EQ: Arctic Foxes, Wetlands, Black Carbon and More

EQ: Your weekly environment quotient.

Researchers are learning more about these furry creatures. (Photo: iStock)

E-India

• India may not ratify Paris deal in 2016: India’s climate negotiators have indicated that they will hold off ratifying the deal until later in order to preserve some “flexibility”.
  

Also Read: India Not Ready to Join US And China in Ratifying Climate Accord

• Who’s responsible for the wetlands? A new report assesses the shocking state of wetlands governance in the country.
  

A flock of migratory birds fly across a wetland in Hokersar, north of Srinagar. (Photo: Reuters)

• Black carbon accelerating Himalayan glacier melt: Increased deposition of “black carbon” produced by burning fossil fuels and biomass is leading to rapid glacier melt in the Himalayas and Tibetan plateau.
  

Soot melts glaciers faster. (Photo: iStock)

E-Tech

• Postage stamp sized water purifier? Stanford scientists have created a mini device which uses solar energy to kill 99.99 percent of water-borne bacteria in just 20 minutes.
  

This tiny device could make it easier to kill bacteria in water. (Photo Courtesy: Stanford University)

E-Renewables

• $400 million fund for renewable energy firms: In an effort to promote green energy, the government is planning to set up a 400 million USD fund to protect such firms from delayed payments by discoms.
  

The government is backing renewable energy by providing companies with incentives. (Photo: iStock)

E-Energy

• EU hits energy targets six years early: New data shows that the EU’s falling greenhouse gas emissions are roughly equal to shutting 400 power stations off. However, sceptics believe that the ongoing recession has been responsible for falling emissions.
  

The EU is doing well at cutting carbon emissions, all may not be as it seems. (Photo: iStock)

E-Law

• “Act against unauthorised industrial units”: The NGT has ordered the Delhi and UP governments to take action against illegal units which are operating within residential areas.
  

Polluting industries like aluminum and copper won’t be allowed near urban areas. (Photo: iStock)

E-Stat

• 10%: The amount of the earth’s wilderness destroyed over the last 25 years
  

Pristine landscapes are getting harder and harder to find. (Photo: iStock)

E-International

• Mixed news for wildlife lovers: While increasing numbers of giant pandas have brought cheer, the world’s largest gorilla species has been added to the critically endangered list.
  

E- Nature

• What did life look like 3.7 billion years ago? New fossils found in Greenland could help solve this mystery. These fossils are the oldest found till date and push back the record of life by 220 million years.
  

Image for representational purposes only. (Photo: iStock)

E-Incredible

• Arctic “gardener” foxes: Did you know that Arctic foxes can “grow” their own gardens in the Tundra? Organic waste from these foxes supports an unusually large amount of green and researchers have described the foxes as “ecosystem engineers”.
  

Animals like foxes are key to keeping balances within ecosystems. (Photo: iStock)

E-Video

• What is the IUCN Red List all about? Watch this video to find out more about the race against time to save the world’s flora and fauna from extinction:
  

E-Quiz

In which of the following states would you find the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard? (a) Sikkim (b) Rajasthan (c) Kerala (d) Telengana

Shalini Iyengar is an environmental lawyer and Faculty at Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology.