ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION
A billionaire couple donated $50 million to UC Davis for agricultural research; in 2026, a 34,000-square-foot center opened in California
At the forefront of agri-tech innovation, the Resnick Center at the University of California, Davis, drives agricultural advancement with a strong focus on sustainability and research. Fueled by generous donations, it strives to elevate farming practices and enhance crop resilience. Current projects aim at transforming agricultural waste into valuable resources, thereby reducing ecological footprints.
First South Asian woman in state's General Assembly takes the seat; India-born Saba Haider wins Illinois House seat
Saba Haider won a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives during the November 3 mid-term elections. She secured 70.9 per cent of the votes against her Republican opponent, Brian Scopa. Haider previously served on the DuPage County Board and focussed her campaign on affordable healthcare and education. Her victory is significant as she is the first South Asian woman in the state's General Assembly.
US sanctions India-based couple, companies over alleged support for Iran's Shadow oil fleet
The United States imposed sanctions on Suniel Kumar Sharma and Jaspreet Preeti Shahid for aiding Iran's shadow fleet. Their network allegedly provided fraudulent maritime registrations to help sanctioned vessels transport Iranian petroleum. Several companies linked to the couple also received sanctions under Executive Order 13902. Additionally, a Turkiye-based company was sanctioned for providing services to US-designated Iranian airlines.
ET Product of the Year Awards 2026: Categories recognising products driving market impact
The Economic Times Product of the Year Awards 2026 celebrate cutting-edge innovations that make a substantial difference in the market and attract customer loyalty across diverse industries. Categories feature Enterprise SaaS, FinTech, Cybersecurity, as well as consumer goods such as banking solutions and smartphones. Judging criteria prioritize market presence, adoption rates, creativity, and execution excellence, with an emphasis on quantifiable achievements.
CJI Kant calls for introspection on need to improve responsiveness of judicial process
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant highlighted the importance of enhancing the responsiveness of the judicial process. He stated that many litigants seek urgent hearings at the Supreme Court instead of waiting for High Courts. Kant advocated for improved listing procedures and transparent processes to facilitate timely justice. He praised the Kerala High Court's historical role in promoting constitutional rights over its seventy-year journey.
The AI boom may transform the economy and still destroy capital, with stranded data centres and heavy investor losses
Investments in artificial intelligence by major companies have significantly increased in recent years. The overall investment in other sectors has shown minimal change during this period. AI's potential to enhance productivity suggests that current spending may benefit various industries like healthcare and education. Concerns exist regarding potential overinvestment and its subsequent impact on the economy.
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Vedanta Iron Q2 Results: Loss narrows to Rs 324 crore, revenue declines 2% YoY
Vedanta Iron and Steel narrowed its Q2 FY27 loss to Rs 324 crore from Rs 477 crore a year earlier, while revenue declined 1.7% to Rs 2,742 crore. EBITDA rose 56% to Rs 83 crore, supported by improved steel realisations and efficiency gains. The company also reported record half-yearly pig iron production.
India aims to quadruple port capacity by 2047, eyes stronger maritime cooperation with Rotterdam: Piyush Goyal
India intends to increase its port capacity significantly by 2047 to support economic growth and trade. Union Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized collaboration opportunities with the Port of Rotterdam for sustainable development. The Sagarmala initiative aims to enhance India's maritime infrastructure and connectivity effectively. A major maritime education institution will be established in Mumbai to train skilled seafarers. These efforts highlight India's commitment to bolstering its position in global maritime trade.
Angelina Jolie’s foundation spent 20 years protecting 150,720-acre Cambodian forests; rangers saved nearly 142 species from wire snares
Over twenty years ago, Angelina Jolie launched the Maddox Foundation to promote conservation in Cambodia. Focusing on the vital Samlout forest, the foundation protects endangered species such as Asian elephants and Sunda pangolins. Dedicated rangers strive to remove dangerous snares and fight against illegal activities. Despite being officially protected, this region faces daunting deforestation issues. Local engagement and stringent law enforcement remain key to preserving this crucial habitat.
Big Tech wants to build more AI data centres across America. Why local communities are pushing back against the costs of the AI revolution
Cities across America are imposing temporary moratoriums on data centre approvals to address infrastructural concerns. Local governments are assessing the impacts of these projects on electricity, water, and public resources. Environmental lawsuits are complicating the development of AI infrastructure further, leading to delays and increased costs. Some technology companies are moving towards greater transparency with local communities for better engagement.
In 2025, MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, gave $62 million to ocean conservation; how coastal communities could protect marine life
Blue Ventures announced the donation on December 10, 2025, saying the money would support its work with fishing communities across tropical regions. The organisation said the funding would help create local groups to respond to challenges including warming seas, declining fish catches and growing uncertainty over their incomes.
Adani's Kutch Copper plans 115 MW renewable energy push at Mundra refinery
Kutch Copper Ltd, a part of Adani Enterprises, plans to integrate 115 megawatts of renewable energy into operations. The copper refinery in Mundra aims to expand from 500,000 tonnes to 1 million tonnes per annum. This expansion would make it the world's largest single-location custom smelter. Kutch Copper is committed to environmental stewardship by treating nearly all sulphur emissions and conserving water resources. The Adani Group has pledged USD 1.
Copenhagen opened a waste-to-energy plant with a ski slope on its roof in 2019; it turns 440,000 tons of waste per year into energy for 150,000 homes
Copenhagen opened CopenHill, a waste-to-energy plant with a ski slope, in 2019. The facility processes 440,000 tons of waste each year and supplies electricity and district heating to 150,000 homes. The project combines waste treatment, energy production, recreation and environmental education. Its rooftop includes a 9,000-square-metre ski area, hiking trail, climbing wall, green roof and public spaces.
Fast-track permits turn Spain's Aragon into a $70 billion data centre magnet, but at what cost?
Aragon, a sparsely populated region of northeast Spain, has become one of Europe's fastest-growing digital infrastructure hubs due to what tech companies hail as its agile local permitting laws and swift decision
Scholar and botanist, who was 'living encyclopaedia' of plants, wrote 30 books, lived 80 years without electricity, owned just two saris. Who was Dr Hema Sane?
She was a renowned scholar in botany and a walking encyclopaedia of plants. However, late botanist and educator Dr Hema Sane lived eight decades without electricity and conducted a very simple life – that was without much frills or luxury and near to nature and animals.
Rob Walton donates $115 million to Arizona State University for conservation school focused on saving planet
Arizona State University has secured a groundbreaking $115 million gift to launch the Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures. This innovative initiative will provide unique undergraduate and graduate programs tailored to conservation and environmental management. The school aims to create developmental pathways for active conservation professionals while encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on experiences, set to commence in spring 2027.
Ground Control allocated £100,000 every year to environmental projects. Its Wildfell Initiative expanded into a 116-hectare woodland and habitat restoration site
Ground Control is launching an extensive woodland restoration initiative called Wildfell in Essex. Covering 116 hectares, this ambitious project focuses on planting new forests and improving current habitats. With the aim of enhancing biodiversity and sequestering carbon, multiple funding avenues are being explored. Furthermore, effective wildlife management practices will help the project thrive amidst various challenges, while also serving as a hub for environmental education and community involvement.
In 1995, Bette Midler launched NYRP to restore neglected spaces in New York. 30 years later, it has planted 200,000+ trees and restored 350+ green spaces for New Yorkers
Thirty years after Bette Midler began picking up trash in a New York park, the New York Restoration Project has developed into an organization whose work reaches deeply into the city’s environmental and community landscape. Its history shows how an apparently modest act—cleaning up a neglected public space—can develop into a sustained movement involving volunteers, residents, gardeners, environmental specialists, government agencies and community organizations.
Lauren Sanchez and Amazon's Jeff Bezos are pouring $25 million into a massive Pacific Ocean conservation project covering an area larger than Alaska
Lauren Sanchez is backing a new Bezos Earth Fund ocean conservation push as Jeff Bezos' philanthropic organization commits more than $25 million to protect 625,000 square miles of Pacific waters across five nations, while supporting new marine protected areas under the UN High Seas Treaty. In July, Sanchez shared photos from a snorkeling and scuba-diving trip in Fiji, where she saw reefs surrounded by fish, sea turtles and reef sharks.
20-acre garden, 40 hives, 2 million bees: Texas woman quits job to become full-time beekeeper. But she won’t sell the honey for one surprising reason
Texas-based beekeeper Erika Thompson cares for around two million bees across 40 hives, turning her lifelong fascination with insects into a dedicated effort to protect bee colonies. For Thompson, beekeeping is less about collecting honey and more about providing bees with a safe environment to thrive. She believes the honey they produce is vital to their survival and that bees need it more than people do. Through her work, she highlights the importance of protecting these pollinators and supporting their role in the ecosystem.
Punjab and Haryana farmers are not just earning from their crops. 2,550 farmers get Rs 2.9 crore through this facility
More than 2,500 farmers in Punjab and Haryana are receiving over Rs 2.9 crore in India’s first farm-level soil-carbon payments. The farmers adopted practices such as direct-seeded rice, reduced tillage and crop-residue management, which were measured and independently verified before carbon credits were issued. The initiative shows how climate-friendly farming can create an additional income stream while also helping conserve water, improve soil health and reduce emissions from crop-residue burning.
Government earns over Rs 5,000 crore from scrap disposal: Union Minister Jitendra Singh
The government has earned over Rs 5,000 crore from scrap disposal during special cleanliness drives. These initiatives have also freed significant office space and reduced millions of pending files. The campaign now focuses on efficient resource utilization and converting waste into wealth. It aims to foster public participation and behavioral changes regarding cleanliness. Special Campaign 6 will further enhance scientific waste management practices nationwide.
In 2009, Edward Norton ran the New York Marathon to back a Kenya conservation trust; its work now directly protects 283,000 acres of Maasai land
Wildlife protection, however, is rarely straightforward. The 2022 report describes a year marked by severe drought, increased poaching pressure and technical difficulties with monitoring data. It also documents incidents involving elephants, giraffes, lions, zebras and other wildlife, illustrating the complicated human-wildlife relationships that conservation teams must manage.
In 1985, Broward County sank a DC-4 off Fort Lauderdale in 71 feet of water; the wreck later became a monitored artificial reef
In Florida, officials purposefully submerge items like airplanes to establish artificial reefs. These underwater structures not only form new habitats that entice various fish species but also spark discussions among scientists regarding their actual impact. Research demonstrates that these wrecks foster swift colonization and vibrant aquatic life, paving the way for ongoing studies into the ecological advantages of this practice.
Muttahida Majlis Ulema passes resolutions focussing on drugs abuse, alcoholism, suicides, depression and environmental degradation in Jammu & Kashmir
Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema adopted resolutions on drug abuse and the challenges posed by social media. The conference also focused on promoting unity and sectarian harmony within the Muslim Ummah. Religious leaders stressed the role of mosques and madrasas in addressing social concerns. Participants called on the government to reconsider policies related to alcohol promotion. The conference also emphasised sustained grassroots engagement and community awareness programmes.
India's middle-income trap has a problem money may fix
Economist Thomas Piketty says India can escape the middle-income trap through massive investment in education, healthcare and infrastructure, while deeper global cooperation is needed for inclusive growth. He warns that climate change, rather than artificial intelligence, could become the real geopolitical battleground, urging India to reduce its material footprint and support sustainable development and greater global economic justice.
London hosts first-ever Ganga Aarti on River Thames
London's River Thames hosted its first Ganga Aarti ceremony on Sunday. This event celebrated nature and knowledge, honoring the life-giving flow of rivers. Chinmaya Mission UK organized the ceremony as part of global 75th-anniversary celebrations. The event symbolized gratitude and unity, bringing diverse communities together. It aimed to foster reverence for nature and responsible environmental stewardship.
NBA legend Bill Walton redesigned his San Diego home’s roofs for solar and installed tanks holding 32,000 gallons of rainwater; his family worked on the garden for 45 years
Basketball icon Bill Walton has long embodied the principles of sustainable living. Together with his wife Lori, he nurtured an impressive garden for over four decades. Their residence showcased solar panels and an extensive rainwater harvesting system. Walton prioritizes recycling and consciously avoids single-use plastics while traveling, proving that sustainable living thrives through everyday actions and choices.
J&K Bank receives ‘Best CSR Overall Practices’ Award in Bengaluru, MD & CEO reiterates commitment for inclusive and sustainable development
Jammu and Kashmir Bank received a national award for its corporate social responsibility practices. The bank's commitment to sustainable social development was recognized at a Bengaluru event. J&K Bank has invested ninety-six crores in societal upliftment over three years. Its CSR programs focus on healthcare, education, and livelihood generation. The bank continues to expand its reach and deepen its social impact.
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