Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change introduced the Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC). This occurred during the 4th G-20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) conference held in Chennai. The ECSWG seeks to boost collaborations among G20 nations to ensure a future that is sustainable.
Role and Objectives of RECEIC
The RECEIC consists of 39 multinational corporations that aim to embed resource efficiency and circular economy ideologies to handle ecological challenges arising from waste. The coalition’s major concern centers around waste-associated issues such as plastics, microplastics, electronic waste, and chemical waste.
India’s Strides towards Alleviating Plastic Waste
India’s efforts towards alleviating plastic waste burdens via Extended Producers’ Responsibility (EPR) guidelines have been highlighted. India generated 41 lakh tonnes of plastic waste in the financial year 2021-22, out of which 30 lakh tonnes was assigned to registered recyclers and plastic waste processors. Additionally, plastic waste processors produced 2.6 million tonnes’ worth of EPR certificates, with approximately 1.51 million tonnes bought by PIBOs against their 2022-23 obligations.
Impact of Pollen Diversity on Honeybee Diets
Researchers from Texas A&M AgriLife Research have been investigating the influence of pollen diversity on honeybee diets and how it regulates pollen collection and consumption. Honeybees balance their protein-lipid intake, making sure they do not overconsume any nutrient beyond necessity. Insufficient nutrition and landscape transformations are two primary causes behind the yearly decline of over 40% of managed honeybees in the United States. Nutritional deficits can inflict severe negative impacts on bees and colonies.
Honeybees’ Nutrient Intake Process
The main hypothesis of the researchers is that honeybees control their multiple nutrient intakes through a two-tier process. Initially, foragers carefully gather pollen based on its nutritional content. Subsequently, nurse bees selectively consume accumulated pollen, or bee bread, to balance their nutrient intake. The study’s outcomes will offer beekeepers crucial insights, enabling them to supply essential dietary supplements and enhance the health of their colonies.
India and the 2023 Asian Youth & Junior Weightlifting Championships
The Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships 2023 was recently inaugurated at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida. This marks the first instance of India hosting this event. The championship has witnessed the participation of more than 15 nations from Asia. Indian weightlifters recently clinched a groundbreaking 61 medals at the Weightlifting Commonwealth Championships.
FDA Greenlights over-the-counter Birth Control Pill Opill
Opill, the first over-the-counter birth control pill, has been approved by the U.S. FDA. Opill utilizes a synthetic hormone, norgestrel, that prevents pregnancy by thickening cervical mucus and thinning the uterus lining. It is recommended for breastfeeding mothers, individuals intolerant to estrogen, and those with specific health conditions. However, it’s cautioned against using Opill in conjunction with other hormonal birth controls or as an emergency contraceptive.
