Ready to dig: Parts of the National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary will now be opened for sand mining.

Part of Chambal wildlife sanctuary to be opened for sand mining

Parts of the National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary (NCWS) will be opened to sand mining. The sanctuary spans across three states–Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) gave its nod to sand mining in 207.05 hectares of the NCWS, which fall in Morena district in MP. Environmentalists warned that this decision could legalise illegal sand mining. They also fear that the order could be used to pressure central and state governments to open up protected areas for similar activities.  

Truss appoints ‘climate sceptic’ Jacob Rees-Mogg as UK’s new energy secretary

UK’s new prime minister Liz Truss appointed Jacob Rees-Mogg as the country’s new energy secretary, much to the dismay of climate experts. Rees-Mogg had previously blamed high energy prices on “climate-change alarmism”. Climate activists described his appointment as “deeply worrying”. Rees-Mogg is expected to lead the country’s efforts to achieve its mid-century net-zero target, his past views on which can be best described as sceptical.

G20 talks collapse after leaders fail to agree on text for Ukraine war, climate finance

G20 meetings in Bali collapsed after leaders from the world’s largest economies failed to agree on joint texts. Energy and climate ministers disagreed on language pertaining to the Ukraine war, climate finance, and limiting warming to 1.5-2°C. This has sparked fears that countries might backtrack on their climate pledges ahead of COP27 to be held in Egypt in two months. 

Sportswear brand owner gives away company to fight climate crisis 

The owner of Patagonia, one of the world’s largest sportswear brands is giving away his entire company to fight climate change. Yvon Chouinard is giving the company to a trust and non-profit that will use all of the company’s profits towards climate action. Members of the Chouinard family donated 2% of all stock and their decision-making power to a trust, while 98% of the company stock will go to Holdfast Collective, a non-profit.