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Swami Vivekananda and the Environment: Ancient Wisdom for a Planet in Crisis

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Climate change, biodiversity loss, polluted rivers, disappearing forests, these are often framed as problems of modern science and technology. Yet, at their deepest level, they arise from something far more fundamental: the way human beings understand their relationship with nature. Long before concepts such as ecology, sustainability, or environmental ethics entered academic and policy discourse, Swami Vivekananda spoke of oneness, harmony, restraint, and responsibility. When read today, his ideas offer a remarkably clear ethical and philosophical lens through which the contemporary environmental crisis can be understood. Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902) did not write treatises on environmental conservation in the modern sense. However, he consistently interrogated the human mindset that leads to exploitation, whether of nature, society, or fellow human beings. His philosophy addresses the roots of environmental degradation rather than its symptoms. Seen in this light, Vivekananda emerge...
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Microplastics Detected in the Upper Atmosphere: A Growing Environmental Concern

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I n recent years, scientific research has revealed a striking reality: microplastics, tiny plastic fragments smaller than five millimetres, are no longer confined to oceans, soils, or urban environments. They are now detected high in Earth’s atmosphere, including within clouds and upper air layers. What was once viewed primarily as a marine pollution problem has emerged as a global atmospheric issue, with plastic particles capable of travelling thousands of kilometres through the air. The presence of microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics in the upper atmosphere represents a critical shift in our understanding of plastic pollution and raises concerns for environmental systems, climate processes, and human health. Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Origins and Characteristics Microplastics originate either from the fragmentation of larger plastic products, known as secondary microplastics, or from plastics intentionally manufactured at small sizes, referred to as primary microplasti...
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Location: India
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The Carbon Footprint of the Gaming Industry: Understanding the Environmental Cost of Play

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T he gaming industry has exploded over the past few decades, evolving from a niche hobby into a global entertainment powerhouse. With revenues surpassing those of the film and music industries combined, gaming is now a central part of modern culture. Yet, behind the excitement of immersive worlds, high-end graphics, and online multiplayer battles lies an environmental story that often goes unnoticed: the significant carbon footprint of gaming. From the production of consoles and high-performance PCs to the energy-hungry data centres that power cloud gaming and streaming services, every aspect of the industry contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Even the ways we play, long gaming sessions, VR adventures, and high-resolution streaming, add to this impact. Understanding these emissions is crucial if the industry and its players are to enjoy their pastime sustainably. Hardware: The Hidden Backbone of Gaming’s Carbon Footprint The journey of every game starts with hardware. Consoles,...
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Location: India
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Madhav Gadgil: The People’s Ecologist and Architect of India’s Environmental Thought

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M adhav Dhananjaya Gadgil (24 May 1942 – 7 January 2026) was one of India’s most influential ecologists, environmental thinkers, institution builders and public intellectuals. Revered as a scientist of global standing and a passionate advocate of ecological democracy, Gadgil reshaped the way India understands the relationship between nature, society and development. His work bridged rigorous ecological science with ethical governance, social justice and grassroots participation, earning him the enduring title of “the people’s ecologist.” Early Life and Intellectual Formation Born in Pune, Madhav Gadgil grew up in an environment steeped in intellectual inquiry and public service. His father, Dhananjay Ramchandra Gadgil , was a renowned economist and policy planner, whose engagement with India’s developmental challenges deeply influenced Gadgil’s worldview. This exposure fostered in him an early sensitivity to social inequities and the ecological consequences of economic growth. He p...
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Location: India
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Forever Chemicals Without Borders: How Italy’s PFAS Disaster Reached India and What It Means for Public Health and Policy

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I n the quiet coastal region of Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra, India, surrounded by green hills, villages, and agricultural land, a modern chemical factory now operates in the Lote Parshuram industrial estate. At first glance, the facility appears new and compliant with industrial norms. However, behind its clean exterior lies a troubling history that stretches back thousands of kilometres to northern Italy and one of Europe’s worst chemical pollution scandals. The factory’s machinery, chemical processes, and intellectual property once belonged to Miteni , an Italian chemical company based in Vicenza. Miteni was a major producer of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) ,  a large group of synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer products for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. These chemicals are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down naturally and persist in the environment and the human body for decades. What Ha...
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Location: India
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Palm Oil in India: Health, Environment, Economy, and the Urgent Need to Reclaim Traditional Oils

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O ver the past few decades, palm oil has quietly entered nearly every corner of the Indian food system. It is found in packaged snacks, biscuits, bakery items, instant foods, sweets, and is widely used for frying in hotels, restaurants, roadside eateries, and catering services. For most consumers, palm oil remains invisible, hidden behind the generic label of “vegetable oil.” Yet its impacts are far from invisible, affecting health, ecosystems, and livelihoods alike. For Keralites, the story of edible oils is deeply personal. In childhood, most households, including my own, relied almost entirely on coconut oil, prized for its flavour, cultural significance, and perceived health benefits. During school years, I remember palm oil gradually appearing in kitchens. At the time, many believed it was a modern and healthier alternative to coconut oil , and it slowly began replacing the traditional oil in daily cooking. The Kerala Palmolein Import Case is one of the most notable political and...
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Location: India
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