Hi, NewsWrap for March 20, 2024

20-March-2024: Turning Trash into Treasure, India Ranked Third Most Polluted Country, Asia's Largest Tulip Garden, WMO Report Out, Government Extends Urea Import

20 March 2024

  • Turning Trash into Treasure: Scientists Develop High-Performance Plastics from Farm Waste!

    In today's rapidly evolving world, the demand for sustainable materials has never been more pressing. Plastics, omnipresent in our daily lives, present significant environmental challenges due to their reliance on fossil fuels and the difficulties associated with their disposal. A groundbreaking study led by Jeremy Luterbacher's team at EPFL has revealed an innovative method to producing high-performance plastics from agricultural waste. Published in Nature Sustainability, the research introduces a novel method for crafting polyamides—a class of plastics renowned for their strength and durability, exemplified by the well-known nylons—utilizing a sugar core derived from agricultural waste.

  • India Ranked Third Most Polluted Country in the World: IQAir Report

    India has been ranked as the third-most polluted country in the world in 2023, after Bangladesh and Pakistan, as per the latest findings from the Swiss air quality monitoring organization, IQAir.

    The 'World Air Quality Report 2023' revealed that India recorded an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter, setting its position as one of the poorest air quality countries  out of 134 nations assessed. This ranking represents a slight deterioration from the previous year when India was placed eighth, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 53.3 micrograms per cubic meter.

  • Asia's Largest Tulip Garden in Srinagar Set to Mesmerize Visitors for 2024 Season

    Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, home to the majestic mountain ranges and the iconic Dal Lake, is ready for the much-anticipated opening of Asia's largest Tulip Garden, also known as the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, on March 23, 2024. With an expected display of 1.7 million tulips, the upcoming tulip festival is set to attract throngs of both local and foreign tourists, eager to witness the breathtaking array of colors and hues that adorn the garden each year.

  • WMO Report Out! 2023 Breaks Record as Hottest Year Ever

    The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has recently released its highly anticipated report on the State of the Global Climate for the year 2023. The findings are alarming, indicating that 2023 surpassed previous records to become the hottest year on record by a significant margin.

    The report paints a grim picture of the state of our planet, highlighting unprecedented levels of greenhouse gas emissions, soaring surface temperatures, ocean heat, and acidification. It also documents alarming trends in sea level rise, Antarctic sea ice cover, and glacier retreat.

  • Government Extends Urea Import Permission Until March 2025

    The Indian government has decided to extend the permission for the import of urea through fertilizer companies, namely India Potash Ltd (IPL), Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd (RCF), and National Fertilizers Ltd (NFL), until March 31, 2025. This decision, as per a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, underscores the government's commitment to ensuring an uninterrupted supply of urea, a crucial fertilizer for the country's agriculture sector.

On the news

20 March 2024

That's it for for 20 March 2024
Previous
Next