The United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) in his message to commemorate the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, on Wednesday, has urged for implementation of agreed environmental goals, targets and objectives for protection of the "Earth's Protective Shield." "Without action on climate change, the world faces profound social, economic and environmental disruption," warned

R. PRASAD

Surinder Sud / September 17, 2009, 0:43 IST

India has been successful in phasing out ozone depleting substances (ODS) like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 17 months ahead of the targeted date, said Union Minister for Environment & Forests, Jairam Ramesh, while addressing a conference to observe International Ozone Day here today.

The World Meteorological Organisation said on Wednesday that the ozone hole is expected to be smaller in 2009 than a year ago.

"The meteorological conditions observed so far could indicate that the 2009 ozone hole will be smaller than those of 2006 and 2008 and close to that of 2007," said the UN agency in a statement.

Vinson Kurian

Thiruvananthapuram, Sept. 15 Research conducted at Texas A&M University has sought to link the 1918 El Nino, among the strongest in history, and the flu pandemic that year.

The El Nino of 1918 coincided with one of the worst droughts in India, according to Prof Benjamin Giese, lead author of the research report.

This refers to Sunita Narain

Ahmedabad: A week-long programme to spread awareness about the ozone layer in the Earth

Pune In a bid to bring down the emission levels of Hydrochloroflurocatrbons (HCFC) in the city, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has shown its intent to initiate a meeting with the CEOs of the industries in Pune in March 2010. It will probably be the first time that an international agency like UNEP will be consulting the industry in the city on protection of environment.

Gandhinagar: The state may have received over 73 per cent rainfall, but this is the lowest rainfall after 2002. Gujarat has so far received 70.7 cm of rainfall against the seasonal average of 92.4 cm.