https://smogandsoot.com/2026-08-21https://smogandsoot.com/share-home.svg https://smogandsoot.com/news/delhi-cng-station-blast/2026-08-21https://smogandsoot.com/share-delhi-cng-station-blast.svgSilhouette of an industrial plant with smoke during a vibrant sunset. Pollution ClimateA blast at a CNG station in Delhi has left three people dead, with police saying the truck being refuelled had more cylinders than permitted (Source: Hindustan Times Delhi) https://smogandsoot.com/news/delhi-police-told-survey/2026-08-21https://smogandsoot.com/share-delhi-police-told-survey.svgAn industrial factory with chimneys emitting smoke, surrounded by snowy landscapes and...Lieutenant governor directs police to conduct fresh survey and expand senior citizen app (Source: Hindustan Times Delhi) https://smogandsoot.com/news/delhi-road-network-plans/2026-08-21https://smogandsoot.com/share-delhi-road-network-plans.svgPlastic cup littering the rocky coastline, illustrating environmental pollution challenges...The Delhi Development Authority is set to draw plans for existing and new road networks in the city, aiming to improve accessibility and reduce pollution. (Source: Hindustan Times Delhi) https://smogandsoot.com/news/china-five-year-plan/2026-08-21https://smogandsoot.com/share-china-five-year-plan.svgVolunteer, pollution, bottle plastic, environment, sea, beach. PollutionChina's new coal plan prioritizes energy security and a 'green and low-carbon transition', but lacks a clear timeline for reducing coal consumption, sparking debate among experts on its... https://smogandsoot.com/news/mariana-mazzucato-importance-culture/2026-08-20https://smogandsoot.com/share-mariana-mazzucato-importance-culture.svgLost places, pforphoto, abandoned, decay, expired, old. Pollution equipmentMariana Mazzucato argues that culture is fundamental to tackling the climate crisis and that a green transition must be people-centric https://smogandsoot.com/news/indian-ocean-changes-far/2026-08-20https://smogandsoot.com/share-indian-ocean-changes-far.svgIndustrial smokestack emitting smoke during sunset, highlighting environmental impact. PollutionThe Indian Ocean's unique biodiversity and climate are being shaped by its geological history, monsoon-driven dynamics, and global warming, with significant impacts on regional climate and marine... https://smogandsoot.com/news/indonesia-plastic-pollution-conundrum/2026-08-20https://smogandsoot.com/share-indonesia-plastic-pollution-conundrum.svgEnvironment, animals, wildlife, bird, elephant, nature. Pollution ClimateIndonesia is struggling to balance its goal of reducing plastic waste with the expansion of its petrochemical industry, which is expected to increase plastic production https://smogandsoot.com/news/rising-temperatures-intensify-humid/2026-08-20https://smogandsoot.com/share-rising-temperatures-intensify-humid.svgGlobe wrapped in plastic highlighting pollution and environmental concerns. Pollution ClimateA recent study finds that humid heat stress during India's monsoon season will rise sharply as global temperatures increase, affecting nearly half of the country if global temperatures exceed a... https://smogandsoot.com/news/delhi-traffic-police-suggest/2026-08-20https://smogandsoot.com/share-delhi-traffic-police-suggest.svgMurky water with submerged aquatic plants and floating debris. Pollution close upThe Delhi Traffic Police has proposed a series of road and traffic engineering works to ease congestion and improve road safety in west and south-west Delhi. (Source: Hindustan Times Delhi) https://smogandsoot.com/news/delhi-hc-questions-mla/2026-08-20https://smogandsoot.com/share-delhi-hc-questions-mla.svgPlastic cups, cool backgrounds, garbage, disposable cups, empty, beverages. Pollution backgroundThe Delhi High Court has questioned the Delhi government's decision to require women seeking aid under the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana to obtain an endorsement letter from their MP or MLA. https://smogandsoot.com/news/multinational-companies-invest-mangrove/2026-08-20https://smogandsoot.com/share-multinational-companies-invest-mangrove.svgIndustrial plant emitting smoke in a lush green area with mountains in the background...Multinational companies are investing in mangrove conservation in India, with some projects focusing on community livelihoods and biodiversity rather than carbon credits. https://smogandsoot.com/news/brazil-indigenous-mps-face/2026-08-20https://smogandsoot.com/share-brazil-indigenous-mps-face.svgSilhouette of cooling towers emitting smoke at sunset, highlighting industrial impact. Pollution...Brazil's Indigenous MPs are fighting for climate action despite facing opposition from the ruralist bloc. (Source: Dialogue Earth, formerly China Dialogue and The Third Pole) https://smogandsoot.com/news/camera-traps-reveal-hidden/2026-08-19https://smogandsoot.com/share-camera-traps-reveal-hidden.svgLandfill. PollutionA new study in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve estimates at least 55 greater hog badgers in the area, using camera trap data from the All India Tiger Estimation 2026. The elusive... https://smogandsoot.com/news/india-only-ape-endangered/2026-08-19https://smogandsoot.com/share-india-only-ape-endangered.svgA lone can rests on a muddy surface, highlighting pollution and environmental impact. Pollution...The western hoolock gibbon, India’s sole ape species, is known for its melodious calls and arboreal lifestyle. Found in northeastern India’s forests, it plays a crucial role in seed dispersal but... https://smogandsoot.com/news/theatre-review-hot-mess/2026-08-19https://smogandsoot.com/share-theatre-review-hot-mess.svgAerial shot of an industrial area with visible smoke emissions in Poznań, Poland. PollutionThe musical 'Hot Mess' uses a romantic comedy narrative to explore the tumultuous relationship between Earth and Humanity, highlighting the consequences of environmental exploitation and the... https://smogandsoot.com/news/indonesia-petrochemical-expansion-tests/2026-08-19https://smogandsoot.com/share-indonesia-petrochemical-expansion-tests.svgClimate, change, global, warming, drone, aerial. Pollution ClimateIndonesia’s growing petrochemical industry, boosted by a USD 6 billion China-backed refinery project, raises concerns about rising emissions and fossil fuel dependence. While the government touts... https://smogandsoot.com/news/bomb-fishing-tracked-sonically/2026-08-19https://smogandsoot.com/share-bomb-fishing-tracked-sonically.svgSeagull, plastic, nature, waste, pollution, danger. PollutionA study has used thousands of hours of underwater audio recordings to track blast fishing in the Spermonde archipelago, off the south-western edge of Indonesia's Sulawesi island. https://smogandsoot.com/news/brazil-indigenous-policy-makes/2026-08-19https://smogandsoot.com/share-brazil-indigenous-policy-makes.svgScenic view of industrial area emitting smoke in Kon Tum, Vietnam amid lush greenery. Pollution...Brazil's Indigenous policy has made significant strides in recent years, but critical problems persist, according to a recent analysis. https://smogandsoot.com/news/african-ai-governance-must/2026-08-19https://smogandsoot.com/share-african-ai-governance-must.svgFactory, industrial, smog, industry, pollution, building. Pollution industryAfrican governments are developing national AI strategies, but experts say they are neglecting the impact of AI on the environment and Indigenous rights. https://smogandsoot.com/news/indonesia-captive-coal-decarbonisation/2026-08-19https://smogandsoot.com/share-indonesia-captive-coal-decarbonisation.svgIndustry, technology, pollution, environment, energy, blue energy. Pollution industryIndonesia's ambition to dominate nickel and electric vehicle battery supply chains may undermine global decarbonisation efforts due to its reliance on captive coal-fired power plants. https://smogandsoot.com/news/women-led-rice-crab/2026-08-18https://smogandsoot.com/share-women-led-rice-crab.svgComposing, ape, motorcycle, gas mask, chimney, environment. PollutionFarmers in Assam are adopting a climate-resilient farming method that combines rice and crab cultivation, providing a second source of income and reducing the need for agrochemicals. https://smogandsoot.com/news/pollution-uncertainty-brazil-steel/2026-08-18https://smogandsoot.com/share-pollution-uncertainty-brazil-steel.svgThe bottle, plastic, segregation, processing, recycling, reflection. PollutionVolta Redonda, a city in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state, is plagued by pollution from the country's largest steelmaker, CSN. Residents and environmental groups are calling for action to address the... https://smogandsoot.com/news/india-young-farmers-embrace/2026-08-18https://smogandsoot.com/share-india-young-farmers-embrace.svgFactory, field, nature, rural, pollution, industry. Pollution industryYoung Indian farmers are turning to technology to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impacts in the country's agricultural sector. https://smogandsoot.com/news/ladakh-glaciers-losing-speed/2026-08-18https://smogandsoot.com/share-ladakh-glaciers-losing-speed.svgChimney, smoke, the industry, pollution, factory, burn. Pollution technologyA recent study has found that glaciers in the Zanskar Himalayas in Ladakh are losing speed, with implications for water availability in the region over the long term. (Source: Mongabay India) https://smogandsoot.com/news/supreme-court-upholds-centre/2026-08-18https://smogandsoot.com/share-supreme-court-upholds-centre.svgOld rusty pipes in the junkyard. Pollution close upThe Supreme Court has struck down the central government's 2021 Office Memorandum on post facto environmental clearances, but stated that the central government can frame statutory amnesty schemes... https://smogandsoot.com/news/clues-how-animals-evolved/2026-08-18https://smogandsoot.com/share-clues-how-animals-evolved.svgBackground, biohazard, danger, biological, poisonous, symbol. Pollution backgroundScientists have made new discoveries about how animals evolved an internal compass to navigate the Earth, but the origins of this ability remain elusive. (Source: Mongabay India) https://smogandsoot.com/news/heatwaves-lightning-recognized-national/2026-08-18https://smogandsoot.com/share-heatwaves-lightning-recognized-national.svgA single-use plastic water bottle that I found while snorkeling in The Gili Islands, Indonesia...The Indian government has officially recognized heatwaves and lightning as national disasters, making them eligible for relief under the State and National Disaster Response Funds. https://smogandsoot.com/news/indian-peafowl-expanding-range/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-indian-peafowl-expanding-range.svgA close-up of a peafowl's majestic tail feathers, photographed in a sun-dappled forest clearing...The Indian peafowl, a national symbol and protected species, is causing significant agricultural damage in the eastern Himalayas, exacerbating tensions between farmers and conservationists. https://smogandsoot.com/news/india-online-ornamental-plant/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-india-online-ornamental-plant.svgA close-up of a single, partially submerged, alien water lily species, its leaves and flowers...A new study has found that a majority of ornamental plants sold online in India are alien species, many of which are known to be invasive or naturalised in other countries. (Source: Mongabay India) https://smogandsoot.com/news/mine-closures-india-complex/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-mine-closures-india-complex.svgA close-up of a rusted, abandoned mine headframe, partially shrouded in a haze of dust and...India's mine-closure framework has expanded in recent years, but challenges remain in implementing scientific closure and ecological restoration. Local communities are often unaware of... https://smogandsoot.com/news/herders-quitting-occupation-threatens/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-herders-quitting-occupation-threatens.svgA close-up of a herder's worn leather boots, half-submerged in the dry riverbed of the...Herders play a vital role in mediating between villages and the forest department in the Kanha-Pench corridor, but many are quitting due to low wages, loss of pastures, and the risk of being... https://smogandsoot.com/news/tourism-human-disturbance-linked-e27606/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-tourism-human-disturbance-linked-e27606.svgA close-up of a tiger's paw print in the mud, with a subtle footprint of a hiking boot partially...A study across five tiger reserves in India reveals that tigers exposed to higher levels of tourism and human disturbance exhibit elevated stress hormone levels. Female tigers appear to prefer... https://smogandsoot.com/news/assam-floods-expose-crisis-39a5da/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-assam-floods-expose-crisis-39a5da.svgA close-up of a cracked and flooded kerb, with murky brown water lapping against the edge...The recent floods in Assam and Nagaland have left a trail of destruction, with over 100 people reported dead and thousands displaced. While heavy rainfall is being cited as a primary cause... https://smogandsoot.com/news/himalayan-pheasants-face-mounting-e75726/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-himalayan-pheasants-face-mounting-e75726.svgA white-crested kalij pheasant stands on a moss-covered rock in a misty forest, its iridescent...A study on the white-crested kalij pheasant in the northwestern Himalayas has identified habitat degradation, hunting, and human disturbance as major threats to the species. The findings serve as... https://smogandsoot.com/news/western-ghats-states-odds-4c3220/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-western-ghats-states-odds-4c3220.svgA close-up of a weathered, moss-covered stone signpost, partially submerged in a dry riverbed in...The Union Environment Ministry has released a new draft notification defining Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) across 56,825 sq km of the Western Ghats, but states including Kerala and Goa... https://smogandsoot.com/news/nine-anchor-species-could-94f623/2026-08-16https://smogandsoot.com/share-nine-anchor-species-could-94f623.svgRobot, diver, nature, desert, environment, pollution. Pollution ClimateNew research identifies nine key species whose habitat conservation could protect over 700 vertebrates and 1.1 gigatonnes of carbon in India, offering a pathway to meet biodiversity and climate... https://smogandsoot.com/news/carbon-market-bets-invasive-fe7b24/2026-08-16https://smogandsoot.com/share-carbon-market-bets-invasive-fe7b24.svgPower plant, air pollution, coal-fired power station, co2, carbon dioxide, emissions. Pollution...Big companies are paying to convert invasive trees in India into charcoal-like substances to solve climate change, but the process raises several questions about its effectiveness and impact on... https://smogandsoot.com/news/free-ranging-dogs-threaten-8387ab/2026-08-16https://smogandsoot.com/share-free-ranging-dogs-threaten-8387ab.svgA discarded syringe lying among green leaves in a garden setting, highlighting environmental...A new study finds that free-ranging domestic dogs are a growing threat to livestock in Himachal Pradesh's Upper Spiti, with many herders considering them a greater risk than traditional predators. https://smogandsoot.com/news/india-bats-ecological-guardians-48d7f3/2026-08-16https://smogandsoot.com/share-india-bats-ecological-guardians-48d7f3.svgBottle, pollution, garbage, grass, lawn, nature. PollutionIndia's diverse bat species play vital roles in pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal, yet face declining populations due to habitat loss, persecution, and wind turbine collisions. With... https://smogandsoot.com/news/shrinking-shola-grasslands-threaten-a28158/2026-08-16https://smogandsoot.com/share-shrinking-shola-grasslands-threaten-a28158.svgPower station, chimneys, smoke, industry, lake, swans. Pollution industryA new study of the high-elevation shola sky islands shows that loss of native grasslands and the spread of exotic woodlands are restricting movement for endemic birds, especially the... https://smogandsoot.com/news/divergent-climate-rankings-highlight-5a19aa/2026-08-16https://smogandsoot.com/share-divergent-climate-rankings-highlight-5a19aa.svgSilhouette of factories releasing smoke against a moody sky during dusk in Balashikha, Russia...India’s low placement in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index and its high ranking in the Climate Change Performance Index expose how differing ethical assumptions-total emissions versus... https://smogandsoot.com/news/invasive-species-impact-severe-ed0e16/2026-08-16https://smogandsoot.com/share-invasive-species-impact-severe-ed0e16.svgFactory chimneys releasing smoke into the sky at sunset, highlighting industrial pollution...A recent study published in the Science journal challenges the notion that the impacts of invasive alien species are greatest in wealthy countries of the Global North. (Source: Mongabay India) https://smogandsoot.com/news/declining-breeding-population-arunachali-ad50a6/2026-08-16https://smogandsoot.com/share-declining-breeding-population-arunachali-ad50a6.svgA body of water with a beach and waves. Pollution close upA recent genetic study on the Arunachali mithun has revealed a declining breeding population, highlighting the need for informed breeding decisions and conservation efforts. (Source: Mongabay India) https://smogandsoot.com/air/2026-08-21 https://smogandsoot.com/water/2026-08-21 https://smogandsoot.com/waste/2026-08-21 https://smogandsoot.com/health-policy/2026-08-20 https://smogandsoot.com/about/ https://smogandsoot.com/sources-and-methods/ https://smogandsoot.com/corrections/