A bipartisan UK Parliament passed an extraordinary measure: a national declaration of an Environment and Climate Emergency.
The UK is the first national government to declare such an emergency. The decision marks a renewed sense of urgency in tackling climate change, following a visit to Parliament by teenage activist Greta Thunberg, the broadcast of David Attenborough's documentary Climate Change: The Facts and 11 days of protest by environmental group Extinction Rebellion that paralysed parts of London.
There are now some 49 million people living under national, city and local declarations of a climate emergency around the world.
May 01, 2019
Glaciers are Set to Disappear Completely
According to the first-ever global study of World Heritage glaciers, glaciers are set to disappear completely from almost half of World Heritage sites if business-as-usual emissions continue.
The sites are home to some of the world's most iconic glaciers, such as the Grosser Aletschgletscher in the Swiss Alps, Khumbu Glacier in the Himalayas and Greenland's Jakobshavn Isbrae.
A study predicts glacier extinction by 2100 under a high emission scenario in 21 of the 46 natural World Heritage sites where glaciers are currently found.
Even under a low emission scenario, eight of the 46 World Heritage sites will be ice-free by 2100.
The study also expects that 33 per cent to 60 per cent of the total ice volume present in 2017 will be lost by 2100, depending on the emission scenario.
Apr 27, 2019
Factories Sealed for Violating Pollution-control Norms
Seven factories were sealed in Haridwar district for not complying with pollution-control norms. The factories included Sharda Motors Industries, Star Industries, Shree Metal Finisher, Micro Turner, Avina Mill and PS Motor.
Apr 23, 2019
Coal-free Power Record
Britain has broken its record for the longest continuous period without generating electricity from coal.
National Grid said that the coal-free period lasted more than 90 hours before coming to an end.
It is the longest period since the industrial revolution and breaks the previous record set in April 2018 of 76 hours and 10 minutes.
The government plans to phase out Britain's last coal power plants by 2025 to cut greenhouse gases.
Apr 20, 2019
NYC Climate Bill
New York City has passed sweeping legislation to curb energy demand from some of its most iconic skyscrapers, including Trump Tower.
The legislation, approved 45 to 2 in the city council, is backed by mayor Bill de Blasio and will push owners of residential and commercial buildings larger than 25,000 square feet to install new boilers, air conditioning systems, windows and insulation.
The goal is to reduce carbon emissions 40% by 2030, moving the city towards a goal of 80% by 2050.
The council also voted to require 5-cent fees on all paper bags distributed by stores, starting in March 2020, and to study the feasibility of replacing gas-fired power plants with battery storage systems powered by renewable energy.