Climate-conscious architecture of Old Madras

Climate-conscious architecture of Old Madras

Centuries before it became a metropolis, Madras was a cluster of settlements like Mylapore, Triplicane and later, George Town. These settlements emerged from the interplay of sea, rivers and wetlands, and their inhabitants contending with a challenging climate — a cycle of hot-humid summers followed by torrential monsoon rains. Across millennia, Madras developed an architecture … Read more

Getting monsoon ready

Getting monsoon ready

Preparing our homes to endure heavy rains and high humidity becomes crucial as the monsoon season approaches. In many places across India, the monsoon can be particularly intense. To ensure that homes remain safe, comfortable, and resilient, thoughtful design and meticulous planning are important. Here are some insights and strategies to help homeowners get their … Read more

Lessons from the hills

Lessons from the hills

Houses in the hills usually have a picturesque, dreamy quality, becoming one with the slopes. But hills are known for challenging climatic conditions like extreme cold, snow, and even earthquakes. There are also difficulties in transporting materials for construction on rough terrain. How did indigenous buildings traditionally respond to these conditions? A colourful house in … Read more

G7 agrees to phase out coal-fired power plants by mid-2030s

G7 agrees to phase out coal-fired power plants by mid-2030s

G7 energy and climate ministers agreed a time frame Tuesday for phasing out coal-fired power plants that are not equipped to capture emissions in a significant step towards curbing fossil fuel use.The Group of Seven two-day meeting in Turin is the first big political session since the world pledged at the UN’s COP28 climate summit … Read more

Building to beat the heat

Building to beat the heat

Various urban elements, from construction materials to transportation fuels, create ‘hot’ cities, amplifying temperatures by several degrees compared to rural areas. The Indian Meteorological Department has warned of a scorching summer this year with more than the usual number of heatwave days. Some places are likely to face maximum temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius. In … Read more

Draft policy bans breeding of cold climate dogs, places restrictions on ‘in-breeding’

Draft policy bans breeding of cold climate dogs, places restrictions on ‘in-breeding’

The draft Tamil Nadu Dog Breeding Policy has strictly prohibited the breeding of at least nine cold climate dog breeds, which it says cannot withstand the weather in the country. It has said that female dogs “shall not be mated after the age of eight”. Though it allows ‘out-breeding and line-breeding’, the policy restricts ‘in-breeding’. … Read more

Wayanad district panchayat to organise climate summit

Wayanad district panchayat to organise climate summit

At a time when climate vagaries posing a serious threat to the farming community in the hill district, the Wayanad district panchayat is preparing to organise a three-day climate summit at Meenangaddy from February 23 to February 25. A drastic change in climate for the past 20 years has adversely affected the public, especially the … Read more

Was the COP28 climate summit a milestone or a mirage? | Explained

Was the COP28 climate summit a milestone or a mirage? | Explained

The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) – an annual convening of countries signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – happened in Dubai this year, with high expectations that countries would take concrete steps to address the climate crisis. The negotiations encompassed mitigation efforts, adaptation strategies, financing … Read more

PM Modi leaves for India after attending World Climate Action Summit

PM Modi leaves for India after attending World Climate Action Summit

PM Modi emplanes for Delhi after attending the COP28 summit in Dubai, UAE on December 01, 2023. Photo: Twitter/@PMOIndia After a day packed with summit speeches, bilateral meetings, and launching a Green Credit Initiative at the World Climate Action Summit in the Gulf emirate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday evening left here for India … Read more