Environment and Social Issues – NICKELED AND DIMED

Why “Natural” Disasters in India Are Increasingly Man-Made

By – Varsha M Introduction In the past month, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana have faced severe flooding after the heavy monsoon rains drove the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, and Ghaggar rivers to overflow. As a result, over 1,900 villages were submerged, nearly half a million acres of crops were destroyed, and atleast 48 lives were…
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E-Waste Recycling: The Hidden Cost of Our Digital Lives

By – Varsha M Abstract E-waste is now surpassing 62 million tonnes annually, and is often recognised as part of our circular economy. However, the reality of informal e-waste recycling shifts toxic burdens onto poorer communities in the Global South. Women and children are especially vulnerable to exposure to poisons like lead and mercury that…
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Thailand’s Draft Climate Change Act and the Future of its Luxury Hospitality Industry

By – Arpita Sondhi Abstract The luxury hospitality industry has long been celebrated for its blend of comfort, opulence, and first-rate services. However, it now confronts an ironic dilemma: how to sustain the quality of luxury while also addressing the urgent call for sustainability. This tension challenges the industry to meet the expectations for high-end…
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GUARDIANS OF THE FOREST, BEARERS OF THE SCARS

By – Akshita Abstract: This piece delves deep into the world of Adivasi displacement, a crisis they endure in silence, hidden from the illusion of normalcy we have carved out for ourselves. This article examines how those who have become the fierce protectors of the forest are not only pushed out from their homeland by…
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Heat, Hunger, and Hope : Inside South Asia’s Climate Migration Crisis

By – Varsha M Abstract Climate-induced floods, droughts, and rising sea levels are displacing millions across South Asia. Rural populations in India and Bangladesh have lost their homes and livelihoods and are forced to move into overcrowded cities for survival. Women and marginalised groups suffer disproportionately, while legal and policy frameworks in the countries fail…
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Reining in Fast Fashion: The French ‘Anti-Fast Fashion’ Bill at a Glance

By- Arpita Sondhi Abstract Fast fashion has long been viewed as the epitome of unsustainable consumption patterns and exploitative labor practices. During the thirteen years between 2010 and 2023, there was an increase of nearly 0.9 billion garments sold in the French market. In June 2025, the French Senate greenlit a Bill that aims to…
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Law, Environment, and the Quiet Violence of Development

By – Gauri Yadav Abstract This article elucidates the colonial origins and post-colonial continuity of environmental law in India. It argues that environmental regulation was never designed for preservation but rather for legitimising dispossession. Through an examination of forest laws, development projects, and mining regimes, the article traces how legal structures have historically served extractive…
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Heatwaves and Energy Crisis: A Noxious Cycle

By – Saksham Raj Abstract Heatwaves have growingly become one of the world’s deadliest natural hazards in terms of human mortality, claiming only a little less than five lakh deaths annually between the years 2000 and 2019. Air conditioning systems, cooling units and refrigerators provide us with relief in this scorching heat, but this transient…
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Lessons from God’s Own Country

By — Mani Meghana Godavarthi Abstract Kerala is considered the most sustainable state of India, and it has successfully taken steps to ensure that it protects its biodiversity. However, these intra-state measures are heavily negated by external factors and nationwide problems, which act as a counter to the state’s efforts. It is essential to learn…
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THE INVESTMENT PARADOX: AFRICA’S UNTAPPED GREEN ENERGY POTENTIAL

By – Mani Meghana Godavarthi Abstract Africa is rich in natural resources and has an exceptional potential to become a global leader in the renewable energy sector. However, the situation in this region is highly paradoxical, as despite its high potential, it attracts very low investment. Low investment caused by poor local development has led…
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The Politics of ESG Ratings: The Illusion of Sustainability

By – Aditi Gupta Abstract: This paper critically examines the rise of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, highlighting their growing global importance and underlying limitations. Initially envisioned to protect investments from non-financial risks and to promote corporate responsibility, ESG has become central to sustainable investing and international trade practices. However, inconsistencies in ESG ratings,…
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AI is “Thirsty”! How Big Tech is Straining Water and Power

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) has led to a significant increase in energy and water consumption, raising concerns about its environmental sustainability. AI models, such as ChatGPT, require vast computing power, leading to immense heat generation in data centres.
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