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Solar power cuts costs and improves lives for salt farmers in Gujarat
Solar-powered pumps have reduced costs for salt farmers in Gujarat's Little Rann of Kutch, transforming their livelihoods and easing their challenging working conditions.
In short:
- The Gujarat government subsidized solar pumps for salt farmers, cutting production costs by two-thirds and reducing their reliance on diesel.
- Solar energy has allowed farmers to save money, leading to improved living conditions, better education for children, and increased mobility.
- Concerns are rising over groundwater depletion, as farmers dig more wells to extract additional water for salt production.
Key quote:
“Solar-powered pumps have reduced the cost of salt farming to one-third of what it was.”
— Purshottam Sonagra, area manager of nonprofit Vikas Centre for Development
Why this matters:
Solar power has not only made salt production more affordable but also improved the overall quality of life for the agariyas. However, the environmental impact of increased water extraction could pose new challenges.
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India turns to coal amid rising electricity demand
India is increasing its coal usage to meet soaring electricity demands, despite its efforts to expand renewable energy.
In short:
- As demand for electricity rises, India relies heavily on coal, with over 70% of its electricity still generated from coal-fired plants.
- India has increased renewable energy capacity but lacks sufficient battery storage to replace coal during peak demand periods, particularly at night.
- The government's focus on coal is also driven by economic factors, including millions of jobs tied to the coal industry and its related sectors.
Key quote:
"We know the Indian government is serious about its climate commitments. We don’t believe that India will be a front runner in the coal transition."
— Carlos Fernández Alvarez, International Energy Agency
Why this matters:
India's reliance on coal challenges global climate goals, as its energy demands continue to grow rapidly. The situation underscores the difficulty of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy in developing nations with large populations and growing economies.
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Extreme heat worsens conditions for India's waste pickers
Millions of India's waste pickers face increased dangers from extreme heat as they sort through toxic landfills for recyclable materials, earning barely enough to survive.
Channi Anand, Piyush Nagpal, and Sibi Arasu report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- It is estimated that 1.5 to 4 million people make a living searching through India’s waste.
- Waste pickers in Jammu, a city in northern India, endure severe heat and toxic fumes while scavenging for recyclables, risking their health for minimal income.
- Rising temperatures and poorly managed landfills increase the frequency of hazardous landfill fires and gas emissions.
- Experts emphasize the need for basic amenities like water, shade and medical care for waste pickers to mitigate health risks.
Key quote:
“It’s really very sad to look at how the poor are trying to live somehow, just take their bodies and try to reach the end of this heat wave in some form of being intact.”
— Bharati Chaturvedi, founder of Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group in New Delhi.
Why this matters:
As global temperatures soar, waste pickers, the unsung heroes of urban recycling, find themselves in increasingly perilous conditions. Extreme heat amplifies the already harsh realities of their work, exposing them to severe health risks and underscoring the urgent need for dignified working conditions.
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Unpredictable rainfall challenges Indian farmers
Farmers in India struggle to adapt to erratic monsoons caused by climate change, threatening their livelihoods and the country's agriculture.
In short:
- Climate change is causing India’s monsoons to become more unpredictable, with either too much rain in short periods or prolonged dry spells.
- Farmers are facing crop failures due to these erratic patterns, impacting their economic stability and leading to increased debts and suicides.
- Experts suggest solutions like growing less water-intensive crops, localized weather forecasting, and policy changes to support affected farmers.
Key quote:
“We planted our cotton seeds after a good monsoon was predicted but it rained just two days and stopped after, so now we’re worried our crops will fail again.”
— Vijay Jawandhia, farmer
Why this matters:
Erratic monsoons threaten the livelihoods of 120 million Indian farmers, contributing to economic instability and food security issues. Effective adaptation strategies and policy changes are essential to mitigate these impacts and support the agricultural sector.
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India experiences extreme heatwave with record-breaking temperatures
India is facing a severe heatwave, with Delhi experiencing temperatures nearing 50 degrees Celsius, causing widespread water shortages and disruptions.
In short:
- Delhi and other regions in India are experiencing near-record high temperatures, with some areas reporting up to 52.9 degrees Celsius.
- The heatwave has led to a water crisis in Delhi, prompting authorities to ration water supplies and implement measures to cool the city.
- The heatwave has caused the first heat-related death of the year and significantly increased power demand.
Why this matters:
Environmental experts link this extreme weather event to broader patterns of climate change, which are making heatwaves more frequent and intense.
Farmers in rural areas are particularly vulnerable, as the heat threatens crops and livestock, jeopardizing food security. Urban residents, meanwhile, are contending with the urban heat island effect, which makes cities like Delhi even hotter than surrounding rural areas due to concrete and asphalt absorbing and re-radiating heat.
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India's solar waste management faces challenges
The rapid expansion of solar parks in India brings a mounting problem of panel waste, with projections suggesting 19 million tonnes by 2050.
In short:
- India plans to increase its solar energy capacity significantly by 2030, yet the longevity of solar panels is often less than expected.
- Waste from these solar panels, including glass and metals, is poorly regulated, leading to reliance on informal recycling networks.
- Safety and environmental concerns are rampant among workers in the informal sector, who often operate without proper protection or oversight.
Key quote:
"Most solar plants are located in remote areas, so the logistics and transportation is expensive, and once dismantled there is hardly any money from each individual part."
— Srinivas Vedula, EPragathi, a Bengaluru-based e-waste recycling company
Why this matters:
Solar panels, which typically have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, eventually reach an end-of-life phase where they must be disposed of. Concerns arise because these panels contain toxic materials such as lead, cadmium, and selenium, which can pose environmental hazards if not properly managed.
E-waste grew 8 percent in just 2 years. Just one-fifth was recycled.
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Credit: Rinku Jareda/Pixabay
Natural farming's rise in India amid climate change
In the face of worsening weather conditions, farmers in Andhra Pradesh, India, are turning to natural farming methods to bolster crop resilience.
Shawn Sebastian and Sibi Arasu report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Natural farming in Andhra Pradesh uses organic materials as fertilizers and pesticides, enhancing soil water retention and crop robustness against extreme weather.
- The practice, buoyed by state support, contrasts with the prevalent use of chemical inputs, spotlighting the need for wider adoption and governmental backing.
- Despite challenges, success stories from the region, like Ratna Raju's farm surviving Cyclone Michaung unscathed, highlight the tangible benefits of shifting towards natural methods.
Key quote:
“I incurred huge losses. For the next planting season, I plan to use natural farming methods too.”
— Srikanth Kanapala, farmer
Why this matters:
In India, where agriculture is not just an economic activity but the backbone of rural life, the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns—ranging from delayed monsoons to unseasonal rains and extreme heatwaves—poses a severe threat to livelihoods and food security.
Industrial agriculture is a dead end. Agroecology is the only way to ensure that all people have access to sufficient, healthful food.
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