Current Issue - Volume 19 Issue 4 (July 2026)

Global energy shocks may be triggered by wars and market disruptions, but their impact on India reveals a deeper structural challenge. This article by Shreya Borah and Dr Gopal K Sarangi argues that India's recurring energy crises stem not merely from import dependence, but from entrenched vulnerabilities across the energy system, including heavy reliance on fossil fuels, inadequate grid infrastructure, storage constraints, and institutional bottlenecks. While renewable energy expansion is essential, it alone cannot guarantee energy security. The authors advocate a broader approach centred on resilience through stronger grids, diversified supply chains, domestic manufacturing, energy efficiency, decentralized systems, and strategic reforms. Addressing structural dependence, they contend, is key to securing India's energy future.

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In this article, Shamim Haque Mondal highlights that Europe is facing an intense heat wave driven by a combination of climate change and atmospheric dynamics. Arctic warming has weakened the polar jet stream, creating persistent omega blocking patterns that trap hot air from the Sahara over the continent. Descending high-pressure systems compress and heat the air, while cloudless skies intensify solar radiation. Dry soils and vegetation reduce evaporative cooling, converting more solar energy into surface heating. Urban heat islands further worsen temperatures, preventing nighttime cooling. Together, these factors have turned much of Europe into a thermodynamic heat trap.
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As India advances towards Viksit Bharat 2047, it has a unique opportunity to embed sustainability into the vast infrastructure yet to be built. The article argues that infrastructure planning must integrate low-carbon materials, climate resilience, digital technologies, and resource-efficient designs from the outset. It highlights the economic benefits of resilient infrastructure, the need to address embodied carbon and rising cooling demand, and the role of policy, public–private partnerships, and global best practices. Sustainable infrastructure, the authors (Dr Debajit Palit and Mandar Joshi) contend, is not merely an environmental aspiration but the foundation of India's long-term economic growth and resilience.

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In this article, Sarvesh Devraj shares his long-awaited journey to Ladakh, where he explored the region's remarkable blend of traditional wisdom, scientific innovation, and environmental stewardship. Through visits to SECMOL, HIAL, Hanle Observatory, monasteries, and the Ice Stupa at Tarchit, he highlights sustainable practices that help communities thrive in a harsh cold-desert environment. The article examines passive architecture, natural cooling systems, greenhouse cultivation, waste management, and water conservation innovations rooted in local knowledge. The author also reflects on the warmth and resilience of Ladakh's people and the lessons the region offers for building a more sustainable future. read more

As climate challenges intensify, environmental action cannot remain the responsibility of governments and corporations alone. Technology is creating new pathways for individuals to participate in verified reforestation and ecosystem restoration through everyday transactions, making climate action more accessible, measurable, and scalable. Harsh Singhal is the Founder & CEO of NetZero Labs, which has developed CarbonCart, a Shopify plugin that enables e-commerce brands to seamlessly embed climate action into the customer journey. By integrating verified tree planting and carbon offsets at checkout, the platform helps transform everyday purchases into measurable environmental impact. Here, he is in an exclusive email conversation with our editorial team for TerraGreen. read more

In this article, Mayuri Singh and Nishant Saxena argue that India's offshore wind sector is moving beyond resource assessment towards market creation, supported by new policies, viability gap funding, Contracts for Difference, port investments, and international partnerships. While strong wind resources exist, the key challenge is making projects financially viable and attractive to investors through effective risk allocation. The authors emphasize that offshore wind is also a legitimacy and communication challenge involving communities, ecosystems, industries, and governments. Drawing lessons from Europe, they contend that stakeholder alignment, institutional credibility, and a shared long-term vision will be as important as technology and financing in determining India's offshore wind future. read more

A joint report by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department and WWF-India highlights the importance of conserving raptors within Coimbatore's Master Plan 2041. Based on surveys conducted across seven forest ranges, the study recorded 25 raptor species and revealed that most sightings occurred in ecotones, the fragile transition zones between forests and urban areas. As Coimbatore expands, these habitats face increasing pressure from development and infrastructure projects. The report recommends protecting critical habitats, establishing ecological corridors, adopting bird-safe infrastructure, improving waste management, and creating an Urban Biodiversity Monitoring Cell. Integrating these measures can help ensure nature-positive and sustainable urban growth.

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