Dinesh C. Sharma

Dinesh C. Sharma
Climate change affects glacier health
A study suggests chances of half of the glaciers in Satluj basin disappearing by 2050.
Posted on 21 May, 2019 02:47 PM

Changing climatic patterns are affecting the health of glaciers in the Himalayan region. A new study has warned that as many as 55 percent of glaciers in the Satluj basin may disappear by 2050 and 97 percent by 2090 under extreme climate change scenario. This could adversely hit the availability of water for irrigation and power projects including the Bhakra dam.

A glimpse of The Himalayas. Photo: Pixabay
Earthquake-triggering stresses travel far
Study finds man-made earthquakes triggered by fracking and dams not localised.
Posted on 07 May, 2019 11:24 AM

Seismic activity triggered by human actions like the construction of large reservoirs or injection of wastewater into the ground for oil and gas production can have far greater implications than previously thought, a new study has revealed.

The destruction after an earthquake. Photo by Krish Dulal via Wikimedia commons
Groundwater decline increases carbon emission
The latest study shows declining reserves and rising carbon dioxide emissions from pumping groundwater add to India’s environmental woes.
Posted on 16 Nov, 2018 03:28 PM

Over-extraction of groundwater is a major environmental challenge in many parts of India. It is not only leading to a rapid decline in groundwater reserves but also contributing to India’s carbon emissions, a new study has warned.

Billions of litres of groundwater pumped out every year contribute to carbon emissions. (Photo: IWP Flickr photos)
New data shows Indian landmass warming
The warming of Indian landmass has been confirmed through past climate records captured in depths of the earth.
Posted on 14 Nov, 2018 02:40 PM

Scientists are literally looking into the ground for clinching evidence of climate change. A new study of geothermal records across India has shown that the country has experienced about one degree of warming over the baseline mean temperature of the 19th century.

Researchers collect geothermal data through boreholes. (Pic: ISW)
Wind turbines impact Western Ghats ecology
Wind farms reduce the number of predatory birds which in turn results in an increase in the density of vertebrates like lizards in Western Ghats.
Posted on 07 Nov, 2018 07:33 PM

Wind energy, considered a clean source of energy, does have a carbon footprint and is also known to disturb bird life. Now a new study done in the Western Ghats has found that wind farms in biodiversity-rich areas can have deeper ecological consequences beyond already known impacts. 

Sarada superba lizard (Pic courtesy: Abi Vanak)
Global warming impacts on India to be huge
The latest report from the UN's climate change panel says that world is already witnessing the consequences of one-degree global warming.
Posted on 09 Oct, 2018 04:25 PM

The latest report of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), formally released on Monday, warns that global warming is occurring faster than anticipated and that it can have devastating impacts if steps are not taken to cut down emissions. 

Extreme weather events like floods indicate climate change. (Photo: IWP flickr photos)
Climate change affects hydropower generation
A study reveals that hydropower generation from top seven hydropower projects has suffered due to climate variability in the past six decades.
Posted on 21 Aug, 2018 04:38 PM

A new study has suggested that the government must consider changes occurring due to climate change while planning new hydropower projects.

Efficiency of hydropower projects affected by climate change. (Photo: IWP Flickr photos; photo for representation only)
Solar water purifier with a difference
With no electricity required and no wastewater, the new purifier works even under cloudy conditions and diffused solar radiation.
Posted on 10 Jul, 2018 01:53 PM

The availability of potable drinking water remains a challenge in rural areas in several parts of the country. Commercially available water filters are costly, need electricity to run and reverse osmosis (RO)-based purifiers waste a lot of water.

NARI solar water purifier (Pic courtesy: ISW)
Darjeeling tea faces climate risk
Increasing temperatures, decreasing rainfall and change in relative humidity adversely affect the famous Darjeeling tea production.
Posted on 18 May, 2018 03:07 PM

The gradual change in temperature and rainfall patterns in Darjeeling hills is beginning to affect the production of the famous Darjeeling tea.

Climate change affects the quantity and quality of Darjeeling tea produced. (Pic courtesy: ISW)
Emission inventory for Delhi
Scientists and students come together to map air pollution sources in the capital.
Posted on 10 May, 2018 06:33 AM

A group of scientists and students are braving the heat and dust this summer in the national capital to map all possible sources of air pollution, so that by winter this year, we can get a fair idea of different sources of pollution in the city.

Team collects data for emission inventory. (Pic courtesy: ISW)
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