Name: Air pollution linked with increased risk of infertility, new study finds
Uploaded: 2021-02-18T10:22:00.0+05:30
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Increased exposure to air pollution increases the risk of infertility, according to a new study by Peking University Third hospital in China. The study found that thos

Air pollution linked with increased risk of infertility, new study finds

Increased exposure to air pollution increases the risk of infertility, according to a new study by Peking University Third hospital in China.
The study found that those living with small particles of pollution had a 20% greater risk of infertility, which the researchers defined as 'not becoming pregnant within a year of trying'.
According to a Guardian report,&nbsp; while the scientists did not state how pollution poses a risk to fertility, it is believed that pollution particles cause inflammation in the body which could damage sperm and egg production.
It further added that weight, age and smoking also risk factors.&nbsp;

Increased exposure to air pollution increases the risk of infertility, according to a new study by Peking University Third hospital in China. The study found that those living with small particles of pollution had a 20% greater risk of infertility, which the researchers defined as 'not becoming pregnant within a year of trying'. According to a Guardian report, while the scientists did not state how pollution poses a risk to fertility, it is believed that pollution particles cause inflammation in the body which could damage sperm and egg production. It further added that weight, age and smoking also risk factors.

Environment activists staged a protest in the harbour of the coastal city of Falmouth in England to highlight the lack of climate change action from world lea

Environment activists staged a protest in the harbour of the coastal city of Falmouth&nbsp;in&nbsp;England to highlight the lack of climate change action from world leaders attending the Group of Seven summit in Cornwall.
Campaigners accused the G-7 governments of spending money on conferences and summits, but not doing enough to protect the environment, and in particular the oceans.
The activists projected their slogans on the bow of the "Silja Europa" ship, a cruise ferry currently docked in Falmouth port and hosting about 1,000 police officers tasked with the summit security.
The boat sailed from Estonia to Cornwall for that purpose.

In a first in the country, eight Asiatic lions in Hyderabad’s Nehru Zoological Park tested positive for the coronavirus last month. A lioness at Chennai's Vandal

Several instances of tigers and lions contracting the novel coronavirus&nbsp;have been reported in the past year. Are big cats particularly vulnerable to Covid-19?&nbsp;What about your pet cats? editorji&nbsp;takes a look at what some of the studies have found.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Every year on June 5th, World Environment Day is observed to encourage worldwide awareness and action to protect the environment. It is an occasion to think about how w

World Environment Day is observed on June 5 every year across the globe to encourage worldwide awareness and action to protect the environment.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s important to care for the environment we live in, not only for our health but for our survival too.
There is a specific theme for World Environment Day, each year. The theme for 2021 is 'Ecosystem Restoration.'&nbsp;The event is hosted by a different country every year for official celebrations, this year's host is Pakistan.
The first major conference on environmental issues was held in the year 1972 from June 5-16 in Stockholm. Later that year, on December 15, the General Assembly adopted a resolution designating June 5 as World Environment Day. In 1974, the first World Environment Day was celebrated engaging governments, businesses, celebrities and citizens to focus their efforts on a pressing environmental issue.

Relish that cup of coffee or banana smoothie while you can, because it seems like some of the world’s most beloved foods might soon disappear forev

Relish that cup of coffee or banana smoothie while you can, because it seems like some of the world&rsquo;s most beloved foods&nbsp;might soon&nbsp;disappear&nbsp;forever, courtesy of&nbsp;climate change!&nbsp;&nbsp;
Climate change attacking your grocery list sounds a little dramatic but thanks to global heating and natural or man-made disasters, this may very well be our reality. Extreme weather conditions&nbsp;including&nbsp;drought, floods,&nbsp;wildfires and heatwaves, are all threatening our favourite crops and making agriculture difficult in many parts of the world, including India.&nbsp;
Global warming is making the Earth&rsquo;s environment inhospitable not just for humans but even the food they eat. Unfortunately, the foods that are most endangered by rising temperatures are also among the most popular. Let&rsquo;s take a look at some of these foods that could go extinct due to the impact of climate change on our planet.
CHICKPEAS&nbsp;&nbsp;
Chickpea or&nbsp;chhole, an important legume crop consumed widely, faces a major threat from drought and rising heat.&nbsp;As the crop requires a lot of water for production, rampant droughts have shrunk production by 40-50 per cent and scientists are actually trying to develop climate-resilient chickpeas!
BANANAS&nbsp;&nbsp;
The world&rsquo;s most convenient fruit, bananas need moderate weather and a consistent water supply for healthy production.&nbsp;Additionally, a tropical disease that is jumping continents also threatens to wipe out banana plantations across the globe.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
COFFEE&nbsp;&nbsp;
Guzzled by caffeine lovers around the world, coffee could be another victim of rising heat levels. Both the&nbsp;regions where coffee is grown and the bees that help its growth are threatened by ecological disruption. In fact,&nbsp;88&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of Latin America's coffee-suitable areas could&nbsp;deplete&nbsp;by 2050.&nbsp;&nbsp;
SEAFOOD&nbsp;
The carbon dioxide released by humans and human-related activities is absorbed by our vast oceans. An imbalance in CO2 rise is messing up marine chemistry&nbsp;and this could have a far-reaching impact on seafood.&nbsp;As the quality of&nbsp;seafood deteriorates, seafood-borne diseases are already increasing.&nbsp;&nbsp;
SOYBEANS&nbsp;&nbsp;
Could&nbsp;tofu, edamame, miso, and tempeh become a thing of the past? A 2017 crop study found that if&nbsp;the world&rsquo;s emissions are not significantly reduced,&nbsp;soybean crops could diminish by 40 per cent by 2100.&nbsp;Apart from food, soybeans are also&nbsp;a source of biofuels giving them global&nbsp;economic importance as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;
WHEAT, MAIZE &amp; RICE&nbsp;&nbsp;
In a grim revelation, a 2016 study of crops of vital dietary importance found that the production of wheat, maize, and rice is also in danger.&nbsp;Regions, where the crops are currently grown, could become obsolete, due to oscillating temperatures and unpredictable weather while the demand is projected to increase 33 per cent by 2050.&nbsp;
CHOCOLATE&nbsp;&nbsp;
Some bitter news about your favourite sweet treat, cocoa beans that are used to produce chocolate&nbsp;can only grow if a certain set of conditional requirements are met.&nbsp;A limited area of potential growth, fluctuation in humidity and lack of&nbsp;nutrient-rich&nbsp;soil&nbsp;all&nbsp;threaten chocolate&rsquo;s future.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Evidently, protecting the environment should be the world&rsquo;s top priority as it's slowly beginning to feel like whatever we do will be too little, too late.&nbsp;

Exposing the impact of climate change on human health, a new study has found that more than a third of all heat-related deaths around the world between 1991 and 20

Exposing the impact of climate change on human health, a new study has found that&nbsp;more than a third of all heat-related deaths around the world between 1991 and 2018 can be&nbsp;blamed&nbsp;on&nbsp;human-induced global heating.&nbsp;&nbsp;
What&rsquo;s worse, scientists say this is only the tip of the very damaging climate iceberg. Adding that far more people die from extreme weather conditions brought upon&nbsp;by global warming disasters such as storms, flooding and drought.&nbsp;&nbsp;
For the purpose of this study, researchers looked at heat deaths in 732 cities in 43 countries around the globe from 1991 to 2018 and calculated that 37% were caused by&nbsp;higher temperatures. Overall, the data found the largest climate change-induced contributions to be from southern and western Asia (Iran and Kuwait),&nbsp;followed by&nbsp;south-east Asia (the Philippines and Thailand) and Central and South America.
Published in the journal Nature Climate Change, the study highlights the glaring reality that climate change is already killing people in every continent, making&nbsp;it more important than ever to empower meaningful change&nbsp;through global climate agreements.

World Earth Day is observed annually on April 22nd to acknowledge climate change and spread awareness about the same all around the world. This day is an opportunity to

World Earth Day is observed annually on April 22nd to acknowledge climate change and spread awareness about the same all around the world. This day is an opportunity to bring millions to connect and discuss problems like pollution, deforestation and so much more.
The&nbsp;theme for Earth Day 2021 is "Restore Our Earth." The theme signifies that we need to start doing our bit in order to restore the planet and focus on rebuilding the world's ecosystems. As per the website, earthday.org, the theme will focus on "natural processes, emerging green technologies and innovative thinking that can restore the world&rsquo;s ecosystems."
Earth Day is being celebrated annually since the year 1970. However, this year, there is a three-day event that will take place virtually. The event will start from April 20th and will go on until April 22nd. It will be dedicated to issues about the climate crisis and there will be a few topics of discussion like climate and environmental literacy, climate restoration technologies, equity and environmental justice.

Game of Thrones actor Maisie Williams is facing criticism from online watchdogs after her appointment as the 'global sustainability ambassador' for H&M. S

Game of Thrones fame actor Maisie&nbsp;Williams is facing&nbsp;criticism from online watchdogs after her appointment as the 'global sustainability ambassador' for H&amp;M. Sharing the news on Instagram, the actor said she's joining the brand to front its campaign to use only recycled or sustainable products by 2030.&nbsp;
However, people are not happy with Williams for promoting 'greenwashing' with the fast-fashion brand. In the fashion industry, greenwashing&nbsp;refers to the practice of conveying falsified information and giving&nbsp;misleading updates about how a company's products are more environmentally safe.&nbsp;
H&amp;M's actions as one of the biggest fast fashion labels in the world have often been deemed questionable and sustainability experts are not happy with Maisie's new association with the brand.

As several forest fires rage across Uttarakhand, a video of the state’s Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat using a bush to douse the fire has gone viral on social

As several forest fires rage across Uttarakhand, a video of the state&rsquo;s Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat using a bush to douse the fire has gone viral on social media.
In the 30-second clip, Rawat is seen trying to put out the forest fire in Pauri district on Monday.
In the past six months, the state has reported over 1,000 incidents of forest fire, including over 45 on Sunday. The IAF deployed choppers on Sunday to douse the blaze.

At least 40 active fires are currently ravaging the forests of Uttarakhand. As per the state government, the fire has affected forests across the Garhwal and Kumaon reg

At least 40 active fires are currently ravaging the forests of Uttarakhand. As per the state government, the fire has affected forests across the Garhwal and Kumaon regions with Nainital, Almora, Tehri and Pauri districts being the worst-hit.
According to reports, the fire has so far destroyed property worth Rs 37 lakh and claimed the lives of at least seven animals.
The Union home ministry&nbsp;has dispatched two Indian Air Force helicopters that have been deployed in the firefighting operations.

Tokyo is dipped in hues of pink, as the cherry blossoms are in full bloom along the Meguro river. Visitors thronged to see the splendid site, as a state of emergency w

Tokyo is draped in hues of pink as the cherry trees are in full bloom along the Meguro river.
Parks in Tokyo were cordoned off as the the Japanese government has been calling upon people to refrain from holding picnic parties under the cherry blossoms.
Visitors thronged to see the splendid site as a state of emergency was lifted last week.
The cherry blossoms this year have reached their peak earlier than usual and experts suggest climate change is likely the cause.

An IIT-Delhi incubated startup, called Geliose Mobility, has developed an e-scooter that cuts travel cost to just 20 paise per kilometer. Called HOPE, the scooter is an

An IIT-Delhi incubated startup&nbsp;has developed an e-scooter that cuts travel cost to just 20 paise per kilometer. Called HOPE, the scooter is an Internet-based one and is an affordable alternative to petrol scooters that cost about Rs 2.5 per km. The scooter comes with a portable battery and a portable charger. According to an ANI report, a user can even switch between pedals for fitness and throttle for convenience.

US President Joe Biden has invited 40 countries including Russia and China to participate in the first big climate talk of his administration. The summit that will

US President Joe Biden&nbsp;has invited 40 countries including Russia and China to participate in the first big climate talks under his administration. The summit that will be held virtually on April 22 and 23 will be the US' first major international climate discussion in more than 4 years.
Biden administration officials said that the summit is about engaging at the leadership levels and sending a signal on how serious the US is on climate change.
Although the&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;administration is at loggerheads with China and Russia on election interference, cyber-attacks, human rights, and other issues, officials say that the US hopes that both countries will join the discussion.&nbsp;
China is the world's top emitter of climate-damaging pollution followed by the United States, while Russia stands at no. 4.&nbsp;

Africa's elephant populations have become more endangered, owing to threats of poaching and loss of habitat, a new report by International Union for Conservation of Nat

Africa's elephant populations have become more endangered, owing to threats of poaching and loss of habitat, a new report by International Union for Conservation of Nature has revealed. Now, the African forest elephant is critically endangered while the African savanna elephant is endangered- they were previously classified as a single species. experts suggest&nbsp;these species could face extinction in as little as 10 years. The number of African forests elephants have fallen by more than 86% over a 31 year period while savanna elephants have fallen by more than 60% over a 50 year period. Experts have warned that extinction of Africa's elephants will have consequences for the planet, since they play an important role in ecosystems and economies.

Researchers in France's Bordeaux analysed nearly a dozen bottles of Chateau Petrus Pomerol wine that spent close to a year in space. The wine, along with 320 snip

Researchers in France's Bordeaux analysed&nbsp;nearly a dozen bottles of Chateau Petrus Pomerol wine that spent close to a year in space.
The wine, along with 320 snippets of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines, came back to Earth after spending a year aboard the International Space Station for agricultural research.
Preliminary results were announced on Wednesday, when scientists said that weightlessness did not ruin the wine, and it seemed to energise it.
The initiative is a part of a larger effort to make plants on Earth more resilient to climate change by exposing them to different and newer stresses and to understand the fermentation and ageing of wine better.
While tasting, some researchers said the wine had aromas of cured leather or a campfire. Such experiments could help scientists create sturdier vines on Earth and maybe pave the way for wine-making in space.

Anonymous Indian graffiti artist, Daku's latest work sheds light on the water crisis in Chennai and the rest of India. The artist mainly uses shadow-play in his mu

Anonymous Indian graffiti artist, Daku's latest work sheds light on the water crisis in Chennai and the rest of India.&nbsp;The artist mainly uses shadow-play in his murals, and his latest piece in Chennai shows people lining up to fill up their buckets.
On June 19, 2019, officials in Chennai&nbsp;had declared 'Day Zero', indicating that water in the city had depleted. Sending a message through his art, Daku&nbsp;in an Instagram&nbsp;post wrote,&nbsp;Chennai has a long history of water crisis, the city was not meant to be the kind of metropolis it is now.
The mural is located in Kannagi Nagar and has been done for St+Art India Foundation.

To deal with the waste created by face masks, a Dutch designer Marianne de Groot-Pons creates face masks with rice paper that are filled with flower seeds. The masks,

To deal with the waste created by face masks, a Dutch designer Marianne de Groot-Pons&nbsp;has created face masks with rice paper that are filled with flower seeds.
The masks, created by her company called Marie Bee Bloom, are biodegradable and are meant to be buried into the ground after use.
Once they're buried, they bloom into stunning flowers. The glue used on the mask is also made using potato starch and water.
The artisanal masks are priced at approx. US$3.58 each and provides as much or as little protection as fabric masks, she claims.

The recovery of an ocean, threatened by extreme climatic events, could be aided with the help of sharks, according to a new study by researchers at the Florida Int

The recovery of an ocean, threatened by extreme climatic events, could be aided with the help of sharks, according to a new study by researchers at the&nbsp;Florida International University.
The study found that these apex predators are critical for maintaining stability and biodiversity in the world&rsquo;s oceans.
These sharks consume grazing animals, which in turn feed on aquatic plants.These plants further keep seas healthy by storing carbon dioxide and maintaining water clarity.
When these top predators are pushed to extinction, it is close to impossible for the ecosystem to make a comeback, the research says.
&nbsp;

World Water Day 2021: A new report released by UNICEF suggests that one in five children globally, does not have enough water for everyday needs.

A new report released by UNICEF suggests that one in five children globally, does not have enough water for everyday needs.
Over 1.42 billion people, including 450 million children across the world live in areas of high or very high water shortage.
The report further highlights the impact that the water crisis on children, saying children will&nbsp;miss school to fetch water when wells dry up and suffer from malnutrition when droughts hit food supplies.
The largest number of children,or over 155 million, living in areas of high or extremely high water vulnerability are in South Asia. To tackle this, the UN Body is launching the 'Water Security for All' initiative, that aims to ensure that every child has access to sustainable water services.
As per a UNICEF report from 2017, nearly 1 in 4 children worldwide will live in areas of extremely high water stress by 2040.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/world-water-day-2021-the-real-cost-of-water-1553265350034" target="_blank" >World Water Day 2021: The real cost of water</a>

If the climate crisis continues at the current rate, the Northern Hemisphere could witness summers for nearly half the year, by 2100. According to a new research publi

If the climate crisis continues at the current rate, the Northern Hemisphere could witness summers for nearly half the year, by 2100.
According to a new research published in Geophysical Research Letters, the&nbsp;average northern hemisphere summer has grown from 78 to 95 days between 1952 and 2011.&nbsp;
Winter could be squeezed to just 31 days a year across the Northern Hemisphere if urgent action is not taken to tackle the climate crisis.
This could affect&nbsp;the environment, human health and agriculture significantly.
&nbsp;

A declining rainfall pattern is severely affecting water security in Bihar, the state which does not have enough storage capacity.

A declining rainfall pattern is severely affecting water security in Bihar, the state which does not have enough storage capacity, according to a study by&nbsp;the Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI).&nbsp;
Bihar&nbsp;has only 950 million cubic metres of storage capacity in its 22 dams, which covers just 5% of the state's requirement.
This could have major consequences for the mostly rain-fed agriculture practiced here.
With the increasing population in the state, the per capita availability&nbsp;of water is reducing.
On World Water Day,&nbsp; celebrated on the 22nd of March, experts are urging the Bihar&nbsp;government to safeguard existing water resources to preserve them for future generations.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/world-water-day-2021-the-real-cost-of-water-1553265350034" target="_blank" >World Water Day 2021: The real cost of water</a>

Increased exposure to air pollution increases the risk of infertility, according to a new study by Peking University Third hospital in China.
The study found that those living with small particles of pollution had a 20% greater risk of infertility, which the researchers defined as 'not becoming pregnant within a year of trying'.
According to a Guardian report,&nbsp; while the scientists did not state how pollution poses a risk to fertility, it is believed that pollution particles cause inflammation in the body. This could damage sperm and egg production.
It further added that weight, age and smoking are also risk factors.&nbsp;

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Environment

G-7 activists project environment slogans on ship

Are Big Cats At Covid Risk?

World Environment Day 2021: 'Ecosystem Restoration'

Coffee or rice: Which one of your favourite foods are at risk of extinction?

Global warming causing one-third of all global heat deaths: study

Celebrate Earth Day 2021: 'Restore Our Earth'

Maisie Williams faces flak for 'greenwashing' with H&M. Here's what it means

Watch: Uttarakhand minister tries to douse forest fire with a bush

40 forest fires rage in Uttarakhand, IAF choppers pressed in

Tokyo draped in hues of pink thanks to its cherry blossoms

e-scooter from an IIT-D incubated start-up cuts travel cost to just 20 paise/km

President Biden invites China and Russia for global climate talks

Africa's elephant species are now endangered: IUCN

Researchers taste French wine that spent a year aboard the ISS

Anonymous graffiti artist Daku's latest mural depicts the Chennai water crisis

Dutch designer creates biodegradable face masks that can bloom into flowers when planted

Sharks critical in restoring damaged ecosystems due to climate change, study shows

1 in 5 children globally faces shortage of water for basic needs: UNICEF

By 2100, summers would last for nearly half the year if climate crisis continues

Bihar's water security threatened by declining rainfall pattern

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