to meet new pollution guidelines: UN
May 08, 2014, at 05:10 pm
New York, May 8 (IBNS): Many of the world's cities are "enveloped in dirty air" that is dangerous breathe, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday, warning that urban dwellers are being exposed to excessive air pollution and are at a risk of respiratory diseases and other long-term health problems.
Abu Dhabi: Ban urges bold leadership on climate change
May 06, 2014, at 06:15 pm
New York, May 6 (IBNS): With the ominous and costly impacts of climate change profoundly evident, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on Monday that too many stakeholders are still "sitting on the fence", and he challenged participants at a climate conference in Abu Dhabi to help him build persuasive political arguments to convince policymakers that the time for bold action is now.
Abu Dhabi: Ban urges concrete actions to tackle climate change
May 05, 2014, at 05:12 pm
New York, May 5 (IBNS): From the tropics to the poles, from small islands to large continents, and from the poorest countries to the richest, climate change impacts are already widespread, costly and consequential, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Sunday, urging stakeholders gathered in Abu Dhabi to consider concrete actions to tackle the phenomenon now - before it is too late.
Workshop for women street vendors
May 02, 2014, at 06:04 am
Kolkata, May 1 (IBNS) A workshop promoting environmentally conscious business among women street food vendors in Kolkata was conducted by Fulbright scholars at the American Centre in the city on Thursday.
UN urges support for climate action in developing countries
May 01, 2014, at 05:11 pm
New York, May 1 (IBNS): Highlighting local climate action happening on the ground in developing countries, the top United Nations climate official on Wednesday called for greater international support to help these communities harness local knowledge and ingenuity.
World Malaria Day: UN seeks near zero preventable deaths
Apr 26, 2014, at 05:39 pm
New York, Apr 26 (IBNS): The tide has turned on malaria, with mortality rates for children in Africa down by half, but a stronger surveillance system is urgently needed to prevent new outbreaks and resurgences, United Nations officials on Friday warned, marking the sixth annual World Malaria Day.
UN summit commits to improve ocean health
Apr 26, 2014, at 05:24 pm
New York, Apr 26 (IBNS): A United Nations-backed summit wrapped up in the Netherlands on Friday with a set of concrete actions to turn around the health of the world's oceans and food security for millions by tackling key threats such as climate change, overfishing, habitat loss and pollution.
American Center celebrates Earth Day
Apr 24, 2014, at 06:41 pm
Kolkata, Apr 24 (IBNS): The American Center, Kolkata, in collaboration with the Earth Day Network and Banglanatak.com, on Tuesday celebrated the Earth Day with 80 Kolkata school children.
NASA satellites show drought may take toll on Congo rainforest
Apr 24, 2014, at 05:48 pm
Washington, Apr 24 (IBNS) A new analysis of NASA satellite data shows Africa's Congo rainforest, the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world, has undergone a large-scale decline in greenness over the past decade.