Indian farmers face challenges in adopting solar-powered irrigation pumps due to high costs and loan interest rates. Despite government subsidies, the financial burden remains significant for farmers with average incomes and debts. Alternative funding models, such as crowd-financed loans, are suggested to bridge the financing gap. The Reserve Bank of India could facilitate this process. Crowdfunding has been successful in other regions and could help Indian farmers become self-reliant in energy needs, reduce pollution, and save on diesel costs. The story highlights the potential of crowdfunding to support sustainable farming and reduce government subsidies.

The revival of Lambadi embroidery through the formation of the craft association Porgai has significantly reduced labour migration in Tamil Nadu. Porgai, meaning happiness and pride in Lambadi dialect, was established in 2009 and involves around 60 women from local Lambadi families. These women create embroidered clothes, home furnishings, and accessories, selling their products in southern states and earning about Rs 5,000 per month. This initiative has provided a sustainable livelihood, preventing the need for migration to cities for work as labourers or construction workers. The flexibility of embroidery work allows women to manage their time effectively, contributing to their children's education and household needs. The practice also supports local agriculture by purchasing organic cotton grown in the Sittilingi valley.

Swara Bhasker, an actor and activist, emphasized the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone to understand and improve rural India at the inaugural Bharat Youth Dialogues. She shared how a rural immersion fellowship with PRADAN in Madhya Pradesh transformed her life and perspective. Village Square's Youth Hub initiative aims to harness the energy of India's youth for social equity, and the Bharat Youth Dialogues serve as a platform for interaction with influential figures. The event highlighted the significance of rural India, often overlooked despite being the country's backbone, and encouraged youth to engage in immersive rural experiences.

The article by Jency Samuel explores the emerging trend of eco-friendly weddings in India, highlighting the shift from traditional opulent ceremonies to more sustainable practices. The author introduces Monica Pandian and Praveen Raj, a couple who celebrated their wedding on World Environment Day with e-invites and organic cotton clothing. Another couple, Veena Balakrishnan and Vignesh Vancheeshwar, educated their guests about zero-waste weddings and used natural decorations. Prashin Jagger and Deepa Kamath faced family pressure for new clothes but chose cotton over silk. The article discusses the use of seed-based jewelry, upcycled ornaments, minimalistic decorations, and waste reduction in food service. These couples have inspired a movement towards green weddings, with eco-friendly wedding planners emerging to support this cause. The article emphasizes the significant environmental impact a single green wedding can have compared to everyday sustainable actions.

The article discusses the plight of women hawkers and platform vendors in Chennai, India, during the COVID-19 lockdown. It focuses on the stories of several women, including Selvi, Ammu, and Sundari, who rely on selling flowers, fruits, and other goods to support their families. With the lockdown in place, their sources of income have been cut off, leaving them struggling to feed their families. The government's assistance and the Public Distribution System (PDS) provide some relief, but it is not enough. The women are forced to reduce their expenses to the bare minimum and rely on the generosity of regular customers or take up domestic work. The article highlights the challenges faced by informal workers, particularly women, who are often overlooked in relief efforts and do not qualify for many benefits.

In Chennai, South India, brothers Vijaykumar Mani and Vasanth Kumar Mani have founded 'I Support Farming' (ISF), a company that connects urban investors with farmers in need of capital. The investors provide funds for necessary farming investments and share in the profits, while the farmers are de-risked financially. ISF uses smart technologies and economies of scale to reduce costs and increase productivity, buying inputs in bulk and selling produce directly to mills. They also use drones and software to diagnose crop issues accurately. The business model has been successful, attracting media attention and growing to support over 200 farmers and 600 acres of land. Urban investors, like Gokulavan Jayaraman from the IT sector, see this as an opportunity to contribute to rural development while earning returns on their investments.

The article discusses the severe impact of the COVID-19 lockdown and climate change on small-scale fishers in India. The lockdown has disrupted the supply chain, leading to a significant drop in income for fishers as they are unable to sell their catch. The situation is exacerbated by the annual fishing ban for breeding, further reducing their ability to earn a livelihood. The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute's statistics show a decline in marine fishers' production, and the Marine Products Export Development Authority and NETFISH are mentioned as struggling with the lockdown's effects. The article also highlights the plight of women fish vendors, who are disproportionately affected due to mobility issues and the shutdown of markets. Government interventions, such as the development of an app by the West Bengal Fisheries Development Corporation and direct financial support, are discussed, but challenges remain due to insufficient data on fishers and issues with identification cards. The article also touches on the long-term impacts of climate change, including more frequent cyclones and pollution, which have compounded the difficulties faced by the fishing community.

Tharuvaikulam, a village in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, has witnessed a significant shift from traditional palmyrah tapping to sustainable fishing practices. The community, which historically relied on tapping the sap of palmyrah trees, has adapted to fishing as a primary livelihood due to factors such as drought, the decline of palmyrah trees, and a government ban on toddy tapping. Embracing gillnetting, a more eco-friendly and economically efficient method, the villagers have become conscious of resource conservation, with their practices being recommended as a model for sustainable fishing. The transition has been supported by organizations like NETFISH and the Marine Products Export Development Authority, with studies from various research institutes validating the benefits of their approach.

The article discusses the transition of the community in Tharuvaikulam, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, from toddy tapping and farming to sustainable fishing practices. The shift began after a drought and a ban on toddy tapping in 1987. The community, which initially engaged in coral mining, eventually realized the ecological damage caused by trawl nets and decided to adopt gillnetting, a more sustainable fishing method. The article highlights the economic and environmental benefits of gillnetting over trawling, as supported by a study from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. The community's shift to sustainable fishing is presented as a model for conservation and livelihood that balances economic needs with environmental protection.

The article discusses India's initiative to mine polymetallic nodules from the seabed in the Central Indian Ocean Basin, which could provide the country with essential metals like nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese. India has the right to explore and mine these resources through an agreement with the International Seabed Authority. While the mining could have significant economic benefits due to the depletion of terrestrial reserves, the environmental implications are not fully understood. Technologies for deep-sea mining are being developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology, but their environmental safety is yet to be established. The article also touches on the potential strategic significance of India's initiative in the context of China's presence in the Indian Ocean. Environmental experts and organizations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature have expressed concerns about the impact of mining on marine life and ecosystems, emphasizing the need for careful study and minimal disturbance.

On January 7, 2015, two gunmen attacked the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical magazine, killing 10 media workers and two policemen. The attack, which occurred in Paris, was condemned by French President François Hollande and various organizations, including UNESCO and Amnesty International. The magazine had previously been targeted for its controversial cartoons of the prophet Muhammad. The attack sparked solidarity movements both online and in French cities, with the phrase “Je suis Charlie” becoming a symbol of support. Cartooning for Peace, co-founded by cartoonist Plantu, emphasized that art and freedom would triumph over intolerance.

In the Sundarbans of India, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rising sea levels and increased soil salinity are threatening traditional farming. The region has experienced significant land loss and a growing freshwater crisis, impacting the primarily subsistence communities. To adapt, farmers like Sukomal Mandal are turning to integrated farming, which combines various agricultural practices to create a self-sustaining cycle, enhancing resilience against climate change. Despite the benefits, adoption is low due to costs and labor intensity. Experts call for federal support to aid small and landless farmers in transitioning to integrated farming to secure their livelihoods against changing weather patterns.

Soil degradation is becoming a critical issue, threatening the ability to feed the global population by 2050. Experts at a conference in Reykjavík highlighted the importance of soil for ecosystem services and the need for carbon sequestration to combat soil decline and global warming. Soil erosion and land degradation are already causing significant losses in arable land, with urban development exacerbating the issue. Agricultural practices such as using seed drills, planting cover crops, and leaving crop residues can help soils become a carbon solution. The world's rangelands and pastures could potentially absorb a significant amount of carbon emissions. However, land management improvements are essential for food productivity, local livelihoods, water resources, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. Iceland's history of overexploitation serves as a cautionary tale, with ongoing efforts to restore degraded lands.