Clearing the air in our cities

Published by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, The Leapfrog Factor: Clearing the Air in Asian Cities is an excellent reference on a contentious subject. The book looks at pollution caused by transport in our cities and the range of environmental, economic, soc

Dead planet, living planet: biodiversity and ecosystem restoration for sustainable development

Restoring lost and damaged ecosystems-from forests and freshwaters to mangroves and wetlands-can trigger multi-million dollar returns, generate jobs and combat poverty according to a new report compiled by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). It draws on thousands of ecosystem r

For want of a drink - A special report on water

Finite, vital, much wanted, little understood, water looks unmanageable. But it needn’t be, argues John Grimond [ interviewed here ]

WHEN the word water appears in print these days, crisis is rarely far behind. Water, it is said, is the new oil: a resource long s

WILDLIFE TRADE : By the skin of their teeth

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species governs living animals and plants, and also the tusks and skins of dead animals. India has two such items. Darryl D'Monte reports.

Stephen Nash is a tall, burly Canadian, with

Adding the fourth R : recycling in Dharavi

The Acorn Foundation India Trust aims to organise ragpickers and train them in scientific methods of waste handling, segregation and recycling, bringing a measure of respect to their work. Freny Manecksha reports.

Huge mounds of plastic bags, papers and scrap soar i

India's graduates lack inspiration, not infrastructure

India should be inspiring science and technology graduates to stay in the sector, rather than building new institutions, says