BloombergNEF, a world-renowned research service provider, reveals that, for the first time in history, investments in low-carbon energy technologies worldwide have matched those spent on fossil fuels. The funds plugged into cleaner energy technology in 2022 equalled USD 1.1 trillion, marking a growth of 31% (or USD 261 billion) from the previous year. It’s pertinent to note, however, that investment in fossil fuels also rose by USD 214 billion over 2021 levels.
The monumental trillion-dollar investment in energy transition was split among various sectors – renewables such as solar, wind, and nuclear energy, storage and charging infrastructure, hydrogen production, carbon capture (and utilisation & storage), and cutting-edge technology like small-scale solar, heat pumps, and zero-emission vehicles.
When it comes to attracting these funds, China takes the lead, drawing over half of the total investment at USD 546 billion. Next in line are the EU at USD 180 billion and the US at USD 141 billion.
Rename of Mughal Gardens to ‘Amrit Udyan’
In accordance with the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav theme, the Government of India recently rechristened the Mughal Gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan ‘Amrit Udyan’. These gardens, inspired by the Mughal gardens of Jammu & Kashmir, the ones surrounding the Taj Mahal, and miniature paintings from India and Persia, were never officially called the Mughal Gardens. Their name stemmed from the Persian influences seen in their architecture, particularly the Charbagh structure.
Sir Edwin Lutyens, collaborating with William Mustoe, Director of Horticulture, finalized the design of these gardens in 1917. Mughals, especially Babur whose affection for the Persian Charbagh style gardens is well-documented in Babur Nama, appreciated such gardens.
Discovery of Noble’s Helen: India’s Newest Butterfly
A swallowtail butterfly known as Noble’s Helen (Papilio noblei), previously common from Myanmar and southern China to Vietnam but now extremely rare, has been spotted for the first time in India. The butterfly was identified in three locations within the Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh.
Noble’s Helen also makes appearances in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. As vital indicators of biodiversity and key ecosystem functions, butterflies play a significant role in understanding our environment. It’s noteworthy that Arunachal Pradesh also hosts the state butterfly – Kaiser-i-Hind.
The Role of the Polar Vortex on Cold Weather in Asia
Scientists attribute the extreme cold weather currently battering Asia to a phenomenon known as a Polar Vortex. This term refers to a large expanse of cold air that generally hovers around the Arctic, occasionally shifting southwards from the North Pole.
The ‘vortex’ denotes the counterclockwise flow of air that helps keep the chilly air close to the Poles. Its presence near the poles is a constant, although it weakens in summer and strengthens during winter. While there isn’t complete agreement, many believe that with a warming planet, shifts in the polar vortex will become more frequent and pronounced.